The Y-City Scale Modelers hosted its 26th annual contest in Zanesville, OH, at the Colony Square Mall on Saturday, Sept. 27, 2025. With multiple categories, the overall theme was “Song Related,” and you can imagine that opened up the floor to all sorts of numbers. What’s more, the show saw 405 models on the contest tables, the second highest number of entries in event’s history. Well done! To get a sense of the excitement, click through the gallery below.
Riding in a friend’s 1961 Corvair rampside pickup inspired Glenn Marek to build a replica. Using a Best Model Car Parts 1/24 scale resin kit along with Tamiya Light Red Pearl paint and MCW Clear brought his idea to life.
Encouraged after watching his grandfather and father build model kits, junior modeler Malakai Wheeler built his 1/25 scale 1965 Chevy Impala. He sprayed gold over a silver flake base and added bigger wheels and tires.
A fan of pulling trucks and tractors, Bob Lorenz built this International 1066 pulling tractor using an MCV Products 1/25 scale 3D-printed kit. Seat belts, throttle, lights, and a safety shutoff on the rear were added to make this build realistic.
Ron Nelson Sr. once again dazzled the crowd with his one-of-a-kind lowrider creation from a 1/25 scale ‘65 Chevy Impala. He used lengths of masking tape and House of Kolor lacquers for the custom paint job. Butterfly pipes completed the build, adding a more realistic appearance.
Given to him as a gift at the Plastic Undercover Show in 2024, Rob Smorey built this 1/25 scale Red Bull BMW Z4 PZY box stock. The blue pearl paint and striking decals caught the eye of many attendees.
Wanting to build something different, Scott Burgraf modeled a 1/24 scale 1956 Chrysler 300C. To enhance its accuracy, he added plug wires, fuel lines, battery cables, and brake lines. Scott used Bare-Metal Foil for the trim to achieve the precise finish he envisioned.
Jon Eby, a fan of motorcycles and “cool bikes,” recreated this Tamiya 1/12 scale Ducati 900 SS. He finished it in MCW Black lacquer and applied Alclad II Chrome to all of the factory chrome parts.
Re-creating a friend’s 1960 Ford Country Sedan shop car, Jesse Talmage started with a Hubley 1/24 scale glue bomb. After hours of work, and with the addition of STS decals, Parts by Parks hubcaps, Norm Nolder fender ornaments, scratch-made seat coverings, wheels and tires from his spares box, and “interior junk,” Jesse’s build became a faithful replica.
Thinking outside the box, Don Poling Jr. made this 1/25 scale 1939 Chevrolet coupe custom. He used an RMR Resin body mounted on a ’39 Chevy panel wagon chassis and finished it with R-M automotive paints.
Tom Kren’s AMT 1/25 scale 1953 Ford pickup is highlighted by Bob’s Paint Blue Ice lacquer. Modelhaus resin wheels and a seat covered with a custom-made Mexican blanket finish off this cool build.
Kevin Wallenhorst’s 1/25 scale 1969 Dodge Charger R/T is a replica of a full-size car he saw in a photograph. The finish is MCW Bright Green with 2K clear, and Testors White spray paint replicates the vinyl top. Fireball carbs highlight a wired and plumbed engine bay, while the interior is finished with flocking and Model Car Garage seat belts and buckles.
Loving the livery of the real race car, John Brolin decided he needed one of his own. This 1/24 scale McLaren F1 GTR Longtail is covered with Gravity Colors Titanium White. A Hobby Design Detail-Up set, ESS Resinworks switches, along with various scratchbuilt interior items finish this absolutely gorgeous entry.
According to Ron Francis, “Rally cars are awesome!!” This Bell Kits 1/24 scale Hyundai i20 WRC box-stock entry was painted in the correct blue from Paint By Numbers. Ron added photo-etched metal parts and seat belts to complete the build.
Starting with an AMT 1/25 scale 1970 Chevy Impala hardtop, Len Carsner created the car of his dreams by removing the roof and grafting on a windshield frame from a 1970 Pontiac Bonneville kit. The model features a fully plumbed engine bay and numerous photo-etched metal parts, finished with Splash Paints Misty Turquoise and 2K clear.
Who says you can’t use Krylon paint on a model? Wanting to weather a vehicle, Don Splitstone sprayed the “forbidden” paint on this 1/25 scale 1959 ambulance. Cotton Candy is the primary color, while Tamiya White and weathering powders give it the realistic look he aimed to achieve.