MPC '74 Charger--Take Me to School PICS ADDED 3/14

[Snake45]

While looking for something else in the Snakepit the other day, I ran across a fairly cleanly built MPC ’74 Charger (almost certainly an ‘80s reissue) I bought from an estate about 25 years ago. It has a fairly nice light metallic green paint job and I’m thinking it might be a good “survivor resto” quick & easy (therefore, fun!) slump-buster project. I can’t find hardly anything about this kit. Is considered in any way desirable by today’s standards? Any major flaws I should look at fixing (as long as I can do so without disturbing the paint that’s on it)?

It’s got some kind of trick ‘80s aftermarket wheels on it. I think I have a spare set of Magnum 500s around. Would they be appropriate for a ’74 Charger?

(And no, I’m not especially interested in trading or selling it.)

Edited March 14, 2017 by Snake45

[Mark]

If it's the one molded in dark red, it's the most recent issue.  RC2 announced a reissue not long before they folded their tent, but it never appeared.  The body was used in a couple of NASCAR kits (with that generic chassis) and some restoration was done to get it back to stock.  A couple of areas aren't as crisp as in the annuals, but it's a serviceable kit.  The reissue didn't have the station wagon conversion parts included, and it didn't have any stock wheels, but other than that it was pretty close to the '74 annual.

Just the other day, I was looking at a built '73 annual that I've had for a while.  When I got it, it had been converted to the wagon but the wagon roof and glass weren't part of the deal, and the hood was missing.  I've since found a couple of hoods as well as the (used) wagon pieces.  It's assembled fairly cleanly, should rebuild easily.  I should get on that one.  

[426-Hemi]

-I myself would simply like to SEE it. whats that model look like?

[larman]

I had a real '74 Charger and it came from the factory with the "road wheels" (magnum 500 style wheel). So those would be fine. You could also get Rally wheels and there was a wire wheel type hub cap. Of course, any type of mag wheel could work too, just depends on the look or era you are shooting for. I think the issue  you have had Cragar SST style wheels on it. Motors would be 318, 360, 400 or 440. The kit motor is supposed to be the 440, but it has earlier style exhaust and air cleaner (stock parts). It is a nice kit, typical of the era. With a little research and parts scrounging, it can be built nicely. -Larry

[disabled modeler]

Man do I remember building those as a kid..loved them too...mine showed the woodgrain sided wagon on the box.  Now those are some memories...great days of MPC kits.

[426-Hemi]

-My Dad had a '76 Charger SE, and the '74 is the closest one I've heard of in model form. so I'm looking to see how close Dad's '76 was to the model to see what it take to make the '74 a '76 if I should find one!

Edited February 10, 2017 by 426-Hemi
Can't Type!

[gtx6970]

-My Dad had a '76 Charger SE, and the '74 is the closest one I've heard of in model form. so I'm looking to see how close Dad's '76 was to the model to see what it take to make the '74 a '76 if I should find one!

74 and 76 Chargers share nothing.

 

the 76 is closer to / same as  a Cordoba than anything else

[larman]

The '76 was a different body style, shared components with the Chrysler Cordoba. The '74 was the last year of the previous style, which went from '71-74. Infact, if you wanted to really super detail the '74 MPC kit, an AMT '71 kit would be a great donor. 

[gtx6970]

While looking for something else in the Snakepit the other day, I ran across a fairly cleanly built MPC ’74 Charger (almost certainly an ‘80s reissue) I bought from an estate about 25 years ago. It has a fairly nice light metallic green paint job and I’m thinking it might be a good “survivor resto” quick & easy (therefore, fun!) slump-buster project. I can’t find hardly anything about this kit. Is considered in any way desirable by today’s standards? Any major flaws I should look at fixing (as long as I can do so without disturbing the paint that’s on it)?

It’s got some kind of trick ‘80s aftermarket wheels on it. I think I have a spare set of Magnum 500s around. Would they be appropriate for a ’74 Charger?

