16 replies to this topic

[Casey]

I recently acquired both a Monogram '71 Plymouth Satellite kit (#2213) and a Revell '71 Plymouth GTX kit, so I thought I'd do a photo-based comparison of the two kits. Since the newer GTX kit is heavily based on the older Satellite kit, most of the parts in both kits are the same or very similar, so I'll try to focus on the differences between the two kits in my comments. I won't be commenting on accuracy, fit, or ease of assembly, though-- that's Larry Greenberg's territory.

• Let's start with the box tops:
  
  
  
  
  
  
• Next we compare both body shells, which have quite a few differences. Based on the plain jane Satellite body, the GTX body has the following added: ribbed rocker panel trim, a detailed Plymouth emblem on the header panel, lower quarter panel "GTX" emblems, and rear spoiler bracket bases molded with the trunk lid.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Interestingly, there are recessed locating holes cast into the undeside of the Satellite's trunk lid, though no rear spoiler was ever included in the kit. Was Monogram planning to issue this kit as a Road Runner instead of a Satellite? I think so, but more on that later...
  
  
• The chassis plates are identical save for the "MMI" engraving behind the fuel tank on the Satellite, so I'll skip that picture.
  
  
• The hoods are completely different, with the Satellite using an (incorrect for a Satellite) GTX/RR performance hood, while the GTX uses the Air Grabber fresh air hood. Ironically, the GTX's hood would've been accurate for a 440-4bbl-equipped Satellite.
  
  
  
  
  
• Lastly for page one, we have the decal sheets, and yes, the Satellite sheet is very sparse :
  
  

Edited by Casey, 15 February 2010 - 06:48 PM.

[Marc @ MPC Motorsports]

So, the Satellite has a separate emblem for the front header panel. What does it look like?

[Casey]

Part two...

• Both interiors share the same dashboard (though the "GTX" emblem now appears to the right of the glovebox door on the GTX dash) bucket seats, and steering column, but each has unique door and rear quarter panels and steering wheels, with the GTX kit including an accurate "Tuff" wheel for the first time in bi-scale:
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
• We find many similarities and a few differences regarding the chrome-plated parts. Whereas the Satellite includes a single 4-bbl carburetor (it appears to be a Carter Thermoquad), open element air cleaner, and the header panel trim insert piece, the GTX includes new 6-BBL carbs and an oval air cleaner, while deleting the Satellite-specific parts:
  
  
  
• Here's a shot of the common parts in both kits, with the Tuff wheel shown replacing the three-spoke wheel in the Satellite kit:
  
  
  
  
• These new chin spoiler, firewall bulge with wiper motor base detail, underhood Air Grabber assembly, Air Grabber scoop, one-piece rear spoiler, and 6-BBL intake manifold (not the same manifold as found in Monogram's kits) were created when the GTX kit was released in the mid '90s:

It was a nice surprise to see Revell update the Satellite kit to GTX specs, especially since the kit originated in 1984, was 1/24th scale, and Revell already had an all-new 1/25th scale '67 Plymouth GTX Hemi on store shelves. As a Monogram musclecar loyalist, I most certainly appreciated the effort and was tickled pink when Revell updated the '70 GTX kit to Road Runner specs in 2000. Bravo, Revell, bravo.

[Casey]

So, the Satellite has a separate emblem for the front header panel. What does it look like?

It should look like this:




I looked at the piece with my magnifying glass and can see wording/letters, but it's not clear enough to make out if it says "PLYMOUTH" or not. I couldn't even take a clear pic of the piece with my camera set to micro.

[george 53]

One of my freinds dad had a 71 Sport Satellite with a 440/automatic with the vented hood and those stripes that went over the front fenders. I thought it was a Road Runner, but she said her dad thought the RoadRunner was TOO base for her dad, an he didn't want the insurance tab for a GTX, so he said this was the next best thing! I DON'T think the car knew it wasn't a GTX caz that thing WAS FAST!!!

[Jon Cole]

Sometimes I just don't get it... the chrome tree for instance. They block off a few small parts, then create a whole new runner off the side to add a few new parts. So why block off the old, when everything can fit in the new runner section?

Meh.. that's just nit-pickin' on my part. If I don't have the Satellite in my collection, then I'm going to buy the GTX... if it's a MOPAR, I want it!

Edited by Spyder, 16 February 2010 - 10:47 AM.

