1/25 MPC 890 - Joker Getaway Car

[Casey]

Pretty much the same kit as the Sheriff Roscoe's Police Car (MPC 707) reissued a few year ago, this time with new box art and a resin Joker figure. "Stock Dodge Monaco" might be a bit of a stretch with the super-deep steel wheels and matching tires, though...

Edited July 17, 2018 by Casey

[Snake45]

I built one of these first go-around as an unmarked police cruiser. Burgundy with tan interior, IIRC. I remember it as a fun a relatively painfree build. 

[Casey]

Here's a look inside the T.J. Hooker version of this same kit, from 1982: http://modelkitreviews.proboards.com/thread/906/mpc-dodge-monaco-police-car

 

 

Edited September 20, 2018 by Casey

[Dave Van]

What's a 'resin Joke figure'??? 

I like the kit....built a few. 

[Sledsel]

one of those old school kits I like. I am sure I will add another or three

 

[stavanzer]

Well, our own Chris Phillips has done a Build Review of this kit. It looks like it is still the same kit we know and love.

 

[Luc Janssens]

10 hours ago, alexis said:

Well, our own Chris Phillips has done a Build Review of this kit. It looks like it is still the same kit we know and love.

 

Works for me!

[Jon Cole]

Great video review! Usually I avoid these, but I am glad I watched this. Lost my previous version, so I am looking forward to this one.

[stavanzer]

Chris's Video Reviews are Top Notch! It has gotten to the point, that his are the only ones I will view. They are that good, IMHO.

[dustym]

I have watched quite a few of his you tubes and I do like them. Ill have to check this one out.

Chris if you are out there, quit using the word delicious when describing parts. LOL  I know, there is only so many words that you can use.

[stavanzer]

A link for those of you who want to do a little converting on your Monaco.

http://magister-plasticum.com/

Down on the bottom of the page. Grills and headlights.

[Casey]

Today I loosely assembled the front subframe and unibody floorpan pieces from an AMT '71 Dodge Charger R/T kit, then placed both inside the MPC '77 Dodge Monaco body shell (with the Monaco's interior tub in place, too) like so:

 

Looks like a great fit, eh? Well, it is. A very, very good fit, in fact, and that's the problem. Not sure why I never realized this previously, but the wheelbase on the MPC '77 Monaco Sedan is incorrect, probably because this kit was derived directly from the annual Dodge late B-body kits/promos, which were all coupes, not sedans. You see where this is going, right? The '77 Dodge Monaco sedan's wheelbase measures 117.4", while for a '77 Monaco coupe it measures 114.9", for a difference of 2.5" between the two. Now, admittedly, that equates to only .100" on a 1/25 scale model, but, to some, that matters. The '71 Dodge Charger's wheelbase measures 115", so it's no surprise the Charger kit's 'chassis' wheelbase lines up nearly perfectly with the (incorrect) MPC '77 Monaco sedan's wheel openings.

I'm sure this minor wheelbase discrepancy has been mentioned previously, and probably well known among fans or this particular kit, but did nobody care? Or is it a case of things being fudged here and there to make it all look close enough to fool the average Joe? Maybe that .100" is below the threshold for noticing?

TL;DR: The AMT '71 Charger R/T's 'chassis' is a near perfect fit under the '77 Monaco sedan's body.

[Rob Hall]

Good to hear the Charger chassis fits so well.  I want to kitbash a '71 Charger w/ the Monaco to do a phantom 4dr Charger R/T...I figure why not, since modern Chargers are 4drs.  

[1972coronet]

Don't forget : 1975-1978 B-bodies also had engine bays that were redesigned ---- don't use the Charger's 'bay , as it'll be incorrect .   Also , 1974 was the last year for the 8 ³/₄ differential ; a Dana 44 would "look" like a Chrysler 9 ¹/₄ , which was the former's replacement when the 360 four barrel , 400 four barrel , and 440 were the engine .

[1972coronet]

1974 Charger vs. 1975 Monaco , both are B-bodies :

[Junkman]

Is that roofline correct?

[Rob Hall]

On 9/26/2018 at 9:51 PM, 1972coronet said:

1974 Charger vs. 1975 Monaco , both are B-bodies :

75 B-body was the Coronet.  They didn’t switch to the Monaco name until 77. 

[1972coronet]

1 hour ago, Rob Hall said:

75 B-body was the Coronet.  They didn’t switch to the Monaco name until 77. 

Correct amundo . The  Coronet name stuck around through 1976 ( Plymouth's Satellite name changed to Gran Fury for 1975 ) ; however , I maintain that the B-bodies' engine compartments did change for 1975 .

[Casey]

17 hours ago, Junkman said:

Is that roofline correct?

[Casey]

?

[stavanzer]

So? Did the SixPac Carbs make it into the kit?

[Casey]

No, it's just an error on the box. What the picture shows is what's included.

[stavanzer]

Thanks! I thought so.......

[iamsuperdan]

I have two of the DOH cars, and a Yodel Monaco. Plus a couple of resin Plymouth conversion bits from some Shapeways vendors. I love these old boats!

Anyone do a resin kit of a Dodge or Plymouth Fury wagon of this era? That would be awesome.

[Atmobil]

On 8.9.2018 at 3:11 AM, Casey said:

Here's a look inside the T.J. Hooker version of this same kit, from 1982: http://modelkitreviews.proboards.com/thread/906/mpc-dodge-monaco-police-car

 

 

They should reisue this one with a William Shatner figure (or maybe a Heather Locklear figure would give more sales? )
I used to watch this show when I was a kid, always a car chase that ended in crash in some stack of carboard boxes in a alleyway and the badguys running away with Shatner just behind them.