Stef

On further inspection, it looks like ALL the decals on that sheet seem to have a similar phenom. It seems to me like an accidental printing of the artwork dielines for the "clear" carrier layer. Typically, those dielines would indicate where the clear stuff will go, but is not actually supposed to print onto the decal sheet.

Is there something weird going on with the Lennie Pond decals? Looks like several of them, on the right-hand side, have some sort of thin red keylines around them.

Thanks everyone, for your super sleuthing on the Streaker kit, and to Chris, who keeps building everything in sight. His build videos have inspired me to buy dozens of kits I didn't know much about, and might not have even thought of buying. As for the Mako Shark / Enforcer, I agree. Would love to build this one again, in whatever form they will release it. Me personally, I'm a big fan of those 80s vector wheels and that sinister skateboard track, heh.

My money's on the Streaker Olds AWB drag car. Awww yissss. Most, if not all, of the Streaker-specific parts are already in the convertible or 442 kits; just need an altered wheelbase body? My understanding is the original Streaker kit used the same generic AWB chassis as was used under the 65 Rat Packer Nova, 65 Falcon, 63 Tempest, (65?) Mustang, etc. True, there were a few slight variations between engines, suspension setups dash/interior details, etc., though they are very similar for the most part. I'm no expert, and others have chimed in here with detailed info, including instruction sheets for many of these kits. Here's a chassis comparo for TWO of HPIGuy's recent-ish builds of the Nova and Falcon: NOVA FALCON They are similar, but not identical. Also, I believe there was at least a third variant; the chassis used under the Cyclone Eliminator kit. Chris also built this one awhile back: The Cyclone kit is a funny car, which includes hinges that mount inside the rear body. The interior does not have door panels, as a separate wheel tub/door panel insert goes into the body to complete the look. Whichever of these chassis variants gets stuffed up into the Streaker Olds body, looks like the kit is 99% complete. Hope this helps, thanks!

Thanks for the clarification, @papajohn97! In the 90s, I built both the stock and Strickler cars, and yes, pretty sure the exhaust options for each version were an either/or, IIRC. Your attention to detail is authentic and well thought out. A bit off-topic, but still related to the NHRA rules, I vaguely remember now a similar exhaust situation back in 91 with the release of Revellogram's then-new 64 Thunderbolt. It was a drag-only kit, and I thought it was weird and dumb to tack a spindly single exhaust onto the headers, so I left it off. If/when I ever build these kits again, I'll be sure to follow the NHRA rules, heh.

Nice work, @papajohn97; gotta ask about the exhaust on the Chevy. Did the real car run both headers and factory exhaust at the same time? How did you resolve the kit's stock pipes with the headers? Thanks!

Always hated Barris' gaudy, tacky, kitschy papier maché and dime store abominations. Recently got myself the Fireball 500, and was SHOCKED to learn it was a Barris. Overall, the Fireball 500 has some good bones, with a nice side profile, and a really cool space-age twin-cowl design. I'm currently redesigning the car to my own liking; cleaning-up the rear end at bit, and tightening-up that gaping fishmouth front end. In researching Barris for this project, I was surprised to learn he did the gorgeous Hirohata Merc. I watched the Fireball 500 movie, and really got a kick out of it. So now, I really want to redesign Barris model kits. I want to get the Monkeemobile, the Raiders Coach, the T Buggy, whatever other gawd awful BLAH_BLAH_BLAH_BLAH he spit out, and see what I can do with 'em. Cuz this Fireball "5000" remake of mine is turning out really nice; very muscle-car-ish with twin hoodscoops, a compressed grille area reminiscent of a 70 Cuda, huge slicks out back, and a slight rake. I should post pics, actually...

NOOICE. Must-have the Supra, Comet, and Monte. For anyone who's not seen the awesomeness of MPC's classic Supra, check out Monster Hobbies' recent-ish whats-in-the-box review:

Nice build and subtle weathering, @Scalper. That plow detail is insane; looks like it's survived more than its fair share of Canadian winters.

Thank you, @Mark, you are a lifesaver. Gonna get at least two sets, and put 'em on everything, thanks.

Excellent. All the best. Post photos once you're done!

Hello, @Mike C., you could also try finding the 1/16 1973 Street Charger, or ex-MPC 1/16 427 Cobra. Round 2 last reissued the Charger back in 2011. The exhaust pieces are chrome plated. Beware: the Petty racing version of this kit does NOT have the same side pipes; it includes a NASCAR style exhaust. I don't think the Cobra's exhaust pieces are plated, though I'm not certain. Hope this helps, thanks.

Hello everyone I'm looking for the correct AMT parts pack number for Round 2's new Firestone Drag 500 super big, super wide, drag slicks. I bought a set awhile back, used 'em all up, threw away the pack, and my LHS is fresh out. These would be analogous to the huge, wide Good Year slicks MPC used back in the day on their funny cars, and select pro street/pro stock kits. I think it may be these ones, AMTPP030/24, though I'm not certain: https://www.round2corp.com/product/amt-firestone-drag-500-big-slicks-parts-pack-125-scale-model-kit/ Don't want the 4 big/4 little set (AMTPP022), and do not want medium-width slicks (like Round 2's Blue Streaks, pie crusts, or MH Racemasters). Any help would be very much appreciated, thank you!

