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I still maintain that I don’t collect hot rod or racing die cast cars per se, but here’s another keeper for sure. George Barris grafted the front end of a ’29 Model A Ford to the stern of a ’27 Ford Model T to create what the Oakland Roadster Show dubbed “America’s Most Beautiful Roadster” two years in a row (1958 & 1959).
DM’s 1:24 scale image of the Ala Kart is a small one – for the original roadster is a small car. And what a little jewel it is. It’s hard to believe the amount of features and stylistic flourishes that are packed into such a small vehicle. Barris maintained the overall “look” of the original Fords but seemed bent on adding modern touches like quad headlights, canted, raised taillights and a molded radiator shell surrounding a custom grill studded with Lucite rods. To a Swedish Pearl paint job, Barris added gobs of chrome above and below, with purple and gold scallops and pinstripes everywhere. Pleated Naugahyde was used for the upholstery and convertible top – and was even used on the undercarriage! DM has recreated this stylistic UN faithfully in 1:24 scale. Features include a full working suspension, a three-piece, removable hood and an exquisitely detailed scale replica of the Hilborn-injected Dodge Hemi engine. It makes you smile just to look at this little gem of an image.
George Barris never seemed to run out of ideas. He used a lot of them in creating the Ala Kart. It still stands today as a prime example of the “Art of the Roadster”. The issue price is $124.
(12/12/2002)
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