O F F - T H E - S H E L F

The following editorial reflects the personal thoughts of Doug Breithaupt relating to our common hobby of miniature cars. It is intended to generate discussion
relating to 'Tales of Toy Cars'. Your letters are welcome and may be submitted via e-mail.

Blue Steel



1969 AMC AMX

1967 Pontiac GTO

1967 Chevrolet Camaro SS
Most of us have a favorite color. Mine happens to be blue and my favorite shade of blue is the metallic silver blue steel you see here.

It was a popular color in the late 1960's and early 1970's. It appeared on many cars, and Ford, Chrysler, GM and AMC all had their own version.

Johnny Lightning also seems to like this color of blue. The six cars here are just some of the models from JL to wear my favorite blue. If you are a muscle car fan, these models would fill a nice six-car garage.

While I've owned many cars over the years, few have been true muscle cars. I did have a 1970 Oldsmobile 442 W30 that certainly qualified but I've preferred 'non-traditional' muscle like the 1970 Oldsmobile Toronado GT W34. Four-hundred h.p. and front-wheel drive is wild.

Most recently, I added a 1972 Buick Sportwagon to the full-sized fleet. It has Buick's rock-solid 350 c.i. small-block V8 and it is as fun to drive as it is useful. I don't need no stinkin' SUV.

Now, it's time to spruce up the old Sportwagon and I just bought a set of 15x70 white-letter tires and chrome wheels. Body-work and paint are next. it should come as no surprise that my Sportwagon will be lookin' good in steel blue, with twin white SS racing stripes, of course. Here is a before picture, after pictures to follow...


1971 Plymouth Hemi 'Cuda Convertible

1967 Ford Shelby Mustang GT500

1967 Mercury Cougar

Your comments are always welcome. doug@breithaupts.com.