Casey

I believe these are supposed to be American Racing S2 wheels, like so: More info here: http://www.roadsters.com/wheels/

Looks like Best Model Car Parts has released a resin Hebmueller conversion kit for use with the Tamiya Beetle:

Unless it's strictly for nostalgic reasons, I don't see the exclusion of a Hemi engine option as a major deterrent to most potential buyers. It would be weird if the "426 HEMI" decals are still on the decal sheet, but it sounds like the box art has been altered to more accurately reflect this kit's changed contents.

Being honest, this type of topic has been discussed before, and expected retail price compared vs. expected units sold at that price is an important factor in deciding whether or not to even proceed with the kit. If it doesn't have a good chance of making money when the initial sales expectation numbers are crunched, it's not going anywhere, so yeah, it's a factor early on in the process. Might even be one of the reasons it hasn't been done yet, and might never happen.

There already is a pinned topic listing just the various companies, but if somebody is willing to list and maintain a list of everything every aftermarket company offers, I'd love to see that, too. It'd be a daunting task just to list and post images of what R&MCoM offers, though, which is probably why they're never done it themselves. Ditto for Modelhaus, but it's a moot point for them now anyway. Both seem to be among the minority of companies who don't have an online presence/catalog, though, so someone outside the company has to do the work if it's going to happen.

If the builder is looking for something very specific then this won't be of much help, but there have been many accessories include with kits over the years, many of which can be found by via an ad in the Wanted section here on the forum, or by combing ebay listings. I picked up the JO-HAN Cadillac Eldorado ski racks, skis, and poles that way: http://www.modelcarsmag.com/forums/topic/54715-lets-see-your-geegaws/?page=1

The lack of tumblehome on the Revell body really does make a huge difference in this case, and the body fails the gut feeling eyeball test right off the bat because of it. That's another reason I get a major originally-designed-as-a-die-cast-kit vibe from this kit. Granted, I completely expected that based on the early shots, but still, it's going to be major work for anyone using this kit as a starting point for a stock build. Still like the front wheels, though.

The centerbore of the rear wheels should be opened up for a drag car, too, but for a street car, JO-HAN already took care of that detail. I'm 99% sure this is the car JO-HAN's kit was based upon: Hopefully Round2 or Moebius was able to acquire the Comet Pro Stock molds.

Call, write, or e-mail them: http://www.revell.com/news/contact-us.html

I think it also has something to with the fact that once you start adding all of those "extras," the entire project shifts from a vehicle to a diorama, even if the number of extras added is very low. Just placing a vehicle on jack stands or ramps changes the focus quite a bit, and once you add one extra, others follow and you get, well, a scene telling a story from a moment in time.

How much would people be willing to pay for this true double kit? $50? $60? $70?

Nothing posted by that member is visible to me. Had his comments been quoted, it would've made more sense why the DD kit was even mentioned, but again, people were discussing the Revell Dual Kits, not other double kits. No worries, it's clear to most of us what Gary was trying to discuss.

Love the color and wheel combo.

Well, that's just plain gorgeous.

Here's some previous discussion of the same Revell Double Car Kits: "Read often?"

I can't see any logical reason there would ever be another Torino kit released, based on this kit's design/tooling. The fact that this specific version was a famous TV car is the only thing it has going for it in terms of sales potential to the mass consumer. Think about any variation on this kit, then honestly consider how many kits Revell could reasonably expect to sell. 20,000? 10,000? This is not solely directed at you, Scott, but try to put aside your personal wants, desires, and dreams of building a model of the car your grandparents owned and truly consider if releasing another Ford/Mercury variant would result in profits for Revell. Taken with Dave Van's earlier comment, I think everyone who wants a mid '70s American car should stock up on this kit while they can. Considering the offbeat '70s subject matter and Revell's past history of discontinuing kits shortly after they've been released (Blue Bandito, etc.), you may be out of luck should you decide to wait for something which might never come. Back to the kit, it looks like the frame rails are a bit shallow, but perhaps that's not the case? I keep getting an "It looks close, but we didn't exactly go all out getting the out-of-sight bits totally correct" vibe from this kit. Still bummed about the messed up rear wheels, especially since they front wheel bolt circle was correctly registered.

Me, too. I also wonder how smooth and evenly the clear is applied. Maybe Ben can post some up close pics of the parts he received and used for his comparisons?

No, you don't. You can print labels and ship right from your home, and USPS will even pick up your packages for free. I haven't set foot inside the Post Office to mail a package, even one going USPS International, for at least two years. There are no fees when you use PayPal to send money from your account or directly from a checking account. The seller pays a small fee (~3% or so), but not the buyer. A USPS Money Order includes some legal protections for both parties to to Federal mail fraud regulations, but it's not very convenient for the buyer, who is out the cost of the trip to the Post Office and the $.90 (or whatever they cost now) for the money order. If you're old school (as I know you are, Charlie), it's more appealing, but to those more accepting of smartphone technology and more convenient, efficient methods of paying for things, it's not very appealing.

Type "ghosting" into the advance search function box, then select "topics" and you'll get many hits.

Anybody know what the significance of the "0609" number is on the sprue?

Thanks, Chuck. Angle change didn't help orient the rear wheels' lug nuts either. Two out of four ain't half bad.

How did you test the various manufacturer's (and which company's products did you test?) chrome plated finishes versus this "new" spray on method and come to this conclusion, Ben? Is the clear coat guaranteed not to yellow after exposure to UV light?

What? You expect him to acknowledge those who DO have first hand, direct knowledge and experience ordering from this place, even if it's another topic? Anybody who reads the topic linked above discussing this same company in the Model Cars: Aftermarket & Resin section should be able to realize this particular business has a poor record of both service and communication, period. There will always be a few who make excuses for them and others who have personal agendas which make it a conflict of interest to be honest about an aftermarket company, but that many negative comments and reviews speak volumes about the company. 100% false. Maybe not in your first hand, personal experience, but you are in no position to speak for every company nor every customer. Please don't.

Such a shame they forgot to add lug nut detail to the Fenton Gyro wheels.

Could you take a post a close-up shot of the wheels, please? Can you confirm the tires are the Monogram Revell Goodyear Blue Streak Sports Car Specials with the wiped sidewalls?