stavanzer

MCB?

At least they showed the models first, this time. I didna have to fast forward through all the diecast. I like 5 out of the six models. The Space 1999 Hawk is neat.

Pete, Ford is looking at their future. Red ink in every Sedan Sales tally tells them that for good reasons or bad, consumers are not buying their cars in great enough numbers to be profitable. So, The Sedans morph into 'tall wagons' or CUVs and Ford goes all in on trucks and bigger SUVs. I'll predict that General Motors goes this way too, in a couple of years. Their sedans sell in even worse numbers that Ford's do. As a group we can decry the change, but it appears that the Ford CEO, is moving the company is a direction he judges will ultimately be successful. And realize that this is in essence a group judgment. Nothing in the Ford Motor Company happens on the CEO's whim anymore. Many,Many people had input on this. I wager that this change has been in the planning stages for a couple years, at least. I see this as a good direction. Given my aging knees, it is far easier to get up into my Kia Sorento, and slide out, than it was to twist down into my Hyundai Elantra, and lift myself back out. I'll never have another car again. (well maybe another 1965 New Yorker...) It will be boxy, useful haulers from here on out. They may be simple 'appliance' cars, but my days of wanting a 'Cool Car" are about over with. I want vast utility, decent mileage, and Ice Cold A/C. Style just doesn't factor in anymore.

Chuck. I sent that plow to Patrick. I did get it from Don Loomis, so your guess is correct. I have a whole tub full of Loomis resin bits. All the Resin in Patrick's box came from Don.

Thanks Force! I now know what to look for to verify that it is an original kit. 1979 does not seem like that long ago.....

I have the SMER kit. I need to build it. Seeing your build of the Heller kit, makes me wonder if I should just trash it, and get the Heller kit. Your build is outstanding.

Thanks for responding so quickly, Kris. Sign me up for the Hardtop when it's ready.

I have questions about the details of the DOH Charger. Friend of mine has a built survivor from the first run. Looking at it the other day, noticed that it has a 4-spoke steering wheel, that is not in my DOH kit, from about 2006/2008 purchased from Michael's back in the day. Mine has the 3-spoke style. I assume mine has the corrected body, that was in later issues, as well. I have the Fast'n'Furious Charger from about the same time, and I am surprised what odd bits carry over from the DOH kit. I'm just curious how I can get a DOH kit, and get the 4-spoke wheel? How can I know I'm getting the older boxing, and not someone claiming that it is an older (or original) boxing? TIA, Alan

The Resin plow is a Don Loomis piece. The chrome is Ala Kart.

What a great idea! Fantastic build.

I figured that not many people are as (um, obsessed) with tracking back parts in kits. With every new Round2 kit, I go to Drastic Plastic and Casey's Website and scan instructions for parts that are no longer mentioned but are still in the box, and older build versions that have been forgotten. When I find them, I try to share. Edit: the 2 sets of springs allow both the stock "Axle on top of Springs" mounting, and the popular "Flipped Axle" modification so beloved of Jeepers every where. This means mounting the axle 'underneath' the springs, thus getting a quick 2 inch lift. The parts look the same otherwise, which is why it took real effort to see. None of this is called out in the instructions. But the option IS there.You also get brackets to raise the rear axle even further.

I'd really like one of those truck beds.

So, how goes the business of re-popping these parts? I'll need at least one Hard Top and Panel set for a future build.

I Finally got my hands on one of these kits. The last one at the local Hobby Lobby. Since they had 6 of them Monday of this week, they have sold well, apparently. I did a full-on examination of the kit. I'm not sure what parts (if any) that Round2 opened up, but looking at old instruction sheets over at Drastic Plastic shows that a large percentage of the optional parts are still in the kit. I have never owned this kit, so what follows are my impressions of a kit, I've never seen before. The blue Commando "Bill's Service" with a half cap and snowplow shown above in Casey's post, can be built with all parts from the newest boxing, sans Snowplow and older grille. And, as mentioned above Olsen Brothers re-pops the Plow in resin. As for the other parts, the Half-cab, Push Bumper, Lollipop Lights, Light bar, Loud Speaker, Fire Extinguisher, First Aid Kit, Shortwave Radio, and a pair of Gumball lights(Bases and Red bubbles) are still in the kit. Some of these are on the chrome tree, and others are molded in blue. The Loud Speaker is molded in both chrome and blue. Most of the optional Blue parts are all on the same tree. Look for the brush guard, trailer hitch, towbar, push bumper, shortwave radio (it is the small, flat rectangle w/11 dials on it. It glues to the center of the dash), Back of the Loud Speaker is the tiny bit next to the towbar. The light bar is next to the push bumper. A Police or Beach Patrol build is all in the box. All you would need to supply are decals. Note too, that there are two sets of springs in this kit. One set on the accessories tree, and one set with the axle tree. Looks like possibly extra rear springs. This is a great kit, and has just moved up to a "Clear-the-Bench" position. I want to build this one, now. And I'll be buying more of these, in order to build I'll the ideas I have for this beast. Please, Please, Round2 could you backdate this kit, and add the Safari parts, back in? The older grille style will sell more of these. The full length soft top & hard top, would be another selling point. The snowplow would be great too, but now I'm reaching. I cannot rain enough superlatives on this thing! Round2, great job bringing this one back!

Well, it looks like it will all come out in the end...........

Which '29 kit you need Lee? I have some hoods that might work.

Good Build. You seldom see cars built with the Rain Tires. I like this.

Yeah, and I know that the Ramhargers buggy has a Model A Rad Shell. Have to wait and see, I guess. Any Idea when the kit will be out?

So you are from the "If you have done nothing wrong, you should not care if we watch you" School, eh?

I cannot wait until this finally hits the market. Beach Patrol/Lifeguard truck, here I come.

About 2 years ago I sold a box full of these kits and parts at a swapmeet for $10.00. Two complete kits and a bunch of spare parts. Both boxes were trashed, but the kits were complete. If I had known they were valuable I'd would have not sold them. Now, I will have to pay ridiculous *Bay prices to get another pair. Revell could do worse than to bring this kit back.

It is also a great source for a stock Jeep Cherokee steering wheel, should you need one.

I have two molded in white. Both are the Highway Patrol boxing.

Model A, all the way!

It was the Horse Hide Hauler first in 1969, and then released later in 1969 as the Surf 'N Van. After that is has never been seen again. http://www.showrods.com/showrod_pages/horse_hide.html http://www.showrods.com/showrod_pages/surf_n_van.html Be great to see Round2 dust this one off, and re-issue it. Looks like it re-uses the Surf Woody's frame and engine, but without a side by side look at the parts, it is hard to tell. It would not surprise me if the chassis at least was re-used. That was a major tooling project on the Woody, and I can see trying to get all the mileage out of the tool that they can. Looking at the pics of the Built Kit, it looks no worse than many other Showrods of the day. I'd happy to buy it & build it. Edit: Adding a link to a build thread of this kit at Showrods.com. Looks like the chassis IS the Surf Woody. That Gas Tank look familiar too. http://coffincorner.proboards.com/thread/13706/surfn-van-horse-hide-hauler