CapSat 6

Thanks, Chuck. I'm just doing my civic duty! ? Bill's pics are very interesting, and I'd have to give the nod to Revell for getting the total body shape more correct. Something about the MPC body in the C-pillar area is not quite right--------almost seems "smooshed" or something, and not quite there. Bill G.- admittedly, I had some trouble getting the side-on shots with my phone. They're not the best pics. I don't think the MPC bodies' cabs look so smooshed usually, this might be a result of the bad optics, or the fact that the Revell body is slightly bigger in a few places. I'm actually fine with either roofline/ cab myself. On a side note: I really, really like these cars. I have many, many copies of the various MPC Chargers of this generation, even the stinky ones, and quite a few of the Revells, too. I'm of the opinion that I probably can't have too many '68-'70 Chargers. There is a soft spot in my soul for the MPC kits, which I always thought looked the part. I grew up with these kits, starting with a bunch of the DoH kits I bought on the cheap at of all places- a toy store in Chinatown, NYC in about 1982. I converted some of these into '68's and '70's using resin parts from John Heyer, and sheet plastic for the rear window conversions. It's nice to have the Revell kits now.

Looking at pics of real cars, myself- I like the proportions of the MPC bumper a little better. I'm not necessarily saying that MPC nailed it. I'd still like to see both in paint, but so far, I think given the choice between both bumpers, I like the MPC's a little better. The Revell bumper is not a fail in my eyes, just that I prefer the MPC when I look at the picture references. I feel the same way about the '68 and '69 Revell & MPC kits as well though, so it could be one of those optical illusion-type things, where for some reason the MPC front ends seem more agreeable to my eyes. I'd agree with you as well that the MPC B-Bodies seem undersized. I think they're about 1/25.5 scale...

One more thing I tried out: the Daytona hood does fit the F&F body, but it will need a little trimming. Also, the curvature is a little different where it meets the fender sides, but I think it could be bent to shape. I believe that both 1:1's used the same hood. The '68-'69 hood scallops are wrong for both the '70 and the Daytona. I think the hood was used on the Daytona as a model-year "pull forward" production part.

Ok- I got mine today. Soooo...while hoping NOT to start any controversy, I would like to share my real thoughts here. Whenever a new tool for a subject that I am intensely interested in come out, I now have to play this game: "does it look like a ________". The blank represents the make and model of car in 1:1 that it is supposed to represent. I think that is a fair test, especially after some of the kits that have been put on the market recently (cough'70Cuda)... I say this because it's my opinion that no matter how great the little details are, it's all for naught if the body shape is poor. I build scale replicas, and while I don't consider myself a rivet counter, a 'Cuda should look like a 'Cuda, not like a Camaro's illegitimate son. The answer here: yes, in my opinion, it looks like a '70 Charger. I think Chuck has been spot on with his observations so far (different, although very similar tool to the Revell '68 and '69). All good so far, really. I compared it to some reference pics on the Internet (but not dial caliper style- I just used my eyes), and to me, it looks pretty good. There have been some kits that have been so far off in my eyes that they simply gross me out, and consequently won't be built by me (cough...)...but this is not one of them. I think the heavily hinted-at stock version is going to be a winner. I think Revell actually improved this over the '68-'69 body, in the areas of the door scallops and the wheelhouses (they enlarged the wheelhouses, and made the scallops less pronounced). The only nits I have are: 1) the front fender turn signal indicators seem a little wedge shaped to me, and the front bumper/ grille seem a little tall (especially compared to the original MPC). Neither of these things are bad enough to dissuade me from building it. Overall, my opinion is that they captured the 1:1 pretty well. First pic- top car - F&F '70, bottom car- '69 Daytona. 2nd pic- left car- original MPC '70, right car- F&F '70. 3rd pic- top car- F&F '70, bottom - MPC '70.

If that is so- then I think it is a kit first. That's a great little detail! I'm sure a few Rivet Counters will be using these on other builds.

Chuck - can I ask a question about the parts: -the tree with the rad support and firewall. The two rectangular parts in between the front sway bar and the battery / hood latch base. What are they? Could they be torque boxes for the rear subframe? Or are they something else?

Another winner, Adam!!!

Perhaps I wasn't clear enough...the link is for a resin kit, a scratch built master of the poly engine intended for the '58 Belvedere. What comes in the '58 Belvedere kit box is not at all what you want. It's sort of a cross between a poly and big (B) block. The stock kit engine is not accurate for anything really. This Aussie resin kit in the link is the only Poly in scale that I know of, barring perhaps an engine from a Franklin or Danbury Mint car (I'm not sure if they are even available from those cars).

Try this: http://www.scaleautomobilia.com.au/caracc.htm 318 Poly for the '58 Belvedere kit. I can't speak for it's accuracy, but the pic on the page makes it look pretty decent. You could probably dress it differently depending on application.

Today I got some resin parts from Fireball Models. They are really nice- some of the best I have ever seen (and I have seen LOTS of resin parts in my day), and I got them in about a week from when I ordered them. Everything you hear about Joseph and Fireball Models is absolutely true! I received: -1/24 Mopar Police car wheels (so nice I almost don't want to use them). & I think I need these in 1/25, too!!! -1/24 15" Minilite wheels- really, really nice. -1/25 Dodge Charger hubcaps (Bullitt-style). The Revell diecasts did not come with these and there hasn't been a source for these caps (except for the Danbury Mint Charger diecasts- and are you going to waste a $400 diecast for the wheelcovers?!?)- until now. These look perfect! They compare perfectly to the 1:1 cap I have in the basement (except that they are not dented & scratched!). - 1/25 BF Goodrich Radial T/A's in resin. These are the best T/A's I have ever seen in scale, hands down. I will need more!!!

