shelves in May. Mysterion obliterated more attendance records, but Roth traded it to Bob Larivee in exchange for his old Outlaw and Tweedy Pie. The weight of the Gas dragster–inspired twin Ford FE engines wreaked havoc with the hydrogen embrittled chrome frame and Mysterion’s career ended abruptly and (appropriately) mysteriously. But Roth was still fetching a penny on every kit sold. That deal had earned him $32,000 in 1963, and 1964 was looking even better.
Mark Moriarity may own more Roth memorabilia than all Roth fans combined. His Mysterion sits on an original Revell mini-diorama. And Mark never leaves the house without his Mysterion lunchbox. (Photo Courtesy Mark Moriarity)
Dave Shuten’s full-scale Mysterion is probably closer to the original than the original ever was, after its first road trip (note dueling banjo rear ends). It lives at Galpin Ford in Los Angeles, where Shuten restores and re-creates show rods every day. (Photo Courtesy Dave Shuten)
AMT # 2162-200, 1964, 1/25 scale, Designed by Bill Cushenbery
In a bold move, AMT got generous with the extra features here, even including a swoopy custom enclosed trailer for Silhouette to ride in. These trailers inspired many wild tow truck builds as well. AMT tossed in a change of rolling stock and a blower/injector combo for the big-block Ford to accommodate builders opting for the “Drag” version of this 3-in-1 kit. Veteran drag fans will note the resemblance to Tony Nancy’s streamliner dragster. (Photo Courtesy Dave’s Show Rod Rally)
Cushenbery’s rolling steel sculpture debuted with a gobsmack at the San Mateo Autorama, took the coveted inaugural Tournament of Fame at Oakland, won the Winternationals show, then was bought by Ford Motor Company (where the nailhead Buick engine was swapped for a Blue Oval 427) and put to work in their Custom Car Caravan, all in 1963. That stellar year of success was celebrated in scale in 1964 with AMT’s kit release. Silhouette went on to become a spokesmodel for Dupont (which painted it purple) in 1967, was one of the Hot Wheels Sweet 16, then was stolen and never recovered. Cushenbery then built the Silhouette II, which also vanished, but was eventually located and restored.
Cushenbery designed the coolest trailer ever. Once the exclusive domain of touring pro drag racers, he decided to spread the form-fitting fun around so even low-buck modelers could enjoy the ride. What a guy. (Photo Courtesy Scotty Gosson Collection)
Monogram # PC95-150, 1964, 1/24 scale, Designed by Darryl Starbird, Re-issued 1990 and 2000
First-issue Predictas (1964) were shipped with this multipage booklet by Starbird, written as a rod and custom primer for newcomers to the hobby. It includes a glossary and some custom do’s and don’ts. (Photo Courtesy Mark Gustavson)
The first independent builder to use a bubbletop (on this very car), Darryl Starbird was soon crowned The Bubbletop King. He crafted Predicta in 1959 and by the time Monogram released this kit in 1964 (in red plastic), Starbird was their celebrity Custom Consultant. Predicta (the last of six Starbird show rods purchased by Monogram) was later given away in a Monogram promotion, and repurchased by Starbird. (Photo Courtesy Dave Shuten)
Technically not a scratch-built show rod, Starbird started this project in 1959 with a 1956 T-Bird and added 1959 Buick quarter panels, a Hilborn injected 392-ci Hemi, the bubbletop, and joystick control. It’s been street driven from day one and even drag raced. Most trophies came from shows, though, such as Oakland and Monterey. Predicta even bagged Motor Trend’s Custom of the Year award in 1960. Darryl was in the midst of changing the engine, bubbletop, grilles, wheel wells, and color (from blue to red) for inclusion in Ford’s Custom Car Caravan while the kit was being tooled. The result landed Starbird in the Million Kits Sold Club, less than a year after its release. Fifty years later, Monogram has sold even more kits. Starbird still has the car, and he remains humbled that Monogram’s Jack Besser and Bob Reder reached out to him.
More of Monogram’s wonderful box art, circa 1964.
Mark Gustavson warns of these (friction- and electric-powered) offshore fakes. Luckily, they’re easy to spot even though the quality is poor, at best. Thanks Mr. G!
Finished kit, as built by Mark Gustavson, who is currently working on a dedicated Predicta book project. (Photos Courtesy Mark Gustavson)
AMT #657, 1964, 1/25 scale, Designed by Tom Daniel, Re-issued 1989, 2010
Bonus goodies include the coffin-shaped “Surf Slab” motorized surfboard (swiped from AMT’s own Surf Woody kit)! Drag-U-La’s only AMT re-issue was the 1989 Blueprinter Series combo, with the Munster Koach. Besides AMT’s iconic kit, Johnny Lightning has released at least a dozen variations of its diecast Drag-U-Las. Round 2 released an 11 x 14-inch coffin-shaped tin containing Drag-U-La and Munster Koach kits in 2010 that included both new and original decals, 16-page photo book, diecut Munster family photo backdrop, and three placards. (Photo Courtesy Dave’s Show Rod Rally)
While contemplating a possible follow-up to his Munster Koach design, Tom Daniel was approached at a show by a well-heeled young man with an idea for a casket-bodied dragster. Daniel didn’t get the kid’s name and hasn’t heard from him since. But Tom ensured the message was delivered when Universal Studios inquired as to the possibility of a second car for the Munster family (“second cars” being the status symbol du jour).
A peek at AMT’s instructions reveals the optional top-mounted gas-powered surfboard, as pioneered in the Surf Woody kit. Eat your heart out, Stroker McGurk! (Photo Courtesy Scotty Gosson Collection)
William Clark enjoys large-scale building, illustrated by his Drag-U-La, caught in an appropriate setting. (Photos Courtesy William Clark)
Again, Dick Dean and company built Daniel’s concept for Barris, but this time, they also made three fiberglass