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Cadillac & LaSalle Toys
The Kits of TKM,
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As happens with most "single make" toy car collectors,
I soon got frustrated from finding always the same Cadillac models
being offered in various scales and colors by the various manufacturers.
The most prolific of these are (in the pre-WW2
category) the 1932 dual-cowl, sport phaeton and (in the post-WW2 category) the
1967-68 front-wheel-drive Eldorado, closely followed by the 1959 coupe and
convertible models. If anyone wants to start a toy collection on the
theme of the 1959 Cadillac (in any scale and construction medium), they had
better make sure they have enough cabinet space!
That said, I was keen to have in my collection at
least one scale-model, toy or replica of every Cadillac model year from 1902
on up. I got a lot of help with this crazy venture from John Hanley in
the USA [Jo-Han
replica kits and promotionals in 1:25 scale] for the years 1958 through 1979,
as well as from Ren� Daffaure in France [RD
Marmande replicas in circa 1:43 scale] for pre-WW2 models, custom
coachwork on Cadillac chassis and the bespoke V-16 models of the thirties and
forties.
I was "fusterated", as my children would say, that a
highly skilled craftsman like John Hanley of Jo-Han models would not take on
the Cadillac years prior to 1958. But I was thrilled to discover, in the
seventies, that another American craftsman by the name of Tom K. Mills had
decided to augment the selection of 1:25 scale Cadillac replicas. He has done
a great job.
On the latest listing I got from Tom, I counted more
than forty Cadillacs, ranging from the 1938 Series 60 Special to the
1995, 4-door DeVille model.
For those of you who have gaps to fill in their toy
Cadillac collection, you should consider some (or all) of these. The
quality and detail is not up to the Jo-Han level but, remember, these are
individually hand-cast replicas, not the mass-produced kind.
On his listings, Tom mentions that these kits are for the
experienced model builder. They include a one-piece plastic body,
wheels, axles and metal bottom. All convertibles include interiors. Interiors
are NOT available in hardtop models (sedans) unless noted. In the models that
I acquired without interior, I did not have the windshield or windows cur out
but simply had those areas painted as though they were reflecting a cloudy,
blue sky.
1957 Eldorado Biarritz kit
Typical unfinished TKM kits:Fron L-R:
1987 Allant� (with interior),
1976 Fleetwood (with interior), 1947 Series 62 convertible
(with interior)
[ Photos: author's former collection ]
|
Typical finished TKM kit of
Cadillac's 1951 coupe model
[ Photo: courtesy Tom K. Mills ]
|
Here is Tom's own description of his replicas: Models are
cast in a caramel-colored plastic which can be painted using any type of hobby
paint or automotive paints for exact matching of color to the real cars.
Because each model is cast by hand, a minimum amount of sanding may be
required before painting. The windshields of all models, as well as the side
Windows of hardtop models without interiors are cast solid (closed). Windows
can be removed (cut out) with a Dremel or X-acto knife if desired; however, if
it is your intention to do so, please specify when ordering so that a thinner
application of pl;plastic can be made in these areas to facilitate easy
removal of the windows. Models are packed in Styrofoam chips for shipping and
are shipped via UPS unless otherwise requested. Please include with payment
the following amounts for shipping and handling:
| Within the U.S. |
$ 4.00 for first model plus $0.50 each
additional |
| Canada |
$ 8.00 for first model plus $0.50 each
additional |
| Europe, Asia, Australia, S. America |
$ 18.00 for first model plus $1.00 each additional |
I cannot guarantee the current availability of any of these models; the last
listing I got from Tom mentions some models being available only in
Spring 2000, so I am guessing that list was published in 1999. Here is
Tom's address if you want more up-to-date information or if you are
interested in acquiring any of these replicas:
TKM Models
P.O. Box 57235
Oklahoma City
OK 73157
Ph. (405) 946-4892
Fax (405) 848-6453