Robberbaron

OK guys, maybe it was mentioned and I missed it, or maybe some of you guys know because you experienced these kits when they were first released. I keep seeing discussion that the '60 Vette is heavily based on a '56/'57 version that was released first. Did that '57 body get butchered to make the gasser version, and therefore that factory stock version is gone forever? I don't remember ever seeing a factory stock MPC '57 Vette reissued. Seems like the kind of thing MPC would have done. (I suppose it's not as big of a deal since AMT/Ertl released their new tool '57 back in the '90s)

Lots of the new Spring 2016 releases hitting the shelves now at my LHS, including both versions of the '65 Grand Prix, the MPC '60 & '75 Corvettes, and the double dirt bike parts pack. Made myself abide by my one kit per visit rule, so picked up the basic '65 GP. Think I have my sites set on the MPC '75 Vette next...

Stopped at my LHS after work. Had a bunch of new Round 2 stuff, plus they finally had the Moebius Belevedere sedan. Was really looking forward to getting that one, but decided I'd better pass considering the panel line issues and the widespread warpage people are finding in that one. Decided to come home with the AMT '65 Grand Prix, since that's one I'd missed during previous reissues.

Looking good so far, SFD! Looks like you're overcoming the shortcomings of the body right out of the box. Too bad about the panel lines and emblems, also a LOT of people are posting that they are dealing with varying degrees of body warp. Real disappointment to me, since I was really looking forward to getting this one, since it's right up my alley as a resto-mod street car with the big & little steelies or the mag option. Really hoping they get these issues addressed and eventually do a second run of these down the road.

Not sure what your plans are for marrying the Monte and the '74 Cutlass. Note that the Cutlass is an "S" model, with the semi-fastback roofline, while the Monte's roof (c-pillars and rear window) are more formal. The Cutlass Supreme did share the Monte's roofline/rear window, but shared the same B-pillars and door glass with the Cutlass S and 442. In comparison, the B-pillars in the Monte (and the Grand Prix) are much closer to vertical. All of this means the quarter windows on the Monte are unique to it, and totally different than the Cutlass Supreme. In short, you can transplant the roof from the Monte onto the Cutlass to convert it to a Supreme, but for it to be correct you need to use the Cutlass's B-pillars, which in this case would mean rebuilding the top of the one on the passenger side. The other problem if you want to convert it to a Supreme is that in 1974 the Supremes had totally different header panels and grilles compared to the Cutlass S, and parking lights in the header panel instead of the bumpers. Boils down to an awful lot of work if you want to convert it. My apologies if you're already aware of all this...

Add to that Ozzy Osbourne's "Crazy Train" being used to sell Mitsubishi SUVs. Probably the most ignorant one that I recall was CCR's "Fortunate Son" used in a Wrangler jeans commercial. You've got to wonder if anyone involved ever actually LISTENED to the lyrics of the entire song...

Round 2's old website was the best in the industry (IMHO). Their new one is darn near useless. There was absolutely no reason to change from the old one, it was set up perfectly: pick the brand that was of interest to you, and the newest/upcoming releases were displayed at the top, with older releases/previous years in descending order. The availability of the PDF instructions were invaluable, in my book. I'm just hoping they at least keep the old site frozen in time, as it is now, since I still go back to it to research contents of some of the older kits I consider purchasing. (Probably too much to hope that will go back to actively updating the old one...)

The GSX is one of the last 1/24 scale kits Monogram produced before they switched to 1/25 scale for new kit development. It has improved detail compared to most of the older Monogram 1/24 kits, but as others have said, it goes together pretty much drama free. Only issue I recall from my youth was struggling with the decals (my experience back in the '90s was that Monogram decals plain sucked compared to the other manufacturers. Shouldn't be a problem if you have a new version.)

I've always hoped that Revell would produce a 1971 or 1972 Sklark GS or GSX variation of their excellent Monogram 1970 GSX tooling. A 1971 GSX would be most logical. Just need to tool up new front grille/bumper assembly, rear bumper, and taillights. Just about everything else should carry over from the 1970. Actually, seats might be a different upholstery pattern for 1971, not 100% sure. Pretty sure dash/steering wheel/console could be used unchanged though. Chassis/drivetrain no changes required.

New Moebius '54 Hornet Special (2 door sedan) and the MPC '70 Bonneville convertible.

