What is your dream model kit?

[Jordan White]

If you had the choice to have a kit made, in any size, what would it be?

Mine would be a 1/12th scale Jeep YJ Wrangler. It would be fun to customize and detail at that scale, and then I could also make it into what I want my Jeep to look like.

Edited December 4, 2010 by Jordan White

[Luc Janssens]

If you had the choice to have a kit made, in any size, what would it be?

Mine would be a 1/12th scale Jeep YJ Wrangler. It would be fun to customize and detail at that scale, and then I could also make it into what I want my Jeep to look like.

The following subject would be nice.

1969 Dodge Polara CHP Cruiser by Tom Sheehy & Luc Janssens

1) Select the type of customer you wish to reach:

The enthusiast modeler,

As with big rig builders, police car modelers are rarely blessed with new subjects, and the few released were either simplified designs and retools or marketed towards youth, sometimes including questionable and costly extras.

Only one kit sticks out and then it's an old tool whose current existential status is unknown, namely the old Jo-Han Plymouth Fury, which was on the market for decades.

I firmly believe that police car modelers will lay the green on the counter for a detailed cruiser because they almost always had to rely on aftermarket companies to make a convincing model.

2) Choice of subject matter:

The 1969 Dodge Polara is widely known as one of the all-time favorite cruisers amongst officers who were active during the 60s-70s. It is also listed as the fastest cruiser of the time, even surpassing the 94-96 Caprice LT1s. The 1969 Polara equipped with a 440 4bbl was officially clocked at 147mph in tests.

It was basically a 4 door muscle car, which sat on top of the food chain eating GTOs, Chargers, Challengers, 'Cudas, Chevelles, Camaros and Mustangs for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Just the kit we need for keeping the tablecloths of America's contest tables free from tire burns! In fact, anyone who collects and/or builds muscle car kits must have at least one, just to keep his collection intact.

3) Design of the kit & tool:

Finding a pristine example will not be a problem in this case, because Hemmings "Muscle Car Machines" Magazine recently did a restoration feature on one. Likewise for someone to measure and photograph it, because it's in Tom Montgomery's (Former Amt/Ertl kit designer) back yard!

Body: Four-door body of course with fine and sharp engraving (Don't you love the window surrounds on a late 60s Jo-Han annual?) and without heavy molded-in features. For example, a dome light which can lead to a sink mark in the roof, which the modeler has to fill and sand. Small ridges and holes where to drill in the roof for roof mounted emergency lights will do.

Because this car has seen service in many agencies, it would be handy to either offer the side moldings as separate metal transfer pieces (like Galaxie LTD's 1948 Chevrolets). This may not be feasible and could be a possible giveback when running into budget issues, but since it's a thin molding to begin with, it probably can be sanded off with relative ease when molded-in.

The body closings will only consist of the hood dressed up with a separate lip* and hinges, in case the builder wants to show off the engine.

The following items round up the body assembly: firewall, inner fenders (as with Amt '68 RR), radiator brace, side mirror(s)*, door handles*, front bumper* with separate grille* (to ease the detail painting) with clear headlamp lenses, rear bumper*, tail lamp-surrounds* with a perimeter flange to reinforce them and provide a gluing surface to mount them into the body and provide a stop for the rear bumper, and clear tail lamp-lenses of course (* indicates chrome part).

Interior: The plain-Jane base level trim all around interior, would be a sort of snap-fit platform style, minimizing the risk of getting glue in unwanted places.

Consisting of a floorboard with a two piece dash, steering wheel and column with molded-in selectors, separate pedals, two piece bench seat, separate rear seat with package tray (flashed over holes for mounting the two CHP flashers), separate door panels to allow for easy detailing. Police radio set-up for the transmission hump. It can be similar to the Jo-Han Plymouth set up, as that was very accurate. However, having separate pieces for the radio, siren control and switches would be great so that different set-ups can be configured by the builder. Two detailed microphones are needed; there was only one in the Jo-Han kit which was incorrect for the set-up.

Chassis and drivetrain: Breakdown similar to AMT’s 1957 Chrysler 300 or their 1960 Galaxie kit, 440 4bbl (what else!) with Torqueflite 727 Auto Trans. This police engine was rated at 375 HP. Kit should include two air cleaners, one stock and one low restriction. The low restriction is the police unit, and is similar in design to the one in the Lindberg 1964 Dodge 330 kit. It's actually referred to in the Dodge literature as an "unsilenced" air cleaner. Separate chassis, heavy duty rear end, dual exhaust, and front and rear sway bars round out the chassis. Wheels: two sets...one needs to be correct steel wheels with dog dish hub caps of correct vintage. I'd include a base series full hubcap as an option for those doing a standard sedan. Tires need to be a beefy vintage blackwall, Goodyear Polyglas or similar. The ones AMT has been using for years are actually pretty good.

