1959 Gold Nugget

I couldn't decide whether to display the model opened or closed, so I built a animated display to show both.

The black base was a standard plastic cover case of the time. The lower box was made of balsa. The signs came from magazines. Remember the Nugget? "The Gold" came from a travel magazine article about Las Vegas. That's how the car got it's name, by looking through magazines for a sign.

The timing motor may have come out of a clock or maybe mail-order surplus place. You can still get these 4RPM 115VAC motors as surplus. Search on timing motor. The cam was made from sheet brass. The lifting post was spring steel, A brass sleeve was glued into the display base. There's an on/off switch in the back of the balsa box base.

The clear display cover was used at the shows, but not so photogenic.

You can get timing motors at American Science Surplus search for motors. I now have four to meet their minimum order.. Need one for the Magic Cruiser

Here's the kit which went for $200 in Feb,2009