About 2 weeks after placing the order via snail mail, remember, the PC hadn’t been invented yet and I had to send a check, I literally got a bag of parts, 26 pieces in all, including an extra rearview mirror. Conspicuously absent were assembly instructions, and seemingly in its place more flash around the parts than I’ve ever seen before. Missing also were any form of protection for the decals. In fact, they were a bit crumpled, though still useable, if one ignored the fact that the topcoat had yellowed already. Over the years the non-stock decals I used have yellowed also.
I subsequently found another kit on eBay for a reasonable price and thus able to provide pictures. I can’t remember if my original kit came in a plastic bag, I assume it did but do remember the glassine bag. It’s a wonder any of the kits survived shipping to one’s home. I suppose white metal is soft and repaired easily enough, but if you look at the air box/rear wing molding, it is bent, the result of the packing method.
Subsequently discovered Autosport magazine from the UK at this hole in the wall bookstore in San Francisco, I wished I remembered the name since it had so much character, Albert something on Geary. In the back of the magazine was a firm called Grand Prix Models, and it felt like I hit the mother lode. Back in those days, one had to order the catalog near the beginning of the year otherwise there was a chance of them running out. Ahhh, the good ole’ days!
