62 replies to this topic

[Casey]

I've collected images of all (I think) of the 1/20 scale MPC '68-'74 Ford van kits, so if I've missed any kits or if I got the chronological order wrong, please speak up.


1) 1970 Ford Econoline Chateau Club Wagon, which could be built stock, as a pit crew wagon, or an ambulance:







Parts painted green:




2) 1971 Ford Econoline, again with three building options:






3) Ford Van Customzing Kit, the '73 annual kit, also with three building options:




4) Ironside Van, a replica of the van Raymond Burr's character Robert T. Ironside drove in the TV show Ironside:

Edited by Casey, 14 August 2012 - 04:53 AM.

[Casey]

4) Wizard Ford Custom Street Van from 1981:




5) Visible Van, which included clear-molded cargo door and roof panels:






6) Supervan- Super-sized, super-custom Ford van, kit number 3061, released in 1976:




7) High Jacker Off-Road Custom Van, kit number 1-3063:






8) Slammer Ford Van, kit number 78-3064-250, from 1976:

Edited by Casey, 14 August 2012 - 04:55 AM.

[Rob Hall]

Neat...I'd love to have one of the stock ones. There is another custom one, molded in dark blue...builds as a 'paddy wagon'...it was called the 'Slammer' IIRC...

Edited by Rob Hall, 29 March 2012 - 05:52 AM.

[Erik Smith]

Nice compilation. I really like these posts showing the history of these old, reused kits. I remember some of them. Those Desert Dog tires actually fit this 1/20 scale kit - they were tossed into a few 1/24 kits as well and the wheels always looked too big.

My favorite is the Ironsides van - love the 70s treatment of the interior and the raised roof.

[Casey]

Thanks, Rob.

It really is pretty amazing (and frugal?) that MPC got eight kits out of this tooling, and though it was definitely modified and the model morphed into full customs in later releases, it's still quite an accomplishment.

I would love to see one of the earlier versions return, but being 1/20 scale and considering the tooling might need some serious backdating, I'm not sure that will ever happen. Heck, I'd just settle for a set of the 5-slot wheels and be happy.

[Erik Smith]

Any idea which was the last version? Kind of give us an idea of "what" the tooling is now?

[Casey]

Any idea which was the last version? Kind of give us an idea of "what" the tooling is now?

No, but my guess is the Visible Van. The cusotm versions all have post-General Mills MPC logos, but the Visible Van version seems to have unique sidepipes which are different from the earlier dual sidepipes.

[gray07]

Casey, if you need pics of the instructions of the slammer van and i think i still have the insrtuction to the supervan.i built the supervan years ago, still have it, i have 4 slammer van still in boxes, and i just picked up the ambulance van that needs work, so if you need pics let me know i might beable to help.

[Edsel-Dan]

I also have an Unbuilt Slammer!!
Paid $8.oo at a Flea market some years ago

I have a Built Ironsides, and built an Annual as an Ambulance Way back when
I want to say 72, as it was still a Window van, not the Cargo version shown as the 73 or 74 issue.

I have some of the Yellow 71 annual parts, and a parts lot to restore too.

[kataranga]

I really like this style of van, its really funky. Just wish it was 1:25 scale...

[2000-cvpi]

I never knew these awesome kit's existed. I thank you for the knowledge, but my wallet aches just thinking what the early annuals cost now. I will add these to my grail list.

[Erik Smith]

I never knew these awesome kit's existed. I thank you for the knowledge, but my wallet aches just thinking what the early annuals cost now. I will add these to my grail list.

Some of these kits are on the slightly expensive side, but not all. The SuperVan can be had for $30 to $40. I think the odd scale hurts the overall demand. Still, they are cool.

Edited by Erik Smith, 30 March 2012 - 07:18 PM.

[2000-cvpi]

Some of these kits are on the slightly expensive side, but not all. The SuperVan can be had for $30 to $40. I think the odd scale hurts the overall demand. Still, they are cool.

I just assumed that they were over 100.00 for most of them based on the age of the kit's. Thanks for the info, I will have to keep an eye out for some of them.

[Don Sikora II]

The blue Ford Van Customizing kit is the 1973 annual. There's also a 1974 annual. The "Supervan" has a 1976 copyright. I'm pretty sure "The Wizard" was the last one released around 1983 or '84, but I'm not 100% positive.

[kingiguana]

1/20th Why why why ? If only these were 1/25th.

[gray07]

Found the instructions for the Slammer van and the Supervan.
Slammervan kit no. 78-3064-250, copyright 1976 Fundemimensions Inc. A division of COG Products Corp.
Supervan ---Kit no. 3061, cpyright 1976 Fundimensions Div of General Mills fun group, inc
If you need anymore info, let me know

[Deathgoblin]

Could someone PLEASE make one of these in 1/25 scale? I'd love to have a kit of one of these vans, but I don't want the 1/20.

[SteveG]

Thanks for the info Don and Darrin.

I'm still puzzled why MPC chose 1/20 scale, even though it supposedly provided more "value" due to the larger scale.

The story I got was George Toteff was originator the 1/20th scale kits and really believed they would catch on. He later went over to Lindberg in the 90's and tried to revise the 1/20th scale kits again. Too bad he didn't stick with 1/25th scale. I think they all would have sold much better !!

Steve

[Joe Handley]

It seems like you could do more detail wise when you go larger in scale if you wanted to, but I'd imagine a F/S van in 1/20 must be hugein comparison to anything 1/24-1/25.

[mikemodeler]

I had one of those kits back in the day, got it as a gift from a family member that didn't understand the difference between 1/20 & 1/25.

I used the rear tires for a crude pro street '69 Camaro I built from an old Monogram kit about 30 years ago. I think I have them and the front tires still in the spares box.


I wasn't aware the Vantom was being reissued too; I knew about the Vantasy van from AMT.