tim boyd

Not sure if this was mentioned previously, but the '78 MPC annual kit was a Stepside, and it was 2WD. I do not recall this kit having a 4WD option, but since I don't have the box art in front of me, I can't say this with 100% certainty. It was a very well done kit; excellent SBC casting (down to the finger grips on the oil filter IIRC) and some very nice custom version accessories. I built it when it came out, and it sits in my case today. TIM

Guys...once again, the first round test shot is correctly molded with eight spark plug leads. I find it highly unlikely this would have been changed in subsequent test shot revisions. So until/unless someone gets the final production kit in their hands and shows us a distributor photo with seven instead of eight leads, we should anticipate that the distributor is indeed correct in the final tooling, and move on to other issues.... TIM

The specific box art nomenclature for the MPC bikes is: "Suzuki 250 Motorcross Bike" (per box art for 1977 Dodge D150 pickup kit #1-7709) "Yamaha 250cc Trail Bike" (per box art for 1972 Chevy Stepside [longbox] Pickup kit #1-0411) The Yamaha parts breakdown includes wheel/tire molding (x2), engine/frame molding (x2), front fork, front fender, exhaust, seat, handlebars, kickstand, and a # roundel. Best Regards...TIM

James...my point is simply this. Don't jump to a conclusion until you have the kit and its hot little distributor in your hand. You may soon eat your words. Or Not. Cheers...TIM

Hmmm....another point of view.... a - It is difficult to properly evaluate the importance of a minor mistake (such as seven instead of eight spark plug leads on a distributor) until you can evaluate that mistake in the context of the total completed kit, in its built up/completed form. b - Being ready to blame myself for missing such an obvious flaw during my contracted work evaluating the test shot quality et al, I just checked the first round SBC test shots I built early in this kit's development. Guess what? Eight, not seven spark plug leads around the edge of the distributor, plain as day. Could this have changed between the first round test shots and the near-final test shots shown at NNL West last weekend? Possibly, but I'd think that would be fairly unlikely... How to explain the difference? I don't know. . Therefore, in light of the above, a suggestion: - it's always best to be cautious about drawing definitive conclusions and editorializing about an upcoming kit preview, until you've had a chance to personally evaluate that actual kit and build it on your own. Just sayin'.....Best regards...TIM

From what I've heard (sources outside of Revell), this one has been in the plans for quite some time (e.g., at least several years back...). I was surprised, though, when I heard just a few months ago that it was just around the corner to production status. Since this info came from outside Revell....take it with a grain of salt, please. Still....interesting. I think you guys would be surprised at just how far in advance this company (and at least one other model car maker as well) thinks about possible new products. The best thing you can do if you want to see more of 'em (for example, additional Model A Hot Rod kit variants), is to buy the current most closely related product in the marketplace. Me? I can't wait to place this new '48 Coupe body on the lowered chassis and rodded Ford flathead V8 from the '48 Chopped Custom kit (the one I loved and many others hated) from a few years back....... TIM

Sharp!!! TIM

Regarding the comments on the "skeleton" interior.... The horizontal rib with the half circle on the upper section of the front door interior structure and the structure directly below the window opening does appear reversed, but the rest of the shape of the skeleton interior structure appears correct to me....here's the first 1.1 scale picture that popped up in an image search....1930 Model A interior passenger side door structure.... Maybe that's what you guys are saying and I misinterpreted...but at first read I thought you were saying the entire skeleton structure was inverted.. and I do not believe that is a correct statement. Feel free to prove me wrong on this with photographic evidence.... Also, Dennis is correct - the Steelies are also in the kit. ....TIM

Mike....excellent pictures....thanks. These pictures are doubly interesting as at least in this picture, the body and top appear as a single casting, vs. two separate pieces earlier in its development. TIM

Chris...that car was always one of my favorites and you did a great job with your replica. Wouldn't mind seeing some more pix...particularly of the chassis/engine....Cheers...TIM

Aaron....That's a highly ambitious project and you did a great job of delivering! Congrats...TIM

You are most welcome, Jairus. By the way...just picked up and read a copy of Slot Cars magazine issue #3....although the subject content is not my personal cup of tea, it's obvious you have a real love for the topic and I was highly impressed with the way you edited the magazine, along with your editorial contributions. Very, very impressive! Cheers...TIM

Andy....I like those ideas! A '32 Roadster pickup was also on a suggestion list I gave Revell (at their request) nearly nine years ago now.... TIM

