Faust Posted June 7, 2013 Share Posted June 7, 2013 (edited) One thing I really wish is that model makers would do more of what Jo-Han and MPC did in their days, and that’s make models of EVERYDAY cars. You know, the ones you see on the street, the ones we rode around in as kids, or drive our kids around in now! I know it’s nice to build your dream car, but most people have a lot more (hopefully good!) memories of their “family beaters” than they do of whatever dream Mustang-Vette-Mopar-Camaro-Trans/Am they would like to own. That’s why I was so excited when I saw the Lindberg 1996 Dodge Caravan kit! Man, that’s an everyday beater if I’ve ever seen one! Not only that, but the Caravan is one of the longest running nameplates in Chrysler history, and one of the most important cars ever made, if you ask me. Check out my out of box review on this odd and rarely-seen kit at The Sprue Lagoon. You’re going to want to put on some loafers and a tennis sweater first, though, I think! Edited June 7, 2013 by Faust Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joe Handley Posted June 7, 2013 Share Posted June 7, 2013 I honestly think those might sell better than people would think, over the years I've actually had people who were somewhat disappointed that modern grocery getters weren't really available like they used to be. I know I'd prefer the more day to day stuff over the typical pony cars, muscle cars, and Tri-5 Chevy's! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slusher Posted June 7, 2013 Share Posted June 7, 2013 l built one of those, nice kt for a snap.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jordan White Posted June 7, 2013 Share Posted June 7, 2013 Honestly, I think it would be kinda cool if one of the companies built a scale kit of the 80's turbo Caravan. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
martinfan5 Posted June 7, 2013 Share Posted June 7, 2013 I honestly think those might sell better than people would think, over the years I've actually had people who were somewhat disappointed that modern grocery getters weren't really available like they used to be. I know I'd prefer the more day to day stuff over the typical pony cars, muscle cars, and Tri-5 Chevy's! Agreed, kind of gets boring with the same ole stuff all the time Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toast Posted June 7, 2013 Share Posted June 7, 2013 I hear you there. I'm a big GM S-Series buff and I have all the old square bodies by monogram and Lindberg. AMT covered the mid 90's well, as did Lindberg. But late 90's GM makes a small body and interior change and no one cares to modify their tooling to reflect it. Like they just forgot about it. AMT's last issue of the S-10 Blazer even had an accurate 4.3 setup that those trucks used until they ended production in 2004. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jordan White Posted June 7, 2013 Share Posted June 7, 2013 I mentioned it elsewhere, but it would have been nice if AMT would have made a glue version of the Tahoe they released. There would have then been a 4WD setup, grille, interior, and engine that could have been used in their pickup kits to make 4wd and newer versions of the truck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gray07 Posted June 7, 2013 Share Posted June 7, 2013 Those caravan kits are nice, there easy to build, i have 4 of them on my shelf and one of the police caravans. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
turn1wonder Posted June 7, 2013 Share Posted June 7, 2013 What a coincidence, I just took this one back out to see if I want to work on it some more... Bob Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SSNJim Posted June 7, 2013 Share Posted June 7, 2013 (edited) The amazing thing to me is not that the Caravan was issued, but that it was reissued at least twice with different markings. There was a fire department (LA?) and state police (Illinois) version that I know of. They're hard to find now, but when released, they were pretty easy to find. I just finished building a stock version. It was a fun build. I'd like to read your review, but I don't click on shortened URLs. Edited June 7, 2013 by SSNJim Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nacho Z Posted June 7, 2013 Share Posted June 7, 2013 This was the first model my daughter built. It was a vehicle she could relate to. It was something familiar to her. She was quite proud of it. I'm not sure if she even remembers it now but I have it tucked away for her and will give it to her someday. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Geiger Posted June 7, 2013 Share Posted June 7, 2013 (edited) I agree with your assessment of the Dodge Caravan kit, mainly for the above reason. This is my 1996 Grand Caravan Mark III high top. I bought it new and we joked at the time that it would need to last 13 years since it had 5 years of payments, followed by sending my 2 daughters to college 4 years apart. We figured we wouldn't be able to buy a new one until they both graduated. Well, that all came and went and we still have the Caravan at 180,000 miles. And we won't be getting rid of it any time soon. This is Caravan number three for us, we had an original 1984, and a 1990 Plymouth Grand Voyager prior to this. Lindberg originally tooled this one up to be a promotional model for Chrysler. Note that they had done Dodge pickups and Chrysler convertibles as promos. Something got screwed up and the promo never was made. So it did get released as a kit and Lindberg was amazed at the sales. The first shipment was immediately sold out. I know I gave a few away to my fellow Caravan owners who enjoyed assembling it with their kids. The problem with getting mainstream cars today, is that most of the annuals and especially the Johan / Excel generated promos of Rambler 4 doors and wagons were all a by product of the automaker's promo programs. So basically the tooling was done on that contract and the eventual kit runs were gravy. And the model car market was much larger then than today. Back in those days a kit that sold 500,000 copies was a loser, today that number may be 10,000 so the financial return just isn't there. If indeed the car manufacturers were to order up promos today, they'd be more like the Maisto diecast cars than plastic kits. This earlier Caravan and Voyager were done as promos by Brookfield Collectors Guild. They are metal and the back is a bank, so there is only the front section of the interior and the windows are blacked out instead of cut out. Other than that these are very nice replicas. I also have a Voyager in red. Maybe a resin caster can do this one with the rear windows open. Note that these can still be found in the $20 range. Brookfield also did the cloud cars.. Dodge Stratus and Chrysler Cirrus, but not the Plymouth Breeze. They also did Neons, both 2 and 4 doors. I believe these are all plastic. I also have the Intrepid and Concorde. They also did a late model Monte Carlo and full size Chevy van. All of these have been taken apart and folks have used them as a basis for decent models. Edited March 5, 2017 by Tom Geiger Edited because Fotki changed the photos! