Monogram 1/24 Boot Hill Express Kit First Look

By Stephen Sutton

First Look

Ray Fahrner who passed away in 2005 created some of the most memorable and radical show rods of all time. Fahrner first came to prominence in the late 1950s with his groundbreaking 1932 Ford Roadster Pickup dubbed the Eclipse, which somehow managed to bridge the rapidly growing divide between custom and hot rod vehicles.  Fahrner's Independence, Missouri-based custom shop completed what many believe to be his signature creation, the outrageous "Boothill Express".  

As a basis for this stunning vehicle he chose a circa-1850 horse-drawn funeral coach by Cunningham of New York, which reportedly carried James Gang member Bob Younger to his grave on "Boot Hill". Featuring solid and stately construction, the exterior of the wooden hearse body displays ornate carved moldings as well as a set of brass lamps reportedly dating to late 18th-century India at the front and rear of the vehicle. Inside, the hearse is fitted with proper funeral equipment, including tasseled velvet curtains and a set of polished coffin rails.

The chrome-plated suspension features a gasser-style CAE tubular solid front axle and hairpins, along with a simple, yet effective steering system from a 1963 Volkswagen Beetle up front. At the rear, a pair of full-elliptic leaf springs, a 1948 Ford rear end and a pair of drum brakes round out the suspension features. The engine is completely outrageous – a 426 cubic inch Chrysler Hemi V8 topped by Hilborn fuel injection, with extra-tall velocity stacks jutting through the top of the hearse body, while eight individual pipes route the spent exhaust gases to the rear of the vehicle.

This is a 1967 reissue of the Boot Hill Express, located in are 93 white, chrome plated, and clear parts.  A six page instruction booklet is included but no decals.  For the age of the tooling the parts still look very crisp, some flash was noted on a few of the parts.  My copy was free of sink marks.  Oddly a taped serial number is located on the bottom of the coach floor.  Lots of small fragile chrome parts, so extra care must be taken when removing these from their trees.  Ultra clear parts are provided for the coach windows and lanterns.  The cowboy boot hill skeleton and tomb stone are included. Solid rubber racing slicks in the back along with thin drag tires up front.

Overall I'm very pleased with this reissue, I can't wait to build it. This kit will look cool alongside Rommels Rod.  I highly recommend this fun filled kit.