New Revell kits?

[Richard Bartrop]

Some people seem to have trouble wrapping their heads around the idea that not only other people might like stuff that they don't, but that it's all right that they do.  

Now, I don't like rat rods, and I think the whole faux patina thing is one of the stupidest trends to come about,   My thought on the patina decals that came with the Revell Model A kit?  I'm okay with it.  It's not like I'm required to use them, and if it helps to sell a few more kits to the people who do want to build a patina-rod, this is a good thing.   More money in Revell's coffers means more money to invest in new kits, and less chance that they close down, in which case, nobody gets any new kits from them.

And yes, I would very much like a stock Cadillac kit.    If enough people express a demand for it, maybe someone will figure it's worth cutting a set of moulds.

Edited April 2, 2016 by Richard Bartrop

[Sport Suburban]

I'm a little taken back by all the negativity toward Foose and one off customs. I really like stock 50s through 70s cars and that is mostly what I build so I too would love a stock Cadillac. I'm sure Revell knows what sells in this market segment. Stock Muscle cars are hot and Custom Muscle Cars don't do so well. Stock 32 Fords don't sell well but they can't build enough 32 Street Rods. The new 29 and 30 model As are seeing all kinds of Love.

When I go to shows I don't see many stock built models but many customs, Lowriders, rat rods, ecetra. It is even hard to find any old builds with the stock parts as I like to restore them too. Don't get me wrong but I have been seeing more and more rat rodded Cadillacs of this era. I expect the Lowriders builders will,love it also.

[ChrisBcritter]

I expect the Lowriders builders will love it also.

Aren't most lowriders built with nearly stock bodies, though? A stock '48 or '49 Caddy with a lowrider version (like Revell/Monogram did with the '59-'60 Impalas) could be successful.

[oldcarfan]

I'm hoping that this will reinvigorate the industry. I love the old reissues because I like to build the kits I had and destroyed as a kid, but at the same time, I like to see new product hit the market as well. Could it be that they will come out with the Foose versions and later issue a stock kit kind of like they are doing with the 48 Ford and like they did with the chopped Mercurythat came back as a Woodie?

[oldcarfan]

I like Foose's designs for the most part and Coddington's stuff was usually pretty good as well. My only real issue is the using of restored or in some cases really nice originals to start with. As much work as they are putting in, they could just as easily start with a beater. The same applies to those guys who find a nice low mile muscle car with original paint and interior in good shape and then turn around and have it stripped and redone. Save and protect the original iron. It is only original once.

[Ace-Garageguy]

 Could it be that they will come out with the Foose versions and later issue a stock kit kind of like they are doing with the 48 Ford and like they did with the chopped Mercurythat came back as a Woodie?

Yup, that was exactly my point about "if they did the chassis close to stock" or words to that effect. However, I'd think the odds of a high-end Foose car being built with stock suspension under it are close to nil. Still, if the frame and floors are right...

[gman]

I'm a little taken back by all the negativity toward Foose and one off customs. I really like stock 50s through 70s cars and that is mostly what I build so I too would love a stock Cadillac. I'm sure Revell knows what sells in this market segment. Stock Muscle cars are hot and Custom Muscle Cars don't do so well. Stock 32 Fords don't sell well but they can't build enough 32 Street Rods. The new 29 and 30 model As are seeing all kinds of Love.

When I go to shows I don't see many stock built models but many customs, Lowriders, rat rods, ecetra. It is even hard to find any old builds with the stock parts as I like to restore them too. Don't get me wrong but I have been seeing more and more rat rodded Cadillacs of this era. I expect the Lowriders builders will,love it also.

I didn't mind the way Revell used to do things not too long ago- a stock release of a certain kit, followed by a custom release, with re-issues sometimes being a "2 in 1" combining both stock and custom parts in one box. I used to buy what came available if it piqued my interests, and if something really pressed all the right buttons, I'd buy a few more when later versions got released. With some pending new releases (the 48 Ford stock-height coupe for example), with some kit bashing from various versions you could probably do stock and custom or rodded versions of the convertible, woody and the coupe. If that is a profitable formula for the manufacturer to keep releasing new kits + modified versions of older releases, count me in for many more purchases.

[Casey]

 

Maybe we'll get the one we've wanted all along as a second version. 

 

Edited April 2, 2016 by Casey

[GTJUNIOR]

Maybe we'll get the one we've wanted all along as a second version. 