Accessories: Here's where it gets tricky. The Jo-Han Plymouth was actually a great kit for the roof lights alone. They were extremely accurate and looked the part. This kit should be done with that in mind, optional roof light set-up* for multiple agencies. Spotlights* for both sides are a must. Two styles of beacon lights, one like the Jo-Han, which is a Federal model 176H and one a flat top 4 beam (Federal 184, Dietz 211 or similar). The roof bar with twin beacons would be nice too. That's a Federal model 11, with optional chromed siren speaker in the center. I'd use the rounded speaker (like the speaker on the Adam-12 car) instead of the flat wide style in the Jo-Han kit. Since electronic sirens were just becoming popular, it would still need an old mechanical siren for under the hood as another option. To round it out, about six flashers of different sizes, 2 small, 2 medium, 2 larger, all single faced. These could be used for rear deck flashers, front grille flashers, optional light bar flashers, etc.

Now the most important necessity for all of these lights: MOLD ALL OF THEM IN CLEAR PLASTIC. Not red, not blue, not a mix... CLEAR. This allows the builder to tint them accordingly to the agency that's being represented.

The push bar would be a preformed pre-painted metal assembly, to keep it in scale and robust

Agency decals: I'm sure licensing and permissions are in order here. But it shouldn't be too bad, considering Hawk/Lindberg is issuing about 6 different state agencies in their reissue of the 1996 Crown Victoria. A CHP version is a must, this would negate the need for roof lights, too, as they ran most of these with no roof lights and dual spotlights, the driver's side being red. The CHP would also have two flashers, one red and one amber, on the back package shelf, both on the left side, facing rear. However, the 1969 Polaras were used all over the country, and offering different versions or including different agencies in the one kit (like the Jo-Han Plymouth) would be great.

The tooling could be used for modified reissues of any C-body MoPar from 1969-77 as the chassis were virtually unchanged except for the yearly addition of annual emissions upgrades (or downgrades, if you will). The ultimate choice would be the 74 Monaco for its wide use in movies (Blues Brothers) and its very wide use in police and taxi work.

4) Packaging and support

Box

- Artwork: I really like the way Sean Svendsen handled the Model King box designs of the ’70 Wildcat and Camaro Funny Cars. He really knows how to present a built model, so I would put him in charge of that (hopefully his fees are reasonable). for the box top however, I also like the art work of Jairus Watson and know he would do a good job of a CHP unit burning sideways (showing off the "Wolfs Head" graphics on the door) through a corner on Mulholland drive, in hot pursuit of some bad boys.

The size of the box would be like the "Accurate Miniatures" Corvette kits, to show off the artwork and the neatly displayed contents when removing the box top.

- Packaging of the parts: chrome, clear parts, tires, packed separately in poly bags, same for the white plastic parts, decals by Cartograph covered with a protective paper and bagged too.

- Instruction sheet: I like the approach AMT/ERTL took in the mid 1990s, which was very detailed and every part was clearly identified.

- Consumer support: On our company website I would post a whole range of photos taken when the engineers of product development were measuring up the cruiser, together with anecdotes, facts and fiction of the subject and the agency it served with.

Also a photo composing as per instruction sheet sequence would be available on line together with tips on how to build a perfect model.

5) Budgetary constraints

I would lose the metal transfers, and engrave the side molding into the cavity of the body sides, is a too simple solution for the cash problem, therefore I would get in touch with a die cast manufacturer (like Highway 61) to see if the project is of interest to them too, because the majority of model car collectors are not modelers, if they're interested the R&D costs would drop considerably, and could start a long term partnership

6) Post a photo of the subject

Above picture courtesy of Hemmings Muscle Machines, for more photo's and the original article of the restoration of this unique vehicle click on the following link. Hemmings Muscle Machines

Note: The book "Dodge, Plymouth & Chrysler POLICE CARS, 1956-1978" by Edwin Sanow and John Bellah, Motorbooks International was used for reference.

_{The 250 000 dollar / 250K question ©.}

_{Format created by:}

_{Luc Janssens,}

[highway]

I would have to say my dream kit would not be narrowed down to just one, I would like to see ANY diesel powered heavy duty modern pickup. I don't really care if it would be a Chevy, Dodge, or most preferrably a Ford, just something with a nice diesel powerplant and also preferrably a 4x4 one ton dually.

Of course, my dream kit for right now is the coming soon Moebius International Lonestar truck!

[Poncho-Power]

as i have said before my dream kit would be a 1/24 Pontiac G8 GXP! that would be down right awsome! or a 1992-1995 Mazda 929, although i have found some aoshima VIP kits that look very close to what a 929 looks like.

[Ghost1]

71-73 Riviera.

[MyBradKeselowski]

73 Monte Carlo

[Greg Myers]

So the premise being, something that isn't made now ? If not, a simple look in your stash or on your shelf to see what you have the most of. That being said, any rendition of Monograms Blue Beetle would do it for me. Now back to your question, the dream kit. Something with lots of detail, lots of building choices, 1/16th scale should do so you don't lose all of this detail and easy enough to work on.Then again, anything as good as the recent releases from Revell (think funny cars) would be fine.The final question comes down to what vehicle then, doesn't it ? How about a double kit, 289 Cobra with a Daytona Coupe thrown in for good measure ?

[Jordan White]

Yeah, basically it's not so much the kit you have that you like the most, but rather if you could have any kit made to your liking. Any subject, any make/model, any size.

