Fisher Body Craftsman's Guild Napoleonic Coach Model

I don't know if this counts as a book, but here it is anyhow.

Back in the 1930’s, General Motors created the Fisher Body Craftsman’s Guild. It was an annual model building competition that ran until the late ‘60s.

In the '30s, the focus was on building a Napoleonic coach based on the Fisher Body Company logo; later on, it shifted to more of a concept car approach.

Plans for the coach model surfaced in the family papers.




The prizes were significant: engineering scholarships as well as cash. Careers were started by this competition. It was good public relations and a valuable test of aptitude with an eye to future recruitment.


It was very complex. The builder had to do everything: build the chassis and the suspension, model and cast decorative elements, carve ornament, paint and gild, upholster – whatever.

Lots of specifications were included:


Here’s a drawing for a tassel:


The center-spread has the only color:




Here’s a completed model:


Some winners night provide a sense of scale:



They show up very now and again online and in auctions and can sell in the $1000 range.

Some links:
https://detroithistorical.wordpress.com/2015/05/01/the-fisher-body-craftsmans-guild/

http://www.pistonpalace.com/fisher-body-craftsman-s-guild.html

https://oshawamuseum.wordpress.com/2017/05/19/artefacts-fisher-body-craftsmans-guild-coach-1933/

 

My dad was a model maker for Fisher Body. How come I never heard of this? Oh yeah, I'm a girl.