Greg...to the best of my knowledge, the designs were their "own", using their respective knowledge of the subjects as inspiration rather than any single 1.1 scale hot rod. TB

Greg....while I don't have details here, my general understanding is that both the Coupe and Roadster kits were designed by Roger Harney and John Mueller (with input from many others), using their own ideas and those of various 1.1 scale hot rods that inspired them. While not all of us may personally agree with 100% of the design decisions that were made, my view is that these guys had more than enough of the respective "1/1 scale car guy" C.V. (resume) entries to fully qualify them to design these kits.... Best Regards...TIM

To be a little more precise...I believe it was the 1973-76 Darts that used the '69 Barracuda hood....which I always found to be a fascinating re-application of old sheetmetal....something our friends at Mother Mopar did time and time again during the 1950's-1970's.....TIM

Michael....thanks for the question. Simple answer - the versions I built are two years old now and represent the status of the project just after the initial tooling had been completed. There were countless changes that resulted from that buildup (primarily quality, fit and finish type changes) so the examples I have are not at all representative of the final status of the project. Plus they were unpainted and assembled (mostly) with non-permanent glue so they are not in a presentable condition now. Also, Revell and other model companies work closely with their distribution channels and to make sure that they get key information (such as pictures of the final product) first. For right now, the best reference is the picture of the red coupe that is in the second quarter Revell announcements flier. I realize that is not the answer you want, but on the other hand, I think Revell has been extremely flexible in allowing me to post advance info (without pictures) on both versions of this tool....hopefully soon we will all be able to get a closer look at the kit in its final form. Again, thanks for the question....TIM

Wow Richard...don;t recall seeing this one before...it is SO cool! Thanks for posting the picture...TIM

Rob...as far as I know, the chassis stance remains as it was before. But I don't totally share the view that the kit has an unusually high stance. Could it be lower? You bet! Have I made this change on most of the ones I have build so far? Yes, but mostly at the front for the highboy version only. Does the channeled version sit too high? Probably so, but they probably set it up with the lowest chassis stance that could be engineered into a kit that allowed both Highboy and Channeled versions in the same box with some carryover parts for both versions. My last build was the Channeled version, and I lowered the stance both front and rear for that one. Sort of the "secret handshake" that separates serious hot rod modelers from the more casual modelers who build box stock only. Just my views here, but I also realize that most of the people who care enough to read this thread will probably agree 100% with your view on this....thanks for the question...TIM PS - for reference, here's a box stock build of the highboy version with the stock stance....I personally prefer just a bit of forward rake,and that's how I am setting up my follow-up kitbashed builds....but I don't know that I would call this box stock view an unusually high stance for a street driven 1/1 scale '29 on '32 rails highboyTB

Allen,..yeah...I'm biting my tongue over that one. But yeah, the kit really is that good. And the details of the Blown version are really well done. I'll probably build just one with that engine, But I can guarantee all my other builds of this kit will have anything but an SBC in front of that firewall! Cheers...TIM

Richard...my view exactly. Thanks...TIM PS - it's premature to talk about future versions of this kit too, but if/when they do arrive, I wouldn't be surprised to see a Halibrand Quick Change under the rear. Adding a transverse leaf spring and Model A crossmember (like most of us would prefer) would require a new frame mold, so I suspect that's less likely, but time will tell. TB

I've just posted a detailed preview of this new kit as a new thread....click here.....TIM

