The Model Projects
by Mark S. Gustavson

The central  focus The Predicta Project will be the presentation, hopefully as early as  GSL-XXI (2007), of a narrative of the history of the vehicle commencing at its original construction through the several restyled versions based on the basic design, and ending with a speculation of where the car might be if discovered a  century hence! We'll seek out the best available diorama builders interested in this project -- I'll build most of the Predicta models.

It will be necessary to master a corrected body shell since the  Monogram kit's basic body dimensions and shapes differ substantially from  the shapes and measurements of the real car, regardless of the version. I'll be mastering a corrected first/second/third version body shell (and, later, the fourth version body) which will be resin cast by Eric Hight (Dan Thomas will be  using his own modified body shell to build his model of the first major  version). This master will be to build the third version of the car (hopefully, we can find another builder to construct a model of the second major version of the car, using this resin casting). Once the master of the initial  body has been resin cast, Gustavson will modify that master it to replicate the  restyled Monogram version; this version of the car, too, will be resin cast and possibly offered by Custom Styling Studio.  All builders singing up to build the various versions of the car will be  afforded a complete kit with all machined and photo etched accessories which will contain hundreds of specially manufactured parts ( link to  tables chart here, also e-mailed to you).

Please note that the following list is intentionally expansive and enthusiastic; hopefully, all of these models and dioramas will get built.

Hopefully, we'll be building these models:

Scale Models of the  Predicta

Scale Models of the car. One of goals of this project is  to portray, in scale, the major versions of the Predicta. The following versions  of the car will be presented in the 2007 display:

First  version: Oakland Roadster Show/Monterey Show (partial bubble ring, copper front grille).

Builder: Dan Thomas (Take a look at Dan's Predicta here...)
Presentation/Diorama: Oakland Roadster Show Diorama (in Museum). (August 1960 issue of Car Craft).
Detailing  Level: Unknown at this time. Dan's model will be photographed in ORSD at the Museum.

Second Version: Original body, with chrome front and rear grille work, full bubble ring.

Builder: Mark S. Gustavson
Presentation/Diorama: Diorama of Midwest car  show, 1961. Diorama builder to be selected.
Detailing Level: This model will be  highly detailed.

Notes: 1). This version of the car/model is the same one as in the immediately following listing. This version, however, will be presented in a 'fresh" show condition.
2). We'll create a "what if" Monogram kit of this version of the car.

Third  version Car as delivered to Monogram

Builder: Mark S. Gustavson
Presentation/Diorama: Diorama of the car at the Monogram receiving dock. (Model plus diorama). Diorama builder is unknown.
Detailing Level: This model will be  highly detailed.

Notes:   1). Even though this is the same version of the car depicted in the previous listing, this version will portray the mild damage seen in the photos  of the car at Monogram: road rash, the mild body and paint damage evident in the  photos, and so forth.
2). The various  elements in this diorama will be presented: the dilapidated trailer, the figures  in the scene, the fascia of the large warehouse, the asphalt apron. Need to seek out a good figure modeler.

Fourth version Construction/Restyling version (all primer).

Builders: Unknown for both vehicle and diorama. 
Presentation/Diorama: Diorama of Starbird's original shop.
Diorama builder: unknown
Detailing Level: Moderate detailing.

• Notes: This model won't require a full range of detail -- for instance, this  model won't require an engine and interior. It will be a challenge to depict  the scene with the primered body, the fresh welding around the back of the bubble and on the wind split, the nose up attitude because there was no engine  in the car, the empty engine compartment, and so forth. There are a lot of great  detailing opportunities here.

Fifth  version Post-Restyling Version of Car

Builders: Mark S. Gustavson  - vehicle
Diorama builder: unknown.
Presentation/Diorama: Diorama of Monogram photo studio (Where the Predicta was parked alongside the Futurista)

Detailing  Level: Highly-detailed (opening doors, corrected engine, corrected bubble top with ring, more detail). This version will abound in details: Operating studio lights (spot lights and overhead lights), model lights (headlights, taillights, TV, turning fan belt, etc, all remotely controlled).

Notes: We will  need to construct a model of the Futurista and other details in the impromptu Monogram photo studio: the picket fence, the lights, and so forth.

Sixth  version Silver color/American flat paint motif, blower through the  hood

Builder: Mark S.  Gustavson - vehicle
Presentation/Diorama: Possibly a diorama of Starbird's home in 1979. Diorama builder to be selected.
Detailing  Level: Shelf Model only (closed hood, no mechanical detailing).
Note: Should we do a fascia-diorama of Starbird's old shop?