You are going to enjoy this build...I used the same resin body on that chassis and got good results. There is just one thing I want to make you aware of: the track on these chassis is too narrow. Spend some time fitting the chassis, look at the relationship between the completed wheels and the body, and you will see what I mean. You will need to somehow widen the track on both the front and rear wheels somehow. That what the only thing I was dissatisfied with during my build.

Very nice model! I owned a 2005 SXT (3.5 l), and loved it- until the electronics melted down at 18k miles. Chrysler bought it back, so at least they did the right thing. Evidently, these cars did not normally do that. I have 70k on a 2010 Challenger now- and I really like the Challenger, but I too wish they still made the Magnum. I have one of these Revell kits roughed in with cut down bumpers from a Revell "Large" kit, and a 3.5 from a Prowler ready to go. I have to get that one built.

This isn't a prediction- this is a question: does anybody know of or can guess if we'll get a Dodge Hellcat of some kind? I would at least like that engine in 1/25 scale...

Competition Resins does some things in 1/16. Also, there is a seller on eBay who does wheels in several large scales in white resin that are very nice. I bought some of his wheels and thought they were great quality, although the name of the seller escapes me. If you do a search on 1/12 or 1/8 wheels in Toys and Hobbies/ model kits you will find his offerings.

That's the one, Ace. I have that mag somewhere. IIRC, it had an illustration of the Black Dart & Primer Camaro at the top, too.

I know that Penn Valley Hobbies was selling on eBay. They had an awful lot of older store stock, even when they were closing down. I would not be surprised in the least if they still had plenty to sell off, although probably mostly diecasts, trains & slot car stuff at this point.

I'll chime in for the Philadelphia, PA area. The last two standing that I know of are: Nicholas Smith Toys and Hobbies in Newtown Square, PA. Great store, nice selection of new car kits, also, lots of slot cars, diecasts, toys, and a HUGE train selection, new & vintage trains, in most or all scales that I can think of. Nice people to deal with. Probably my fave store. Main Line Hobbies, in the Plymouth Meeting Mall, Plymouth Meeting, PA. Small selection of car models, nice selection of supplies and slot cars. 3 or 4 tracks you can rent for slot cars, they also have cars for rent. The owner is very nice. Going a little farther out: Z & Z Hobbies in Hamilton, NJ. Decent selection of new kits, supplies. More train oriented, but worth a stop if in the area. The late, great Penn Valley Hobbies is now gone. I'm pretty sure there still is a nice store in Reading, but I haven't been out there in many years. I'm not sure of the status of Alfred Cappelli Hobbies downtown on Market Street, I will have to check that out again soon. There was a really nice one in Doylestown (the name escapes me) that I no sooner discovered 3 years ago that promptly closed up. Philly guys: anything I have missed here?

Thanks again, Snake! I do have a few things from Bandit Resins. Their quality is very good. It's always worth a try, so that's a great suggestion. I think I might have an extra '65 Barracuda rear bumper I can try as well. I was just lamenting the fact that I'm already dealing with life without the Modelhaus! ?

The closest thing to stock Road Runner rims I have found are what I think are the custom wheels in the AMT Vantom/ Phantom Ford Van. I picked up a few sets of these at a swap meet many years ago. They're white plastic, unchromed typical late '70's custom pickup and Van rims with triangular vents. They look like they are a scale 14" or 15" diameter in 1/25 scale. The 1:1 Road Runner rims that year had chrome trim around the triangular openings. I'm not sure how I would replicate that. Using Evergreen strip so finely and repeatedly would probably drive me insane. Perhaps a careful application of the paint mixed with glue method?

Dang! I just happened to find an AMT Craftsman '65 Valiant today at a vintage toy shop- missing the rear bumper, front valence and one taillight. And the rear bumpers are almost ALWAYS missing from these! Oh well...

Don- thank you very much for posting the pics. Notice that stock Road Runner logos are included on the decal sheet this time! It was really good of Round 2 to do that. Notice that the stock graphics on the '80 Road Runner are pretty simple and sedate- unlike those on the '77-'79 cars. They're almost like the I.D.'s on the original '68 cars. I wonder if this was commentary from Chrysler- perhaps they knew the '80 was the Road Runner's swan song? For that matter, I think this was around the time Chrysler almost went out... I dig all of the extra parts...if anybody isn't using their rear spoilers (especially the later style ones) - send them to me- I'll swap good stuff for these ?...

They're raised. Should not be too big of a job. I'm with ya on T-Tops- they gotta go. Still- this issue was nice in that separate T panels are included if you're inclined to use them.

& of course shill bidding, if it did occur, is detestable.

Wow. Just- wow. I don't remember that one. Probably not the outcome the giver expected. At the least, that takes some, er, stones on the recipient/ seller's part...

Oh- and I mean it about the Megaball thing. I have no interest in learning casting, but keeping the Modelhaus going would be great. Maybe even expand it into 3D masters and/ or injection molding. Wish me luck!!! ?