[Casey]

not a big deal but if i remember right the nicely done Thermoquad in the Satellite kit is shown in the instructions to go backwards on the intake manifold. the intake manifold too in that kit is not a stock intake but one that looks very much like an aftermarket Edelbrock Tarantula. the air cleaner is a chrome Mr. Gasket style aftermarket piece.

Dave

The Satellite kit has an odd mix of stock and non-stock parts. I'm planning to create a stock 4-bbl intake manifold using the Satellite's intake manifold, since there is no 1/24th scale single 4-bbl big block Mopar intake in kit form.

I still wonder why Monogram didn't release the Satellite kit as a Road Runner instead, but maybe MPC had exclusive rights since they had the '71 Road Runner kit in their lineup in '84. Maybe they planned to release the GTX version in the '80s and decided to add the rear spoiler locating indentions to the underside of the trunk lid ahead of time.

[midnightprowler]

The 69 Superbee kit has a 440, and all the Cuda kits have Hemis, except for the AAR, you should be able to use any ot those on the GTX/Road Runner kits.

[Eshaver]

Wow, I for one would have never known all the differences in those two kits !!!!!! I sold those cars new too. Thank you for sharing all the differences , nice job ! Ed Shaver

[Casey]

something else i want to do is build a '71 Roadrunner in black with a red strobe stripe and matching red seat inserts. the seat inserts will not be "correct" as they were available in orange, not red. in my opinion though it will make for a nice color combination, factory correct or not.

I just paged through a Mopar magazine today and saw a Plum Crazy '71 Charger R/T which had black seats with Plum Crazy colored fabric inserts. Yuck!

I hope to get crackin' on the 4-bbl intake this weekend, as I need it for my '70 Satellite project's 400 big block.

[Hawk312]

Dave

Wow Dave. Great minds think (almost) alike. Here is mine that I built last year:

[darquewanderer]

It should look like this:




I looked at the piece with my magnifying glass and can see wording/letters, but it's not clear enough to make out if it says "PLYMOUTH" or not. I couldn't even take a clear pic of the piece with my camera set to micro.

Casey, That cap was used only on the '72 Satellite 2drs. The '71 looked like this one.



I should know. I bought a brand new '71 Satellite, off the show room floor, after I got back to the world in Mar, '71.

BTW, the cap is on the Monogram chrome tree. Lower right square, upper left corner. That small circle is it. Why Monogram included the '72s trim piece is beyond me.

Edited by moparmaniac, 18 March 2010 - 09:04 PM.

[dwc43]

not a big deal but if i remember right the nicely done Thermoquad in the Satellite kit is shown in the instructions to go backwards on the intake manifold. the intake manifold too in that kit is not a stock intake but one that looks very much like an aftermarket Edelbrock Tarantula. the air cleaner is a chrome Mr. Gasket style aftermarket piece.

Dave

That's it. The bad thing about it, is they did not get the TQ just right either. IT's too wide and too short from intake to air cleaner. Very hard to paint the bowl black. The TQ from the 71 Duster kits is way more accurate. Wished someone would cast a bunch of those.

[rustybill1960]

Okay youse guys . . .
I am totally corn-fused . . .

Is someone going to do a build of a '71 Roadrunner?
I have the Monogram Satellite kit and the Revell GTX kit, I very much want to do the GTX as a Roadrunner . . ..

So, ahem . . . .

where do I find that kind of build info her on the site????


Thank You for sharing Casey and others!
The insight and info is great!
help me?
later
Russ

[dwc43]

I have two of the 71 Mongram Satellite kits. I'm going to do a Road Runner out of both of them, but one will be a Petty race car.

[Casey]

where do I find that kind of build info her on the site????

Russ, bookmark this page: http://www.hamtramck...ymouth-04.shtml

and it's parent 'site, www.hamtramck-historical.com as there is plenty of reference material there.

You'll first have to decide how you want you RR built, then acquire the necessary parts. If you're building a stock RR, the Satellite and GTX kits will provide most of the parts (I suggest you use the Satellite body rather than the GTX's), and most of the other patrs can come from various other Monogram Mopar kits.

The Keithe Marks decal sheet will be a huge help, but make sure to let him know you want it in 1/24th scale.

[imatt88]

Ok, I'm dredging up a thread that is 2 years old

According to Harry, I'm good at this.....

Anyway, Great stuff.

Thanks all