Casey

Yes, they are very small cars. I had two of the Revell bodies in my collection for a few years and was planning to build a fenderless street version, but the odd proportions of the above model caught my eye. I wasn't sure if that was done intentionally on the model or not.

I understand there are people (namely older modelers) who are delighted to see these kits re-issued, and that's probably why Round2 chose these particular kits. I'm sure Round2 is smart enough to realize a twelve year-old isn't going to drop $22.00 on a caricature train model with the Roadrunner driving it, but a 55 year-old who originally built the kit in the early '70s when he had a paper route is. Since MPC hasn't tooled up a new kit in 20 years or so, I realize any MPC kit which is re-issued is a nostalgic type release, and I have no problem with that. Again, I hope Round2 proves my thinking wrong and has a huge sales success on their hands. FWIW, I was a big fan of Monogram's SSP program, and I picked up a few kits (White fuel tanker semi, Slingshot dragster, etc.) that I ordinarily would never have much interest in, mostly because they looked fun (though simplistic) to build. I would love to see Revell re-issue more older Revell and/or Monogram kits or backdate a few of them to original issue form, including box art- kits like the Blue Beetle '29 Ford Pickup, High Rollers series 4x4s, or even more Tom Daniel-designed kits (I loved the Hemi Semi, Rrrroain' Rail, Street Cleaner, Nova Taxi, etc. kits of a few years ago, and was hoping to see the Boss Mustang, Screamin' Vette, and Thunder Bug, etc. eventually re-appear on store shelves).

I couldn't agree more. I hope for Round 2's sake the MPC Show Rods are hits, but wasn't the Depth Charger re-issued a few years ago along with the Hardhat Hauler and the Gridiron-whatever-it-was-called? I just don't get the feeling people are clammoring for more Depth Charger kits, but maybe I'm wrong. I'm sure the Zingers will sell very well, though I can't understand why the RR and WEC kits are being re-issued, either. Maybe the re-issued Tom Daniles and Dave Deal kits from Revell are showing that there is demand for the zanier kits... I've never been a fan of MPC kits, so this news really isn't a big bummer for me, but I worry about how poor sales might affect Round 2 and in particular, future releases.

Did you shorten the body to fit a particular chassis or is that how you got the body?

I think Revell might be better off releasing a 2-n-1 Rallye 350/Cutlass S kit which would only have the Olds 350 engine, instead of both the 350 amd 455. From what I remember, the Rallye 350 had much of the same stuff as a dressed up 442 (steering wheel, wheels, rear spolier, W-30 hood, bucket seats, etc.) so I don't think there'd be a huge parts difference between the two, with the engine parts and the wild stripes being the main changes. They could even save money by not having to vacuum plate the bumpers.

Revell will have a plethora of variation options when the kit is finally released. While the old JoHan '70 Olds 442 body is decent, the shallow interior and one-piece chassis leave a lot to be desired, even when the MPC '69 Olds 442 chassis is used under the JoHan body...and you still have no W-30 hood (though AAR's hood was excellent) nor rear spoiler. I'm not a fan of 'verts or any years other than the '70 models, so I'll patiently wait for the '70 442 hardtop in a few years. And Revell, pretty please, could you release a Rallye 350 kit, too? One of my all-time favorite cars.

There could be many reasons, but the fact is everybody is losing out. Granted, JoHan kits aren't all that great, but JoHan kitted many unique subjects with nicely done bodies, and that alone means people will buy them...but only so many people want '55 Plymouth leftover bodies.

I love it. It just plain 'looks' right, and the BMF really makes the body come alive.

CLICK HERE The Accurate Miniatures 'Vette kits have that setup.

CLICK HERE The Accurate Miniatures 'Vette kits have that setup.

I was going to suggest the AMT '50/'51 Chevy kit as a donor, especially for the nose of the hood and the upper grille frame, but you beat me to it. Looks like a fun project.

Stopped at a Michael's last night and found the following for $4.99 each: AMT '34 Ford Coupe Street Rod & Chevy Camaro Concept car, '55 Chevy Cameo picjup, and USA-1 monster truck; Revell '71 Hemi 'cuda 'vert, 1/6 Street Hemi engine, Jeff Gordon NASCAR, and Dodge Magnum; and two Maisto diecasts- Hummer and Lamborghini something. I picked up the 1/6 Hemi engine and it's a pretty nice kit, though the fit between the metal block and plastic accessoried isn't the best, but a little heat on the mounting studs from a soldering gun did the trick. Definitely worth the $5.00. Saw the '57 Black Window in stock, too.

Stopped at a Michael's last night and found the following for $4.99 each: AMT '34 Ford Coupe Street Rod & Chevy Camaro Concept car, '55 Chevy Cameo picjup, and USA-1 monster truck; Revell '71 Hemi 'cuda 'vert, 1/6 Street Hemi engine, Jeff Gordon NASCAR, and Dodge Magnum; and two Maisto diecasts- Hummer and Lamborghini something. I picked up the 1/6 Hemi engine and it's a pretty nice kit, though the fit between the metal block and plastic accessoried isn't the best, but a little heat on the mounting studs from a soldering gun did the trick. Definitely worth the $5.00.

