hpiguy Posted December 30, 2015 Posted December 30, 2015 Chris' reviews are some of the best. I tend to watch all of them dealing with model kits. Both cars and the other kits. Even if, like the Flameout, I'm not interested in the kit. They are fun reviews, and always interesting.Thx Chris nice review on the Flameout! Awesome kit.Thanks guys! Always fun to make them.
louie Posted December 30, 2015 Posted December 30, 2015 I just recently came across the hpiguy and absolutely love his reviews on kits. Please keep em coming and thank you hpiguy. Also did not know that the nova has the Pontiac engine so I appreciate that information too. I learn something new everyday here. Thank you. Jeff
MrObsessive Posted December 30, 2015 Posted December 30, 2015 (edited) While I'm not into kits such as The Flameout, it's interesting to see the review just the same. Chris does an excellent job on all of his reviews, even if that particular model is not my cup of tea. His recent review of the '72 Olds Cutlass Convertible did have me go out and get one, even though I have two of the previous releases! Edited December 30, 2015 by MrObsessive
mangodart Posted December 30, 2015 Posted December 30, 2015 MPC probably used the Pontiac engine to issue the kit as a '75 GTO. That would explain the shaker hood setup in the '75 (and '76) Ventura kits as well. Hurst built a prototype '75 Ventura/GTO, but apparently Pontiac turned thumbs down on it, because no others were built. This is the one I built 2 years ago now, I had to modify the hood and the engine to look like a 350 Buick...
stavanzer Posted December 30, 2015 Posted December 30, 2015 OK, Round2, Can we get this Ventura kit back, please.I know there needs to be some re-tooling, but I'll happily wait until 2017, if that is how long it takes.I just prefer the looks of this to it's Chevy stablemate, and I think it would be a much better seller now, than it ever was then. This would IMHO, make a fine "Retro-Deluxe" candidate.
Mark Posted December 31, 2015 Posted December 31, 2015 Wait a minute - weren't we recently talking about a kit that had a short run, and was believed lost/irrevocably modified, whose parts may have unexpectedly turned up, as a possible 2016 release? Hmmm... Who's talking about a Ventura reissue? Not me, that's a given...
charlie8575 Posted December 31, 2015 Posted December 31, 2015 The Pontiac would be a cool model to have re-issued. If it can be done, I'd be in for one, maybe two if I liked it.Charlie Larkin
Can-Con Posted December 31, 2015 Posted December 31, 2015 I don't know guys. I can't see anyone retooling a Nova into a Ventura unless the parts are readily available and the changes reversible.The Pontiacs just don't have the name recognition the Nova does.[in the name of full disclosure, I owned and loved a 1/1 '79 Nova]
Robberbaron Posted January 3, 2016 Posted January 3, 2016 I don't know guys. I can't see anyone retooling a Nova into a Ventura unless the parts are readily available and the changes reversible.The Pontiacs just don't have the name recognition the Nova does.[in the name of full disclosure, I owned and loved a 1/1 '79 Nova]Gotta agree with Steve on this, putting oneself in Round 2's position, you need to honestly ask whether revising this tool back to a Ventura would generate more sales (and therefore more revenue) than leaving it as-is, as a Nova. IMHO, the answer is no. And think about all the sales of a Ventura kit that would be required to even reach the break even point to cover the extensive tooling work to convert the body back, recreate the wheels, etc.Even among the hardcore "lunatic fringe" of the hobby (i.e. online forums such as this), I believe the majority of potential buyers would prefer the Nova. Among the other 90 - 95% of the general "casual" model buying public, there's no question the Nova would sell better. Like it or not, the X-body Venturas are mostly forgotten by the general public nowadays, whereas the Nova is still well remembered.Lots of sales are generated by nostalgia, whether the kit buyer formerly owned a 1:1 themselves, or it was parents, neighbors, friends, etc. If you're old enough, you probably knew at least one person who owned a Nova, and that's a big factor in sales for these older kits.For me, part of the charm of those 75/76/77 Ventura kits is the surprise that they made them at all, but once it got turned into Nova, I think there's no going back. Keep in mind that Round 2 is a business that needs to make money. In short order, they wouldn't be around to reissue anything if they started spending more money on tooling changes than they can recoup in sales.
disabled modeler Posted January 3, 2016 Posted January 3, 2016 This is the one I built 2 years ago now, I had to modify the hood and the engine to look like a 350 Buick... I like it...
stavanzer Posted January 3, 2016 Posted January 3, 2016 Robert & Steve M, I have to agree with you. It probably won't happen for the very reasons you cite. It would still be nice to have. I'd be satisfied with just getting the hood, fenders, and Ventura nose back, but that would leave the kit a mish-mash hybrid, and the Rep-Stock guys would have a field day picking it to pieces. Much as I want to see it happen, it most likely never will. Ah, well, 'tis ever thus. We lust for the kits we can't have, and overlook the ones we've got.......
disabled modeler Posted January 4, 2016 Posted January 4, 2016 Robert & Steve M, I have to agree with you. It probably won't happen for the very reasons you cite. It would still be nice to have. I'd be satisfied with just getting the hood, fenders, and Ventura nose back, but that would leave the kit a mish-mash hybrid, and the Rep-Stock guys would have a field day picking it to pieces. Much as I want to see it happen, it most likely never will. Ah, well, 'tis ever thus. We lust for the kits we can't have, and overlook the ones we've got.......Alan...I agree with you....me id be happy with just the parts to a 71,72 to convert the Nova kit into one.