[Nick Winter]

Hows about something with a GMC emblem model companies are you listening. I'm tired of the Sonoma, and '84 GMC kits I'd like others and I'm tired of having to do it myself.

[Modelmartin]

I think Harry wants a 1/8 Plymouth Superbird or Charger Daytona.

I want a 1/24 Bugatti T57S or SC, preferably the Atlantic but the Atalante will do.

[Jared Roach]

Nick, you might be tired of the sonoma, but I want a 98+ ext cab. I want to build my truck, but there is so much I have to do to the 94. I will get around to it eventually. Any s-series kit is fine by me lol.

I also would like to see a newer chevy or dodge, escpecially dually's, because they look sick slamed to the ground lol.

But those are my dream kits, will I ever get a

98+ Noma? I don't think so, but I can always dream!

[Nick Winter]

Nick, you might be tired of the sonoma, but I want a 98+ ext cab. I want to build my truck, but there is so much I have to do to the 94. I will get around to it eventually. Any s-series kit is fine by me lol.

I also would like to see a newer chevy or dodge, escpecially dually's, because they look sick slamed to the ground lol.

But those are my dream kits, will I ever get a

98+ Noma? I don't think so, but I can always dream!

Jared I meant I'm tired of it being 1 of the only 2 GMC's readily available, you can find the older '67-'72 GMC's but they run fortune.

[kitbash1]

I have two kit want's. The first would be a Frisbee Can Am in 1/20th. There are a few decal choice's you could have such as the J. Villenuve Canadian Tire car or the Horst Kroll Chipwich Charger or his City of Scarborough racer. Then the second one would be a 1958 Ford Galaxie 500 2 door. Both are going to be long shots.

[Nick Winter]

Just thought of 2 plymouths I'd like in kit form

'58 Plymouth Fury Sport Coupe with anodized gold trim and a '58 Belvedere Club Sedan (basically just a 2 door post but it was diffrently shaped than the regular Belvedere coupe) with a nice set of cheapo steelies and dog dishes and maybe a 230 6 cylinder.

[Keef]

i have 2 that would be my dreams...1st would be a well engraved 70 superbee (revell?) and the other would be an accurate 79-93 fox chassis coupe with the 3n1 option street/strip/drag

[Blake Rogers]

Hows about something with a GMC emblem model companies are you listening. I'm tired of the Sonoma, and '84 GMC kits I'd like others and I'm tired of having to do it myself.

[imatt88]

A 1972 Pontiac Grandville Convertible.

Pretty much any Pontiac from 1956 to 1980

[ModelsR4me]

How about Ford pick-ups from years 57-60. I've haven't seen any kits for 61 through the late sities.

JC.

[Harry P.]

I think Harry wants a 1/8 Plymouth Superbird or Charger Daytona.

Oh, yeah, baby. That would be the bee's knees.

Maybe some day. TDR, are you listening???

[Tim H]

What I would like to see. A 71-72 Buick GS. A 73-74 Buick Gran Sport, a 75 Buick Century Pace car (Fred cady produced the decals but no one makes the car)

Kits that could use a re-model( no pun) is the MPC 70 and 72 GTOs.

Tim

[Railfreak78]

I agree with Highway on the newer diesel truck. Maybe a Ford Super Duty, Dodge Cummins, or Chevy Duramax. I ask this to go with what a LOT of US modelers really want. A REASONABLY priced ROLLBACK tow truck. These trucks have been around forever( 1:1) and the resin kits on Ebay are far and few between and VERY pricey. So I would say make a roll back kit only but release truck kits you could use with them! Almost like the Open road camper did for trucks.

[Rick R]

I'd like to see Mobieus, after an astonishingly successful premiere season for their Chrysler and Hudson kits, do a proper '62 Pontiac Grand Prix, '61 Catalina bubble top, or '60 Catalina hardtop.

Put all the factory performance bits into it, give a choice of wheels including 8-lugs, and induction systems and offer proper decals and interior finishing instructions for stock, drag or Nascar versions.

Then maybe a '61 Cadillac Coupe DeVille or a Buick LeSabre hardtop.

Then a '40 Mercury coupe...

Edited December 5, 2010 by Rick R

[Craig Irwin]

Being this is a "dream model", in my mind that is one that will most likely never be kitted. With that in mind my dream is a 1974 Dodge Monico 4 door sedan with the parts to build a Bluesmobile. The cop car guys should like it, and the mailstreamers too.

[GrandpaMcGurk]

Oh, yeah, baby. That would be the bee's knees.

Maybe some day. TDR, are you listening???

Yes Harry, we hear ya.

Problem is, it's difficult to justify the cost of production.

Sure we'd sell a few but TDR would have to at least break even on the deal to make it a worth while venture. I'm just not seeing the kind of

feedback for the Charger or Super Bird to get the wheels turning and I'm fairly sure you don't want to take on the costs involved for a one off model.

Yes...it could be done...in 1/12th or 1/8th, if you want one badly enough, it's up to you guys to rally enough support to make it happen.

[iBorg]

Built.

I'm good at starting but I get to some point and there's a stumbling block that keeps me from completing anything.

That's it......Built.