I would never be hired based on the excellent organization of my workbench, but at least it's interesting to explore. This shaky clip shows and identifies a random day's projects in progress from the top of the bench down to the desktop.
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Lola T70 MK IIIB - 001 - Restoration Started
Don May III commissioned this Co-Hog Lola T70 Mk IIIB Coupe in 1982. As the proud owner of of the last original documented factory-built Lola T70 Coupe (Ser. No. SL76/158), he wanted a smaller version that he could keep and enjoy indoors. The Co-Hog version was finished just over 40 years ago and has recently been sent home for a thorough restoration to overcome the ravages of time, weather, and movers.
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Porsche G935 - 017 - Overall Progress
The group of four Co-Hog Porsche G935's is moving right along. There have been plenty of improvements since my last update. Temporary prototype graphics have been applied to give a better feel for overall proportions which, in turn, helps identify areas for further refinement. Front and rear wheel to tire ratios have been modified (again), using turned and painted maple. The result is a better overall look and stance.
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New Co-Hog Logos
There have been many ways used to label and individualize finished Co-Hog pieces. Most frequently the final touch was a machine printed label and a hand stamped number or a signed paper label. I've finally worked out something more fitting for current smaller, more refined editions.
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Photo credit: John Owens
Special Edition - Ferrari 400i
Thoughts of subtle elegance glide through my mind whenever I see a Ferrari 400i. It has long been a favorite of mine despite the naysayers. Leonardo Fioravanti's design for a 2+2 coupe for Pininfarina is timeless. Just imagine striding across the continent in the comfort of this grand tourer.
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1980 Co-Hog Porsche Restorations - Part 3
The group of four Co-Hog Restoration Porsches from the 1980's is nearing completion. They were started last November and have been progressing along with numerous other Co-Hog projects.
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Special Edition - BMW 733i E23
This Co-Hog Special Edition Lapis Blue BMW 733i E23 was handmade and completed on 2/13/84. Only two were ever made. The body and bumpers were constructed from multiple pieces of jelutong and basswood. It measures about 7" (18 cm) long. The tires were made using maple.
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Porsche 935 Artist's Proof - Turbofan Wheel Prototype
It's been over two years since I finished the Artist’s Proof (AP) for a tiny edition (less than 5) of Co-Hog Porsche 935 sculptures. Although the basket weave wheels shown here look great, I intend to offer the option of turbofans as well. This post will concentrate on the creation of the prototype which was finished shortly after the AP 935 was done.
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1980 Co-Hog Porsche Restorations - Part 2
Big progress has been made on the group of four Co-Hog Porsche Restoration cars. The upgraded tire/wheel assemblies are ready to mount. An outside shop originally machined the tires and wheels in 1984 for the Co-Hog Porsche 956/962 series, but they required some serious tuning to bring them up to snuff.
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Special Edition - Ferrari Dino 308 GT4
This handmade Co-Hog Special Edition Ferrari 308 GT4 was introduced in late 1982 and only four were made. This example, made for Bob Russell, is the third constructed and was completed in October of 1983. It's about 6 1/2" (16.5 cm) long and is constructed from jelutong and maple with my silkscreened interpretation of the Ferrari wheels.
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40 Years On - Going Strong
In late 1982 Dr. Shane T. Maa ordered an almost complete collection of Co-Hog Catalog toys and a select group of Special Editions. Once they were all delivered in early 1983, it became one of the largest US Co-Hog collections. 40 Years later they still look great.
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Ferrari 312 T F1 Prototype
Due to their innovative flat V12 engines and transverse gearboxes (and fantastic drivers, of course), the Ferrari 312T series of F1 cars brought dominant success back to Maranello. From 1974-1979 they won 27 races, 4 F1 Constructor's Championships (their first since 1964) and 3 F1 Driver's Championships. Niki Lauda earned two Driver's Championships - 1975 & 1977, and Jody Scheckter won it in 1979.
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Porsche G935 - 016 - Engine Bay Progress
The noisy end of a Porsche 935 is also the most complicated part - full of intense, power-producing, ear-splitting loud bits that makes it go like the Dickens. The Co-Hog G935 engine bays are certainly far quieter, but still filled with parts. They've been moved along considerably and it’s time to show some progress.
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Co-Hog BMW & Lotus - Tiny Handfuls
Most of us love race cars that are only a tiny handful. Something about the size turns us into kids and we want to have fun, complete with loud noises and crashes! These little Co-Hog racers were a blast to make. "Production" was limited to 1980-81 and only 44 BMW's and 74 of the Lotus were finished.
