JS23U

Welcome Joe. That's a very nicely built model, especially for a resin conversion. Clean workmanship!

Thanks guys for the kind words. John Shoe: Yes I do. You can read Mopar VINs... ?! ;)

I built this kit twice over the years. First the Matchbox version as a kid, that one is long gone. But I liked it so much that I bought and built another one about twenty years ago. I changed the tires for the MPC ones, just like others did, and it is a real enhancement. I remember also that I slightly upgraded the chassis parts. I detailed the leaf springs and made the front axle steerable. I also made the spare tire mount movable. I think the rest (engine, body) is more or less out of the box. In my opinion it is a great kit even without my slight upgrades and I was very happy with the result and it made a lot of fun. It built up quite well, although I had problems with a warped bed cover. Here is an old photo of my build, obviously inspired by the box art. The details are so much better than on the F-350 pickups. Especially the grille is much better compared to the 78 F-350 version. I tried to fit the grille into the F-350 but forgot the results. At least I remember it was not a drop in. Requires a little work, but seems doable.

Maybe the Custom Corvette is the "Eckler Corvette"? Although in my eyes there isn't much of a 68 on it. But that's what left of the AMT Corvette annuals from 1969 to 77.

I would love a modified reissue as a 4 door sedan CHP cop car. Just dreaming...

The mid 80s was the time I got deeply involved in building car models (had built nearly every sort of model before). Over here in Germany supply of american car kits was quite good at the time. I started with Matchbox/AMT kits, then got to know MPC and Monogram kits, and of course some Revells. Even back then I liked the cars the MPC models were depicting (Cuda, Chargers, 2nd gen Camaros/Firebird etc.), but the execution of the models, fit, quality of chrome plating, amount of flash, missing stock parts annoyed me. I liked AMT kits much better, although the line is thin. All those MPC molds seemed to have worn and beaten to death by the mid eighties already, I noticed that even with my child's eyes. Of course back then I didn't know why some of these kits existed, that they were successors/modified reissues of kits that originated in 1970, for example (like Camaro, Firebird, Cuda, ...). But for me as a young builder the kits and also the box arts turned me off. If the subjects weren't that exciting to me, I would have moved on to other topics. Today I see it slightly different, but if I'd want an MPC Cuda for example, I'd rather search for and pay an annual than an 80s Harry Bradley kit. But still they are a big part of my childhood and I had/have many of them, don't get me wrong!

Thanks guys! This one started about 15 years ago as a built up NASCAR kit. I managed to round up resin and styrene replacement parts like interior and front bumper. The running gear is from the Revell Torino.

Roger, these look great, although I currently can't imagine from which kit they could be. I'll send you a pm, thanks!

Thanks for your offer, Roger. These look like MPC parts to me. I have several of these (and some AMTs). I'd love to find a correct Johan wheel. Aside from a slightly different design, Johan wheels are most always a bit smaller in diameter. Thanks again, Jens

I would love to get an early GT-40 version with small block engine. I could have lived with the Fujimi 427 models as is. No one has ever done a real well proportioned early car.

That would be great, Joe. Thanks! Here's a pic of my defect rear rim for identification.

Yes, it has Spyder wheels (different depth front and rear). The hood scoop is smaller than on later versions of the Maverick or Comet and is molded to the hood, not separate. If someone has a spare single rear Spyder wheel from that kit or a complete set please send me a PM. On mine the delicate outer rim is partially broken and missing. I know that these were available in several AMT and MPC kits as well, but I want to replace it with the correct part. Thanks!

Here are two kits I found pics of that show the bubble glass. So probably all years up to 76 (as Mark wrote) will include the part.

The Fast Eddie Schartman Maverick C-103 had the grill without lights as well. As far as I know it is the only drag version of the Maverick to have this grill. Pics stolen from the web.

This is amazing news, IMHO. I always thought about getting one of their Kenworth models, but then I am not a fan of loggers or Canadian cabs. But this new road truck would fit my wishes

I wonder if Round 2 has a future variant in their mind. I personally would love to see the kit backdated a few years to the C-4000. From a quick look at pics I found it can't be too difficult. The 4070A seems to be a better starting point for such a conversion than the 4070B.

Don't know if all these were mentioned, very much and cool info in this thread... 61 Valiant promo is a four door sedan, as opposed to the SMP kit, which is a 2 door hardtop. 62 to 65 Rambler Classic are 4d Sedan, the 66 is an Ambassador 2 door hardtop. All are promos. (Ambassador kits started 67). The 62 was available as an annual kit and got reissued as a taxi snap kit later, with wrong interior. Typical of so many of the later Johan reissues. The Cross Country wagons were made up until 1966, as promos.

There were a few others: A 1970 Mustang Boss 302 kit, a 70 Corvette and the mentioned Challenger, which originated as a 1971 model year. These kits were sold under the label "PSM", not Palmer. The Challenger was later changed to the 1972 design we know from the Lindberg model. It seems to me all these kits were (cheap) copies of MPC kits, or at least their bodies. I have the Mustang for its cool box art, but none else. All pics stolen from the net...

Here is a comparison of a stock 1973 Vega and a Grumpys Toy Vega. The Grumpys Vega seems to be a 73, as well. The 72 annual still had an opening rear hatch, like the 71. The chassis is mostly stock with even the exhaust molded in. The trans crossmember is set back to gain room for the bigger engine/trans. At the rear it has two small holes for wheelie bars (?), which are not installed on my model. Both chassis' look like they came out of the same mold. The interior is completely non-stock with tubbed rear wheel wells. The body is stock except for the radiused rear wheel openings.

But fortunately the mold could be saved. The 65 Galaxie was reissued and continues to be available. I haven't compared reissue and annual, but I will do. Interesting hint!

Thanks, Casey. I remember that thread. By coincidence it shows exactly the hanger shot of the Cutlass. Are there any other public pics of additional kit's hangers? Mr. Mopar: That would be the one from the hanger shot. But I doubt they would sell that many from this version. A stock one would definitely fare better, IMHO.

Are these hanger photos available for other models? Does anyone have links ?

Thanks!

Is this kit out already?