The King of the Show Rod
If you grew up reading Hot Rod or Car Craft in the late 1960s and '70s, you know the name Tom Daniel. Daniel was the undisputed king of the fantasy show rod — a designer whose imagination ran completely unchecked by the laws of physics or practicality. His creations were outrageous, theatrical, and absolutely unforgettable.
The Fire Iron is one of his most iconic designs. Take a vintage fire engine — the kind with a long ladder and bell — and reimagine it as a full-on show rod with a massive blown engine, flames, and the kind of proportions that make your eyes go wide. That's the Fire Iron. It's a machine that never existed outside of the imagination, which is exactly what makes it so irresistible.
About the Kit
Atlantis Models has brought the Fire Iron back to life in 1/24 scale as kit #7530. Atlantis has made a name for themselves reviving classic American kits, and this one is a gem. It's rated Skill Level 2, making it approachable for intermediate builders — you don't need to be an expert to end up with something jaw-dropping on your shelf.
The kit captures all the drama of the original design: the stretched fire-engine silhouette, the exposed powerplant up front, and those wild show-rod proportions that Tom Daniel made his signature. It's the kind of build that stops visitors in their tracks and demands an explanation.
Why We Love It
Show rods occupy a unique space in scale modeling. Unlike military subjects or production cars, there's no "right" way to paint or finish a show rod — it's all about going big and having fun. Fire-engine red is an obvious choice, but there's nothing stopping you from going candy apple, chrome, or two-tone. This kit is a canvas for creativity as much as it is a modeling project.
And at $32.99, it's an accessible way to own a little piece of show-rod history.
Pair It With
Show rods shine with metallic and candy finishes. Check out our Tamiya TS spray paint line for a huge range of lacquer colors, or grab the Molotow Liquid Chrome if you want mirror-bright chrome accents that really pop. A can of Tamiya Fine Surface Primer in light grey will help your topcoats lay down perfectly.
Shop the Atlantis Models Fire Iron Show Rod (#7530) — $32.99
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