630-424-1700
Would you like a one-of-a-kind rolling sculpture, made up exactly as you would equip it if you won the lottery and could afford a special car?
If a scale replica is something that you want or need, please email John by clicking here. Please note that he will not quote any project pricing via email. You can, however, forward pictures of your vehicle or the one you are inquiring about, some simple specs desired and a daytime phone number and John will call you to discuss pricing and a timetable for completion.
So, who is John Fox and what’s his background?
John is a avid car lover who in the late 90's started repainting diecast cars to match real muscle cars he once owned. His love of all things automotive led to opening a diecast store in 1999. His customers began asking him to apply his creative touch to replicate their own cars, and Custom Diecast Replicas was born in 2003, specializing exclusively in modifying off-the-shelf diecast models.
Before beginning to modify scale cars, John owned and managed an auto body shop. As CDR started up, he used his body shop expertise for perfect repaints. Today, his skills have been developed to the point that he can make any
Replica, even those once thought impossible.
He was the first person in the diecast industry to cut a roof off a diecast car and create a convertible. The first person in the industry to create a custom hood from scratch. The first person to create a convertible from a diecast fastback and the first person to create a sedan from a convertible.
Twenty years in the auto body industry and ten in the diecast industry have positioned him as the leader in 1/18 scale modified diecast replicas. While not inexpensive, the end result to his customers is priceless.
Please note that the average price of a John Fox Custom Diecast Replica is $450.00. This normally includes a repaint, interior recolor, tire and wheel swap and the cost of the donor car. Simple repaints, done with the Dupont Automotive paints and proprietary techniques are $225-250.00 alone. Depending on modifications and scratch built details needed, a completed model can run $50 for a wheel swap up to $1,500 and more for an extreme custom.
Nash Bridges Cuda in the correct TV color.
Want to know more about what goes on at Custom Diecast Replicas? Feel free to click the Bodyshop Blog button here and follow the daily ramblings as John faces creative challenges and daily surprises to produce some of the prettiest model cars around.
Complete un restored look as it was found.
Actually, to quote John; “The possibilities are endless”. John Fox's Custom Diecast Replicas is a full-time diecast customizing studio. John can create what you are looking for, provided they make a starter car in 1/18 scale diecast. For more information and answers to most common questions you might have please click the Services button here.
The only 1956 Ford hardtop made in diecast.
To see some of the over 1500 replicas he has done for customers over the years visit his Customer's Cars page.
Created from 2 donor model cars to make the only one like it. Custom paint, front bumper, rear bumper and stripes.
You can Email here to: Info@CustomDiecastReplicas.com
Convertible originally created from a hardtop.
Every day, John creates custom hoods, fender vents, spoilers, scoops and makes grille and taillight changes. He creates convertibles out of hardtops, hardtops out of convertibles, sedans out of coupes, panels out of convertibles – if a starter car is available, any other unique body style is possible for John to recreate. 
Besides turning this convertible into a hardtop we also created a hood not made in the industry and added custom resin cast wheels.
The 32 Ford Roadster on the left has a channeled frame, 1/4 inch removed from the grill, custom paint with flames, tires/wheels and an engine swap. The car on the right is the way it would come off the shelf at the hobby shop. This is just an example of the kind of mods he can do.
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Over the years, companies have come to John’s studio for special projects. These include limited editions of NASCAR replicas to simply personalizing diecast cars for company events, gifts, promotions or giveaways. If your company is looking for something special, something that will always be remembered, cherished and appreciated, please visit our Company Promos page for more information.
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Below is a picture of John’s personal custom replicas logo car, 1970 Dodge Super Bee.
This was originally a ‘70 Coronet R/T convertible. John built and added a hardtop which is as stong today as it was when it was first planned, proper Super Bee 1/4 panel vents, removed the molded-in metal twin hood scoops and replaced them with the correct pitchfork hood scoop. He also created rear taillights from scratch. This car represents a stock ‘70 Super Bee with the correct 383, 3-speed (standard), bench seat, dog dish hubcaps and white walls, the black "C" stripe was reproduced, to make a unique version of the car, just as you would see it if you went into the showroom in 1970 to buy one new.
Below is an example of creating a convertible from a fastback. After removing the roof, John created the filler panel between the seats, the trunk panels and scored the trunk seams. As a finishing touch, he created a convertible boot to match. He has since created an Eleanor convertible with a working trunk and is currently creating a 68 GT 500 convertible.