As promised a few weeks ago, this is my Revell ‘30A Chopped Five Window Coupe Hot Rod Kit Preview...given the amount of new info here, I'm starting a new thread for you (hope the moderators are OK with this). A couple of days ago, Ed Sexton at Revell gave me the green light to share with you what I know about the upcoming second version of Revell’s Model A Hot Rod kit. The following info is derived from building the two versions of the kit under contract to Revell during its earliest development state two years to this month, as well as referencing a just-completed box art layout comp. Take this info as directional only, as details may have changed along the way. We’ll find out for sure when this kit is released later this year, presently as part of Revell’s 2nd quarter production schedule. The kit builds two versions, a ’30 A Five Window Coupe Highboy on a ’32 frame, and a very trendy channeled version based on a “Z’ed” Model A frame. The frames, crossmembers, front suspensions, rear suspension, rear axle/differential, brakes, tires, rear portion of the exhaust system, multiple headlamp choices, ’40 Ford based steelies and hub covers, choice of two interior steering wheels, and shifter are the same as last year’s ’29 A Roadster kit. Almost everything else is different. Starting with the outside, the two-piece body casting perfectly replicates the real thing. Unlike the Roadster kit, the rear wheel openings are not radiused/relocated – they look entirely 100% factory stock to my eye. The complex multi-surface body stamping below the windows is perfectly rendered, and a huge advance over the old Monogram ’30 Five Window kit execution. The separate top casting allows realistically thin A/B/C pillars, and today’s engineering tolerances allow a very precise fit between this and the body casting (the shape and assembly procedure of the interior also likely required this type of kit execution). Up front, BOTH a chrome plated ‘30A Radiator grilles AND a ’32 Deuce grille shell are options. (Yes, the Deuce grill shell will swap to the earlier ‘29A Roadster kit without mods). Separate firewalls are provided for the Highboy and Channeled versions. Both are designed to support a hood (though a hood is not provide in the kit, savvy modelers will be kitbashing their own hoods as soon as the kit hits the market). The top features a large roof cutout that nicely showcases the interior (details below). As this model represents a modified 1/1 scale hot rod, the roof opening does not replicate a factory stock Model A roof (but could be easily modified to so for those who want to make the change). The Highboy interior is traditional tuck’n’roll. The flavor and execution is similar to the ’29A Roadster Highboy interior, but the parts are all different. The Floorboard and IP (industry jargon for the instrument panel/dashboard stamping) are the same as the unused extra parts you’ve seen in the Roadster kit, but there is a new, well-detailed “So-Cal” style plated five gauge insert for the IP. The Channeled interior is truly revolutionary, and by far the most innovative feature of this kit series. The design team, including the late Roger Harney, and John Mueller, refer to this as a “SKELETON” interior. It replicates the exposed interior body structure of a stripped Model A coupe, before any upholstery is added. The parts are incredibly well detailed. Perfectly matching the theme are two WW-II style “bomber” seats. I can’t recall another 1/25th scale hot rod kit with this "Skeleton" feature; regardless, this setup is beyond cool, completely consistent with current Hot Rod design trends, and beautifully rendered. It is THE HIGHLIGHT of a kit with many highlights. The engine design approximates a small block Chevy, mated to GM 4L60E style AOD tranny. Two induction options are provided, a traditional tri-power carb/air cleaners/intake manifold setup, and a blower. The blower appears to me to be a perfectly correct representation of a contemporary Dyer 6-71 supercharger. The blower case appears identical to the one in the Revell ’62 Corvette gasser kit, with minor detail differences in the blower end caps. The blower drive is nicely done (a separate fan belt and pulley setup is included), and a very complex radiator hose curves perfectly around the blower drive/pulleys to perfectly connect to the radiator. The blower is capped with two four barrel carbs and an open blower-style air scoop. The headers are similar to those in the Roadster kit, but arranged to the SBC exhaust port spacing, and sweep downward to the rear as does the Roadster design. The left header artfully curves around the steering column extension. This introduces a second set of wheels, a plated set of what are often referred to these days as “Halibrand" and/or “Speedway” mags, in shallow/n/deeper offsets, with a set of matching three-prong style knockoffs. (For a better look at these wheels in unplated/painted form, see the upper right corner of the June, 2015 issue of Scale Auto magazine, and the bottom of page 25 of the same issue.) These, of course, also swap right onto your Revell ‘29A Roadster builds without mods. The final box art is a very eye-catching execution. I’m particularly taken with the “military-style” workout of the channeled version, complete with “fauxtined” US Army “star” decals. Simple flame decals for the sides are also included. As I’ve alluded to before (I couldn’t really spill the beans ‘till now), if you like the Revell ‘29A Roadster kit from last fall, I think that you’re gonna LOVE this kit. In almost every respect (except perhaps the rear suspension and axle treatment), it is nearly 100% in line with the most current trends in 1/1 scale hot rodding, and anyone who’s paying attention knows that Five Window Model A Coupes are THE HOT TICKET in the entire world of hot rodding right now. Perfectionists who plan to use a bright body color will probably want to finish the main body to top seam with a bit of filler and sanding before paint, and some builders will no doubt some will want to tweak the roof opening and/or the firewall shape/execution (if not planning to engineer your own lift-off hood setup). This kit is the culmination of years of work by Revell and their contractors. I heard rumblings of this project as far back as six years ago (from trusted and reliable sources outside of Revell), but the rumored complexity and broad scope of the project seemed unlikely to me, so I tended to dismiss the info. I regret that I was never able to discuss it with Roger Harney before he passed away (I did not receive formal acknowledgement of the project from inside Revell until several weeks after he passed away). But those of you who knew Roger know how much he adored hot rods; you can see his fingerprints all over this kit, and this project is truly a gift to us from him as well as the entire internal/external Revell team. In summary, at least for me personally, this kit is THE KIT OF THE DECADE for hot rod modelers. I hope you’ve enjoyed this preview. My appreciation to Revell for letting me share with you the details ahead of the kit intro later this spring/early summer. Best Regards...TIM