 

The ultimate custom rod? I fell in love with this car as soon as I saw it. Still one of the most radical custom cars ever IMHO. If this is ever produced in 1:25, I'll buy it. 

[Richard Bartrop]

So would I. Unfortunately, from what I understand, licensing issues are what have kept it from being turned into a kit.

[keyser]

If somebody buys a restored or original car, has their name on the title, they can do whatever they want with it. Period. 

It's a LOT less work to start out with good metal or someone else's restored metal. Clones proliferated as it's easy to find a bottom of the line Mustang, Camaro, whatever, and build a decent car out of it. Their money, their dream, their life. Life's too short to be annoyed by other's dreams. 

[blubaja]

Some of you guys keep hoping these new ideas of Revell's will bring in new builders. Has it ever before? Maybe these kits will sell. Maybe "all the Foose followers" will help on buying them up. What happens when his following dies off? When his styling becomes outdated, like the Barris or Roth. Yes, some of those designs are near and dear to some of you older guys lol. It doesn't mean they will transcend through the ages. All the tooling for brand new kits, that will most likely wind up at an Ollies in the near future. I'll buy one of the Caddies, but don't make Foose out to be the savior of revell lol. They need a lot more help to get back to making decent kits for model builders again. 

[Casey]

Some of you guys keep hoping these new ideas of Revell's will bring in new builders. Has it ever before? Maybe these kits will sell. Maybe "all the Foose followers" will help on buying them up. What happens when his following dies off? When his styling becomes outdated, like the Barris or Roth. Yes, some of those designs are near and dear to some of you older guys lol. It doesn't mean they will transcend through the ages. All the tooling for brand new kits, that will most likely wind up at an Ollies in the near future. I'll buy one of the Caddies, but don't make Foose out to be the savior of revell lol. They need a lot more help to get back to making decent kits for model builders again. 

Some of Ed Roth's and Tom Daniel's kits are always in the current Revell catalog, which would seem to indicate Revell doesn't reissue them with the intent of losing money, then wholesaling them to Ollie's. You better believe Revell would LOVE to find the next Ed Roth, George Barris, Tom Daniel, Daryl Starbird, etc. Is Chip Foose that person? Beats me, but he probably has the best chance at being that person in this day and age.

I haven't heard anyone making Chip Foose out to be the Styrene Savior, though, so I'm not sure whose comment you read which gave you that impression. That said, having a sub-line of products which are the closest thing to guaranteed sellers is something any business would LOVE to have, and It's only been what, five? years since Revell started their association with Chip Foose? They announced another six kits in the series last year, so I view that as a positive thing for multiple people/groups. I don't think anyone can predict the future and say without a doubt any and all Foose-branded kits will be future great sellers, but nobody can say for certain they won't, either, so we'll all have to wait and see.

Back to the Eldorod itself, I didn't know this:

""Eldorod", based on a 1948 Cadillac Eldorado, was originally done at Hot Rods by Boyd's. The new owner asked Chip to make those subtle changes to the vehicle design he had always wanted to do, but were never incorporated into its final design. Once complete, the "Eldorod" will have a new interior, new front and rear bumpers and new roof."

More fuel for the haters. 

[Rob Hall]

I wonder if the Foose kits will full detail or snappys.

 

Anyway, doing single version kits of real customs is not unusual for Revell, they did it previously with the Rick Dobberton J2000 (I remember building that as a teenager--neat kit with lots of detail), the Matt & Debbie Hay T-Bird, etc..

Edited April 3, 2016 by Rob Hall

[niteowl7710]

I wonder if the Foose kits will full detail or snappys.

Full detail.

[Nova-ss]

I sure see the difference now.looking at the stock form and foose's design. .I prefer  the factory stock version.its to wrong looking.I don't care for most of his designs in real scale.why does he do that?...thanks for the info......Chris 

[unclescott58]

 

Back to the Eldorod itself, I didn't know this:

""Eldorod", based on a 1948 Cadillac Eldorado, was originally done at Hot Rods by Boyd's. The new owner asked Chip to make those subtle changes to the vehicle design he had always wanted to do, but were never incorporated into its final design. Once complete, the "Eldorod" will have a new interior, new front and rear bumpers and new roof."

Sorry Casey. Cadillac never offered an Eldorado before 1953. The car would be based on a Cadillac Series 62 convertible.