(And no, I’m not especially interested in trading or selling it.)

sounds like you have this one

[Snake45]

sounds like you have this one

Yes, I'm pretty sure that's what it is, judging from the vintage of the other models I bought out of that collection--nearly all seemed to be mid/late '80 MPC and JoHan reissues, very common at that time, now many of them are desirable collector items.

Thanks to all for the comments and kit information. Much appreciated!

[Dodge Driver]

I'd

While looking for something else in the Snakepit the other day, I ran across a fairly cleanly built MPC ’74 Charger (almost certainly an ‘80s reissue) I bought from an estate about 25 years ago. It has a fairly nice light metallic green paint job and I’m thinking it might be a good “survivor resto” quick & easy (therefore, fun!) slump-buster project. I can’t find hardly anything about this kit. Is considered in any way desirable by today’s standards? Any major flaws I should look at fixing (as long as I can do so without disturbing the paint that’s on it)?

It’s got some kind of trick ‘80s aftermarket wheels on it. I think I have a spare set of Magnum 500s around. Would they be appropriate for a ’74 Charger?

(And no, I’m not especially interested in trading or selling it.)

I'd say change the wheels, dark wash the grille and go for it.

The Super Charger kit came with dark tinted glass. If your Charger has clear glass, you probably have an earlier version.

[pack rat]

If you have an original annual, it will have a standard, flat hood and no fuel cap engraving on the LH quarter panel.

The Super Charger had a Rallye hood, and a fuel cap engraved on the quarter panel to cover the hole that was there on the Petty Nascar kit.  If you look closely at a SC you might see where the windshield hold-down clips were removed as well.  Some, but not all SC's had dark-tinted glass.

 It would be nice to see this kit reissued with some cleaned-up body engraving, stock wheels (from the Daisy Duke kit), pad-printed tires, retro box art and a full graphics package to duplicate the Rallye.....if they can find it.             

Edited February 11, 2017 by pack rat

[Can-Con]

When they put it back to stock, they forgot to redo the creases around the wheel openings. Easy enough to fix if you really wanted to though.

[Snake45]

I'd

I'd say change the wheels, dark wash the grille and go for it.

The Super Charger kit came with dark tinted glass. If your Charger has clear glass, you probably have an earlier version.

That's pretty much what I had in mind. Plus Silver-Sharpie the window framing, and perhaps a coat of hand-brushed Future to give it a little gloss. The paint seems smooth, even, and thin, but not particularly shiny.

I don't remember if it has dark tinted glass. I put it back in the large box it's been living in for a quarter-century (which it under four or five other boxes), but for some reason, ever since I put it back away, it's been on my mind. Maybe I'll dig it back out this weekend and take a closer look.

[Snake45]

When they put it back to stock, they forgot to redo the creases around the wheel openings. Easy enough to fix if you really wanted to though.

Good to know. I'll keep that in mind.

[Dodge Driver]

That's pretty much what I had in mind. Plus Silver-Sharpie the window framing, and perhaps a coat of hand-brushed Future to give it a little gloss. The paint seems smooth, even, and thin, but not particularly shiny.

I don't remember if it has dark tinted glass. I put it back in the large box it's been living in for a quarter-century (which it under four or five other boxes), but for some reason, ever since I put it back away, it's been on my mind. Maybe I'll dig it back out this weekend and take a closer look.

'71-'74 Chargers have a tendency to stay on your mind like that. I regret almost daily letting go of my full-scale '72s

Looking forward to some before/after photos. The MPC Charger is a pretty good representation of the real thing.

[Snake45]

'71-'74 Chargers have a tendency to stay on your mind like that.

Funny, I've never had any interest in Chargers past about 1969. I think I was just surprised to find this thing, and that it was in such good shape (compared to some of the others from that lot that I bought). I've really gotten into these "simple" fix-'em-up-a-little resto projects lately.

[426-Hemi]

The '76 was a different body style, shared components with the Chrysler Cordoba. The '74 was the last year of the previous style, which went from '71-74. Infact, if you wanted to really super detail the '74 MPC kit, an AMT '71 kit would be a great donor. 