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1980 Co-Hog Porsche Restorations
While rummaging through the boxes of surprise goodies back in December, I found four Co-Hog Porsche bodies from early 1980. They were complete but in pretty sad shape. The happy realization that I could restore them to better than new felt great. I could also do something I've wanted to do for a long time - try replacing the wooden tires with the wheels and tires from the Co-Hog 956/962 series with aluminum rims and etched brass centers. Game on!
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Jack-in-the-Box of Memories
Digging deep into the back of the closet below the stairs. Finding dusty boxes with desiccated cardboard, peeling tape and cryptic content descriptions. All indications of long hidden troves of who knows what. The mystery contents of two boxes turned out to be part of my hoard of Co-Hog prototypes and maybe-finished pieces from the late 70's into the mid-80's. The first was full of semi-finished bodies and other bits and pieces of long ago projects.
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Porsche G935 - 015 - Fender Fandango
Porsche 935/G935's should look mean and aggressive - like they do at full speed and under heavy downforce. That's why I keep going on about stance. If the stance is right, the whole car looks better. Front fender thickness is a major determining factor in rake and therefore stance. I've been doing a lively fandango trying to get the right balance. My original front axle height proved to be too low to allow enough rake for a proper stance.
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Spray Booth Progress - Part 2
It's been over five months since we took a look at progress on the spray booth. A lot of things have happened and the booth work has been interwoven with all of them. It's certainly not done, but I'm ready for some serious spraying. Warning - this is a long post - you may need additional sustenance before the end.
Read MoreCo-Hog Ferrari & Ferrari Racing Teams
Everybody loves a red Ferrari.
It was a different time in the very early 1980's when these Co-Hog Ferraris were made. Electricity was for your light bulbs, clutches were de rigueur and shifters had gates. Ferraris were hairier and more fun. But toys were still toys, big and small, and they still helped bridge the gap between our dreams and our daily striving.
Co-Hog made this Ferrari street car, a race car and one- and two car racing teams. They were all made by hand, piece by piece from wood, glued, sanded and painted and finished with hand-cut graphics. I waited for my magazines to arrive with the absolute latest news. I typed letters on three part carbonless paper to correspond with my collectors. It all seems so ancient yet was delightful for not knowing the relentless pace of technology being unleashed.
'Transportation for the Imagination' was Co-Hogs tagline and it's still true. The joy of toys is their ability to leap from here to there instantly and make your dreams come true in your own private world.
From late 1979 to 1983 a total of 120 Co-Hog Ferraris, 59 Ferrari Racers, 5 Ferrari One Car Racing Teams and 3 Ferrari Two Car Racing Teams were made and sent out to bring pleasure. I hope most of them are still doing the same almost 40 years later.
Information about the Co-Hog Ferraris, Ferrari Race Cars, One Ferrari Racing Teams and Two Ferrari Racing Teams has been added to the Original Co-Hogs page (please scroll down a bit to see the Ferraris).
Information about the other marques in the original Co-Hog series will be added as I develop the graphics from archived materials.
Your Co-Hogs - Long-Lived Long Island Beauties
Many Co-Hogs have been treasured for decades and are now being passed on and appreciated by a second generation. Thank you to Stephen T. Lobosco from Long Island in New York for sharing his photos of some of the Co-Hogs he has received from his father.
Co-Hogs were then being sold exclusively at specialty shops and galleries around the country. These examples were most likely purchased from Engel Pottery in East Hampton on Long Island. The Engels were fantastic people with a delicious shop overflowing with hand made delights.
The Lamborghini Countach was the first Special Edition that Co-Hog made starting in April 1982 as a new line to complement the catalog vehicles. New marques and models were frequently requested and the line eventually grew to 20 different editions. Stephen’s father’s medium gray metallic Countach is #9 of 33 built and was completed in June of 1982.
The Ferrari 512 BB always looks dressed to the nines in black and ready for anything. This example is either #21 or #22 of 45 - one of the two Boxers in black that I made in December of 1982.
Stephen also received his father's black 4X4 Jeep from the original line of Co-Hogs.
This is the only Co-Hog 4X4 Jeep I've seen in the wild and is #2 of a total of 29. Stephen's father acquired it in 1981 and has kept it in immaculate condition since then.
No Moab wheeling for this one!
Your very own Co-Hog family belongs on this page having fun with other Co-Hogs!
Send me your memories using the form on the Contact page and we'll add them to the party!