1972coronet

I wonder why Monogram et al. didn't go forward with that??? I wonder if they had Don Grotheer's 1971 Road Runner E/MP in mind? How cool would that have been!! Ostensibly, the tooling still exists -- Ed Sexton et al.: Do it to it! I'm sure that Grotheer would approve of having his car's livery on one of your kits!

I've been to Julian once, some 18 years ago. Me mum and I travelled there via CA 76 & CA 79 (both easily accessible from I-15 for out of town visitors) on a lovely Spring day. I recall seeing what appeared to be a Bobcat kitten crossing the road-- it was actually a Bobcat queen; she'd stopped in the middle of the road to the Palomar Observatory and was 'trilling' and 'chuffing'. Soon after, four kittens scurried across the road and up the adjacent hill, mum in tow. I'd forgotten how small Bobcats are... that's why I thought that the queen was a kitten. Beautiful scenery, wonderful drive.

Arroyo Seco Parkway (formerly, Pasadena Freeway; originally part of Route 66 -- oldest parkway in California if not the nation). Too bad that time and "upgrades" have eroded its architecture. Those Figueroa Street Tunnels are works of art in themselves!

It's similar to the MPC 1971-1976 Duster-Demon-Dart Sport annuals and subsequent reissues (most recently, the '1976 Dart Sport'): every issue of that kit --well, at least from 1972-onward-- has an offset front wheelbase. Initially I'd believed that to be a result of eliminating the torsion bars (1973 & later kits), but that's not the case: my unbuilt 1972 Duster 340 annual has the same offset front wheelbase. Certainly, the offset has become exaggerated with time and ad infinitum reissues; yet, it's gone 'unnoticed' by the Q.C. folks. While there are other issues with the otherwise nice MPC Dart Sport et al. kits (manual trans, but automatic shifter & console, and no brake master cylinder), at least the offset front wheels are an easy fix.

An all-new Squarebody would be awesome! All years could "easily" be covered, at least 1973-1979; then 1980 (cowl was separated from the hood for 1980, IIRC); then 1981-1987 (1992 [?] for the heavy duty iterations). The only reason why the (ancient) Monogram et al. K-20 sells is because it's the only game in town (for the 1973-1979 guise). The MPC et al. c.1982 K-10 ostensibly sells well, but is also long in the tooth (and is a short bed with goobered lines from the Fall Guy ad seq. releases) -- even its SBC is so-so: not terrible, but outdated even by 1978 standards. Moebius! I'm --we're-- addressing you! Round2! C'mon, man! Backdate that Mile High Club (or whatever it's called) pickup, and reinstall the 2WD parts; uninstall the outdate SBC app (or at least run updates to its belts & pulleys to represent the correct 1969 & later arrangement).

Thanks for the correct terminology -- I used the term "core-shift" in the sense of misaligned die cavities. I don't remember what the prior Racing Chumps release (the one with the 1975 dashboard and chassis) body is like, as I haven't touched one since I did a commissioned build some 20 years ago. At that time, I didn't recognise any outstanding A pillar misalignment -- just the slightly-bowed pillars, which was an easy fix. Thus far, I believe that I've remedied the right-side pillar issue. I knocked-down/eliminated the parting lines before I attempted to repair the pillar junction. Next step is reinforcing the repaired area, then it's on to primer. Thanks for your input .

I believe that I've got the issue addressed. I separated the lower-junction of the right (passenger) side A pillar at the cowl-fender-door, moved it inboard slightly, then glued it in its new position with Plasti-Struct [sp?]. I'll reinforce it after the adhesive cures. I realise that this seems like I'm "picking fly s__t from pepper"; however, it was significant enough to compel me to fix this exponential "shift" of the body. Still begs the question: has anyone recognised marked "core-shift" results of the tooling of these 45+ years old kits?

No need to apologise, Tulio. My comment --my message to you-- was at least two years ago. I would not bother trying to fish for it... I don't even recall which one of the videos I had commented on. Quite likely, it was an enquiry to the effect of , "Where are you hiding? I have not seen any of your builds for some time." Never-the-less, it is great that you are back here on the forum.

It'd be nice if Revell were to issue more kits under the Nickey name -- this kit being one of them (some 'Day Two' parts such as a new intake/carburetor/air cleaner and not-Centerline-nor-contemporary custom wheels/tyres and !!!BAM!!!). IIRC, Revell had licence to use Baldwin-Motion advertising (though the 1970 Chevelle --old Monogram tooling but with updated interior and a Tarantula intake, plus the requisite signature Phase III striping scheme-- was the last one that I can remember). It'd be nice to be able to build an OOB replica of Joe Oldham's 1969 SS-427 triple-black 'advertisement car'! Likewise, a Dick Harrell tie-in could be created... heck, even a Dana tie-in (I don't believe that anyone has that copyrighted -- Dana has been out of business for decades).

Welcome back, comrade! It's been a long minute since. I have subscribed to your YouTube channel --- I may've sent a message to you via that forum?