I was lucky enough to get a pretty good assortment of Johan kits, but most of what I have is from their later period. When I was just starting to build basic snap kits, I remember standing in my LHS admiring all the different glue kits that I hoped to build when I was older. I clearly recall seeing the 1970 Rebel Machine, the Hornet funny car, and 1968 Chrysler 300. By the time I was able to build glue kits, those were already no longer available. I also didn't appreciate certain subjects at the time. I'd love to have the '62 Dodge and Plymouth kits now, but at the time I didn't appreciate their "creative" styling.. I never got the '63 Plymouth kit because I didn't realize it could be built stock, and I thought the custom version shown on the box art was ugly as sin. One other factor was finances. I was just a kid, so I couldn't get every single kit I wanted. Could have gotten the '62 Cutlass, the '63 Starfire, and a bunch of others, but passed them up to get something else.

While GM may have started switching to corporate blue for other divisions, from what I've seen Chevy engines installed in actual Chevy-branded vehicles didn't switch until part way through the 1977 model year. The 305 in my old 1977 Caprice was painted corporate blue, same for the 305 in my old 1977 Monte. However, my 1977 Malibu Classic's 350 is painted Chevy Engine Red, and was built early in the model year. I bought this car from a little old lady with 63,000 miles on it, so I can say definitively it was factory original and correct. Family friends also had a very early build 1977 Impala 4-door sedan that also had a CE red engine. From what I've seen over the years from junkyarding and shopping for used vehicles, the vast majority of 1977 Chevys had corporate blue engines, maybe 10% that I've seen had CE red, so I'm guessing (and it's ONlLY my educated guess) that it changed only a month or two into 1977 MY production. I suppose there's also a chance it was dependent on the manufacturing plant (my Malibu was Canadian built) FWIW, I've always considered the color on my Malibu's engine to be red/orange - seemed like the Duplcolor Chevy Engine Red was a close match. The 350 in my brother's 1975 Caprice is the same shade.

Real glad to see the Squad Rod returning, just a few months ago we had a thread discussing this possibility. I suppose the Pontiac engine is no big deal to me, no shortage of SBCs in my parts box that I can throw in there. Of course I don't plan to use the police parts, but it's always nice to have them for the parts box, especially the 1/25th scale arsenal that's included on that parts tree. All these smog era reissues are getting my hopes up that we might see the Chevette reissued, and maybe a Monza 2+2. I've got an old Pro Street Rick Dobbertin J2000 chassis that I've been wanting to slip under a small body, preferably a Chevette.

Good news on the Pacer having the stock build option. Custom-only would be pointless for most people...

Now THAT is cool! I think I've stated it before, but I'll say it again: I'm totally fine with the slightly reduced parts count/simplification in kits like this, so long as Revell nails the basic body and proportions. If it looks correct sitting on my shelf, I'm good. From Bill's pics, this sure looks pretty good to me... Knowledgeable sources have indicated the next version of this tool will be a 442 (I believe they say it will be a 1985), with the option of building it as an FE3-X (prototype created by Olds with ground effects package, never offered for production). The 442s did not have the add on power bulge, so that version should offer a basic flat hood.

Was able to sneak over there right when the doors opened, quite impressed by the number of vendors selling kits. Way more people selling models than I've seen previously. Wound up getting some rockin' deals on some stuff, but I behaved and only spent what I had in my pocket (no trips to the ATM) ? They have another show scheduled for April in Crown Point, going to need to try to make that one, too. Really need to dig out some of my junk that I'm never going to build and try to sell it, just don't think I'll be able to get around to it in time for the April show...

Might have to try to sneak over from my work, maybe at lunch time. Haven't hit one of the "Santa" shows in quite a few years. Glad to hear you'll be there selling. I used to attend these shows regularly, but here were usually very few people selling kits.

I also suspect that you don't always drink beer, but when you do, you prefer Dos Equis! ?

Did notice that the $36.95 version is the "Original Art Series" version. The "regular" version is listed for $34.95. LITTLE bit better, but still... Other observations: anyone else notice the AMT 1977 Pacer wagon? Guess the MPC Pacer must have sold well enough. Hoping it can be built stock? (I believe the last time it was available in the late 70s/early 80s, it was that custom-only version with the Monza-looking headlights) Also listing an AMT 1961 Impala SS. Sounds like another one of the "good" Lindberg tools that they're reissuing as an AMT, like the "Lawman" Plymouth. Or is it possible that it's actually the '62 Impala, and Stevens mistakenly listed it as a '61?