I'd rather build a well-done kit over a poorly-done kit, regardless of the subject matter. Quality, fit and finish trump subject matter every time for me.

The Flex may have plenty of flat surfaces, but the Scion xB is already in it's second skin, and they are wildly popular. I think the Flex is sexy as heck, except for the corporate grille design and liftgate brightwork. I'd rather drive a Flex than a minivan anyday!

Just a heads up, here's another JoAnn coupon you can use at Michael's: http://www.joann-mail.com/J0956ECD/coupons...641277294260409 I stopped at my local Michael's today and they had indeed re-set the model shelves (as Chris mentioned, but I haven't been able to find his post...) with stickers for the Revell '68 Bulllit and '08 Bullit Mustangs, '69 Nova SS, '68 Mustang 2'n'1, and Audi A8 kits. The Bullit kits were priced @ $24.99 as mentioned in the post above, but the '69 Nova and Audi kits were $19.99, so with a 40% coupon, that's only $12.00. The Dodge Magnum, '71 Hemi Cuda, AMT '67 GTO, USA-1 monster truck, and the Street Hemi engine kits were all in the clearance section, too. Unfortunately, they didn't have any of these kits on the shelves yet, but the stickers had yesterday's date on them, so they probably haven't gotten the kits in yet. If you have a local Hobby Lobby store, here's a 40% off coupon to use: http://www.hobbylobby.com/weekly/weekly.cfm?page=2

I picked up a Monogram '70 GTX kit (open and missing the decals), a Revell '66 Chevelle wagon (sealed) and another Revell '70 Road Runner (sealed) at a swap meet today. The show was 95% diecast stuff, but the plastic kit prices were still ~$10, and one person had recent AMT kits marked @ 2 for $16. Didn't see any Revell '57 Chevy 150 kits, though...

It appears amber tinted glass is the correct color (and also clear headlights) from the pics I've seen of the original car. It is possible the car ran with red glass and h/l covers at some point, but it's hard to say for sure. Maybe sign up on one of the gasser message boards and ask there...

Try Krylon's Semi-flat black in the 12 oz. spray can.

It was just as good on my end, Dave. Thanks again. I've also traded a few times with davezinn and always been pleased. Member Tonioseven offered to send me a set of wheels and asked for nothing in return. This board rocks!

Great info, Art. One more question- are some tools still stored in warehouses in the U.S. or are/were they all shipped to wherever the particular comnany's kits are actually produced, be it China, Mexico, etc.? I would assume some are still stateside.

I've always found the whole topic of model kit tooling to be fascinating, so thanks for the great info, Art. I recall reading a few years ago (at least ten) some JoHan employees were not paid for their work, so some took pieces of the tooling to sell for scrap (molybdenum content?), thus making future production of some kits darn near impossible. This was also the reason we've only seen the same few "new" kits ('71 Cuda and AMX Pro Street Hobby Shop Only) from JoHan/Testors, again from what I recall reading. I had also read what Art mentioned regarding the tooling's condition when removed from storage, particularly that some tools were too pitted from rust and corrosion when they were pulled out of storage to be useable. I'm sure there are plenty of kits that will never be re-popped because of this issue alone. And then there are the Aurora tools at the bottom of Lake Erie... I would love for Round 2 to reverse engineer the 1/16th Funny Car kits the way Polar Lights did with some Aurora kits in the '90s.

New 40% coupon for Michael's here: http://sdm3.rm04.net/servlet/MailView?ms=M...p;mt=1&rt=0

The bumper with the L-shaped rub strips on its face is the front bumper. It also has (had?) clear parking/signal lights, whereas the rear bumper just has the cast back-up light detail. I have a spare dash and steering wheel (and I think the "open" AG door) you can have, in the same original lime color to boot. PM me with your shipping address, please. Now, on to the model. I'm guessing from your sig pic and avatar you're into traditional hot rods and customs, so why not do this car up that way, too? Do the rules allow you to kitbash or must you only use the kit-stock parts? Think muscle and custom, like the Rapid Transit Caravan '70 B-body: http://www.stevenjuliano.com/cars_rts_70rr.htm ...or a mild custom with a panel paint job, wide whites, chrome reverse wheels, nosed, decked- the possibilities are endless.

The bumper with the L-shaped rub strips on its face is the front bumper. It also has (had?) clear parking/signal lights, whereas the rear bumper just has the cast back-up light detail. I have a spare dash and steering wheel (and I think the "open" AG door) you can have, in the same original lime color to boot. PM me with your shipping address, please. Now, on to the model. I'm guessing from your sig pic and avatar you're into traditional hot rods and customs, so why not do this car up that way, too? Do the rules allow you to kitbash or must you only use the kit-stock parts? Think muscle and custom, like the Rapid Transit Caravan '70 B-body: http://www.stevenjuliano.com/cars_rts_70rr.htm ...or a mild custom with a panel paint job, wide whites, chrome reverse wheels, nosed, decked- the possibilities are endless.