Robberbaron

Clearly Scale seems to make lots of great stuff, but it looks like something's off with this one. Even though the description says it has flush, Euro-style headlamps, they sure look like sealed beams to me. Grille texture should be finer, also. If they could make some improvements, I'd definitely be interested.

Nope. Engine detail is similar to a low line diecast like a MotorMax, etc. I got the Mikado version for Christmas from my Grandparents back in the day. I built it, of course, but it was my least favorite model at the time, between subject matter and the green/yellow color combo. The graphics probably would have helped lessen the ugly factor, but the rub-on transfers were a non-starter. All I have left I believe is the wheels and tires (the good old knobby Goodyear Rally GT's). The rest was sacrificed in an unsuccessful experiment in trying to create a crushed car for a junkyard diorama (couldn't get the effect I wanted).

Thanks Ron.

Now THIS I find fascinating, and sets the mind racing as to what else might still exist. Perfect example of something I wouldn't expect to still be around.

Ron, can you comment on the differences between the California Flash version and the first "street" version? I know the engraving for the panel lines was supposed to be improved, not sure what else may have changed. My LHS proprietor mentioned that one of his other customers recently bought one of the California Flash kits. He came in the next day and bought three more, saying how many improvements they'd made compared to the first version. Didn't get any more information than that, but my curiosity was piqued.

Color/Stance/Wheels: all good. Great build!

I think we need to pin this thread - it's the gift that keeps on giving! The above one is another classic: my favorite part is that they have the girl on the box art popping a wheelie. I can just imagine the directions they gave to the artist: "Eh, all them dumb kids like the wheelies. Better show the girl popping a wheelie. Oh yeah, also: We based the figure on Mabel in accounting, but you better not make the girl on the box look like that..." ? Honestly, I'm with you Scott, she really doesn't look bad at all. But I bet the average 12 year old buyer back in the day would have been PO'd...

Redneck awesomeness!!! Haven't seen one of those in 1:1 in quite a while, but just Google "4x4 Pinto" to see how many of these things have actually been built in the real world.

That's a pretty top notch group there, you can be proud.

Interesting! Never realized there were 2 different versions of the MPC gasser Vette, in addition to the factory stock '57. Did these earlier gasser versions share the body with the stock '57? (I recall several people on this forum stating that the rear wheel wells on the stock '57 were way too big, maybe to accommodate this version?) Or did MPC actually make 3 different '57 Vette body tools?

I believe once Round 2 got the production rights for the AMT/MPC tooling around 2007, their official policy was to discontinue doing production runs for 3rd parties such as Model King and Stevens International. The Round 2 guys seem much more "in the know" about how to market their product and the sales potential for the different tools in their inventory, as opposed to RC2 (Racing Champions) which seemed to be literally clueless most of the time. As the model car hobby shrank, I believe Round 2 also accepted the reality of smaller production runs for pretty much all their kits, which used to be the territory of MK. Previously, RC2 seemed desperate to stay in Wal-Mart's good graces to keep their "checkerboard" kits on its shelves. Not sure what Revell's current policy is, but I don't think I've seen an MK release of any Revell/Monogram kit in quite a while, either. The only MK stuff I believe I've seen the last few years are the Moebius releases.

Count me as underwhelmed, as well. There's at least a couple previous Model King releases that are begging to be reissued: The '64 Comet in particular is a no brainer, since the Moebius '65 is now available for kitbashing for those that want to upgrade it to full detail. And for those who want to chime in about how these were such slow sellers for Model King, curbside kits don't sell, etc.: hold your breath (or keystrokes, I suppose). The name of the game is price point, and MK way overshot the price point on these when they released them 10-15 years ago (?), especially the Comet. You can't try pricing a curbside 50% more than a typical full detail kit and expect them to fly off the shelves. If Round 2 would price these equivalent to most of their other kits, I think they'd do fine. Since they like to gild the lily, throwing an extra set of wheels/tires in with the Comet would probably help sales for those that don't want to build a granny-fresh car. Round 2 has a couple different sets of newly tooled mags that they could choose from.