Seventh  (current) version

Builder: Mark S.  Gustavson
Presentation/Diorama: Unclear at this time.
Detailing  Level: High quality exterior/interior presentation only.
Notes: (None  now)

Restyled "what if" version

Builder: Mark S. Gustavson
Presentation/Diorama: In a faux Monogram kit  box, and as part of the overall presentation.
Detailing Level: Highly Detailed.
Notes: Theme: This "what-if" version of the Predicta that will represent my ideas of how the car might have been restyled in anticipation of  the 1964 Monogram kit. This model will pick up on then-current Starbird styling  cues from other of his cars, and will be strictly "anchored" in the 1963-64  period. This version will be very respectful of Starbird's incredible 1964  restyling of the car.

Future of  the car version

Builder: Unknown for model. Unknown for diorama.
Presentation/Diorama: Damaged Predicta, abandoned on the side of a road for many years, will be discovered by a couple  of guys driving a very futuristic car with a bubble top.
Detailing level: Unknown at this time,  preferably a high level.
Notes: We'll have to be careful with this damaged model and diorama to be sure  that the 100-year-in-the-future theme and presentation is plausible.

Special  Kits

Builders/Team Members: Gustavson, Yu, Wick, Benton

Kits: We will produce three special "what-if" kits that will speculate on what "might have been" in the history of the car and  Monogram:

1). A faux kit of the second version of the car. Namely, what if  Monogram had approached Starbird earlier than it did, and had acquired the car  during the height of its second-version glory and decided not to ask Starbird  to re-style the car? The box art will show the car against a background "lifted" from the setting of the 1961 Midwest shows in which the car was campaigned. It isn't likely that a photo of the car would have been featured (in fact, from that era, only the Predicta and the Futurista were depicted on Monogram boxes as photographs), so I'll commission some artwork from someone (Jairus Watson?) to do a painting, and then Benton or Yu can add the Monogram kit details from 1961 (use the number immediately preceding the 1964 kit PC-number). I'd like to  create a full-on "kit" of this model including instruction sheet, the kit parts, the box lid art and so forth (the kit parts would be painted to mimic the  brilliant Monogram plastic from this age).

2). A faux 1/24 slot racing kit. Harney also told me that Monogram once considered doing a slot racing kit of the Predicta. We're going to  take the step that Monogram never did. I have an unbuilt Monogram 1/24 '58 T-Bird slot kit that we'll cannibalize to produce this "what if" kit. It will be fun to speculate, in three-dimensions, how a vintage Predicta slot car kit from  that era would be presented (what tag line appears on the box cover, etc.?).  The model would need to be one-piece body and appear not to be painted (somewhat  dulled out finish), with a very shallow interior, and other details. A virgin kit will be created, as well as a "built-up" version of the model. It would be kinda cool to set up a small Monogram slot car track on which the built-up slot  car could be placed and be operating on a slot track -- perhaps this could be done in a kit-promotional setting. We'll also revise some historic Monogram slot car ads from that era to include the faux Predicta slot car kit.

3). A faux enhanced version of the 1964 kit. As Harney has  advised me, Monogram originally intended to offer the kit with opening doors. What if budgetary considerations hadn't been a concern in 1964? What if Monogram had the full budget to set a new standard for extensive mechanical and other detailing?

This faux kit will include opening doors, enhanced mechanical detailing  (many more engine parts, including options for the various versions of the  engine), a vintage lighting kit, and so forth. Additionally, to round out this historical speculation, what if Monogram had re-launched its 1961 Custom Car Lot  (in late 1964, after their issuance of Starbird's Futurista and in anticipation  of their issuance of the Orange Hauler) in response to the company's then still-expanding involvement with Starbird? We'll create a revised Custom Car  Lot advertising poster (which would include pictured models of the Predicta, the  Furturista, the Orange Hauler, and Starbird's custom versions of the 1955  Chevy/1940 Ford pickup/1958 Thunderbird), and ephemera associated with that advertising campaign . And, we'll redo some of the famous Predicta magazine ads to include references to our "what-if" enhanced kit. (Ever wonder why Monogram  didn't offer a kit of the Forcasta?).

Scale Dioramas

We can't just place models of the car â€" even exquisitely detailed scale replicas â€"  on a table and leave them there. Instead, we'll be recreating scenes in which  the various versions of the car can be placed in a scene.

We'll reach out to accomplished dioramists (with a specific emphasis upon seeking modelers from IPMS/USA) to construct the following dioramas which  will help tell the story of the Predicta:

• Oakland  Roadster Show (we'll use the ORSD in the Museum), 1960;
• Midwest car  show, 1960 
• Monogram receiving dock, 1963
• Starbird shop, 1963
• Monogram Studio  promotional studio;
• Starbird's home, circa 1978. 
• "Future" where the damaged, abandoned car is discovered is discovered by automotive archaeologists.

Obviously, this aspect of The Predicta Project will require substantial  additional work, and I'll report back to you in the future.