unclescott58

I'll second the above opinion. I loved those old Jo-Han kits. As far as detail goes, Jo-Han could vary quite a bit. True, that most of their annual kits lacked detail chassis. Reissued kits, including their '69 Road Runner kit, could not always be relied upon to have the correct interior in them. Yet Jo-Han's Gold Cup kits were some of nicest kits ever designed. Their Chrysler Turbine Car, classic Mercedes and Cadillacs are tough to beat for nice detail. Presently I'm working on Jo-Han's '69 SC/Rambler kit. Not a bad kit. The detail features are better than what I normally expect from a Jo-Han kit. The chassis has much more detailed than most Jo-Han kits. It has separate exhaust pipes, gas tank, etc. The chassis looks good. The interior also looks nice. But, it is not what came in the real '69 SC/Rambler. For earlier Rambler Americans the interior is correct. But not the '69 SC/Rambler. I assume they figured that most people, mainly kids buying models at the time, would not know or care that the interior in incorrect for a '69. Jo-Han's U.S.A. Oldies kits reissued in the 70's could not always be relied on for having the correct interiors. I remember the '62 Dodge and Plymouth kits sharing the same dashboard. Which is not correct on the real cars. And what was wrong with Jo-Han's '69 Road Runner interior? The later reissues came with 1970 hi-back bucket seats. Despite these mistakes, I'd love to own any of these kits today. The lack the chassis detail does not bother me. I love model cars that look right. Mainly in body, grille, taillights, etc. And for the most part, Jo-Han models had that right look to me when they were finished. I keep hoping someone still has the dies for Jo-Hans old kits. And someday we can see them become available again.

Looking at the instructions, I see it's another HEMI car. "Yawn." I'd rather have the 440. And the decals? Could the '70 Charger come with that hood and rear stripe setup from the factory? I've never seen hood stripes from the factory on a '70 Charger like that. But, I'm not a 1970 Charger expert. Will I be needing to go to Keith Marks to get "correct" factory style decals?

Are you sure that is FMC? And not PMD? For they look like Pontiac wheel covers from MPC's '69 or '70 Bonneville kit.

I have no interest in this kit what so ever. But, I like Chris' videos enough to watch this review. Another good one Chris, even though I'll be passing on this one.

He didn't have his name to left until after this cropped up.

I'm going to have find this one. Even though the rear car sold here at the time was as Celica ST. This is close enough for me. At least it has option of left-hand drive.

Here a tricky one. Has anybody ever put out a model kit of Toyota 2000GT with the steering wheel on the left? I believe the MPC convertible may have had the steering wheel on the left. But, other than the two convertibles built for the movie You Only Live Twice, all other 2000GTs were coupes. And a left hand drive coupe is what I'd like to build. The second Toyota I'd like to find is a model of is an early US spec Celica. Preferably a '71 or '72. I've always liked the small bumper early Celicas. There are several Japanese Celica kits out there. But, none with the steering wheel on left, or the type sold in the US with the bigger motor. The third Toyota I'd like to find in kit form is a 1st generation Hi-Lux. Again left hand drive, and American spec with "dog ear", top of front fender turn signals. My dad bought one of first ones sold in this area of the country back in 1971. It was a weird looking, but at the same time a cute looking truck. There are other generation Hi-Lux model kits out there. But, I've never seen a 1st gen. By the way, only the US 1st gen Hi-Lux had the "dog ear" turn signals. Those replaced the mirrors required on the Japanese home version. The different Japanese model manufacturers make some great model kits. They are for the most part wonderful to build. And they have many different historically interesting kits of Japanese spec cars. But, I think they are missing the mark by ignoring offering models of vehicles sold over here. In many cases I would think it would easy to offer some extra option pieces to convert their existing kits to represent US spec models. I wonder why they haven't done much of this? I can't be the only one who would interested in these?

99% of the time I'm viewing this site via my iPad. That may explain why I'm not see your signature?

It's on it way. Round 2 is showing with their September 2017 releases. Looking forward to it.

The Datsun is the only thing I'll be buying from this batch. Glad to see it back. I like it best in its stock form.

Sorry about that. What is your name than?

Looks better than I would have expected. Thanks for showing it. I hope there are others out there that we can also see.

By the way, the early AMT roadsters had the rotating headlamps as many have noted. I don't think I've ever actually seen a early kit with this feature. I know it existed. I've just never seen it. Does anybody have any photos showing this feature both opened and closed? I can imagine in 1/25 scale it may not have worked to well, or looked all that good? I hope I'm wrong on that.

