Casey

I want to say there was a resin body to replicate this, but it possibly was a phantom style body, which never existed in the real world. While there are two different bodies pictured above (I prefer the version in the B&W image), I think either could be accomplished using a '34 3-window body. The rear 1/4 of the greenhouse area on the cream colored version appears to be from a sedan body, as there is a subtle undercurve(?) just before it meets the bed. The doors in both are rather petite, but I'm sure there was a good reason for it. Making the doors larger and filling that space would do wonders for the overall look, too, IMHO.

Kits which were irreversibly and heavily modified into something else, the latter of which may not necessarily be an improvement. While it's easy to look back in hindsight at what might've still been, the deed has been done in the name of putting a "new" kit on the shelf, and these altered kits are likely to never be returned to their previous state, much less ever re-issued in their current version. I think it was Mark B. who mentioned the AMT ZZR became the Firebug, so let's start with that one: It was this...: ...then became this: MPC 1968 Oldsmobile Toronado...: ...became The Californian custom , designed by Harry Bradley: The MPC 1972 Pontiac Grand Prix...: ...became the Sweat Hogs Dream Machine: And there are many more. ?

I hope Angus Young received royalty payments for MPC using his likeness. ? Really a good example of how kit manufacturers will attempt to minimize investment and maximize profit by turning something old into something new. No crime in that, but sometimes the damage is irreversible, and in hindsight, unforgivable.

Can you post some pics of what you have? I'd be interested in seeing specific details, etc.

From the 1978 MPC catalog:

I picked up the 2012 release and took pics of the contents, which can be viewed here: https://modelkitreviews.proboards.com/thread/1545/amt-1970-ford-interceptor-police After looking the kit over thoroughly, I came away with a bit more respect for it, though I'm not prepared to say I'd recommend everyone rush out an purchase one themselves. The body shell is pretty amazing, actually, in that engraved trim around the base of the C-pillars, along the body's midline, and on the rocker panels is about as perfect as I've ever seen-- crisp, well-defined, yet not overly done: Panel lines are all crisp, too, as are the molded in windshield wipers and cowl grille openings. Maybe all of this crispness is due to the fact that this kit hasn't been overproduced through the years, but whatever the reason(s), it's gorgeous. Even the "Galaxie 500" nameplate at the lower edge of the trunk lid is still perfectly defined: This kit really screams "build me curbside style!", with the above mentioned excellent body shell and less than stellar engine, chassis/floor pan, interior, and general low parts count. Not terribly surprising considering the kit's promotional model roots, but the contrast between the gorgeous body and the balance of the parts is stark, to say the least. The Boss 429 style engine is a half-hearted attempt at best, as the valve covers, the most recognizable and visible parts of that particular engine are blocky and fail to convince anyone with a passing knowledge of what Boss 429 valve covers look like. Then there's the axle hole which passes right through the engine block, the blocky looking oil pan, and the cylinder heads which are perfectly flat on all four sides, with nary a single visible detail at all. Very generic, and well, it's a good thing that engine block-off plate is included...you should use it. The engine compartment itself is just an empty space partially filled by the front wheel wells, and not much else. A separate radiator is included, as is a short firewall, but rather sparse overall. The interior tub is a bit shallow, the door panel engraving light and completely absent on the lower half, but at least the separate (yay!) two-piece bench seat is fairly good looking. The dashboard is very bland, with almost no detail, other than a deep groove where the pad meets the dash and the glovebox detail. The instrument panel, however, features excellent raised radio (on the left, not 100% sure that's the radio, but I think it is), sweep speedometer in the center, and clock detail on the right-- beautifully engraved, and the raised details can be picked out and highlighted, drawing some attention away from the rest of the interior: The steering wheel also has excellent finger bump (not sure what the correct term is for those) detail on the backside, and the two spoke web area looks like you'd expect a big '70s land yacht steering wheel to look, with a large big horn pad covering everything. The chassis floor pan piece is again simplified, but it's passable. It's looks like an early '70s American car underbody, and while there are no separate front suspension parts, the rear lower control arms, rearend assembly, and exhaust system are all one separately molded piece-- think Monogram '80s musclecar kits. Not terribly impressive, but better than being molded in. The deep dish steel wheels are nowhere near correct for this car, unless it was a one-off skunkworks project created by Harlan Arliss for Ponch and John....which may be possible, as there are CHP decals included: The wheels are nicely done, and the front two have hub nut dust cover detail present, so they can be used for other, more performance oriented vehicles. A set of much shallower steel wheels and more prototypical tires would add much more credibility to the finished model, especially if built as a typical grocery getter or standard police car. Fortunately, such wheels and tires are easily sourced. Both bumpers feature excellent engraved back-up light (rear) and headlight (front) detail, so if you want to minimize your time investment, they could be detailed and given a wash and clearcoat to enhance them. Many period correct police parts are included, most of which are shown on one long side of the box. One mystery is why there are four transparent red tail light lenses included with room for only two on the rear tail panel. I though maybe the original LTD promo used a different panel with four lenses, but no, same number of tail lights as the Galaxie 500. ?‍♂️ Quick summary-- excellent body, ideally built curbside style with different wheels and tires.