I was ready to start on the MPC 1974 Road Runner (latest reissue) when I stopped due to a misaligned body & bowed A-pillars. Now, I've straightened bowed A-pillars before -- it's no big deal; an easy fix. However, I'd noticed that the right (passenger) side of the body has "core-shift". The base of the right A-pillar is off markedly, being +/- a one-sixteenth of an inch from where it should 'terminate' at the cowl. Furthermore; the front fascia is likewise off , though not as 'much' as the A-pillar; maybe one-thirty-second of an inch. I was hoping to do a simple OOB build of this kit, but that A-pillar made me put the kit away until I can figure a way to fix its position -- which is where I'm stuck for now... like, Where should i make some 'pie' or 'wedge' slices in the roof to bring that pillar back to its proper position? Has anyone else noticed this artifact-of-old-tooling on their copy of this kit? If so, did you fix it, or just go about building it as-is?

While I don't own a copy of this kit (man, I need to get one), I can defer to Chris' (HPI Guy's) build & review of this kit from a couple of months ago (+/-). I seem to recall that he mentions a slightly-warped chassis, but that it "works itself out" upon completion. Here's Chris' video for a reference :

Cool concept ! I like the gold; quite similar to a shade of gold metallic offered from c.1970 (see below). I have the MPC 1972 Duster annual kit. Some day it'll get the DOHC Hemi from the 1970 Super Bee, 4-speed, Dana 60 -- it'll be a phantom Arlen Vanke DOHC-powered Pro Stock. The 1970 Hamtramck Registry - 1970 Paint Chip Charts Slideshow (hamtramck-historical.com)

The Johan 1968 Fury I Police Car has some close representations.

Last time I'd heard Cooper's programme was some 17 years ago. I thought it was great then -- can't attest to how it's been since. It was awesome hearing The Stooges, MC5, Velvet Underground, Judas Priest, 60's Garage, etc. coming from the radio.

That light blue chassis popped a memory capsule -- same colour as the one I'd built in 1985 (I don't recall its reissue year; it did, however, have the custom spoke wheels and other optional customising parts). I'd painted it white (Pactra gloss white aerosol !) with black interior (also Pactra, but flat black); built completely stock. I'd built it for my then girlfriend, as her mum had an early-production '65 (colloq. , "64 1/2" -- no 'reverse' lights) with the six/ 3-speed manual with deluxe wheel covers (13" variety). The 1987 Whittier Earthquake claimed it.

We all know how rare it was for Monogram to include a set of Cragar S/ST's or Centerlines in their kits. Very hard to find -- good thing they 'lost' the wheels from the Street Rat edition, as I could always use a set of those rare 1/24 scale S/ST's!

Perhaps Round2 couldn't have been arsed to create a new '335-Series' engine since I'm sure they're aware of the pending Revell BOSS 351 (and potentially a '385-Series' 429 iteration). If nothing else, the FE engine in MPC's Mustangs is equipped with the Therm-Actor Air Injection System, plumbing and all.

With shortages being what they are --real or imagined-- I'm sure that a handful of sellers (individuals, online stores, etc.) are rushing to send-out product A.S.A.P. --- this doesn't bode well for anyone. Personally, I'd rather wait a month or two for an online purchase should the seller/store et al. need more time to go-through their shipments, work orders, etc., etc., and package the item/items properly. I've been lucky I suppose -- most of my orders are via USPS, with maybe one or two from UPS -- as I've never received a boogered item (boxes, by default, are subject to scuffs and rips-- but are not supposed to look like they were used for hocky practise). FedEx, in my experiences, is a goombah operation... absolute testa grossas with zero concern nor pride.

AMEN to that!

Another vote for Burbank's House of Hobbies (outstanding service from a small, independently-owned & operated store) and Model Roundup (excellent service from them as well). I'd purchased a 1/25 scale C.O.E. Kenworth (can't recall which one) from Roundup , and it arrived within a week, and in thoughtful packing; no damage. I'd purchased the 1/25 scale 'Car Hauler' from Burbank's , and it arrived within the week (four days, seem to recall). Likewise, thoughtful packing and no damage. Perhaps you could place a call to Dillon since you're in that area of Boston?

All that I'd read was "Bronco", "Turbo", and "V6" and I smelled trouble. Must be that FœcalBoost or whatever it's called now. Any gasoline engine with an oxidiser --turbo or super charger-- isn't going to last as long as a naturally-aspirated equivalent. Even more better yet: put a frickin' V8 in there instead of fancy pants turbos and other wizardry. C.A.F.E. standards need to disappear.

Where I used to work (unnamed auto part store) , we finally got a pickup truck (2014). Of course, some "numbers guy" college kid ordered the fleet of these trucks: Silverado 1500, odour-trapping cloth seat, rubber mats (a good thing), AM/FM stereo, manual windows, cruise, tilt, A/C. Then elected to order the 4.3 litre V6... with the 4L60E... and 3.08 gear. What's wrong with that picture? Overdrive+3.08 gear behind an otherwise-great 262 cube V6. Thing couldn't get out of its own way! Desperately needed at least 4.10s, maybe even 4.56, gearing! Or, preferably, the small V8. Horrible fuel economy -- in overdrive, it was running below idle speed! Oh, did I mention the 500 metric tonnes lift-gate that was added post-facto? Total. Pig. But, hey, on paper that V6-overdrive-3.08 gear exhibited better fuel economy!