Robberbaron

Stopped at my local store the other day. Finally had the Revell '37 Ford truck, so picked one up. All the '71 442s from a couple weeks ago were gone.

You haven't been on this board very long... ?

I don't think I saw it in their 2023 catalog, but they have the '68 Firebird displayed as a new release, as well.

During the covid shutdowns, I seem to recall Chad posting videos from his home garage, with a 1:1 Datsun Z car (I think first gen?). I suspect his interest is mostly Japanese brands, so the bulk of the Round 2 subject matter probably isn't his cup of tea. He very well may not be a modeler at all. Keep in mind the majority of each monthly R2 video is their various diecasts and slot cars.

No problem articulating my preference: I have no interest in owning a 1:1 convertible. Why would I want to purchase/build a model of a car that I wouldn't want as a 1:1? Same reason I don't buy/build European exotics. I suspect the same applies to most model builders. When there's a model subject that I want, and the only version is a convertible, of course I'll pick one up. A perfect example is the MPC 1970 Bonneville convertible. We're lucky that the tooling still exists, but I would much prefer if it was the hardtop.

Hadn't stopped at my local HL in several weeks. Stopped in yesterday and they FINALLY had restocked (somewhat). Had several more of the new release Revell kits, including the '71 442. I'd really been looking forward to getting a couple of those, but I'm gun-shy of getting one right now after seeing all those mangled A-pillars. Still haven't seen the '37 Ford pickup or the '32 Roadster at this location. I was pleasantly surprised to find one lone AMT "Chopped T" double kit. Haven't seen that one here in probably a year, and it was still stickered at $29.99 to boot, so that one followed me home. The bulk of the Round 2 kits at my store are still stickered at $29.99, or have only jumped a couple bucks (Wild Boss Bronco is $32.99, for example). My LHS has been closed since the owner passed away at the end of October, and it looks like it probably won't be reopening, unfortunately. So now HL and Michaels are my only consistent brick and mortar options for buying kits, which is a pretty p-poor situation. (my purchase ratio used to be about 50/50).

I'll throw in my 2 cents and say that a "right scale" 1969 GTO would be quite welcome. Including the exposed headlight grille as an option would also help to further differentiate it from that "other one"...?

Tim, sure looks like you bashed the entire MPC body with the chassis/drivetrain of the AMT street machine. I've considered doing the same thing with an old AMT built-up, once I realized how incorrect the AMT greenhouse is. The AMT kit isn't totally useless. It's the only easily available source for the more common 76-78 style grill (and front fender endcaps). It also has some decent interior components, including separate interior side panels (vs. tub style in the MPC), plus correct factory-style Nova front seats and 4-spoke steering wheel. (MPC didn't bother to change their interior when they converted their kit from the '77 Ventura) The original AMT "Pro Stock" release is also the only source for the one year only 1975 grille:

Yes, general consensus is that the Lindberg body is pretty inaccurate. When the Moebius '65 Belvedere came out, Tim Boyd did a comparison between it, the Lindberg '64 Dodge, and a Johan '63 Plymouth. Of course, that focused really only on the greenhouse, since the lower body sheet metal is different between the Dodge and the Plymouths. However, it was interesting to see just how "off" the Lindberg kit is in the roof and window shapes. Wouldn't surprise me that the rest of the body is just as wack: https://public.fotki.com/funman1712/first-look-at-all-n/new-moebius-65-plym-1/new-moebius-65-plym/

Too cool! Really impressive work.

New box art shows the wheel covers on the side panel. Looks like it should be a straight reissue of the Prestige kit (without the foil or drag strip accessories).

The "modern" versions of the AMT '63 Vettes (Ertl ownership onward) have completely separate 327 and 427 engines. Each engine also has multiple intake options. Not sure if they ever "cheated" the big block in any of their original '60s annuals. Wasn't it MPC that just added BBC valve covers and headers to the SBC in the '67 Streaker Vette?

The Prestige version did have both tops: I always assumed that they backdated the '67 convertible, same as they did with the coupe. I seem to recall someone on this forum (think it was Snake45?) explaining that this hardtop doesn't play nice fit-wise with the old annuals. I guess that explains why. (That may also apply to the soft top too, can't recall)

In the last month, I was systematically checking the three Walmarts in my orbit. Never found anything. I think it's dependent on individual store managers. When I previously found them in 2021, it was only at one store, and quite a bit later than most other people had encountered them.

Just curious: how do you know when it's "kit restock day" at your HL? Do you have someone on the inside that tips you off? Or does yours restock on a regular schedule? Seems like there's no rhyme or reason to mine. I stopped in 2 different times in the week before Christmas, and it was obvious they hadn't restocked recently. Stopped in again today since I was running errands nearby. Still basically the same stuff from before Christmas, with the shelves 3/4 empty (for automotive kits).

Highly impressive, probably the best build I've seen of this kit.

Very impressive work, as usual! While following your build, I wasn't sure about that co!or choice, but I think the gunmetal on the wheels really ties it all together. I also keep looking at that grill - I wouldn't have had the courage to open it up like that. Super clean work!

Steve, awesome work as usual. Love the color choice - really lends to the "feel" of this being a real mid-sixties mild custom. I've always thought these Bullet Birds look better as hardtops vs. convertibles. Too bad the final '63 version of this tooling seems gone forever (barring a cloning, which seems unlikely). When AMT/Ertl brought out their new tool '62 Sports Roadster, I was disappointed that there was no hardtop follow up.

Nice buildmJohn. I also remember that orchid hardtop from when you posted it on that "other" forum many years ago...

OK, I know we're side tracking a little bit, but if you want a postal Jeep, there is a very nice diecast one that I found at CVS. I think the brand is Kinsmart? All lenses are clear and it has sliding doors. Steel wheels are weird-looking 4-lugs, but its easy enough to swap some parts box 5-lugs onto it. Main demerit is that it is 1:26, but I think I paid $7.99 for mine, so can't complain too much. My store only had undecorated versions (no postal markings). I got plain white, and they also had solid black and red. But Google searching shows that there are versions available with the USPS graphics.

Just FYI, that body has warped and shrunk due to the unstable plastic that was used to manufacture these at that time, probably not from anything being placed on top of it. That being said, I've seen many that were in much worse condition than yours. (Do a quick Google image search and you will see what I'm talking about) Just be aware that it MAY continue to warp further after you have finished modifying it. Seeing as this is an unstable type of plastic (acetate or something similar), I would also be quite cautious regarding the type of paint I would use. Primers/paints that might be fine on normal polystyrene could react with this plastic and/or possibly accelerate additional warpage. Good luck!

Pretty much the grandma Christmas present attitude: Wanting a Revell '69 Boss 302 kit, receiving the old 1/24 '71 Hemi Cuda: "Well, you wanted a model car, didn't you?"

When I bought my black Formula, I quickly learned that 9 out of 10 people believe that any type of black Firebird is automatically a "Trans Am". ? After a year or two, I just gave up trying to correct them.

Really hoped that the next time they brought back the '34 Ford Coupe, they would reissue it as a 2 in 1. However, based on Spotlight's description above, I'm not optimistic. One of the few good things that Racing Champions/RC2 did during their ownership was to reissue this kit with all the stock parts and street rod parts together in one box. Since the stock kit also has some speed parts for the flathead, it was really almost a 3 in 1. I've often thought that Round 2 could even do Retro-style trophy series box art for such a release. Since the current trends in the 1:1 hot rod world lean towards the traditional, I think this would broaden the appeal immensely. Lots of folks would prefer an alternative to the '90s style independent suspension.

Would your guess start with a "Super" and end with a "Bee"? ?