Round2 1976 Dodge Dart Sport

[stavanzer]

I've seen a mail-order website showing a 1976 Dodge Dart Sport, for Pre-Order.

Is this kit in any way different from the 1975 Rebel Rouser Dodge Dart from about 5 years ago? It appears from the box art photo shown to have exactly the same optional wheels, and even lists the Cheater Slicks, that where in the last kit. So, just new decals, then?

[Rob Hall]

Different box art and decals.  Same kit otherwise.

Edited February 3, 2020 by Rob Hall

[Plowboy]

Agree with Rob. I was told the only difference in the full scale versions were the color of the front turn signals. I did a little research and that was the only difference I could spot.

[Mark]

I had both annual kits back in the day; they were the same.  The reissues no longer have the year engraved on the license plate area of the bumpers, and the Round 2 versions include parts for two entire figures (one driving/one standing) rather than one that could be assembled either way.

[stavanzer]

Thanks, Guys! Good to know. I passed on the '75. I regret not getting one then, so this kit will do as well.

I wonder if the Hi-rise Hood Scoop will be back in the kit. The '75 had the older two-piece style scoop. I am guessing that it will not.  It would be nice really nice to see the "Smokey, Convoy Chaser" version back. Maybe in 2-3 more years........

[1972coronet]

2 hours ago, alexis said:

I wonder if the Hi-rise Hood Scoop will be back in the kit. The '75 had the older two-piece style scoop. I am guessing that it will not.  It would be nice really nice to see the "Smokey, Convoy Chaser" version back. Maybe in 2-3 more years...

That giant Pro Stock-type scoop was only in the 80's issue and the recent Racing Chumps version of c.2004 . 

I really , really wish that Round2 would include the wheels from the Smokey Convoy issue ---- anything but those stupid "dartboard" wheels ( yUcK ! ) 

[stavanzer]

I have bought two of these in the past, just to get that giant Pro Stock scoop.

Nobody casts that exact scoop.

I'll wait to see the kit reviews before I buy one, now. You are correct about the wheels. MPC made some poor wheel choices that have not held up well over the years. Ah Well, maybe the decals will be decent.

[Mr mopar]

This latest one comes with hang 10 Dart Decals witch is pretty  good ?

Edited February 5, 2020 by Mr mopar

[Bucky]

2 hours ago, Mr mopar said:

This latest one comes with hang 10 Dart Decals witch is pretty  good ?

Cool! I almost bought a hang ten Dart back in the day. I have a set of Keith Mark's hang ten decals. I might grab a new kit to see how they compare.

[Jim B]

I'm tempted to pick up this kit just for the figure.

[CapSat 6]

23 minutes ago, Jim B said:

I'm tempted to pick up this kit just for the figure.

2 Figures. Like mentioned above, the original annuals had a single upper figure, with optional legs to make it either a driver or standing. For the latest release, Round 2 tooled up another upper, so you get both a driver and a standing figure. Also a little trophy for the standing guy to hold. He looks a lot like Eric from "That '70's Show".

Pad printed tires, and a decent-for-the-time (although not modern) chassis make this a pretty good buy. With some cutting, I have stuffed that chassis into an earlier MPC '69 Barracuda, and it's a decent improvement over the chassis in the '69 Cuda kit.      

The engines are kind of weak. The 340/360 is shrimpy, and the Hemi is very generic (although it comes with a nice custom oil pan).  

It has later-style stock Rallye wheels, nice Holley slicks, and a stock standard steering wheel. Swap steering wheels with the Monaco Cop car, and you get a correct "Tuff" wheel for the Dart and a correct standard wheel for the Cop car (or any other mid-70's Mopar you might be building).

Also as mentioned above, the custom wheels are kind of weird. I think they're stock Pontiac honeycomb wheels, but I have no idea how accurate they might be. If they are accurate (Pontiac guys, chime in here please!), they could always find a home on a GTO or Firebird. I'm gonna try them out on a '72 GTO I'm noodling with.   

[Rob Hall]

I don’t really need another one of these, have several of the various ‘75-76 kits.  But just had a thought—using a spare Revell ‘68-69 Dart body along w the ‘75-76 front clip—-I’d have the start of a ‘75-76 Dart Swinger.  Would need to scratchbuild the rear end though...

[hpiguy]

I love those Dart Board decals, can't wait to make it with those.

[1972coronet]

2 hours ago, hpiguy said:

I love those Dart Board decals, can't wait to make it with those.

I bought an original example of the MPC 1976 Dart Sport annual back in 1989 at a hobby show . I was planning on using the Dart Board decals ; however , MPC's decals' quality was horrible (to put it nicely) , so those 13 year old decals disintegrated soon as they got wet . At least this time around , the decals are 1,000 times better !

[ By the way , Chris , I enjoyed watching your build of the MPC 1969 Camaro 'Yenko' . You truly made a silk purse out of that "thing" ! Kudos to you , sir ! ] 

[hpiguy]

14 minutes ago, 1972coronet said:

I bought an original example of the MPC 1976 Dart Sport annual back in 1989 at a hobby show . I was planning on using the Dart Board decals ; however , MPC's decals' quality was horrible (to put it nicely) , so those 13 year old decals disintegrated soon as they got wet . At least this time around , the decals are 1,000 times better !

[ By the way , Chris , I enjoyed watching your build of the MPC 1969 Camaro 'Yenko' . You truly made a silk purse out of that "thing" ! Kudos to you , sir ! ] 

Old decals scare me. Rarely use them,

I've noticed some recent decals from some kits will crack as well, not dissolve, but crack, for no apparent reason. I've mentioned it and also mentioned it to them as well, and sent pics of it. I'm wondering if it's the high tropical humidity in the countries they are being made in slightly activating them before they are packed into the plastic wrap?

The ones from places like Italy or Russia that don't have that oppressive humidity don't seem to have the issue like Asian printed kits do.  But just a spit ball in the wind.

Thanks for the nice comment about the 69! 

Edited February 9, 2020 by hpiguy

[keyser]

1 hour ago, hpiguy said:

 But just a spit ball in the wind. 

That WILL spread viruses BTW. Bwahahahahaha. 

[drodg]

Keith Marks has some great Hang Ten Decals if you build it as a 1975.