mikemodeler Posted January 4, 2016 Posted January 4, 2016 Alan...I agree with you....me id be happy with just the parts to a 71,72 to convert the Nova kit into one.There is a resin body out there to do just that Mark and IIRC there was a kit to convert the AMT "Old Pro" Nova to a Ventura with the front clip and rear bumper/taillights.
disabled modeler Posted January 4, 2016 Posted January 4, 2016 There is a resin body out there to do just that Mark and IIRC there was a kit to convert the AMT "Old Pro" Nova to a Ventura with the front clip and rear bumper/taillights.Mike...Thanks for the information but I have some of the parts already...cant afford resin stuff anyway. We use to have one in the family once...I liked it. My plan is to build a replica of every vehicle the family owned that is possible.
mikemodeler Posted January 4, 2016 Posted January 4, 2016 Jimmy Flintstone has the body only for $18 and a trans kit for $30. I saw an original sealed kit at a show for $100, which is probably $95 more than what it went for new in 1975. Not sure if the Flintstone kit is worth it, his stuff tends to be a bit on the crude side.
Mr mopar Posted January 8, 2016 Posted January 8, 2016 Harts parts makes the 72' Ventura converion parts !
Bob Ellis Posted January 8, 2016 Posted January 8, 2016 I bought the Harts Ventura conversion parts. Very clean parts, but you must chrome.
AC Norton Posted January 9, 2016 Posted January 9, 2016 (edited) .....I HAVE JUST HEARD that my local hobby shop in Dundas, Ontario Canada has the new MPC Round2 USA 1 VEGA, and the MPC 69 Barracuda, and MPC 1960 Corvette due to be delivered this coming Monday. they actually were on the delivery truck today, but the driver unloaded some boxes, and forgot the one that contained a couple of each of these kits . I have seen the 1960 Corvette on ebay the last week or so, but not the other two. do any of you people have any of these yet, or can you get them at your shops now....love to hear the scoop.......the Ace... Edited January 9, 2016 by AC Norton
dartman Posted January 9, 2016 Posted January 9, 2016 Oh yes, no disputing those "facts." Looks like the '76 annual MPC Dodge pickup was the specific kit which included both Suzuki and Yamaha dirtbikes: Anyone notice it looks like the wheels are on wrong on this truck? It looks like the wheel on the front has the floating hub and the rear is long and narrow like for a locking hub.
DaveM Posted January 9, 2016 Posted January 9, 2016 If they could release the Dodge truck with the bikes, I would buy even more. Notice this box art might hold the record for most motorcycle brands on one decal sheet! Is this truck still around, or did this one morph into the Little Red Express?
Mr mopar Posted January 9, 2016 Posted January 9, 2016 .....I HAVE JUST HEARD that my local hobby shop in Dundas, Ontario Canada has the new MPC Round2 USA 1 VEGA, and the MPC 69 Barracuda, and MPC 1960 Corvette due to be delivered this coming Monday. they actually were on the delivery truck today, but the driver unloaded some boxes, and forgot the one that contained a couple of each of these kits . I have seen the 1960 Corvette on ebay the last week or so, but not the other two. do any of you people have any of these yet, or can you get them at your shops now....love to hear the scoop.......the Ace...will be intrested in the 69' Barracuda ,to see inside the box!
Luc Janssens Posted January 9, 2016 Posted January 9, 2016 (edited) Anyone notice it looks like the wheels are on wrong on this truck? It looks like the wheel on the front has the floating hub and the rear is long and narrow like for a locking hub. The 4x4 footwear was always the downside of these '72-'78 Dodge sweptside kits. In '78 Mpc inserted better wheels and tires with the '78 Dodge Warlock and a year later the '79 Dodge Firefighter, both uteline trucks.... It may sound like a broken record (released by yours truly), but in a perfect world (if the inserts are there and don't need a lot of work) Round two IMHO could unload a ton of kits to us builders/collectors, by combining the '79 Uteline cab and running gear with the remains of the Monster truck..... Hek they might even find an outlet in the TV memorabilia world if the licensing of the old Simon & Simon isn't too bad? Simon & Simon And if they don't, then just go on a search for both these kits and make it yourself... Edited January 9, 2016 by Luc Janssens
The Junkman Posted January 9, 2016 Posted January 9, 2016 Could this be a basis for a Dodge M880 pickup?https://www.google.com/search?q=us+army+dodge+pickup+truck&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjUtcOcnJ3KAhWB4yYKHWP1AwsQ_AUIBygB&biw=1465&bih=886#tbm=isch&q=m880+dodge+pickup+truck
Luc Janssens Posted January 9, 2016 Posted January 9, 2016 Could this be a basis for a Dodge M880 pickup?https://www.google.com/search?q=us+army+dodge+pickup+truck&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjUtcOcnJ3KAhWB4yYKHWP1AwsQ_AUIBygB&biw=1465&bih=886#tbm=isch&q=m880+dodge+pickup+truckYes, but then IMHO a company like Revell with their European branch, who has a 1/35th scale military line, would be a better party to tackle it, as all new tooling that is, because that way they can spread/share the development costs...Same goes for a Chevy C/K pickup from the same era.For Germans these military versions were common as dirt near US military installations and once decommissioned, on the open market everywhere in Europe, to be used as work horses or fun off roading...The 250+k question is, is the market waiting for these?
Fabrux Posted January 11, 2016 Posted January 11, 2016 I seem to remember reading that Model King was planning to reissue the Dodge pickup in a combo kit similar to the '79 Bronco but the tooling was found to be unusable. The LRE version should still be valid, but the long bed version was converted to the monster truck.
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