Fabrux

My very, very generous friend decided to give me what's left of his stash... The stuff along the wall and in the upper left corner were already there... The LRW and Banshee are started and the '53 F-100 box is actually a started El Camino SS. In the big tote, the Bel-Air and the Pontiac are built and complete; the red GMC pickup is missing a rear fender and the Countach is a diecast. There are tons of tires, rims, and engines as well as lots of other fiddly bits in there. Going to take a while to sort. I also have yet to sort through the paints...

^I'm not sure if that plow setup was the norm or not; my dad has a Fisher plow from the '80s that was originally on this body style of truck that he had modified to fit his '89 and it mounts in front of the bumper. Mind you, his setup is a 'permanent' one: full hydraulic, with the pump being belt-driven by the engine. This kit comes with an electric-over-hydraulic setup. Also, come to think of it, in the late 80's-early 90's when I was growing up my dad plowed with a '78 Bronco and it, too, had the christmas tree in front of the plow.

Quoted for truth

This bed looks like it shares the same feature as the stepside: no fuel doors!

The Ramcharger wheels are five-lug. Same as in one of the Bronco issues, actually. They have a different centrecap from the Jimmy/Blazer ones.

My LHS released his June release list; still no GMC.

They do indeed. The usual wagon wheels are triangle holes whereas these ones appear to be trapezoids...

For me sometimes it comes down to price. I prefer original issues usually because they have better box art and the pieces are of better quality due to being the first run with a particular tooling. And then there's always toolings that get modified to represent different years so you have to go with the original. For instance, I have an MPC '71 Road Runner as well as an AMT '74 GTX; they're the same kit but extensively modified.

So you're the one that nabbed it...

Yup, it was! Got that one.

I was thinking more of the 1:1 replica that keeps popping up. Its a beautiful truck!

All right, who bought it?

I was looking through local classifieds and came across a 1984 F-150 flare side for sale that actually has the 1987 bed on it! Threw me for a loop, that's for sure! Although I would have to say the best looking truck I've seen so far was, again, on my local classifieds. It was a combo build that was on a late '80s frame, I believe, and had a '92-'96 front clip, the '87 bed and it was a dually! I'm wishing now that I had saved the pictures of it...

I'm glad to help! It seems the rarest kit of all is actually the Ramcharger High Roller; they're really hard to find! The Gone Fishin' set is the most plentiful version of the Ramcharger and I've seen the original issue pop up from time to time.

First they're introducing fuel injection and now unique body styles. What's next, right turns?

I'll confess I haven't really followed NASCAR in years but this car looks like its a new direction? It doesn't have the same body shape as all the other cars. Are they finally returning to cars that have different bodies from one another?

I'm glad everyone's enjoying these articles! If I had a copy of each kit in these lists, I'd be able to do better comparisons and descriptions. Although I suppose I could give a little more info in regards to the engines included, transmissions, etc.

wraith, I have a spare engine if you need it.

The version I have doesn't indicate any other molding colours; the only engraving is Revell 1985. It has the same body, fascia, and hood as the McLaren Mustang but the same wheels as that newer Cobra issue, plus the decklid spoiler. Almost the same as the separate Hot Rod issue.

I have this kit and it is indeed the McLaren Mustang. Its molded in red. I didn't get the box with the kit so I'm not sure what it looks like. Even the instruction sheet I have is a photocopy. Its apparently part of a 3-car set: the Mustang, an 82 Firebird and a 2G Camaro (according to the instruction sheet). The kit is dated 1986 and carries a number of 7459-3800. Google search with that number gives this box:

The horrible Revell '78 Chevy C10 was also released in this series. The Mustang II was the King Cobra street racer and the Fox body was a re-box of the McLaren Mustang.

My father-in-law loves feeding my addiction of getting models; he frequents a local thrift store and whenever automotive models pop up he gets them for me. Today it was a Monogram Porsche 911 Slant Nose.

I think this style was the last of the F-150s that they got as factory vehicles. Too expensive to maintain and too big to drive in the cities and therefore too small a market to convert to LHD, from what I've read. You can get newer styles, but I believe they're mostly aftermarket conversions. They also have different emission standards there.

1) The rear bumpers do indeed have the bump strips. I think the GMC High Roller has the same hood as the Jimmy; all the other High Roller trucks have some sort of aftermarket hood. 2) No idea on the mirrors. 3) The aqua/blue version does indeed have the trusses. 4) The GMC High Roller box art shows the same rims as the regular GMC Sport Pickup. If PJ Toys is to believed, the kit actually came with the same rims that are in the Mad Mudder. 5) No idea? The Jimmy and GMC High Roller have the grille emblem so your theory is probably correct.

Hey, I for one actually like the show. I'm going to enjoy seeing this chase scene re-created. I find it interesting that the picture in the article shows a '06-'10 Charger and a '10+ Mustang seeing as how the main character on Alcatraz drives a '68 Bullitt clone. Wouldn't be too much of a stretch for the baddie she's chasing to be driving a vintage Charger...