31 replies to this topic

[Casey]

It's been almost 20 years old since Monogram released it's '93 Chevy S-10 standard cab shortbed 4x2 pickup, but this kit has held up very well, mostly due to the kits' excellent design and engineering. This kit was a companion to the '91 GMC Syclone released by Revell in 1992 (reviewed here: http://www.modelcars...0279&hl=syclone) , so there is some parts sharing, just like on the real Chevy S-10 and GMC S-15 pickups. Two other versions of the S-10 kit include the "Waverider" custom, kit #2438, issued in 1994 and molded in metallic green, and the Lowrider 3'n 1, kit #85-2569 from 1999, which contained parts to build any of the three variations.

 

Let's take a look at what's inside the box. 

 

You can see the two front differential/driveshaft pieces at the lower right below, which were only used on the AWD Syclone:

 

 

 

The Cameo front fascia/bumper cover is found near the upper right corner in the below image, but unfortunately for us, Monogram didn't see fit to include the rest of the body pieces which complete the Cameo package.   :

 

 

 

Separately molded windshield wipers? Yes indeed:

 

 

 

Though the bed assembly consists of only eight pieces, it's nicely done...more details on the main bed piece later:

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Casey]

Here are a few shots of the cab, which looks very accurate to my eyes, but I'm no S-series expert:

 

 

 

 

 

 

The main bed floor and inner walls piece mentioned earlier:

 

 

 

 

Detail shot of the Cameo front bumper cover:

 

 

 

 

Even the firewall got some serious attention by the designers:

 

 

 

 

Here's the interior tub and door panel and dashboard (minus the separate instrument cluster) close-ups:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Casey]

A few more detail pics...

 

Front suspension, which was supposedly borrowed from the A-body platform in 1982 when the S-series debuted:

 

 

 

The separate windshield wiper arms and blades mentioned earlier:

 

 

 

The 4.3L V6 engine block/oil pan/transmissions halves, engine accessories, and the serpentine belt setup:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here's a close look at one of the wheels, which mount to the Goodyear Eagle VR50 tires found in many late '80s and early '90s R-M kits:

 

 

 

And last but not least, the grille:

 

 

 

 

To be totally honest, I have never built any of the S-10 versions of this kit, but I have built the Syclone, and I recall it going together without any issues, and the parts fit was excellent, so I would expect the S-10s to be a tad easier, since the engine compartment and front suspension/drivetrain is a bit less complicated. My only complaints with the stock S-series kit are the "missing" Cameo body cladding pieces, and the Goodyear VR50 tires, which would've been too lo-pro for a stock '93. There is plenty of detail present to make a very nice looking model when completed, and seeing as this kit was released during the high point of the Revell-Monogram period, it's no surprise this is still a great kit almost twenty years after it was first released.

 

The only four aftermarket resin parts I'm aware of for use with this kit are:

 

1) All American Model's out-of-production 2-door Blazer body: http://www.rocketfin...uct.cfm?id=2350

 

2) VCG Resins' '84 Blazer body, which is still a WIP: http://vcgresin.atspace.com/

 

3) Perry's Resin's extended cab ("Club Cab Conversion"), which I think is also OOP, but included the cab, interior tub, and chassis.

 

4) Perry's Resin's '82-84(?) grille conversion

[Jordan White]

It is a good kit, I do like the detail that they were able to put into it. It's too bad that they didn't make a Blazer/Jimmy version themselves. It's also too bad they didn't offer parts to make a 4WD version. Wouldn't have been too difficult since they could have just used the Syclone parts and figured out how to raise the suspension.

[Scuderia]

Nice review. Makes me want to pick one up sounds like a good one

[Jordan White]

Another thing, I may be wrong but from what I've seen, they didn't offer those wheels on the 2WD versions, only on the 4WD versions (due to different offsets.)

[Jantrix]

One thing that jumps out at me is the very decent color it's molded in. I'd be tempted to polish that up and finish it unpainted.

[Jared Roach]

Nice review. I'm a huge a fan of the 1:1 and the kits. The syclone kit actually is a 91 because gm made 2995 and only 3 in 92, then they cancelled it. 

 

Regarding the cameo body kit. The kit actually represents the cameo el package which ONLY included the front bumper cover and rear ground effects(not in kit though), and it is less rare then the normal cameo. Overall they are great kits and I got a waverider/2 syclones(one will become a typhoon)/ and two  standard 93's to build.

 

Here's one I started awhile ago. It's on amt 86 el camino rims and tires. The kit wheels are very incorrect for a 2wd.  

