8 replies to this topic

[Casey]

Here's a quick review of MPC's 1/32 scale '77 Dodge Van kit, which was released in many different versions, each having different decals while the kit parts remained the same. Here are the included parts:




This is a simplified snap-together kit with a low parts count, but don't let that fool you. The body is very nicely proportioned and the grille is nicely done, too, thoght the two center horizontal bars aren't parallel like the should be. Still, it definitely looks like the 1:1 body and the separate rear bumper is spot on. Unfortunately the side cargo door placement and spacing is incorrect for a 127" wheelbase '74-'77 van, which is odd considering MPC did their 1/25 scale '71-'77 van correctly:







The rear cargo door window openings are molded closed, like so:




Overall, the body has nicely engraved and molded details, such as the cargo door hinges, side marker lamp housings, tail lights, door handles, windshield wipers, cowl panel vent slots, and the "D O D G E" letters on the hood:






The chassis consists of three pieces, and uses plastic rod axles to mount the six-slot wheels and Goodyear tires:

[Casey]

Here's what the chassis plate looks like:




The interior tub is very simplified, with the two bucket seats and the engine cover all molded together as one piece, but the engine cover is not offest to the passenger's side as it should be. I doubt too many people will mind to be honest:






The dashboard is nicely detailed for 1/32 scale, and the basic shapes are true to the 1:1 dash. They added the dash pad insert detail, but the dashpad itself it not well defined. Here's a pic of the dash, with an image of the grille below it:




There is a custom roof rack and rear roof vent included, with matching holes pre-drilled in the roof to mount them, as well as solid oval porthole windows for the upper rear quarter panels. The front sunroof hole is molded open, but there is no "glass" piece for the hole- it was desgined to be left empty/open.

The only piece I've test fit is the grille/bumper in the body shell, and it fits perfectly:




This kit is a good staring point for a detailed curbside build, but you'll need to do a fair amount of scratchbuilding and modifying to really bring it to life, as with most older 1/32 scale snap-together kits. A little kitbashing with other 1/32 kits might turn up some American Racing Vector wheels (Monogram '78 Vette), Formula Super Sport big 'n' little tires (Monogram Chevy and Dodge van), or even some 5-slot wheels (Monogram '55 Chevy) for that Street Van replica you've ben planning.

Edited by Casey, 06 March 2012 - 07:36 PM.

[Edsel-Dan]

I Do Want one of those So bad!!

I have the other 3 kits in that series;
Chevy Stepside pickup, Futuristic Van & 32 Ford Sedan Delivery
The Futuristic is R2-D2 version (2)
Sedan Delivery is Cop-Rod Police Paddy Wagon version also 2
I have 1 original issue of the Chevy Pickup, and 2 of the Trail Patrol version.
Did you know the Pickup & Futuristic van share the Dodge van chassis, rims & tires??

I Do wish MPC would re-issue these!!
Only the Chevy Pickup has been re-issued since the Emergency Vehicle set in the Hot Wheels series

[gray07]

I have the 132 chevy police van on my shelf, i would love to find one of these, I have a real grill like that hanging on my wall in my garage,

[Erik Smith]

I like retro reviews - wish more people would do them. Even in the "new" kits section.

I remeber these vans (and other similar kits) and have to say they bring back bad memories. I always hated buying a new model, getting it home only to find molded in seats, plastic tires, etc. So disappointing to a kid.

Thanks for the pics and memories, though.

[peekay]

Thanks for that. I also wish more people would do old kit reviews.
Maybe this section should simply be called "Kit Reviews".
(I really enjoy Dennis Doty's old kit articles in the mag).

[Harry P.]

Thanks for that. I also wish more people would do old kit reviews.
Maybe this section should simply be called "Kit Reviews".

That's exactly what I think it should be called. Drop the "new," more often than not these days, "new" kits are actually reissued old kits!

[moparmagiclives]

I can already see a sweet 32nd scale slot car setting on the side of the track.....emitting a thin mysterious smoke from the back doors...

[Edsel-Dan]

I had both the 1/32 Chevy Police & Dodge Ambulance Street Machine kits from Monogram
Parts of them are on a Revell Chevy Van kit Ambulance.
I have Unbuilt Original issue SWAT versions of the Revell Chevy Van & The Nova kit.
The Ambulance was a re-issue with the old single season "Code-Red" TV series.
I think the last issue of the van was a street machine. The Nova was re-issued as the
Chief car in Code-Red, a race car, and an El Camino type pickup.

Monogram's vans started out as Street Machine/Customs. The grill was only a decal
The conversions were easy, just a few added parts.
The ambulance had a high-top add-on with one rotator and 2 sirens, the Chevy Police got a smaller top add-on with 2 rotators/flashers, single siren, and Machine Guns for the port hole windows.

Can you tell I like to make emergency Vehicles out of mine??