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(first posted 12/6/2015) Ken Rouet left these in the comment section of a CC. I was quite amazed, and turned them into a post. Ken later left a number of more links to more photos, which are in several comments he left near the end of the comment section below. He dubbed the city “New-Ark”.
Pretty amazing. Congratulations, Sr. Rouet. And thanks for sharing them with us.
Extraordinary. Genuinely extraordinary. What a pleasure these shots have brought me.
I absolutely concur. This is the kind of thing I often thought about doing. I guess it just wasn’t important enough. Glad it was for somebody, though.
Don, I just want to second what you’ve written here. Just incredible. Inspiring.
And another from me. Wonderful!
Whoa. So realistic and such a variety of locations. Truly amazing and a great way to start a Sunday.
Very sweet. Amazing detail. 🙂
Outstanding. Had me at the Deuce-And-A-Quarter in the title shot, but the rest of the pictures have me wanting to visit this “city” this afternoon.
Is it 1/43 scale?
I’ve seen that green Buick clamshell as a 1/43 model, so I’m guessing yes.
I’d concur, it’s really the only scale that has A) the large variety of relatively obscure or non-common-interest models along with B) amazing detail that is often better than that of larger scales.
Very nicely done.
That’s what I was thinking, has to be 1/43. By far the widest range of vehicles available in that detail.
Also, this must have been an expensive undertaking! I’d be willing to guess a lot of those models are from manufacturers like NEO and/or Minichamps, which can easily run USD $50 or more each. Lots of money invested in the models, lots of time invested in the cityscapes. But what an amazing result!
I can’t stop looking at these. My eyes went to the NYC Checker first
My eye went right to “John Cage” on that marquee! Not exactly a name you’d expect to see up there.
Amazing!!
The detail on the cars looks like 1/18 or 1/24 scale like BBurago or Malsto?? If so, I would like to get the fuselage Chrysler and Chevrolet Monte Carlo in the top frame.
Incredible! It wasn’t ’til the 6th picture that I realized these were models.
I’m curious about the near universal appeal of the Bel Air with dog dishes, in this case the ’73.
Could it be a representation of the promise and lean agility of youth…versus the onset of middle aged paunch, the Impala, on the way to throttling back and retirement, Caprice?
A different take on the Sloan hierarchy perhaps. Random thoughts on a Sunday morning.
Those Biscayne taxis are exactly like the ones I drove at San Diego Yellow Cab in 1976, along with ’70 and ’71s.
Amazingly lifelike. I like the green/tan Givenchy Continental Mark V in picture #13.
I know, huh? That caught my eye, also.
Is he photo shopping in the on taillights and passengers into the models. Either way an amazing diorama.
Nice to see Carmine on the fairly recent Toro comment thread.
Fantastic and as the Tracy boys and Lady Penelope said in “Thunderbirds”, it’s F-A-B for fabulous! 😉
http://ken530.skyrock.com/archives/
Here are the rest.
Cue the “it’s missing the choking smog” comment 😀
If only I could shrink myself down!
Where’s the machine from “Honey I Shrunk The Kids” when you need it?
Can only imagine how many hours were invested in this project. End result is really amazing. Great job!
Cool!
Very well done Sir ! .
I like the realistic aspect of the yellow cab scraping the other car in pic.15 , just like Boston when I was a lad .
-Nate #
Amazing! Somewhat reminiscent of the miniatures in the old Gerry Anderson “Thunderbirds” puppet series of the 1960s, but much more detailed and with more vehicles.
Some sample shots from Thunderbirds, first attempt seemed to be too large and did not come through, trying again after reducing image size…
In ’60s Britain, American cars always looked to be from the future! (OK, 2-3 years rather than 100).
It can be amazing, what can be done with wide-angle lenses placed to appropriate perspective with miniatures. Model railroaders do it often in HO scale, and I’ve done it with 1/144 scale airliner models. But it is a lot easier with only one to a few “subjects.” With the obvious enormity of this collection and the skill at creating the dioramas and backgrounds, I am taken aback. Splendid!
The cars are something; but look at all the effort put in to the buildings.
I tried to do a little research. All I could get is that Ken is from Quebec and lives in Paris. He calls this project his “harmless illness” or something thereabouts in French.
He makes reference to his pseudonym Roet which means spinning wheel in French.
