AAFC

One other thing about gassers that is often misrepresented now-NHRA gasser rules did not allow altered wheelbases. Match racers may have had noses high and altered wheelbases, but not class legal gassers.

If history is any indication,I would think at some point Moebius might release a Mercury Comet with an altered wheelbase and maybe fuel Injection? That has been the progression with the Plymouths-stock, either Super Stock or A/FX, then altered wheelbase. What are the chances?

Let me add my thanks for this review as well, Tim. And BTW, I am anxiously awaiting your new book on drag models.

I would agree. At least they got rid of the molded in stock exhaust. I think use of the promo chassis were in most, if not all, of MPC's Pro Stock kits of the time. That, in my opinion, is also the biggest drawback to the Pro Stock Maverick that JoHan did around the same time. A promo chassis with the exhaust removed, but molded in rear suspension.

Ditto to both your points.

If so, it will cause a shortage of some kind...

The AMT Gas Ronda Longnose Mustang Funny Car, with a Sounds of Drag Racing record included. I have obtained several other favorites from my youth, all re-issues, but I have only seen one or two on E-Bay after they were sold. I assume the tooling must be lost.

Thanks to everyone for all the information. I have some decisions to make.

How much alteration does it take?

I have the AMT 68 Shelby GT500. I assume that is the same chassis. Am I correct?

I just picked up a Johan Pro Stock Maverick (don't ask what I paid-too painful). I built one when they first were issued. I forgot about the chassis limitations. I am looking to kitbash a replacement chassis. Any suggestions?

Great story! Just wondering, Tim, was the Hydro-slide chassis inspired at all by the Ramchargers' chassis for their, I believe, '67 Dart funny? If I recall correctly, it was called the Torque Reaction.

I would like to second the above! Thank you!

My thoughts on Johan- I started building around 1968 and probably bought my first Johan kits in 1969. The Mickey Thompson Pinto and Mustang funny cars as well as the Gene Snow Challenger had very accurate representations of unique chassis designs of those cars. Various other details of those kits were also great and spot on. Same with the Sox and Martin Cuda. Too bad the Dyno Don/Fast Eddie Maverick Pro Stocks as well as the AMX/Javelin Pro Stocks weren't as detailed (no separate rear axle/suspension for one). I know that was because they were based on the stock tooling. So outside of a few kits I would agree newly tooled kits of important subjects would be more appropriate.

This is a fantastic build. I have this kit and the Gas Ronda Mustang in my stash. I have heard many comments about all the Polar Lights funny cars having issues. Never heard specifics in those comments. Could you tell me what you encountered?

All of mine are reissues, although the Johan kits were all early reissues. AMT 37 Chevy Gasser AMT Ohio George 33 Willys and MPC 68 Mustang Gassers Johan Pinto Funny Johan Challenger Funny AMT 32 Vicky-with black Drag version box art Johan Sox and Martin 71 Cuda Pro Stock MPC Dyno Don Cougar funny AMT Ivo front engine dragster Revell/Monogram Snake and Mongoose double kit Cuda and Duster funny cars AMT 68 Shelby GT500 I would love to find an AMT Gas Ronda long nose funny car. I have only seen one on eBay-after it sold. The SOHC in that one looks to be a lot like the one in the Ohio George 33 Willys, which of course was reissued. I wonder if the rest of the tooling still exists.

Yes, it was the answer and what I was afraid of-that the second set of headers weren't included in all versions. The Melrose Missile doesn't have that whole section containing the headers on the top tree. Well, I'll have to start my parts box search for replacements that will work.

After further review, nothing. Any suggestions on a kit bash possibility? I am really not impressed with the factory headers.

Tim, you mentioned in the article that the kits contains 2 sets of headers. I just received my copy of the Melrose Missle and it only contains the factory headers. no aftermarket. The instructions don't show the aftermarket headers either. Is it possible that only some versions have them?

I would like to find the AMT Gas Ronda long nose Mustang flip top funny car. Or, better yet would be a new tool of the long nose Mustang as an accurate version with the proper frame and interior. Ronda's actual flip top car didn't have a stretched nose. That version was a few years earlier. It was one of the many AMT kits that used the Ohio George 33 Willys SOHC engine. Interesting thing about the Haulin' Hearse to me was it was the only Jo-Han kit I found that had a Hemi with a Torqueflite instead of a four speed. Fine for their Super Stocks, but not accurate for the nitro burning funny cars like the Ramchargers' '64 Dodge and the funny car version of the Petty '64 Plymouth. Of course both of those kits were inaccurate because of the model year but still loved 'em. I actually bought several Haulin' Hearses back in the day just to kitbash that engine with those other JoHan kits. Of course, they are still easily found if you care to spend the money. I had so many of the NASA kits from Revell or Aurora that I can't remember all of them, but I would love to have them all again.

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Thanks for the info. I went ahead and purchased one. Sure enough, one of the wheelie bars is very crooked-too crooked to fix. The body is good, however, and that's my favorite part. So I made an executive decision to kit bash it with one of the very numerous 70s funny car kits I have. Now if I can get it to turn out as good as yours, I will have accomplished something. Thanks again.

Question: I am considering getting this kit, but I wanted to know exactly what you found to be the trouble areas?

As far as re-issues, I would like to see the AMT Gas Ronda long nose Mustang flip top funny car. Or, better yet would be a new tool of the long nose Mustang as an accurate version with the proper frame and interior. IIRC it had a flip nose. I am hopeful Moebius plans an FX or Super Stock version of the Comet.

It sure looks like the engine in the gasser kit is the 312 y-block from the '57 Ford Custom with a few more speed parts. I would much prefer the 427 in the Rod and Custom entry.