vamach1

You are correct sir. I’m guessing the the model mold makers assumed that there would be “vents” like on the 65-70 Mustangs so either they got a bad drawing of a pre-production Mach1 from somewhere or they flipped a coin and got it wrong. If they would have thought for a minute the vents were never in the hood of a Mustang but were in the cowl area between the hood and the windshield. Since the “cowl” area is under the hood on the 71-73 Mustang someone just wasted time making the vents. To make it worse, look at these 1/18 diecasts. The blue green 69 Mach1 is correct showing what the vents looked like for 69-70 Mustangs. One of the two yellow 1/18 1971’s has the vents and guess which one does - it’s made by Ertl which looks like they enlarged the MPC kit and incorrectly left in those vents in again ? Autoart did not that mistake as I assume they looked at a real car and not a 50 year old plastic kit or the competitions diecasts. Even the Japanese and Chinese that did a 1/28 kit and 1/43 diecasts could get the “no vents” right and the 1/43 ones have dual exhaust that is a lot closer to what it looks like on the real car (except for those wild headers) but I assume they were starting from scratch and perhaps did a little research or had some help.

Yes I was referring to Model Car Builder. If the previous MCM “issues” were available via CD (maybe 25 issues) or Kindle for a few bucks an issue that would seem to be a way to recover some sunk costs without a big upfront investment. But as they say time and money cannot solve everything without some hard work. As it is potential new MCM subscribers that only subscribed to SAE may have never seen MCM on a newsstand. Sometimes we just get tunnel vision and need to think outside the small group that is in the know.

Yes there was some retooling but those hood vents drive me crazy. I guess in 1970 in a rush to get kits made they assumed the 1971 would have them and have the same engines that the 1970 Mustangs had. Fifty years later I think we know better.

Well - decent if you do not mind it having either a 302 Windsor claiming to be a 1971 Boss 302 (of which Ford only made one prototype) which magically has become a 351 Cleveland in the 007 issue or a 428 FE engine (not available in 1971 or later) and an exhaust system without the oval mufflers , then yes it could be described as slightly better than the previous MPC (not AMT) kits this issue is based upon. Even in the original MPC kit the sport stripes were incorrect (no surprise) but to this day I see them still replicated incorrectly. All 71-72 Mach1’s had the lower side painted either black or silver (argent) whether they had the sport stripes or not and you will notice on the original MPC box art that is not the case so the decal goes further down onto the valance that it does on the real car. This error is seen on the MPC “Boss 351” version also and even some of the aftermarket decal makers get it wrong too. The green Boss 351 (pictured in progress) has an aftermarket chrome front bumper is based upon an original AMT kit which is slightly better (less things to correct) but neither the AMT or MPC kits of any 71-73 Mustang ever had a correct engine and carb combo. The small block resembles the workhorse 302 engine that from FORD would have come with single exhaust - the 4bbl 302 engine was not even available but customers could get the 351C with either a 2bbl with single exhaust or pay extra for a 4bbl with dual exhaust and probably a competition suspension (staggered rear shocks). I guess all I can say is do not spend $100 for an original AMT or MPC kit as there are so few parts that are different to justify the price of an older kit. I am not a fan of the 007 version being molded in red due to the difficulty in filling in the vents that were wrong from the very first issue in August 1970 (per the date on the back of the decal sheet). Please note of many of my builds of these accuracy challenged 71-73 Mustang kits I swap parts from other kits and use aftermarket resin parts and decals so the finished model may look much better than what you see in the box. Happy modeling.

I recently subscribed to MCM (after being on the Forum for years) for a few reasons. When SAE bit the dust, a void was there to fill. All I see is one “magazine” that you can buy for around $15 an issue via Amazon. So, if the website continues and if I get three of four issues a year I’d be happy. Clearly the profit margin of producing this magazine is very low and not paying writers is not the way to stay in business very long. On the other hand Gregg could say to heck with it and quit or “sell” the company to someone else that would not have to honor a single debt. So as a new subscriber I’ll take the chance and see what happens. I know the past subscribers have been extremely patient and I can understand the overall frustration. I renewed my Mustang Monthly subscription a few years ago and found out via Facebook the magazine was ending January 2020 - no refund - no email - no anything for the issues I paid for. That’s what happens when big companies take over from enthusiasts - they can pull the plug anytime and say tough beans to everyone.

Same thing here. Watched a magazine I bought on Ebay from MA then sit in a NJ USPS center for a week before leaving there on it’s way to VA.

Very nice. Alan Mann paint colors always look cool.

So I am guessing you will not watch the other seven movies. ? Tokyo Drift was the absolute worst one If you can imagine. ?

Let’s hope they do not get a hold of the LS kit like they did the Sunny 289 Cobra and try to pass it off as a GT40. As others have said it will probably be a Re-box of the Fujumi MKI which isn’t a bad kit. The rebox of first MKII was a farce as they did not even try to make any changes to the Fujumi kit except the decals even though it was supposed to be the Daytona MKII. With the insane prices of many of the Fujumi kits any reasonably priced version will be welcome since Indycals and v-r-m and Starfighter have decals to do many different versions.

That kit was basest on the Monroe Handler which had a pretty radical chassis. Here are a few pictures from two Ebay listings. THe 351 Cleveland (which never came in a real Mustang II) does not look very close to which it should look like. The valve covers look more they belong on a FE big block. Nonetheless these kits seem to sell for a decent amount on Ebay. Nice job on your build and I like those over those aero hubcaps on the box art.

Don’t forget that “optional” Boss 429 engine. ?

God Bless the USA

Great inspirational story and photographs.

I was glad R&MofMD made one available (from Larry Boothe’s patttern) to add to one of the 67’s I built about 20 years ago. He did a vented hood as well.

Looks like a very good start.

A ribbed panel in the back would be cool but you’re right as it is was a very good kit.

I’m just trying to figure if there are any differences from previous releases of this kit besides maybe the tires. Anyone know?

Amen. ?

It came out very nice. Well done Gil.

Good news all the way around. Something we need a lot more of this year.

I’ll step into this minefield. Generally speaking I think the #1 issue is most of these kits many of us remember and keep buying were developed decades ago and have only seen some minor improvements. The cost of developing a new kit is always cited as the reason we do not see may new automobile or truck or motorcycle kits when there are still plenty of old molds that can be reused over and over again. Some of the kits that came out twenty or so years ago were a great improvement over the fifty year old ones but I cannot recall a lot of all new kits in a long time time. I’m sure the companies have to decide if they will get their investment back if they produce an all new kit that would be vastly improved but be in the same price range. That is a tough call unless it is an all new subject matter that would be popular with the casual and diehard builder alike. For older kits they could at least upgrade things like tires and decals which Round2 seems to be doing on some older kits.

I suppose they could but here’s why they haven’t (licensing issues aside). They would have to mold the standard hood to pass it off as an Eleanor and include the 73 grille. Once again I’m gonna hold my breath. You’ll notice the word Mustang is nowhere to be found on the Halicki cars. We all know what car it is but the only horse is in the grille. ?

Sorry for the information overload. The ISO (In Search of Mustangs) website have done some thorough research. ?

You’re welcome. Glad I could help with the parts.

Fantastic build. I hope when I finally build some of the embarrassing number of Fujumi MKI and MKII kits I have that they come out looking half as good as yours.