I’d say if you like it give him some props on the site.
This seems like quite the labor of love. Well done!
I saw the comment that these came up on yesterday, clicked on the links for just a quick second, and concluded “Hmmm, some interesting old traffic shots, will have to come back and look later when I have more time.” I did not catch that they were miniatures, so Ken got me but good.
Looking at them today knowing what they are, they are simply amazing in their detail. How much work these must have been. Beautiful!
A Day In The Life… summer ’79.
Beautiful. I really enjoyed looking at these. I did spot two anachronisms:
1) 80’s Chevy Caprice sedan picture # 20
2) Modern full sized SUV picture # 17
I’d be more concerned with the modern RV in #6.
You’re right… I didn’t notice that one.
That is really neat!
If I was to pick an era to do a city model set, I would definitely pick the 70s.
These are amazing photos. I was actually inspired to start googling around trying to source some of these models. It appears that at least some are produced by Neo, a company I was unfamiliar with. The variety of models available from just this manufacturer alone is quite impressive, although they’re not exactly inexpensive. The artist has clearly invested in his passion, and it’s paid off in the finished product. I’ve hidden my credit card while I peruse the website. Christmas is coming, but…
Yep…just visited their website. Beautiful models, but you are right, quite costly per unit. If only…
http://neoshop.replicars.nl
NEO makes some great, obscure stuff. I have one 1/43 model of theirs, an exact replica of my ’88 Volvo 780 Bertone. It’s even the right color. Cost me $60, which is why I only have the one, but if I had unlimited funds I’d have a lot more. Absolutely amazing variety of 70’s and 80’s cars in their range.
If I had seen this as a kid, I would have just DIED. I only liked realistic toy cars when I was a kid, the more “boring” the better. No Ferraris or other exotics. Painted headlights and taillights and opening doors, preferably.
This guy has spent a lot of time and a lot of money but it is totally worth it. I have NEVER seen such an amazing collection of model cars. And Mouat is spot on, the ’70s is just the coolest decade to pick.
I hope this guy sees this article and shares his story with us!
Decided to make some edits.
That’s 1604 pages of amazingness. I wonder if this fellow has ever been outside?
KJ in Oz
This would be an outstanding exhibit at an art museum. Can’t imagine how much it cost to put all of those models into one scaled down cityscape. The buildings are like the professional 3D models seen in architectural offices. Such detail, even the lights going into the tunnel. Love the assortment of Impala taxis and even a couple of clamshell station wagons, ford LTDs and the fuselage Chrysler in the first picture. Is there a picture of the whole thing from a distance?
Amazing diorama! I can’t begin to guess how much time and money are invested in that. I’d like to see a picture that shows the whole thing to get a sense of how big it is.
I agree that it must not be 1/25 scale. I am a car modeler myself and I only recognize a few cars that are even available in commercially available kits in that scale. They also don’t have the look of 1/25, in the proportions of some cars. Looks smaller, 1/43 would be my guess as someone else mentioned. If the builder actually build all those cars, I’m doubly impressed (at least!). I love it!
SERIOUSLY??????? wow! this is every car lovers dream! and one of the pictures shows a very realistic 69/70 marauder x100. most people don’t even know what one is never mind have a detailed model of it.
(if you’re listening God, this is my idea of heaven! just a suggestion for down the road! 😉 )
Stunning in ambition and execution. Mind, they must have very good street cleaners in that city!
Am I the only one who noticed the license plates covered up in editing? I’m half amused at the need to do so on models, and half impressed that someone thought and went through the trouble to do so.
This is fascinating and so detailed!!! Amazing work! I can picture myself actually being there and smelling all the exhaust fumes that we all remember from the early emission days…
The only weird thing I see is the rear of the body on the 69 Chevy in picture #10. It looks like it was cobbled together from like a 72 Galaxie or LTD.
Presuming he made the cars, how on earth did he do it? Amazing.
I like his bias toward full-size pre-downsize American cars. These are the sort of street scenes that I would have thought were perfect in 1975. None of that newfangled furrin compact crap here – except that one damn bug that needs to be squashed.
He did not make the cars. See the post by MTN above. What I wanna know is where the buildings came from.
Hello Jerseyfred
You won’t find these buildings on the market because I made them myself, I even built bigger ones that I couldn’t keep for lack of space.
