1/25 Volkswagen Beetle non-convertible

[69NovaYenko]

Has there ever been a 1/25 1/25 Volkswagen Beetle non-convertible kitted. If so who made it.

[bismarck]

Isn't the Tamiya '66 Bug 1/25? 

[Craig Irwin]

I think all are 1/24 th.

 

[Can-Con]

Revell has a new tool euro spec '68 [ish] one that just came out a couple years ago which is excellent 

and polar lights has one that's issued in "Spiderman" livery at the momment that's a bit less detailed but comes with some optional parts and 3 or 4 wheel options. Less detailes but still not bad. 

[bismarck]

I think all are 1/24 th.

 

I think your right. I just checked the one in my stash.

[Rob Hall]

The Tamiya and Revell of Germany ones are 1/24th, Revell (US) did a 1/25th one 45+ years ago that's been reissued many times.   The Polar Lights one is 1/25th.

[Can-Con]

The Tamiya and Revell of Germany ones are 1/24th, Revell (US) did a 1/25th one 45+ years ago that's been reissued many times.   The Polar Lights one is 1/25th.

Just came from checking my kits, Both the new Revell and Polar Lights bugs are 1/24. The bodys are almost identical in size. Just slightly bigger than the old Revell 1/25 bug I compared them both to.

[Rob Hall]

Just came from checking my kits, Both the new Revell and Polar Lights bugs are 1/24. The bodys are almost identical in size. Just slightly bigger than the old Revell 1/25 bug I compared them both to.

Interesting...surprised that the Polar Lights one is 1/24th..thought they only did 1/25th. 

[doggie427]

IMC altered VW bug from the '60's was definately 1/25th.

[Atmobil]

Yes, the old IMC (also reissued by Union) and the old Revell (USA) tool of 1968 is in 1:25. The Revell kit should not be to diffuclt to find as it has been out in many different versions but only the very first one can be built stock. There was one in the late 90s or so that was called "60s beetle" or something like that (flower power bug on the box art) that can be built stock but it has Empi wheel arch extenders molded in but these can be sanded down. I personally got 3 different versions of the kit (Lighting rods VW Bug, VW street machine (molded in pink) and Killer Bee baja bug) but there are several other versions aswell.

[blunc]

the IMC Beetle has all parts to build stock version plus extra parts to build a gasser version.

I think all of them were molded in red plastic so beware...

[ChrisBcritter]

I think all of them were molded in red plastic so beware...

Mine is molded in solid red but there's one on eBay now that was molded in metallic red. Also the drag version's spoked mags were changed at some point to slotted or Halibrand mags.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1960S-IMC-VOLKSWAGEN-VW-GASSER-2-IN-1-MODEL-KIT-WITH-BOX-/131760060467?hash=item1ead82f833:g:aukAAOSwvFZW8VKl

 

[Snake45]

Man I wish someone would reissue the old IMC Bug. I'd buy a couple of them just for the parts.

[gtx6970]

Hope the OP doesn't mind me asking here.

 

I want to build both of these.

What would be the best options for currently avail kits to use ,,preferably with everything needed ( besides decals obviously )  ????

[Mark]

I'd go to the Polar Lights kit (the one in the Spider-Man box).  I haven't got one (yet), but I think it even has those wheels included.  I'm pretty certain the Revell dune buggy kits include the wheels that are on the hauler.  Looks like an interesting project.

[pack rat]

Yes, definitely go with the Spiderman kit.  It has the wheels you need along with a few other optional parts.  

The pic shows the optional wheels, bumpers, mirrors and exhaust bits.  There are optional seats as well, and possibly a few other parts that I can't recall.    

 

[Rob Hall]

Very strange to see a sedan bodystyle referred to as a 'non-convertible'. 

[blunc]

that polar lights kit has some nice features for a snap kit, the box says it's 1/24 scale..

 

[blunc]

Hope the OP doesn't mind me asking here.

 

I want to build both of these.