Just looked at the above thread: Yikes! I might have to agree with your assessment on that MPC Camaro. The poster sure gave his best effort, but as he said: lipstick on a pig. Between the narrow body, incorrect wheel wells, taillights, and bumpers, that thing actually seems a little Palmer-ish. Makes the old Monogram 1/24 '69 Camaro seem elegant...

Excellent! Clean build all around, and I concur: those wheels work on this car.

Bought a bunch of Jimmy Flintstone resin bodies from them earlier this year. Great prices. I wasn't in a rush to get any of it, so the ship time didn't even register on me.

I might be one of the few here that has warm fuzzy feelings for this box art (awful as it seems 34 years later). This version was one of my first glue kit builds, completely independent of my older brother's help. Even at 8 years old, I don't recall having any major issues assembling this one. This was right when Ertl started hitting their stride reissuing a lot of the classic AMT kits that hadn't been seen in years. I was overjoyed when I saw these hit the shelf, because I'd only recently learned what a '58 Chevy looked like, and I thought they were the coolest looking cars ever. I've built several since and have a couple more in the stash, probably ranks as my all time favorite kit.

Pretty sure the taillights are molded into the rear fenders, if you closely at Scott's second pic.

Since I'm off work until next year, decided to stop in at some of the local antique shops to see if I could find a bonus Christmas gift or two for my wife. Some of the shops occasionally have a couple model kits, almost never anything unusual or desirable to me (usually unwanted NASCAR kits and some '90s Corvette promos). However, at one shop, among a half dozen useless kits was a Prestige AMT 1963 Corvette Convertible. Box was kinda rough, but everything is bagged inside and it seems complete, including the drag strip accessories and the hard/soft tops. Best part is it was only $10, so just a fraction of what I would have to pay new if Round 2 decides to dust this one off again. I was shocked to see the box dated as 1990. Yikes! It's actually been 27 years since they brought this one out? Didn't think it was that long ago.

That's the only thing I could think of, as well. Snake is correct - it was reissued via the Blueprinter, along with unplated versions of the engine parts packs (although "not that long ago" is a relative term - I think it was probably early 1990s, definitely over 20 years ago) Only problem with this theory is that there's a bunch of stuff in this parts pack that obviously post-dates 1957 (1960 Merc grille, 1962 Chrysler 300 grille, etc.)

Nicely done! I especially like the improved headlights and turn signals. I always thought these cars had a lot of potential, as you've shown. Kind of surprised that the 1:1 Mopar guys haven't warmed up to these more, especially considering the escalating prices of the older muscle era Molars.

Thanks for posting, Scott. Don't think I've ever seen pictures of this kit built-up before.

Round 2 did reissue the factory stock version just within the last year or two, including the photo etch parts, I believe. Not sure if the Street Machine version was ever reissued.

Similar thread from about a year ago on these tires that didn't turn up much info, either: When the Dart Sport was reissued I also tried Google researching these tires, without success. However, tonight I was able to turn up the following vintage ad, supposedly from 1973. Although it doesn't feature the cheater slicks in question, this ad at least confirms that Holley and M/T's parent company did indeed co-brand tires with both brand names. This ad is the only example I've found so far that proves that Holley/Mickey Thompson branded tires did indeed exist. My gut tells me that the MPC tires probably legitimately existed in the 1:1 automotive world, but available only briefly with both names (guessing only a couple years max). If they were available longer than that, I'd expect more pictures/ads to be turning up on photo sharing sites, etc. Normally, sites like the H.A.M.B. are great for getting the straight dope on stuff like this. However, they usually try to limit their subject matter to mid-to-late sixties and older, I believe, so this subject kind of falls outside of that realm.

Looks like kitty is hacking up a hairball. Gotta ask: is this one legit? Took me a minute to realize that the car is a poorly altered 1970. And hows abouts them accessories? "All them kids want the fins and the lake pipes on their Cougars"

Looks like the guy is crouching down in an attempt to hide behind that thing, in shame.