The 007 version has been out for less than a year, so maybe they ran more at the mold facility while it was in the injection molding machine, this time in a different color. ?‍♂️ Maybe is was a hot seller, too, but with that short of a release time between the two, it seems both were planned at or near the same time.

It depends upon the size of the bolt head you are trying to replicate. Is it a valve cover bolt, crank pulley bolt, or??? Divide the real bolt head size by the scale you are building in, and you've got the dimension you need. FWIW, I would avoid using Plastruct hexagonal rod, as the tolerances don't seem to be very tight, and when slicing off a section, you'll get additional distortion, leading to same ill-shaped bolt heads. Plus, you have to get a near perfect cut each time, so that the next piece is flat, and then the next... Miniature bolt heads are available in plastic, resin, brass, and stainless from various companies, and are a better option IMHO:

Somebody here has to be watching this one currently on eBay...already set up with a proper cowboy rake. ?

They are referred to as a "custom bladed cap" on the instruction sheet: Maybe someone can post a pic of the actual wheel and we can dig through our parts boxes for a set. I'm pretty sure I had at least one, but just traded off my extra wheels to another member.

This was answered by a very credible person long ago in this topic. While there is now a lot of fluff and many off-topic replies in this topic, it's still worth re-reading for the valuable posts.

At least Jordan is still an active member, so maybe we can prod him to get working on this one again...if he still has it. ? The Otaki/Doyusha 1/12 scale kits are intriguing, especially considering the subject matter choices, hence, Rex's interest in this one. ?

They're not as accurate, nor as well done, IMHO. They are 14" IIRC, so the spokes are stubbier, and I have yet to come across one which didn't have at least one sink mark in the center of a spoke. The rear slicks are rather small/short, too. ?

There were a surprising number of 1/16 Pyro motorcycle and scooter (really) kits produced. Not sure if the 1/16 motorcycle kits Lindberg released in the '70s and '80s were of their own design, a mix of their kits and Pyro's, or all ex-Pyro kits, but, they seem to come up frequently on eBay, and not terribly expensive, either. Might be a good Community Build idea... More mentioned here by Mike, too:

Perhaps Round2 or Atlantic could dig deep to reissue this old gem? Not sure how that bunnyhopping officer got two of the three wheels airborne like that, but he's clearly in hot pursuit. ?

I'm wondering that myself. I have to believe it will be announced within the next year or two, as Round2 has already reissued most of their 1/16 scale kits I kind of doubt the original 200-S wheels and slicks can be part of a reissue, so I think the Rod Shop and Shaker versions are extremely unlikely. Still, the 2'n1 stock/street machine version last released would be great to see again if that's all that's possible.

Yes. https://kustomrama.com/wiki/Ed_Roth's_Outlaw

OH-ta-key? Oh-TA-key? Oh-ta-KEY? ?‍♂️

I bought this one a decade plus ago, and was instantly disappointed. I think I had seen the contents, had semi-low, but hopeful, expectations, and was still left left down upon receiving the kit. It's got that 65%-ish feeling, like the designed only spent 65% of the available time on it, so it looks like a '68 Corvette, but none of the details are crisp, clear, nor accurate, so you're left to do all the time consuming detail work yourself. Pretty much the only game in town, and I has intentions of making a Funny Car body out if it anyway, but fool me once...never again.