Some box art - just for fun and memories!

[Faust]

As you guys likely know by now, I do love my MPC car kits. There’s something about grabbing onto an MPC, whether original or reissue, that just gets my engine turning. One thing that’s for sure, they really had distinctive box art. It was so much better, even at its blandest, than some of the Revell and Monogram stuff of the same era.

 

Just for something fun to do, I took a few more pics of some of my newer MPC kits and put the box art up on my website.  If you want a retro blast, check it out. Do you remember building any of these, back in the day?

https://adamrehorn.wordpress.com/model-kits/scores-and-collections/mpc-cars/

 

[stavanzer]

Neat!  More Sunday  Reading.

[MrObsessive]

I've got a few of those particularly the Fieros and the Supra. I'm surprised that the Fiero hasn't been seen for some time, especially the GT version. Yeah, their box art could leave much to be desired, but the kits weren't bad at all!

[1972coronet]

I want for the Supra to see the light of day again ! Talk about unique ----- who besides the Japanese companies were modelling Japanese subjects in the 80s? ?

[MrObsessive]

The 1:1 Supra is a car I wanted badly when they were brand new in '82. IIRC, the car was something like $14,000 out the door. For someone like me making "only" $5.00 an hour (not too bad a salary then), the car was way outta reach and I never gave it another thought. 

I still like those after all these years, and I still have the kit I've had since that car was new. Guess I should try to build it sometime. They came in a pretty copper color (not sure what Toyota called it) and with that roof mounted spoiler and flip up headlights, I liked those actually better than the all new Camaro.

Unfortunately, as what happened to a lot of '80's Japanese cars here in the northeast, the dreaded tinworm claimed a lot of them, and I can't remember the last time I've seen one on the road.

 

[Faust]

I hear what you're saying about the Supra, John. I was shocked when I found it in a shop in Toronto. It was expensive, and it was resealed, so I didn't know if there would be tire melt, but I took the chance on it anyway. It's a great kit,a n d I got away pretty clean on the windows! I like it a lot more than a Tamiya kit; the detail is far, far superior to anything the Japanese made or make for normal civilian car kits. As to your question, I don't think ANYBODY was making Japanese subjects back then, although the Brat and LUV got a bit of kitting from Monogam and AMT, and their Japanese at their roots. Does that count? (P.S. I need to get those LUV and  Brat kits. Soooo cool!)

Bill: That Fiero GT has been on my "Grail" list for a while. The '88s GTs are my favourites; like little mini Trans Ams. So great an evolution from the dorky '84s. 

[Faust]

Those Supras are really pretty, Bill. My grandmother's neighbour had one for a short time in the 80's. I think it was a midlife crisis kinda thing. They really are the Japanese take on, and answer to, the F-bodies. 

I live in southwestern Ontario, right in the Rust Belt, and it's called that for a reason. Heavy road salting and bad winters combined to make sure those early Japanese cars have all but disappeared here, too. There's a black one of those around town, though. It's a slightly later one, but it's in good shape.

Still an amazing looking car, even now!  I like them more than today's Camaro, that's for sure!

[Nova-ss]

Great return to 12 an 13 years old.I felt tge samething,but it was more then mpc..but all kits.the excitement, smell and imagination ran wild in me...still does.

I fell in love with modeling at four in kindergarten when my friend David brought a AMT model kit..love at first sight..more to that story.but a different time.

I love old style box art...it just got your brain juices going.built and still have many mpc kit.a few on Adam's site I built and still have,fiero kits,vans,and the camero z kits...some many others not meantioned....love'em.....Chris

[espo]

Thank you for the pictures of the box art. MPC really liked bold multi colored stripping on the box cover. I don't remember the Supra kit, but would be interested in building one. The Supra  was a very fast well handling car for it's time. I was in the car business for many years and happened to work in a couple of different Toyota dealerships when these were new. The GT version with the 5 speed was the way to go.  I had a burnt red one for a demo for a time. They also had a Celica GTS model that was available in either a lift back or a coupe. It was a Celica GT with the Supra independent rear suspension and larger brakes, they were a much lower price option than a Supra and had the fuel economy of their 4 cylinder engine.  

[Daddyfink]

Dang! I had that Supra kit! Should have kept it. 

[MrObsessive]

The Supra  was a very fast well handling car for it's time. I was in the car business for many years and happened to work in a couple of different Toyota dealerships when these were new. The GT version with the 5 speed was the way to go.  I had a burnt red one for a demo for a time. They also had a Celica GTS model that was available in either a lift back or a coupe. It was a Celica GT with the Supra independent rear suspension and larger brakes, they were a much lower price option than a Supra and had the fuel economy of their 4 cylinder engine.  

Ahhh! The Celica GTS! I can remember the salesman tried to sell me one of those, but I had my heart set on that Supra! I was spoiled by its straight six-------it sounded soooooo good! It was mighty quick through the gears, and handled extremely well for a car of its time. That $14,000 price tag though................

Dang! I had that Supra kit! Should have kept it. 

I see them on the 'Bay at times for less than $20. The one I have has that yucky dark glass though including the running lamps. I'd never use those as that just looks terrible to me. VERY nice detailed straight six and independent rear. I'd have to say for its time, it was one of the better engineered kits out there. MPC got the body lines exact on that one, and of those I've seen built, I don't remember anyone having anything bad to say about 'em.

[ChrisBcritter]

Good stuff! Funny thing is the Vette Van box art looks a lot like some of the Monogram art from that period: built kit on a stark white background.

[Faust]

Yeah, I'm not that big a fan of the Vette Van's box art. Especially when you consider how wild it is, it's a pretty sad box. At least the Pacer and Pony Express are a bit more interesting. , even though they are in fact, just a car on a white background. Heck, Bear Bait works, but then again that's because IT'S INSANE!

[louie]

Faust, I've always been a fan of your reviews and I really like this too. Great stuff my friend and please keep it coming as I as well absolutely love anything MPC.  Thanks.    Jeff 

[gtx6970]

I've always been a fan of the box art.

And in my hunt for old annuals I've managed to collect quite a few of the vintage boxes

[tim boyd]

 

http://public.fotki.com/funman171OK 2/from-the-pages-of-y/from-the-pages-of-s/from-the-pages-of-s-1/

OK all you Supra fans....any of you remember this?  

Yep, that MPC Supra kit was really, really good.  All it needed was some minor body rework to cleanup the over-busy Japanese design cues of the era, and the result was a really sharp car for the era.   

17 pix including detailed engine and suspension shots and kit commentary, all at the link above..,thanks for looking.....TIM

 

 

 

 

 

[Rob Hall]

Sweet Supra...haven't seen one of those kits built up in..forever.  

[Faust]

That looks amazing. I'm blinded by the shine, Tim! Fantastic work on a great car!

Jeff: I'm an MPC addict too. I see an MPC and I'm immediately enthralled by its potential, like a Matchbox kit!  I have nicer, newer kits, but sometimes I ask myself why. MPCs are THE BOMB when it comes to cars. Of course, that won't stop me from collecting or building others... that would be wrong...