[W-409]

I really don't like those Foose's "creations" either, way too modern for me. That Cadillac might be worth buying though, but looks like at least those horrible wheels and tires will need to be changed and something has to be done to the tail fins too. But overall the bodylines look decent on that thing. Well we'll see once the kit is out.

[Mike999]

You want a stock 48 Cadillac?  Here you go!  And it's a 4-door too!

Features:

--Rare "taller driver with hat on" custom roof panel. (Note difference in the 2 roof sides.) Possibly suggested by K.T. Keller of Chrysler.

--Celebrity body mastering by Stevie Wonder

--Custom two-toning guide molded into resin (passenger side only).

--Blank metal chassis plate awaits your super-detailing efforts.  Bonus: exciting "blood poisoning" option!

Yes, this is from TKM, a company discussed on these boards many times.  If you see one of these on eBay etc., possibly with a nice, flattering photo...well, this is what you'll REALLY get:

Edited April 3, 2016 by Mike999
Error

[High octane]

I believe that Revell will have a manufacturer's display table at the Milwaukee NNL with a few of their "test shots." They've been doing this for a few years now, and it has always been a welcome addition to this event.

[blubaja]

 

Some of Ed Roth's and Tom Daniel's kits are always in the current Revell catalog, which would seem to indicate Revell doesn't reissue them with the intent of losing money, then wholesaling them to Ollie's. You better believe Revell would LOVE to find the next Ed Roth, George Barris, Tom Daniel, Daryl Starbird, etc. Is Chip Foose that person? Beats me, but he probably has the best chance at being that person in this day and age.

I hope they sell. I hope they're not more trouble than they are worth for Revell. And, hopefully, Chip Foose does have a fair stake, also invested in these. 

Thanks for the info on the Caddy's previous origins. Maybe I'll try and make the Boyd's version from this. 

[Rob Hall]

The Franklin Mint did a 1/24th model of the Boyd's maroon version...looked better than Foose's revisions, IMO, esp. the roof shape, which has a weird 53/54 Chevy vibe to the front edge of the C-pillar on the Foosed version..

Edited April 4, 2016 by Rob Hall

[MrBuick]

I'm not a huge fan of many of Foose's builds. I don't care that he modifies (or "ruins" as some of you put it) certain cars, but most of his modifications simply aren't in my taste. I sometimes like bigger wheels on muscle cars, but I kind of draw the line at 18"...any bigger and I think they look ridiculous. I can appreciate a two-tone paint job, but I'm not usually big on it on cars that were never two-tone from the factory, and I'm not really into the really deep gloss paint. That being said, the work he does is absolutely amazing...simply the fact that he was able to design it and make it work. As far as the Revell-Foose cars, most of them are able to be built stock, if I'm not mistaken...the Coronet, the Charger, the Firebird and the Impala's can all be built stock if desired, no? I don't see the partnership making/losing a significant amount of money for Revell either way, but I'm sure fans of his builds are fairly likely to buy two of some of the kits to build one stock and one "Foose'd."

[Richard Bartrop]

And let's not forget that that Barris wasn't above doing a few tweaks of somebody else's work.

[Ace-Garageguy]

And let's not forget that that Barris wasn't above doing a few tweaks of somebody else's work.

Doesn't anybody ever bother to actually look at the truth of stuff?

Foose DESIGNED THIS CAR FOR BOYD when Foose was chief designer there. Changes were made to Foose's design when the car was built...who knows why. Most of Foose's work here has been to rebuild the car the way HE originally envisioned it.

Barris got much of the credit for several designs he didn't actually do, as did Boyd. Barris even went farther and claimed involvement with projects he never touched, BUT THIS CAR IS A FOOSE DESIGN. 

It's the DESIGNER who should be credited prominently with any custom car build, along WITH the shop that constructs it.

Jose's Nail Pounders, Inc. doesn't deserve full credit for the work done by an architect, and it's the same concept here.

Some of you all may not care for Foose's designs, but the man is HIGHLY gifted and SKILLED, and can get in the shop and straighten things out with his own hands when his people are in over their heads.

He is the real deal...and no, we're not friends. I've never even met the man. But saying he's taken credit for other peoples' designs is just bull and it really chaps me to hear it repeated.

 

Edited April 4, 2016 by Ace-Garageguy