This prize winning NAPOLEONIC COACH model was constructed by the late Harold Wilkin who grew up in New York State, worked for Fisher Body in Michigan after attending General Motors Institute where his roommate was Pete Estes, later President of GM. After retirement, Mr. Wilkin moved from Michigan to Sun City, Arizona.
The model's design was derived from two coaches used by the Emperor Napoleon – one at his coronation, the other at his marriage to Marie Louise of Austria. A silhouette of this coach appears on the famous Emblem “Body By Fisher.” Each year Fisher Body would hold contests with teenagers attempting to build the best model coaches.
This is a closer view of Wilkin's coach. It won first place for metal craft in New York State in 1931 and 1932. It received 2nd place for paint craft in New York State in 1932.
The doors open. The interior is upholstered. It is truly a work of art and illustrates that some boys in the 1930's had the skill and patience required to construct such intricately detailed models. The coach, itself is 18" long, with the tongue added the total length is 28". Height is 11" and width is 9". The finished model weighs about 7 pounds.
An excellent illustrated history of the Craftsman Guild can be found HERE .
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