<VV> Gardner V-8 Corvair model

[James P. Rice]

All:  There is a disconnect or something else going on about this model of
the Gardner/Grice V-8 Corvair racecar from down under.  I've been in contact
with the folks there for almost 2 years about the Gardner/Grice car,
including the folks at Models56.  They have been commissioned by Gardner's
family to make a series of models of his cars, the Corvair being the first.

I contacted them after Dave's posting, because what he tells us is
inconsistent with what I have been told.  Long story short, if you want
either the kit or a built model, contact the folks at Models 56.
(www.models56.com.au)  There is no limit on how many they will sell into any
country.  The kits are not yet on the shelf in Australia.  I do not know the
price, but I have a built kit of the Players car on order.

Like the Fitch Phoenix model, it will probably be more than some of you have
ever paid for a real Corvair.  Dave says $100, but I don't know if that is
US or Aussie dollars.  Or what the exchange rate is.  But also like the
Phoenix model, this is a model of a unique piece of Corvair history.

Historically Yours,
			James Rice

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Message: 10
Date: Thu, 14 Oct 2010 04:00:33 GMT
From: "Dave Newell" <chevrobilia at juno.com>
Subject: <VV> New Models of Gardner/Grice Aussie Corvair Sedan Racer
To: virtualvairs at corvair.org

Hi,
I'm happy to announce the surprise arrival of two new and very unusual
Australian 1/43 scale Corvair models...the Frank Gardner Sedan Racing
Corvair as sponsored by John Player and its second incarnation as Allan
Grice's ride under Craven sponsorship. This car and its drivers are legends
down under, and swept almost every Sports Sedan race in which they were
entered between 1975 and 1979. Powered by a Repco-Holden 308 V8 -- a cousin
of the small-block Chevy -- the car used Formula 5000 chassis components
modified from a Lola but retained the '65 Corvair steel body with fiberglass
hood and trunk lids.

Now there will be resin collector's models of these famous Corvairs, fully
assembled in a display box and available as either the Gardner Player
version or Allan Grice's Craven car. The best news is that they were
designed by noted automotive designer Raffi Miniasian, who did such as
masterful job designing the Automodello Fitch Phoenix model that just came
out. The racers will be just as nice and are really works of art.

The downside is that the Aussie model maker behind the cars, "Model 56", is
only making them available for the down under market. But Raffi has pried
loose a precious few for us rabid Corvair model buffs in this hemisphere:
FIVE to be exact. Please don't think of this as an ad and kick it off VV,
'cause it's really just a favor from Raffi and a nod of friendship to us.
He's not making any money. And he's working on still more Corvair models
right now.

You have to apply the Player & Craven decals yourself. The cars come with
all the other decals in place but rather than pad the coffers of cigarette
companies to get their licenses, the cig decals come on a sheet with each
model. The price is $100 plus $7.50 per order, and yes, you can order one of
each version but please don't ask to take all five!

Please email me at chevrobilia at juno.com and I'll confirm your order and give
you Raffi's address so you can send him a check. But remember, there are
only FIVE available to North American Vair nuts, so you'd better move
quickly.

I can send you photos of the models with all their decals in place if you
email me.

Here are some fun links:

The Model 56 web site:

http://www.models56.com.au/products.html

Gardner Corvair history, excerpted from the "41 out of 49" book that John
Player published:

http://v8racecar.wordpress.com/2010/01/09/frank-gardners-john-player-racing-
corvair/

Gardner & Grice Corvair history from our own V8 Vairs:

http://www.v8vairs.com/images/GardnerFrank/FrankGardner.htm

And...Frank Gardner's website with some neat Vair photos:

http://frankgardnerracing.com/Text/1261524623231-4116/pC/1248917963707-8276/

Thanks...I hope you think this car is as interesting as I do. At least a few
of you will have a chance to own these beautiful models.

Dave Newell