Hello @unclescott58, Chris is not a show builder; he's a generalist and enthusiast who builds and paints models simply for the love of it. He may or may not research a project ahead of time, he may do something approximating something from his childhood, something a family member/friend once owned/drove, something loosely based on something from a movie or TV show, something based on the box art, or sometimes even by imaginary stories he creates of fictitious owners and vehicle histories. By his own account, Chris is not the be-all end-all of perfection, accuracy, or authenticity. Chris sees something online or envisions something he thinks is neat, does/changes things "as he goes", and in general, is in it more for the sheer fun and speed of putting out TWO build videos per week. Hope this provides some perspective, thanks.

That does look more graceful, @Mr. Metallic; I've got a sudden urge to get both the kit, and that top, now.

Another PhotoChop™, this one more drastic. Would probably need an all-new re-contoured roof to accommodate both lengthening and a gentler arc. Wheelbase lengthened and body stretched behind the doors a few inches. Thoughts?

I want to like this one, though I do agree, the windshield and roof complicate the simplicity of the design. Put this PhotoChop™ together super fast. Thoughts?

My pleasure, @unclescott58. I too noticed the exhaust headers, but didn't know what to make of that. I know nothing about this era of racing, outside of what I saw in FORD v FERRARI, ha ha. And as for the red seats, I did see at least one shot of both white and green cars, with red seats: https://www.indycals.net/decals/indy/63lotus29.html Aside from that, I've not found many colour photos of the real Gurney car; I'm unsure what colour seat it's supposed to have.

Hello @unclescott58, FWIW, maybe this will be helpful? https://modelingmadness.com/scott/cars/indy/lotus29.htm Also, this 2-page build thread may show some interesting stuff, including what appears to be an aftermarket nose, and some other changes, too: https://mb2501.proboards.com/thread/6148/1963-lotus-ford-dan-gurney FULL DISCLOSURE: I skimmed both of these links; did not read either in detail. Also, am not familiar with the kit in any way, though I'm very excited to get my hands on one. Hope this helps.

Dayum, love this so much, @Joe Lange. Never built a Corvair cuz I always thought they were dopey and sad looking. This is expertly proportioned and cleanly executed. Just like GM might've designed it. Have sudden urge to pick up a Corvair, a wagon, and bash 'em together.

Fine idea, @stavanzer. MPC made squillions of awesome variants of their venerable Datsun kit. After Lil Hustler, all we need are "California Sunshine" and "Express-O", to be able to build our own "Rising Sun", "Black Hawk", "California Stepside", or any other combination we desire.

Agreed 128%, @Justin Porter. I never understood the "grandma marketing" purple prose writing style that AMT did on their boxes in the early 90s, and Revellogram adopted and intensified in the mid-90s and beyond. That kind of stuff appeals to old ladies who are thinking of getting something "neat" for their grandson, while saying nothing to people who actually build. I want big colourful pictures of what is in the box with lots of views and angles, chassis shots, interior shots, and show us or tell us about optional parts/build iterations, etc. Love how Revellogram started including chassis photos on their boxes a few years back. Love how Round 2 continues to depict parts silhouettes on the bottoms of their boxes. Manage expectations. Let buyers know that 64 Galaxie is a curbside, that 57 Cadillac is a multi-piece body from 1000 years ago, and that 48 Lincoln is an old Pyro tooled up from stone knives and bearskins. People are more forgiving when they are shown/told upfront what to expect, ahead of time. Great box art informs more customers, ensures many more smiling faces when they open up the box, and sells more kits.

I constantly marvel at how technical model tooling and manufacturing has always been. In the early days, much of this stuff was considered temporary, and ultimately disposable. OK, this is probably super-naive, but gotta ask anyway. Just curious, what if the model companies, in an effort to identify old things they rediscover, were to simply push playdoh or something into the halves, take pictures, post them online, and get us, the community, to identify them? There are so many smart dudes here, we're a literal encyclopedia of model car history. Just imagine: "Hey, that one is MPC's old Chevy Monza. Boom. This one is MPC's 74 Super Charger. Boom." Me personally, I'm super happy to be getting so many old kits back into our hands. And I'd be even happier to help them bring back even more. I'll buy myself a flight to any warehouse, comb through the archives, catalogue it, and post it here. You guys will work your magic.

Thanks, @stavanzer, this is awesome. I'll track down all these kits, remortgage the house, and build myself a whole fleet of AWB gassers, dragsters, and floppers, heh.

After reviewing the Psyclone instructions linked above, just remembered that HPI Guy did a video a few years back on what appears to be a "clone" of the Psyclone; Dyno Don's Eliminator II kit: