Jordan White

They are normally supposed to hide behind the wheel spokes but he painted them gold and clocked the wheel backs so they would be an additional detail for the wheels. I think they actually look good like that!

The consensus is they are poorly detailed with shallow tread which I agree with. They look like cheap diecast tires and I think they are a waste of new tooling (honestly Revell has had pretty poor tires on all their new tool kits lately other than the '71 Mustang IMO).

To be fair, with the rise in 3D printing and scratchbuilding, we are makers too!

I only have the molded in black kit, so good to know there was at least two runs.

RE: the USA-1 kit It would seem the long bed chassis was permanently altered to be the monster truck chassis, since it has not been seen again after the USA-1 kit was first released. However, the short bed and stepside kits were released afterwards (probably to replace the long bed kit), but were last seen around the early 2000s (the stepside). It looks like the short bed 454SS kit only had one run for some reason. Seeing as the molds have most likely been lost, it would be nice to see them make new full detail kits from either the old kits, or completely new 3D files. They could also use the recent short bed and dually kits and engineer full detail versions to save some work.

In regards to the Taurus, the last stock SHO release was 1990 with the new 6-spoke wheels, followed by two non-stock releases, Rescue 911 in 1993 and a Robocop re-release in 2003. My guess is a stock SHO kit with the police parts as non-advertised optional pieces. I will say I’m on the fence as to whether it is worth bringing back since I feel it’s a kit that doesn’t lend itself to great building options other than stock or a police car, and the second gen was the more popular SHO version, but I could be wrong.

I think it’s both, they need to narrow the rim and make the spokes longer.

See the weird thing is the roof and body filler pieces being on the same tree as the parts that would theoretically be chrome.

Personally, I'm disappointed that they aren't producing more Japanese SUVs! Aoshima has the 1st gen Terrano and the 2nd Gen Hilux Surf, and Tamiya has the 2nd gen Pajero, Land Cruiser 80, and Isuzu VehiCross but it would be cool to see some others like the 3rd gen Hilux Surf/4Runner, the 2nd gen Terrano/Pathfinder, the 1st and 3rd gen Pajero/Montero, the 1st and 2nd gen Isuzu Mu/Amigo/Rodeo, the Daihatsu Rocky, a better version of the 2nd gen Isuzu Trooper (plus the 1st gen), and a proper 1/24 kit of the FJ40 Land Cruiser.

I’m also surprised they didn’t bother with some blocks to lift the suspension, it looks weird with the stock ride height. Obviously they are easy to make, but another example of not giving that little bit of extra.

I’m confused why people keep bringing up the engine when I have yet to see a complaint that there is no engine. The complaint I’m seeing is the promo-style chassis, which I agree is disappointing after seeing the well done chassis in the Blazer kit. Would have been nice to get a van chassis with an accurate suspension and a rear axle that doesn’t look like it came from a big rig!

Going slightly off topic here, but there are definitely several modern subjects that would be popular in kit form, yet don't exist.

Same for me, especially the US market decals/markings now that American Satco is gone!

Ouch!

I will be honest, I think we need site-sponsored community builds, ones where you can win fun things (magazine subscription, calendar with your build on the cover & one month, site banner/header image, etc.), . Right now, the Cannonball community build is the only one that ever seems to get consistent patronage and I think the chance to win something would bring more engagement in general.