Robberbaron

I've been doing the same thing the last couple months, picking up kits that are parts goldmines and/or that have chassis I'd like to slap under something else. I've gotten additional copies of the '63 Stingray, '53 Ford PU, '68 Camaro, and '66 Nova PS. Yesterday I picked up another '67 Chevelle PS. Might want to stick that chassis under a 442 someday.

Yes:

Glad you mentioned the Pontiac, I was starting to think I hallucinated it (think I only saw it that one time). Didn't notice the spotlight difference between the Chevys. Main thing that sticks out like a sore thumb to me is that the '65 is an Impala hardtop, while the '66 is a sedan, either a Bel Air or a Biscayne (think I spotted Bel Air side trim) You're right about the continuity issues, I've noticed a bunch of scenes showing Manuelito driving in the '65 (with no B-pillar). Then the scene cuts to her getting out of the '66 sedan. Overall it seems like they use the '65 more. I'm a bit on the fence about the '65 being an Impala hardtop. Certainly not something any typical PD would order new back in the day. However, if the Navajo police were seriously underfunded, I suppose it's possible they could have purchased used vehicles. An example is back about 15 years ago when Indiana revised its property tax system, and suddenly our county (Lake) and local municipalities started crying poor. The K.O. punch was the Great Recession in 2008. Lake County flat out didn't have the $ for new Crown Vics, so they actually started buying used civilian CVs and Grand Marquis from rental car companies and retrofitted them. (So I figure anything's possible)

Anyone else notice what this subject ? and the Green Hornet Black Beauty ? have in common? So looks like they will already be creating a set of Appliance Apaches for the GH BB. And they already will have the chassis/engine they need from the '66 Mustang. So add those to a retooled body and interior and you should be there. Betcha it's the Mach 1.

And THAT'S why there is no reason for R2 to mess with that vintage tooling - it consistently sells. (even to guys that complain about it!) It would be pure insanity for them to start changing it or, as you suggest, replace it. Don't mess with a good thing.

From Niteowl's pics from the 2021 IPMS show, they also displayed the '55 Bel Air, so I've been assuming that would be the next Tri-Five. Personally, I think this is probably the best proportioned of the old Revell Tri-Fives. Another plus is that previous versions have included both a small block and a 409. Assuming that will be the same. Revell's modern new tool 1/25 '55 hardtop hasn't been out in quite a while, so Atlantis should be able to move these pretty well (IF indeed this is their next release). There is the old Monogram 1/24 street machine/ex Badman getting reissued, but that body is a hot mess IMHO.

Welp, it might be happening. With the manufacturer's climbing MSRP's over the last year, I've been wondering when we would see the next HL price bump. Stopped at my nearest HL, surprised to see the shelves pretty well stocked. No new kits, and nothing out of the ordinary price-wise until I spotted the $37.99 price tags ? on the Revell '90 Mustang LX 5.0 Drag kits. Didn't see any other kits with similar increases, but I'm expecting as they restock we will probably see more increases. Since that kit had been $29.99 like the majority of their other kits, I'm expecting this may be their new baseline. If you're like 99% of the people on this forum and buy on the weeks with the 40% off, that works out to a $4.80 price increase per kit. Unfortunately that's not too different than what I've seen at my LHS.

Earliest version I've seen was made by Rader in 1965. As Steve mentioned, several different manufacturers offered similar wheels. There are differences in the lace spoke design between some of the different manufacturers. The ones in the '68 Impala seem to most closely resemble the Raders, which makes sense for the era. Some of the copycat designs didn't come out till later.

And a much better rendition than all the versions that Revell put in their various drag car kits.

Picked one of these up the other day at my LHS. Really just for the bonanza of parts. I will admit that I'm slightly tempted to not part it out, so I could attempt to build this. Found pics on the H.A.M.B. Never seen pics of this car before, but it was local to my area. Incidentally, Van Senus still exists and is one of the few remaining "old school" auto parts stores still in our area.

No, it would be an awful surprise. See Patrick's comments: The point is moot, I'm 100% certain Round 2 would not recreate that butchered mess. I and many others would love to see the 1968 and 1969 MPC Impalas come back, but those could be built stock, so they obviously aren't the "mystery" kit.