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brinx Posted June 7, 2013 Share Posted June 7, 2013 I will probably grab up a half dozen of these for sure! The possibilities are endless: Emergency services vehicle (I once worked on an ambulance that was based on a caravan), delivery, typical grocery getter and don't forget the conversions (custom mini-camper, pick-up, even a new NASCAR racing division). Great job Lindberg! brinx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Geiger Posted June 7, 2013 Share Posted June 7, 2013 Since commercial Caravans were mentioned... here's the coolest one I ever saw. It was one of those times when you run all the way back home to get your camera. And glad I did because it only appeared there once! Many more pix at the link, the nice lady let me crawl all over it. http://public.fotki.com/ModelCitizen/11_car_reference_library/light_commercial/hot_dog_caravan/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Edsel-Dan Posted June 8, 2013 Share Posted June 8, 2013 I have one too. It is the Illinois Police version with a few of the Stock/Original Red parts. I Do Not remember a fire department issue of the kit. I would have had a few if they Had done that!! They Did offer the 97 Crown Vic with orange County Fire Authority decals. That is the first re-issue of it. It came withthe same MX lightbar as the Caravan and since then, ALL issues of the C-V have the MX instead of the better Vision/Vector/"V" lightbar Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Faust Posted June 8, 2013 Author Share Posted June 8, 2013 The amazing thing to me is not that the Caravan was issued, but that it was reissued at least twice with different markings. There was a fire department (LA?) and state police (Illinois) version that I know of. They're hard to find now, but when released, they were pretty easy to find. I just finished building a stock version. It was a fun build. I'd like to read your review, but I don't click on shortened URLs. Sorry Jim: I just use the shortened links to make life easy. I don't know why you don't like them, but that's cool. Here's the full link: http://adamrehorn.wordpress.com/model-kits/out-of-box-reviews/lindberg-125-1996-caravan-oob/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Faust Posted June 8, 2013 Author Share Posted June 8, 2013 Oh Man! That "Doghouse" is AWESOME! The ultimate tailgate party machine! I love the Chrysler Promos, too! My brother has a Caravan bank, and a metal Concorde, but no Stratus or Cirrus! I am surprised that this caused so much reaction, but I'm glad I'm not the only one who sees value in wanting kits of the everyday stuff! Where's my 1989 Escort 5-door??? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
george 53 Posted June 8, 2013 Share Posted June 8, 2013 I have two of those Lindburg Dodge mini vans. One stock, an one that's gonna get the drivetrain from a Dodge Stealth. HOPEFULLY! I sure do like that lil can am lookin van that Bill showed us! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SSNJim Posted June 8, 2013 Share Posted June 8, 2013 Sorry Jim: I just use the shortened links to make life easy. I don't know why you don't like them, but that's cool. Here's the full link: http://adamrehorn.wordpress.com/model-kits/out-of-box-reviews/lindberg-125-1996-caravan-oob/ Thanks, Adam - I appreciate it. I like my computer too much to go to websites that have their identities disguised. There are way too many security risks for me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Faust Posted June 8, 2013 Author Share Posted June 8, 2013 No problem, Jim! I just thought the short URL was like a short cut to the main thing. I didn't realize that it disguised the site! I'm pretty new to computer and internet stuff; I like to stick to the plastic! Man, one of these with the Stealth innards would ROCK! Great idea, George53! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SSNJim Posted June 8, 2013 Share Posted June 8, 2013 I have one too. It is the Illinois Police version with a few of the Stock/Original Red parts. I Do Not remember a fire department issue of the kit. I would have had a few if they Had done that!! They Did offer the 97 Crown Vic with orange County Fire Authority decals. That is the first re-issue of it. It came withthe same MX lightbar as the Caravan and since then, ALL issues of the C-V have the MX instead of the better Vision/Vector/"V" lightbar I have the original issue and ISP issue of the Caravan, but could have sworn there was a third version. I do remember the CV with the OC Fire decals - maybe I got them confused. I'm not much into the emergency equipment; I usually just build them as normal vehicles. Thanks for the info! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SSNJim Posted June 8, 2013 Share Posted June 8, 2013 Sorry Jim: I just use the shortened links to make life easy. I don't know why you don't like them, but that's cool. Here's the full link: http://adamrehorn.wordpress.com/model-kits/out-of-box-reviews/lindberg-125-1996-caravan-oob/ Thanks again, Adam. Very fair and interesting review - I enjoyed reading it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Geiger Posted June 8, 2013 Share Posted June 8, 2013 Maybe Round 2 can do the taxi version? I have this on my to do list. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Faust Posted July 28, 2013 Author Share Posted July 28, 2013 That taxi is awesome! I wouldn't mind seeing a repop of this kit, that's for sure. There are a lot of possibilities for it, it seems! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ridgeback Posted August 5, 2013 Share Posted August 5, 2013 This was the Voyager over this side of the pond. It did so badly in the 1996 NCAP safety ratings, that they gave it a 0 out of 5 ! Tony Blair, the prime minister at the time, had one for his family but it was sold immediately after the safety story hit the press. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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