moparmat2000
Well-Known Member
I fondly remember Jo-Han model cars from my youth. I used to build the monogram, revell, MPC, AMC kits.they all made interesting kits in 1/24 & 1/25th scale. The one company kinda like the underdog was Jo-Han. I believe they made most of the promo models for the big 3 , but also made glue together models. Jo-Han modeled typical hot roddy stuff, and also made a plymouth superbird kit that could be built as pettys 43, or the #40 7up sponsored car, or stock. They had a nice road runner stock car.as well as models of chryslers, plymouths and dodges that nobody else modeled. How about a 68 fury police car with decals and parts to build it in one of 4 variations, a cadillac ambulance, cadillac hearse, 68 chrysler 300 fastback with the parts to build a long horn crossram big block for it. , they even had an intricate kit of the 1963 chrysler turbine car. This model had opening doors, hood, trunk, steerable wheels, and seatbacks that folded forward. All this in 1/25th scale.they even had a model of the sox and martin 71 hemi cuda prostock car. Plus more i have not mentioned
Granted the chassis of most of these,were pretty basic one piece moulding, but the detail in the ,bodies, engines , and different subjects they modelled were great.
From what i understand Jo-Han used profits from selling promo models to the big 3 as a means to finance building kits of the same models but with more detail. Once the promo model sales dried up the company struggled to keep going. Jo-Han models was always conspicuous by their absence at model trade shows, which could have drummed up interest in the company. the owner John Hanley sold the company to somebody else, and a lot of the tooling to make the models was missing, presumably taken by disgruntled employees, or just plain worn out. By 1993 the Jo-Han companys main building in detroit was razed. The remainder of the tooling has been sold or stashed away.
Really a shame. I have quite a few of these i modelled when i was younger and my hands were steadier, and my eyesight was razor sharp. I built em right, currently they are stashed away, until i can display them properly.
Anybody else have Jo-Hans that are built up. Show em on this thread, and share your memories.
Granted the chassis of most of these,were pretty basic one piece moulding, but the detail in the ,bodies, engines , and different subjects they modelled were great.
From what i understand Jo-Han used profits from selling promo models to the big 3 as a means to finance building kits of the same models but with more detail. Once the promo model sales dried up the company struggled to keep going. Jo-Han models was always conspicuous by their absence at model trade shows, which could have drummed up interest in the company. the owner John Hanley sold the company to somebody else, and a lot of the tooling to make the models was missing, presumably taken by disgruntled employees, or just plain worn out. By 1993 the Jo-Han companys main building in detroit was razed. The remainder of the tooling has been sold or stashed away.
Really a shame. I have quite a few of these i modelled when i was younger and my hands were steadier, and my eyesight was razor sharp. I built em right, currently they are stashed away, until i can display them properly.
Anybody else have Jo-Hans that are built up. Show em on this thread, and share your memories.