The Original Vicky Model
The Original Model!
The original �57 Club Victoria model was essentially AMT kit-based, of course. Although several re-issues of the kit were available when I began the project in 1977, I chose to start with the legendary original kit
because the quality of that 1962 plastic was superior to that used in later issues of this kit. I determined to detail the kit by modifying the body, scratchbuilding a very few chassis components, detailing the engine and engine compartment, adding working headlights and taillights, and painting it with DuPont Centari acrylic enamels in an original paint scheme. Check out the original Scale Auto Enthusiast article (2.5 MB)for full details on the model. 
As I built the model, I discovered the predictable limitations of the AMT kit: the crude door hinges (the passenger door had to be glued shut!), the grossly inaccurate inner fender wells in the engine compartment, and the combined frame/underfloor unit.
My first Vicky model was entered in a number of local contests after it appeared in MCJ and Scale Auto. In those contests, it did well except against the work of George Layton who, at the time, used to regularly best me in contests. I was also honored when Eldred Mason, owner of the Bare Metal Foil company, selected my Vicky (as one of several models from a number of other builders) to appear in a display advert for his great product.
The model is still in pretty good condition, though the years have brought some deterioration to it � the delicate strip styrene rear leaf springs have broken, the driver�s door hardly works at all, and the original vac-plated bumpers have faded.
The second model will attempt to address all the correct details and accuracy of the 1:1 car, and it will be an interesting comparison between the original model and this second effort on the same subject. See The New Vicky section that follows immediately.
Many more vintage and contemporary images of this model will be uploaded soon.(there are no construction photos)