As much as I've heard about this kit , never once -- until now -- did I realise that this is a new moulding !
Needless to say , I am impressed with it . Certainly , its origins date-back to the excellent Funny Car kits from Monogram during the 70's ( and there's not a single thing wrong with
that ! ) , which is why I believed it to be a "generic" reissue ; its chassis looks like the Mongoose-turned-Cop-Out ( Tom Daniels' custom ) Duster .
I agree 100% with the assessment regarding the critiques of a new release . This is one fine effort by the folks at R-M ; its alleged "short-comings" ( e.g. , the contemporary wheels ) are such small apples .
I'm certain that their R&D folks had a bit of a time trying to recreate a vintage-but-restored-with-updated-parts Funny Car . The provided , vintage photos ( IRWINDALE !!! ) are case-in-point : just look at different rear wheels and their changes throughout the car's tenure ; gold , then aluminum .
It's quite difficult to attempt to recreate or replicate a vintage race car : Sponsor changes ; colour changes ; tyre and wheel changes ; year-to-year changes ; and multiples of the 'same' car ( refer to Match Race cars of Stock / Super Stock / Pro Stock classes ) much like the Sox & Martin cars , plus changes for different sanctions and classes ( Modified Production to Pro Stock to Stock , ad infinium . )
Thanks , Len , for your review and photos