Then maybe my Dads wasn't a '76. As it had a lot the same looking grille as the '74 pictured does!!!! HMMMM As the Charger my Dad had looked nothing like a Chrysler Cordoba!

[Edsel-Dan]

I built the 73 Annual back then

And Yes, As the Wagon!

The Stock rims in the kit were the Ralley's Not Mags

I believe Most MPC MoPar kits used the Ralley rim

I know both the 73 & 74 Road Runner did

and all  the Duster Annuals I had too

[Ron Hamilton]

I have always liked Dodge Chargers. I have an unbuilt '73, and I just acquired a builder '74 "Super Charger", as well as a '72 where someone had installed the '71 underhood area from the latest tool . I am on the hunt for the latest '71 Charger kits, as I have several projects that I can use its guts on. The '72 is going to be built as a Rallye, as is the '74 too. I have a set of Charger Rallye decals for it, as well as the proper Rallye Wheels for it.

[1972coronet]

I have always liked Dodge Chargers. I have an unbuilt '73, and I just acquired a builder '74 "Super Charger", as well as a '72 where someone had installed the '71 underhood area from the latest tool . I am on the hunt for the latest '71 Charger kits, as I have several projects that I can use its guts on. The '72 is going to be built as a Rallye, as is the '74 too. I have a set of Charger Rallye decals for it, as well as the proper Rallye Wheels for it.

I bought a 1972 Charger Rallye MPC Annual a few years ago for next to nothing . It's a rebuilder , with all of the 1972-specific parts intact . Been toying with the idea of grafting the 1972-only Rallye doorskins  onto the newer AMT 1971 Charger body , and installing the 1972-only interior into the AMT Charger's platform . I'm going to replicate my own version of the super rare 440 Six Pack .

Needless to say , it's going to be a while before I undertake a project of that 'scale' .

It's too bad that MPC ( et al. ) "modified" the tooling of the 1973-1974 Charger to the extent that they did . I would love to build one of them as a wagon !

Edited February 18, 2017 by 1972coronet

[Ron Hamilton]

I bought a 1972 Charger Rallye MPC Annual a few years ago for next to nothing . It's a rebuilder , with all of the 1972-specific parts intact . Been toying with the idea of grafting the 1972-only Rallye doorskins  onto the newer AMT 1971 Charger body , and installing the 1972-only interior into the AMT Charger's platform . I'm going to replicate my own version of the super rare 440 Six Pack .

Needless to say , it's going to be a while before I undertake a project of that 'scale' .

It's too bad that MPC ( et al. ) "modified" the tooling of the 1973-1974 Charger to the extent that they did . I would love to build one of them as a wagon !

If it were me, I would keep the '72 MPC body intact, and install the guts from the much better detailed AMT '71 Charger. I buy those kits every chance I get, as I have used them for several projects. I did a '73 Road Runner doing this, and I was very happy with the result.

[charger74]

Personnally i love those chargers. Magnum 500 wheels would look awesome on it. I have a 1974 charger SE in my garage, black with a white vinyl top and white interior, 440 engine in it.

I built that Red super charger kit last year, pretty cool kit !! Here is my take on it

Edited February 19, 2017 by charger74
BLAH_BLAH_BLAH_BLAH auto corrector !!!

[disabled modeler]

Personnelle i love those chargers. Magnum 500 wheels would look awesome on it. I have a 1974 charger SE in my garage, black with a white vinyl top and white interior, 440 engine in it.

I built that Red super charger kit last year, pretty cool kit !! Here is my take on it

Eric... That is NICE..!

[Snake45]

Personnelle i love those chargers. Magnum 500 wheels would look awesome on it. I have a 1974 charger SE in my garage, black with a white vinyl top and white interior, 440 engine in it.

I built that Red super charger kit last year, pretty cool kit !! Here is my take on it

Very nice! Mine won't look that good, as it's just going to be a restoration/freshening up of someone else's old build...assuming that the paint's really in as good shape as my quick look a couple weeks ago seemed to indicate....