6 replies to this topic

[Casey]

Here's a quick look at the various version of Revell's 1/25 scale '41 Willys coupe, first issued in 1965 as the Stone Woods & Cook "Swindler II", molded in light blue plastic:

 

 

 

 

 

The kit was reissued in 1970 with some very trippy/seizure inducing box art:

 

 

There appear to be (at least) two additional box variations, based on which coupon for the free sew-on patch was included:

 

 

 

The kit was still molded in light blue plastic, like the original:

 

 

 

 

The kit was again reissue in the early '80s when Happy Days was still popular, this time with the contents molded in black, matching the box art model's color:

 

 

[Casey]

Fast forward to 1983, when Revell reissued the kit under the "Street Demons" series. One of this kit's beast features was the flame decals which were applied to the hood and body, meaning one only needed to paint the fenders white, with no need for tedious masking and color matching unlike some of the other Street Demons series kits:

 

 

 

 

 

Revell and HOT ROD magazine teamed up to release an entire series of HR-branded kits, including another go 'round for the S-W-C Willys kit, again looking much like the orignal issue:

 

 

And yet another (not nearly as nice looking IMHO) verision in the Hot Rod series, this time molded in red:

 

 

But wait, Revell wasn't done! They released the '41 Willys as part of this three car combo kit, again as part of the HOT ROD series. This must've been released in 1985 or so, when the brief "Fat Attack" street rod trend had peaked:

 

 

 

Finally, Revell-Monogram re-issued the original version of the kit in 1995, with box art almost identical to the original, save for the new copyright date on the side of the box:

 

 

 

 

 

 

There are some parts like the hood trim piece and the perforated grille piece which seem to have come and gone in various issues, but I can't say which versions include which, or if they were in every issue all along. Other than the 5-gallon pail diameter header collectors and the two-piece tires, nothing stands out as eye roll-worthy that I can see or remember with this kit, but being '60s era Revell kits, they can be a bit fussy. That said, if you take your time and mock everything up before painting and assembly, you should end up with a nice looking replica of a mid-'60s Willys hot rod.

[Greg Myers]

Outa th' park Casey. Another great review.

[Bad Apple]

I love these kits i have a bunch of them, the 95 version had solid rubber tires instead of the 2 piece plastic tires.

 

2 of my favorites i built.

[jbwelda]

did anyone else notice that ugly-azz Orange Crate mess in the three-car kit? whoever thought that was a good idea needs to be brought up on charges!

 

 

[Blown03SVT]

The whole Hot Rod series was actually a pretty good promotional tool. The Magazine added their brand likeness to the Revell boxes and also hosted a model car contest and building tips that were published in the magazine similar to what Stacey David is doing now with the Gears model contest. Anyhow, back to the model, I personally love the look of this model. It's pretty accurate and yes very fiddly. Those dang door hinges SEEM like a good idea... Thanks for the review Casey as well as the other Willy's reviews. I figure you are on a roll with gassers maybe you could do a Miss Deal review next seeing as it is due to be reissued? I am looking forward to grabbing a few seeing as I missed it when it was a SSP.

[IMSANUT]

The original kit contained the optional grill and chrome trim. I remember fondly the kit as a kid. I have one awaiting me on the shelf.