I also have serious concerns about some of Round 2's recent pricing on certain kits. Even with some of the retooled parts in some of the recent kits, 90% + of the box contents is identical to previous, recent reissues. Yes, Round 2 does add value usually by including their awesome pad-printed tires, and nice retro decals and box art. But it's often awful hard to justify ~$30 MSRP on some of these Round 2 kits when some of the completely new (i.e. totally new tooling) Revell and Moebius kits are retailing for less. I've given up guessing how Round 2 determines when they're going to retool parts for certain reissues. Some reissues, such as the '36 Ford, receive extensive retooled parts. Many other reissues have no changes from the last time the kit was available (except maybe tires/decals/artwork). A couple recent reissues were disappointing to me since I was hoping Round 2 would take the initiative to add or correct some details that have been wrong for decades on some of their tooling: The rear bumper/taillight assembly for the AMT '69 Chevelle kits was mangled back in the '70s, and the only way to get one of these builds to look decent is to use the Modelhaus repop parts from the original issue. I really expected Round 2 to retool/correct this issue in their recent reissue of the '69 convertible, but it's still the same mess it's been for decades. Similar situations are the new MPC Barracuda reissue that's still is missing it's backup lights, and the '84 GMC "Deserter" that still has the mis-matched grill/bumper and only 1/20 size tires.

Hobby Lobby finally dropped their sticker price by $3 on the MPC '79 Trans Ams (originally when they showed up they were $29.99). The cost decrease plus the trusty 40% off coupon got the price down just enough that I was willing to spring for it. (Been on the fence for a while about this one - Round 2 was, shall we say, a little overly optimistic on their MSRP on this one) Didn't go there planning to get it, but they didn't have any of the new releases I was looking for.

The more I look at the box art posted on Round 2's site, the more I'm suspecting that this may really just be a quick and dirty reissue of the RC2 era kit, with new retro looking box art (I don't believe this "Deserter" version ever was originally issued in the '80s). If you look closely at this new box art you will see that they are still showing the goofy panel lines that were added for the Fall Guy storage compartments. Also, if the box art is accurate, it still has the bumper mounted turn signals, which I believe were 81-82 only, not correct for an '84. (This would also be unchanged from the RC2 issue) Biggest red flag for me is their repeated description of "oversized" tires. Sounds like they might still be including the 1/20 scale rolling stock: http://round2corp.com/product/1984-gmc-pickup-white/ If these are hitting the shelves now, I guess we'll find out soon enough. Gotta admit I'll probably still get one regardless, since it's the only game in town for an '81+ C/K...

I seem to recall that the first set of test shots for the roadster that Revell publicly displayed actually had a Dana rear end, so maybe it changed more than once from the initial design. At least the 9" is a common choice in the 1:1 world, which is probably the reason they switched to that from the Dana. Imagine the bellyaching if they'd followed through with that one...

Don't forget the Caddy mill in the Revell Merc kits, or the 348 in their '58 Impala. Come to think of it, I think the only first generation GM OHV V8 NOT recently tooled by Revell would be the Pontiac, but there are other sources such as the AMT '62 Pontiac, the new Moebius '61 kits, or the old parts packs...

I think the bulk of Round 2's catalog WILL continue to be comprised of kits that have been available at some point in the last 20 years, simply out of necessity. If they have tooling for a kit that they know they can reissue with only some routine maintenance/cleanup, that's going to be an easy way to generate profits. And certain kits will always sell well, such as the '58 Impala. They've been doing a great job generating interest with their box art and improved decal sheets, and they've done quite a bit of backdating/restoration of a lot of these kits, such as the '36 Ford. The profit from all of these more recently available kits IS allowing them to also reissue kits that haven't been available for decades. Every year for the last several years, they've managed to bring out several kits that haven't been seen in a long time, often since they were first issued. The '75 and '76 Gremlins come to mind, along with the '78 Pacer. The '80 Volare, the Pinto wagon, and the backdated Bruce Larson Vega are all upcoming examples of this as well. They might not be what certain people want, but it doesn't mean they aren't doing it...