What would be the best options for currently avail kits to use ,,preferably with everything needed ( besides decals obviously )  ????

I've seen the wheels on that transporter on a Revell kit, don't remember which one.

[Craig Irwin]

Very strange to see a sedan bodystyle referred to as a 'non-convertible'. 

Yeah, they normally call a sedan a hardtop! LOL

[chunkypeanutbutter]

For the pickup, you'll need two of the Hasegawa '67 Pickups, or one of those and one of the Revell Of Germany VW T1s if you want full engine detail. You'll need to scratchbuild the bumpers, modify the rear window, and source ramps and mirrors.

[oldscool]

I've seen the wheels on that transporter on a Revell kit, don't remember which one.

They were in the old Empi dune buggy kit.

[lilcraigford]

Long time lurker, first time poster; I'm an air-cooled guy at heart so I couldn't help but chime in! I have a Tamiya '66 stashed away and recently received the new Revell '68. My first model was a secondhand 1/25 Revell Beetle (VW Cabriolet, Skips Fiesta Drive-In Series) that I'd like to dig out and rebuild. Anyway, below is a list of 1/24 and 1/25 scale kits that I've thrown together which the OP might find useful. My list is not all-inclusive (missing the Aoshima kits, for example) and I may add to it over time.

 

- 1/25 -

Revell Germany

VW Cabriolet - Kit 7219 (Note: Also titled "VW Cabrio")

Revell USA

VW Cabriolet, Skips Fiesta Drive-In Series - Kit 7151 (Made in the USA)

VW Cabriolet - Kit 7243

VW Beetle Convertible - Kit 85-2579 (Made in the USA)

VW Street Machine - Kit 7143 (Made in the USA)

VW '60s Beetle - Kit 85-7143 (Made in the USA)

- 1/24 -

Gunze Sangyo

1956 Volkswagen Oval Window - Kit G-149

Volkswagen - Kit G-332 (Note: Reissue of kit G-149.)

Hasegawa

Volkswagen Beetle Type 1 (1966) - Kit 21204

Volkswagen Beetle Type 1 (1966) w/Longboard - Kit 21242

Volkswagen Beetle Type 1 (1967) - Kit 21203

Volkswagen Beetle Type 1 "Police Car" - Kit 20251

Polar Lights

The Amazing Spider-Man Volkswagen Beetle - Kit 0927

The Love Bug - Kit 6816

Revell Germany

VW Beetle Cabriolet 1970 - Kit 07078 (Note: Box art incorrectly shows a Super Beetle.)

VW Beetle Limousine 1968 - Kit 07083

Revell USA

'68 Volkswagen Beetle, California Wheels - Kit 85-4192 (Note: USA issue of Revell Germany kit 07083.)

Tamiya

Volkswagen 1300 Beetle 1966 Model - Kit 24136

 

In my opinion the Tamiya '66 Beetle is still the best available kit in terms of accuracy and detail. The new Revell '68 is also very nice kit and a good runner up to the Tamiya. After those two I think the Hasegawa and older 1/25 Revell kits also convincingly capture the Beetle's shape. From what I've seen in pictures the Polar Lights and Gunze Sangyo Beetles are okay, but miss the mark compared to the other offerings.

 

blunc, the EMPI Inch Pincher started life as a '56 oval window. Your attached picture is of the second iteration of the car, now with the Inch Pincher name and also after a later ('58+) rear window had been grafted in. A Tamiya or Hasegawa '66 would be a good starting point. However, in addition to the signature oval window, pre '57 cars also had a smaller windshield (enlarged for '58 and again for '65). The size difference might be noticeable with the Tamiya and Hasegawa if you want to get that picky.The Polar Lights Beetle, as previously suggested could also work, with the advantage of what appears to be a smaller windshield (the larger rear license plate light would make it a '64). In regards to the wheels, I never noticed the Spider-Man kit included optional BRMs. Scale Production also makes a nice resin set, as does Model Wheel Works (white metal).

Edited March 28, 2016 by lilcraigford