The Skipper

Hello guys! I was preparing an article on this kit for our chapter, and to get additional info, I was doing a search and I found this forum and post. What I know about this kit is the worst news you could ask for. I'm 70 years old, started building in 1956. The Renwal Chassis was one of my early ones, along with the V-8, both built in the early 60's. It survived until 1979 when I was moving from my first house to my second. A friend helping me move was picking it up to carry to car, and decided to do something extremely stupid. He asked "Do the shocks work?" before I could stop him he set it on the floor, bounced it, and managed to break off all four wheels. At that point, I obviously was livid. I ran him out of the house and said never even speak to me again. Having dealt with Revell, knowing they had released the v-8 and being people I knew and had often spoken with, I called them up to inquire about parts. Now comes the bad news. The chassis molds, like my model, had been so badly damaged from an accident, they were never reparable and were destroyed. Not until the internet, and decent search, was I able to start seeking a replacement. I know have 1 to restore, all parts there, and 2 brand new, never opened ones. Those 2, I lucked out on on E Bay when the sellers, not knowing what they had had no reserve. Got each one for under 400.00. As for it's popularity and cost originally, the price was never a factor, they became unavailable anywhere within months of production. There is quite possibly any other kit, I know more about than this one. Gene Rasmussen, IPMS NMRA life member