Okay. Time for my two cents on this issue. I love '63 Corvettes. Especially the split window coupes. I have several of both the Revell and AMT kits. It's tough for me to pick one as being better than the other. The AMT coupe is still one of my all time favorite kits. I don't mind it's primitive, lack of detail chassis. I like that it represents a car with fuel injection, a four-speed transmission, and aluminum wheels. And the completed model looks good to me. The lines look right. I love it. Recently, in the last year or two, I decided I want to build an AMT '63 convertible to match my Revell roadsters. Since I had both the AMT and Revell coupes for comparison. I felt I needed the roadsters too. I sought out the AMT Prestige version, because unlike other reissues of AMT's roadster, it had stock wheel covers rather than aluminum wheels. I love the aluminum wheels. But one AMT '63 with them is enough for me. Again, like AMT's coupe, the convertible represents a car with fuel injection and four-speed. And I liked that the kit came with both tops. The chassis looks like the same one in the coupe kit to me. I don't know the history of the body. But, it looks very good to my eye. As far the Revell 63's. Both the coupe and convertible build into beautiful models. There are only curbsides. But, that's okay with me. They represent cars without fuel injection. They also represent cars with a Powerglide transmission and air conditioning. And the stock versions have wheel covers rather than aluminum wheels. This is okay with me. This probably the way I'd want my Corvettes to be equipped in real life. As far as slipping Revell's '67 Corvette chassis under these cars. First you need to know the '67 big block Corvette roadster is my all time favorite Corvette. Followed by the '63 split-window coupe. The Revell chassis will have more detail. But, it's set up to accommodate the big block engine. And represents a chassis with disc brakes. Though the Revell chassis really does not show any brake detail. The two Revell 67's (coupe and roaster) are both very nice kits to build. Again, I love them. But, how often do I flip my cars over to look at chassis? Not enough for me to justify modifying either AMT's or Revell's 63's. But, that's just me. So picking a favorite '63 coupe model? Both look great when built. But, which represents your fantasy Vette? AMT's with fuel injection, a four-speed transmission, and aluminum wheels? Or Revell's with a Powerglide transmission, air conditioning, and wheel covers? Can't decide like me? Buy both. Or like some of us, buy several.

Most people are with you Snake on the dual vs. quad headlamp Vettes. I dont know why I am not. It's not that the '56 and 7s are bad looking cars. I just like the '58s so much better. Besides the headlamps, I like bumpers better, the extra cove decoration, the bigger flush taillight lens, the lack of the phony air scoops on top of the fenders, and the dashboard. And for some reason, even though it's not my favorite, I like the primitiveness of the '53 through '55. The chicken wire headlamp covers. And rocketship taillights. Cool in an odd way. Speaking of '53 - '55. I still wish somebody made model of '54 Corvette Corvair fastback, and the '54 Corvette "Waldorf" Nomad station wagon. Still the two coolest C1 Corvettes ever. Especially the Corvair. And as far as your idea, Snake, of mating the front of a '57 to the rear of a '62. I'd like to see that. I hope you do it. I wonder how hard or easy that would be do?

That's exactly what I'm talking about. The model you posted the link to Tucker. That is sweet. I like the purity, the clean look, of those late 60's, early 70's BMWs.

Does anyone put out a non-turbo version of the 2002 as a kit? You know, one with no stripes or wheel flares. One with bumpers.

The Japanese produce a lot of interesting kits. That's for sure. But, I stay away from a lot of them because in a lots of cases they offer no way of building with the steering on the left. I'd love the Civic posted above. But, can it built as a version we drove over here? If not, I'll be passing on that to add to my collection.

As you know, I like every model review you do Chris. Scares me sometimes to hear comments. I have almost the exact same ways of thinking of things, on the subject models that you do. I don't know if that is good or bad?

I'm not a big Mopar guy. But, I'm waiting for this one too. Of the 2nd generation Chargers, 1970 has always been my favorite.

I'll have a hunch I eventually buy a Revell '62 for my collection. As far as MPC's '57, people are going to hate me for this, but the only chrome bumper Corvettes I do not like the looks of are the '56 and '57. I love every other chrome bumper Vette that Chevrolet designed and built. Including the '53, 4, and 5. My favorites are the '63 - '67s (as you know, Snake). I love the '58 more than the '59 or '60. Though I love the looks of those too. But, '56 and '57? I don't know why? They've never caught my fancy. And I've never owned a model of either year (has there been a model of a '56?). I do like the '62s. And I'm not as critical of AMT's version as everybody else is. At the same time Revell's '62 keeps call me. "Scott buy me." I may have to listen to that call, and add one to my collection.

No. It doesn't work for me.

Got thinking. Forgot to mention the guy I buy most of my models from. I've never had the pleasure to purchase a model online from him. For he is local. But, I believe he sells online. And that is Ralph Fredlund (of Ralph's Models) at: RAFredlund@aol.com. A great guy. Old or new, he can get you just about anything you want.

Two I've had really good luck with, and gotten very good prices from, is Mark Twain Hobbies and Model Car Mountain. When I go hunting on eBay, they seen seem to have what I'm looking for at the best prices. They both have seem to ship fast, and have given me no problems. There are other good ones. But, those two keep on popping up the most for me when I go looking for kits.

In today's mail, Revell's Highway Scenes '60 Corvette (with Die-Cut Diorama Motel). After hereing horror stories about Revell's old multi-price Corvette. I was pleased with what I found. The kit looks better than I expected.