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hello the buildings, it was I who made them myself in cardboard, collage and lamination from A to Z so we cannot find them commercially, they are unique, the same goes for the road network.
I’ll second William’s comment – I would have loved this as a kid. (Who am I kidding, I love this now.)
I would like to see one – just one – picture where you can see the “real” world around one of the dioramas.
hi mister Craig Dickson and dear all
– So, the city name is ” New-Wark ”
– This is the picture, one global view that you have ask.
– I can to show you a small party of the city like this.
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Many views..
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– And my friends ” Starsky and Hutch ”
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– Ok guys i stop here..! hi so long..!
Neat atmosphere….like Stuart Little meets The French Connection…..
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hi guys..!
this is few pictures
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– Finish for to night.
– So long and god bless you.
– Hi guy’s
-This is few pictures for you and you shall be wonderfully your more great pleasure
– Indeed, i ain’t harmless illness..! but this geant diorama is a passion since longtemps already.
so long ,see again and that god bless you.
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Hello everyone.
some explanations and details about my work.
– First of all the cars are: Neo, Minichamps, Kess, GLM, roadchamps, Road signature, premiumX, Western models, and it’s only 1 / 43. The Kenworth are from Newray that I repainted and decorated.
– Some cars are Dinkytoys that I repainted because I like to vary the colors especially when there is only one color by model.- I myself made all the buildings by using the method of collage and against collage, trace, cut, fold, assemble by collage, painted, then the windows are reported and are made of laminated sheets, as for the buildings they are made of cardboard. I built the entire road network with floor markings, car parks, sidewalks and their cladding. Other accessories such as street lights, telephone booths, store and shop signs.
– Then it is enough to install the characters there, to move each time the cars to give the illusion of a city in constant movement according to the shots. here I hope it suits you and I tell you, see you soon ..
ken
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on this picture we can associate a music by David Sanborn whose title is: This masquerade “just for the atmosphere.
– Other manufacturers are present in the city such as: Brooklin, ERTL, Corgy, Matchbox, Franklin mint, also French manufacturers including: Elegance, AMR, Solido
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Machine gun for anti-aircraft defense above.
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Christmas lights in the streets.
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hello
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– I am posting a few pictures that will bring back the memories of the days when beautiful cars personalized America.
Thanks for sharing your lovely work with us.
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Thank you Hubba there’s nothing, only I can not post images anymore.
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Thank you Hubba there is not enough, it allows to revive a certain period of America.
On the top photo what is the silver car supposed to be? My guess would be a 1972 Buick Electra.
Hello Darian Dennisson
Exactly..!, 1972 Buick Electra. four doors sedan.
I’m shocked that models were made of these cars. There’s so many 70’s 4 door cars. I think they’re cool but I wouldn’t think they’d be popular for most of the types of people who buy them.
These are just awesome!
I assume the tunnel is a picture or painting, photographed at just the right angle?
I could look at these all day.
In fact, I think I will.
I can’t imagine the expense of all the models.
My 1/64 cars are pricey enough and I have just enough space for them (around 400).
Hello The Mann
Not at all, the tunnel is very real, made by my hands, I just made the lights using the computer.
all cars are 1/43 scale
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I just saw this now.
Thanks for the info!
I’m concerned that all the links posted by Ken under his aliases seem to be dead. Are you out there and OK, Ken?
If I’m not mistaken, he’s no longer alive.
hello everyone hello everyone, I am still here and I approve your comments on my work which is a passion, that of the American cities of the 70s that I love to reproduce as best as possible and I thank you very much.
Salut, Ken! I’m very happy to have been wrong; glad you’re still here.
Since there are recent postings on Ken’s blog at https://ken530.skyrock.com/, I think that happily he is still with us.
Ken, if you see these comments it would be great to hear more from you. I’m currently in a friendly dispute with a friend who thinks that the buildings in your dioramas are mostly computer-generated, whereas they look like physical models to me!
Obviously the people in the cars and lighting have been given a hand via computer!
I’m delighted to be wrong! I was thinking of Michael Paul Smith (creator and photographer of miniature town Elgin Park).
hello Johnnyange, all my buildings are handmade in cardboard, collage, against collage, but some images are reworked to refine the finishes by computer, otherwise I built them with my hands as well as the road network marking on the ground included