Great modeling ideas and fun viewing for hot rod, custom, and muscle machine enthusiasts....plus all "Great 8" Ridler finalists...thanks for looking.....TIM 2016 Cobo Autorama and Autorama Extreme....300+ pics at the link

Steve...just simply a great job on your '65 Monaco. I would LOVE to have that one in my case. I built that kit when it came out, I was 11 at the time. I liked the "molded in Gold" finish as my spray can paint jobs at that point were far from consistently good. One of the things I like so much about your build is that you chose a factory paint scheme that simulates the kit molded color...that is, you played out exceptionally well what the kit itself was hinting at. Of course, your detailing is also superb. Way to go! As 1960 - 1974 Mopars are a personal favorite (both in 1.1 and 1/25th scale), Mopar C-Bodies a particularly favorite personal favorite, and I have closely relevant experience with the 1/1 '65 Dodge (my Dad factory-ordered a '65 Custom 880 wagon - the closest wagon equivalent to the Monaco hardtop) which stayed in the family for over ten years, having served him, and my two brothers and I as personal transportation, I do have some views on the ancillary topics in this thread: * with the benefit of hindsight, the 1965 Dodge C-Body styling was probably a bit on the bland side, but at the time, it was hugely important in re-establishing Dodge in the full size car market. From 1961-1964 (including a short period during the 1962 model year in which there was no full size Dodge at all), Dodge's participation in the full size medium price class was at best a footnote. Odd to bizarre styling, the aforementioned gap, and then a series of derivative and dated 1962 1/2- 1964 cars based 90% on a 1962 Chrysler Newport, generated poor sales and damaged Dodge customer loyalty. The all-new 1965 C-Body, capped with the new Monaco (using the 1962 Pontiac Grand Prix product formula) and the Custom 880 wagon (the first "wood-sided" wagon to use chrome trim borders instead of Ford's "ash" wood fiberglass moldings, which created a stampede of competitive copies throughout the rest of the decade), spoke loudly to ChryCo owners that "Dodge was back" in this part of the market. It set the stage for major Dodge full size/C-Body sales growth through the 1968 model year (my personal favorite from this era was the '67 Dodge Polara 500 & Monaco 500), and a continued strong presence in the segment through about 1972-73 (the end of the "fuselage" C-Bodies.) * the 1965 Dodge body design looked a TON BETTER with the addition of aftermarket wheels. Again, I speak here from experience. I had purchased a set of Rocket mags (poor man's Cragar S/S) in the 15x6" reverse size for use on the '69 Chrysler Town and Country wagon I was driving. When I traded that for a new '73 Duster 340, I put the stock wheels/tires back on and gave the mags to my brother Robert who was driving the '65 Custom 880 wagon at that point. HUGE difference in visual appeal, let me assure you. In current times, most '65 Dodge C-bodies you see at hot rod and Mopar events wear some form of aftermarket wheel/tire treatment. If any of you have the April, 2011 issue of Street Rodder at hand, take a look at p.19, where there is a photo of Jerry Wilson's '65 Custom 880 two door hardtop (upon which the Monaco was based) painted bright red with a white vinyl top and killer set of 17" mags and blackwalls. Superb! So I strongly support you, Steve, in your choice of aftermarket wheels and tires for your build. * a few years back, I built two MPC '66 Dodge Monaco 500's - one factory stock (which required changes to the MPC tool which incorrectly retained the fender top trim you can see on Steve's '65 model), and the addition of an "L" shaped rocker molding on the forward front fenders that was missing from the '66 kit. On the other one, I left the MPC "mistakes" (which were undoubtedly last minute changes to the real car that were not planned when the model tool was updated), along with a street 426 Hemi and the '66 Chrysler 300/ '67-'68 Plymouth Fury "fastback" roof - both of these features were under consideration for a limited run of factory Hemi '66 Monaco 500's, which was later cancelled. Needless to say, I used Cragars and blackwalls on one of these two builds...I'll try to dig up some pictures and post here or in another thread in the section of the forum. So Steve, I'm with you all the way on this one, brother. Great job! TIM