Funny this should come up. I just purchased another '68 Camaro at HL a couple weeks ago. The current kits still include the 2 full sets of tires (4 bigs and 4 littles), each with "Goodyear" tampo lettering. BUT, they no longer have the "Polyglas GT" or the size lettering anymore! Quite surprised by that, since I've bought several previous versions of this kit, and the tires were as you both described above. PLUS, the box art pics still show the full lettering, with the F60 and L60 size callouts! So, really is a bit of false advertising now. But if I'm being honest, overall these kits are still a steal (40% off $26.99 = $16.19 before tax). And the 2 sets of tires are still nice, just not AS nice. Just be aware that they no longer have the full lettering with sizes.

I know we're sidetracking a bit, but I always thought those 88 Holiday coupes were cool, kinda like a throwback to the early-to-mid sixties full size muscle machines like the Impala SS, Jetstar, etc. I recall occasionally seeing the 78/79 models, but it seems like the 80/81 were as rare as hen's teeth, at least in my area. I seem to recall seeing only one in a local junkyard in the mid-90s.

Round 2 reissued the '75 "Open Corvette Roadster" several years ago, and that version did include the bare rally wheels. Also had a set of 8 metal injector stacks. My brother built a version of this reissue, and I seem to recall that it did not have the bare rallys:

The 454 was still available in 1974, my cousin owned one. However, as you noted, 75-77 MPCs incorrectly still have the big block.

I seem to recall the 69-72 GP's have a unique 118" wheelbase. Montes are 116". Doesn't seem like much, but it would be enough to throw off the proportions.

Mike, love the '69. Nice job on the Superfly as well. Think that's as good as anyone can make that one look ?

I'm disappointed as well that the tooling is MIA. If the chassis/drive train still existed, it seemed like it would be a good candidate for a retooled body, ala the '64 Cutlass. Hopefully it still turns up. I'm sure the need to recreate all of the tooling vs. just the body would greatly reduce the chance of it happening.

Think you're right Keyser. Had no idea there was a later variation than what we "Muricans" are used to seeing.

Thanks for the H.A.M.B. thread Steve. Always enjoy seeing all the different twists from back in the day that started with the same basic body shell. Regarding the Caddy engine, there have been at least a couple. From the above thread: Obviously street driven currently. According to the caption, the one on the bottom was apparently Cad powered back in the day. (Dig that nose treatment)

We also know the original MPC Challenger body ended up as a funny car. Think a couple of us would be happy to see this. Wouldn't be too hard to have separate front/rear facsias to allow all years. Again lots of driver/sponsor options with multiple years.

Could make a pretty good business case for a Pinto pro stock. We have precedence with the retooled Vega bodies. Plenty more potential variations besides these two:

X2. Others have mentioned the too-small headlights. Be aware that there are all sorts of other proportional problems to the AMT body. They usually got the bodies "right" back in the day, but this one is proof that they didn't hit home runs every time. If you want to build factory stock, there's no reason to buy the AMT (if you want it to actually look like a 1962 Corvette). If I wanted to build the custom/race versions as depicted on the AMT box, I would still buy a Revell and then adapt the AMT parts to that.

Well, the novelty factor on this one just went way up. There is some handwriting on the box top in pen: "Bill Maverick Golden #303". I really gave it no thought when I first got it, I assumed the builder just scribbled a note on the box for some reason. Today I was organizing my area in the basement and ran across this again. Looking at the box, I wondered why anyone would write that. It couldn't actually be his signature, could it? This thing was a garage sale leftover that was getting tossed in a dumpster. A quick Google search turned up several auctions selling similar LRW kits signed by Mr. Golden, similarly numbered. His signature has several unique features, especially the ending letters in "Maverick". The one on this box matches what I'm seeing in those listings, so I'm 99% sure it's legit. Obviously somewhere along the way, this was passed on to someone who didn't know/care what it was. Is it valuable? The contents are half-built (poorly), the box is kinda tattered, plus there's red overspray on the right side. So short answer: No. Is it cool? Heck yeah!

Best build I think I've ever seen of this kit!