 

Edited by Jared Roach, 19 December 2012 - 12:37 PM.

[Erik Smith]

I had a few of those when I was building truck models in the 90s. Very nice kits. Those were "The Days", AMT, Revell, and Monogram putting out kits of new trucks and SUVs! My father in law had a base model 4 cylinder with a biege, kind of sunset paint scheme - wouldn't mind building that now.

Edited by Erik Smith, 19 December 2012 - 01:48 PM.

[440 Dakota]

_{I love that kit and 1:1 S-10s and have had many of them in various forms,wish Revell would reissue it,and some aftermarket support would be great cause those trucks are still very pouplar}

[Longbox55]

Another thing, I may be wrong but from what I've seen, they didn't offer those wheels on the 2WD versions, only on the 4WD versions (due to different offsets.)

That is correct, they are the 4x4 wheels. I have the same ones on my '85. Also, on the 1:1, the wheels will only interchange one way due to the offset/backspace differences. The 2wd wheels can be installed on the 4x4, but not the other way around.

[Olskoolrodder]

I've had a few 1:1's that bodystyle (a pair of slammed '91 SWB's,an '87 extended cab stock 2wd and an '88 4x4 "Sport"),I'm no expert either,but it looks right to my eye,and +2,those were indeed 4x4 only wheels,though I have ran them until-I-could-get-better on a slammed 2wd Great review I wish Revellogram would see fit to reissue it. I have ONE in the stash salvaged after the house fire,but not all of it survivied

[Jordan White]

If Revell were to re-release it, I would prefer they do the 3n1 version since it provides plenty of extra parts.

[Greg L.]

Hi, I built an '80s long bed version from this kit.  I used a 4 cyl engine from a Nissan truck kit and the round gauges from a Cyclone kit.  I made window cranks too, since the kit had power window switches.  I also removed the abs module from the inner fender etc..   I think the rims I used were from the Amt '96? blazer custom rims and tires.  I weathered it slightly and added try transfer letters to the doors.  I also opened the gas filler door and added some detail to it, just like the 1:1 movie vehicle. (before the chase scene with the semi truck)

 

http://www.modelcars...lery&image=2928

here is a pic of it, from my profile on this site, other detail pics of it are also in my 'gallery' in my profile.

 

I used a Perrys resin '80s S-10 grille and at least 2  S-10 kits to lengthen the bed etc, for the Terminator 2 chase scene version. 

 

I had a 1;1 '91 extra cab and also have a resin extra cab from Perrys, both probably are not made any more, they were some of his first castings and it took a long time to get them.

Edited by Greg L., 18 March 2013 - 02:17 PM.

[kalbert]

wow, thanks for posting the pics of this kit. I've always assumed it was a 4x4 on account of the wrong wheels and the Syclone version. Now I have to get one!

 

Any good source for an Iron Duke?

[Casey]

Any good source for an Iron Duke?

 

I think the MPC '84 Pontiac Fiero included the 4-cylinder Iron Duke engine, but I've never seen a clear pic of it, and you'd still need to source a RWD transmission for behind the engine, too.

[Skydime]

.   I think the rims I used were from the Amt '93 blazer custom rims and tires.

 

 

 

93 and 94 Blazers were square body.  Did AMT actually make a square body Blazer kit?

[Skydime]

wow, thanks for posting the pics of this kit. I've always assumed it was a 4x4 on account of the wrong wheels and the Syclone version.

Ya know, one could always imagine those wheels were an aftermarket fabrication...just like chromed 18" IROC Camaro wheels. 

Edited by Skydime, 11 March 2013 - 09:42 PM.

[Casey]

Did AMT actually make a square body Blazer kit?

 

No, it was never available in 1/25 scale kit form. A resin 4-door Blazer conversion was made by All American Models in the '90s, and VCG Resins is working on a 2-door, but only the 2-door second gen was available as a kit.

[plowboy]

I had the "Waverider" S-10. But, to me, it looked to be closer to 1/24 scale than 1/25. I know it states 1/25 on the box. But.... the wheels look a lot bigger than a 15" wheel and the tires are the same tires that Monogram used in a lot of their other 1/24 kits. A friend saw it on the shelf and wanted it. So, I sold it to him. I need to snag me another one and check it out again. I always get a chuckle when I see these generation S-10's that are 2wd and someone has stuck a 4wd rearend in it.   You just know they went hmmmm when they stuck their wheels and tires on and they stuck out way past the fenders.