Auto art.......

fred cook · fred cook's Garage

About 30 years ago I had this drawing done of the two Pocher Alfa models that I built. The drawing is done in pen, ink and water colors by an artist in NC named Dan McCrary. While I knew it was a very nice piece of work, I had no idea what art like this was going for these days. Then, a couple of months ago, my son and I went to the car event at Amelia Island in Florida. There was a large tent set up for the display and sale of automobile art and sculptures. Similar pictures to mine were priced in the $3k - $4k range! Wow, I got me an object d'art and din even know it!

Framed drawings

Alfa Romeo 8C3100 Monza

Alfa Romeo 8c3100 Spyder

tevake · 06-13-2011, 12:46 PM

That is a nice piece of art! But the question is, have you managed to hang on to the models? You were into some cool cars when you were young. I was into modeling when I was a kid, and they are all long gone. Nice you still have the drawings.

Cheers Richard

azasadny · azasadny's Garage

Very nice!!

David McLaughlin · David McLaughlin's Garage

I've seen some paintings at shows in the $4k range that didn't look as nice as yours. This is why I'm trying to get away from painting tee shirts and R/C cars and into fine art pieces.

Really nice piece BTW

fred cook · fred cook's Garage

Yes, I do still have the two Pocher Alfa models. After I built them, I made display cases for them to keep busy fingers and dust away. Here are pictures of the two:

Monza

Spyder

tevake · 06-13-2011, 05:41 PM

WOW!!

I had no idea what we were talking about. Those are truly beautiful, and very detailed, can see the under side of the spyder in the mirror. nice! Great that you have been able to hang onto them. Thanks for sharing.
Do you have a lucky child in your family?

Cheers Richard

R K T · 06-13-2011, 05:46 PM

A friend built the big Pocher Alfa.....still talks about constructing those wire wheels....spoke by spoke!

fred cook · fred cook's Garage

I built the Spider (street car) first. Everything works, the headlights even come on when you put the key in the ignition! I learned a lot on that kit and when I built the Monza (racing version) I put much more detail into it. For example the steering wheel is wrapped in leather strips, the wheels and hubs were assembled and painted and then disassembled to have the spokes put in place. The exhaust pipe on the opposite side is wrapped in adhesive tape that looks like asbestos. I drilled out the spark plugs in the plastic head and used some left over small screws, nuts and some white wire insulation to make "spark plugs". I took the cylinder head which was very detailed on the bottom side and using an ink pad stamped out a head gasket that appears to have all of the water ports, etc. The Alfa emblems in the grills are painted with all 7 colors, no small feat since they are about 3/16" in diameter! The brake shoes are painted to look like friction material and expand when the brake pedal is pushed. It took me about 18 months to build the two kits. They were finished in 1978. I ran across the two kits in a Kmart of all places. They were selling for about $25 - $30 per kit. I bought the two Alfas and a Fiat kit. I later sold the Fiat as it was much simpler than the Alfas and did not look to be much of a challenge.

tevake · 06-13-2011, 08:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by David McLaughlin

I've seen some paintings at shows in the $4k range that didn't look as nice as yours. This is why I'm trying to get away from painting tee shirts and R/C cars and into fine art pieces.

Really nice piece BTW

David I read about an artist in england that would set up and paint select cars at historic events. She would often end up selling to the owners after they saw what she was doing. Just a thought for you.

Fred, I love hearing the details you put into your models, some close up pics would be fun, thanks again for sharing. Cool story.

Cheers Richard
PS. I also have a 1980 SC coupe, good fun!

Geronimo '74 · 06-14-2011, 03:45 AM

Quote:

I built the Spider (street car) first. Everything works, the headlights even come on when you put the key in the ignition! I learned a lot on that kit and when I built the Monza (racing version) I put much more detail into it. For example the steering wheel is wrapped in leather strips, the wheels and hubs were assembled and painted and then disassembled to have the spokes put in place. The exhaust pipe on the opposite side is wrapped in adhesive tape that looks like asbestos. I drilled out the spark plugs in the plastic head and used some left over small screws, nuts and some white wire insulation to make "spark plugs". I took the cylinder head which was very detailed on the bottom side and using an ink pad stamped out a head gasket that appears to have all of the water ports, etc. The Alfa emblems in the grills are painted with all 7 colors, no small feat since they are about 3/16" in diameter! The brake shoes are painted to look like friction material and expand when the brake pedal is pushed. It took me about 18 months to build the two kits. They were finished in 1978. I ran across the two kits in a Kmart of all places. They were selling for about $25 - $30 per kit. I bought the two Alfas and a Fiat kit. I later sold the Fiat as it was much simpler than the Alfas and did not look to be much of a challenge.

Sounds like we need to see some of that detailing. More pictures, please.

fred cook · fred cook's Garage

If you would like to see some more of Dan's work, go to "dmccrary.com". He is still in the business and has some great Porsche drawings on his web site.

fred cook · fred cook's Garage

of the Alfa models.Grill badge

Exhaust pipe wrap

Leather wrapped steering wheel

fred cook · fred cook's Garage

Leather wrapped steering wheel:

Spark Plugs:

Wire Wheel:

techweenie · techweenie's Garage

I built that Spyder many years ago. Over 2000 parts. It was a fun build. The model did not survive the Northridge earthquake, though.

azasadny · azasadny's Garage

Here's my water color above the fireplace mantel. A guy I met in CA painted this, his name is "Jim Kincaid"...

azasadny · azasadny's Garage

Fred,

You have more talent, patience and attention to detail than anyone I've ever known!!

fred cook · fred cook's Garage

Art, thanks for the compliment! Maybe I'm just too stubborn to know when to give up! I have always believed that if you don't have time to do something right the first time, when will you?

fred cook · fred cook's Garage

Art, very nice!! I just sent some pictures of my 911 to Dan McCrary to see what he could do in the way of a drawing of the Pcar. I'll bet his prices now are incredibly higher than they were 30 years ago.

tevake · 06-16-2011, 12:35 AM

OK Fred, Now you have piqued my couriosity about your SC. Is it all detailed and nice?
How about sharing some pics of your ride?

Cheers Richard
PS. here is mine 1980 SC

fred cook · fred cook's Garage

Richard,

Well, since you asked............

The engine has SSI exhausts with a 2 in / 1 out muffler and MSD ignition. The wheels are 7x16 fronts and 8 x 16 rears. Weight is now down to about 2450 lbs after installing the RS style rear bumper and an RS interior with lightweight seats.