Since our last posting there have been several points brought up for discussion that we felt need to be addressed before we go further. Lets clear these up now.
Note - this is being posted to both the Spotlight Hobbies and Model Cars Boards so you may find a reference to one or the other that hopefully won't confuse everyone.
1 - There are no pace car decals in the kit. Although I’m not sure they were ever mentioned in any of the announcements about this kit it is possible they were originally discussed but dropped due to licensing issues. We’ll have to rely on the aftermarket industry for these unless a later version includes the pace car option.
2 - The tires are the generic pieces with no sidewall, again because of licensing issues. Aftermarket tires and/or lettering transfers will have to fill this gap for now.
3 - The grilles have been a point of discussion. As was pointed out by Bart Orlans on the Spotlight Discussion Board the Hurst cars were based on the Cutlass Supreme, not the 442, so the kit grilles are correct for the Hurst Olds and Cutlass Supreme versions. Below are pictures of the different grilles:
1972 Cutlass
1972 Cutlass Supreme
1972 Cutlass 442
The kit accurately represents the first two grilles. If you want to build an accurate 442 we’ll have to depend on photoetch parts or wait for another version of the kit to be released.
4 - On the Spotlight Discussion board there was some question about the contour of the rear of the deck lid and the “fins” of the quarter panels. This discussion was based on the image we posted of an unprimed body on a light background. Here are a couple of images of the primed body that show the areas in question a little clearer:
The “fins” are there and the deck lid is not as sharp as some posters had feared. The look and feel seems to be correct and I’m satisfied with it.
I’m sure there are some who are anxiously waiting to attack this kit with engineering scales and micrometers, looking for the least little issue to complain about but let’s wait until its released and you actually have one in your hands before you judge it, shall we?
5 - The rear spoiler was never installed by the factory on a convertible. You could order one at the dealer and have them install it after delivery. The cars that did have spoilers installed during assembly did not have deck lid stripes. The spoiler was not part of the Hurst package and I have found no pictures of any pace cars used at the speedway having one. Possibly one of the courtesy cars used by speedway support staff but it would have been installed by special request. Many of the restored cars you see today at car shows and auctions may have been “over restored” giving many people the wrong impression of what was period correct for these cars.
6 - In 1972 the 442 was a trim package for the Cutlass, not an actual separate model. In fact you could order a Cutlass with every appearance and performance option available and have what was essentially a car that was a 442 but did not have the 442 ornamentation. That’s why you see cars that look/run/feel/sound like a 442 but are really fully-loaded Cutlass Supremes. That could also explain how someone could have what appears to be a 442 with Supreme grilles.
I hope this clears up some of the issues brought up so far concerning this kit. It is my intention to educate, not infuriate, everyone as to what some of the facts and myths of these cars really are. If I’ve forgotten anything please let me know, we’ll review this list and update it as necessary.
It's also important to remember that, as is usually the case with Revell, this kit is the platform that will launch (hopefully) many other 1968-1972 GM A body vehicles. I'm not privy to any information of future launches but it doesn't take a rocket scientist to realize that this kit, if successful, could be the base for some really great models. We're going to build it and review it fairly and truthfully and ask that you bear with us during this buildup. We'll answer your questions as best as we can.
While I’ve thoroughly researched my data I won’t claim to be 100% accurate. The very nature of these cars, the vast number of option combinations available, and the fact that finding a truly original car today is as hard as finding hens teeth makes anyones claim of 100% accuracy shaky at best.
Stay tuned for our next post.
Len Carsner
If you’d like to find out more on Cutlass, 442, and Oldsmobile history check these links:
http://www.musclecar...2-history.shtmlhttp://www.442.com/oldsfaq/oldsfaq.htmhttp://www.442.com/o...42.htm#442 1972http://www.442.com/o.../ofocd.htm#1965http://en.wikipedia....le_Cutlass#1972http://en.wikipedia....mobile_442#1972http://www.mantei.co...x.html?1972oldshttp://www.thepartsp...p;YearList=1972
Edited by Len Carsner, 12 November 2009 - 05:21 PM.
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