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| Chris Mullis is the founder and architect of HO Detroit. When I first met Chris Mullis in 1995, at a show in Ohio, I couldn't believe that the genius I saw in the product, came in the package the was standing in front of me. That probably was the best way it could have happened. | When Mullis first began producing cars out of his basement he mostly copied cars from Aurora, Tyco, and Atlas. This was fine for a while, but eventually he got a bee in his hat, and decided to make his own masters from scratch. HO Detroit licensed series was born. | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| Mullis has recently produced a duplicate of the Aurora Tow Truck that has fetched some stagering prices on eBay. The trucks have special paint schemes and wheels, and come in gold and silver themes. These are available from HO Harry. Email him for information and pricing | ||||||||||||||||||||||
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| The 1:1 65 GTO | ||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Chris is full of surprises, not the least of which is the fact that he produces the best Thunderjet bodies in the business. No one else is close, and I shall prove it later in this article by example. What makes Mullis the best is several things, but they all start with his attention to detail. First, he uses the best material in the business. Windows are stone hard, and the bodies are nearly so. This didn't happen by accident. It took a lot of trial and error, and a lot of sampling before he found the resin that would give hm the best color fastness, without streaking, and pinholes and produced durable parts. Next, he had to find a material for his molds that showed the best detail. It was ironic that he and I both found, and used, the same material. Along with that is the fact that he refuses to overextend the use of a mold. At the first sign of loss of quality, the mold is trashed. Third, after the part is removed from the mold, Mullis inspects it like it were a national treasure. No flaw, in any location, is too small to land a piece in the "bone yard". His throw aways are great! | The first such "Special" was his 1965 GTO. As the picture (right) indicates, the detail was exceptional, right down to the "Pontiac" on the rear deck chrome. Mullis also decided to go a step further, and added a special card, signed and numbered, and designed wheels that reflected those of the original car. The package was completed with silver trim paint of all the emblems and features. Later models were a 68 Hemi Roadrunner and 71 Hemi Cuda. The Cuda had especially fine detail, to the point where the keyhole in the rear deck was visible, and the dual exhaust pipes were chromed. These cars are collectable from the start. The reasons, as I suggested earlier, have to do with the quality, and the number of units made of each model. Add to that the fact, as the picture shows, that they are so accurately detailed and proportioned, they very nearly mimic the 1:1 cars they are modeled after. An even greater indication is that whenever any other bodies are described, the seller always says, "It's almost as good as a Mullis". | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| Mullis has had some good successs with his Internet Series of cars, too. His Goonsquad Roadrunner and Cuda sold out, and a new one is in the works. I have been ordered to maintain silence, but I can assure you that you won't be disappointed. For more examples of his work, and information on ordering, please visit the HO Detroit web site. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
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