Jeepster Kits -- Is This All Of Them?

[Tom Geiger]

First release in 1968 (2068-200) Someone told me the long roof hardtop was in  this kit. Can anyone confirm / deny?

This  release with the long door panels.  

Second Year Release 1969 (2069-200)  This release has long door panels, last version with them.

Midyear 1969??   (401-200) Debut of pickup roof, rear cab panel and short door panels. Only release with the plow.

Third Year Release1970 (2070-200) - Only release with Safari gear.  Has some nice rifles.

Fourth Year Release 1971 (1-7120)  -- Last year of classic Jeep nose - Only year with goofy "Mild or Wild" parts.

1972 (1-7220-225) First year of new Commando nose.  I believe this is the debut of the long roof. Was this the last annual?

New Information: 1977

New Information- Kit 1-0872  from 1983

New Info-  Kit 1-0751  from 1980 

Autoscape with display base (L0912)  1984 or 1985

Stevens Release (38555) 2006

2018 "Retro Deluxe" release by Round 2  (887)

Edited December 21, 2020 by Tom Geiger
Updated info from input

[NOBLNG]

I’m guessing the Mud Slinger would be 1984 (at least the packaging), since it advertises a chance to win an ‘84 Corvette? The only one I have ever come across unfortunately is the Mountain Goat.

Edited December 20, 2020 by NOBLNG

[Mark]

I think that's all of them.  '72 was the last annual, MPC could have done a '73 (final year for the 1:1) but maybe the sales were falling off so they chose not to.

The V6 engine is incorrect for the '72.  The front clip (and wheelbase) should be 3" or so longer than it is in the kit.  AMC did the restyle so they could fit their own straight six engine in place of the ex (and future) Buick V6.  A compromise correction for the kit would be to leave the wheelbase alone and fit an AMC V8 from a Gremlin or Matador kit.

[Oldcarfan27]

Too bad they didn't stop the annuals at 71, then we would've still had the classic Jeep nose to this day.

It's no wonder sales fell off for the '72, whatta beak that bird has!

Edited December 20, 2020 by Oldcarfan27

[DrKerry]

I’ve got the Mountain Goat and Hombre versions! Nice Kit!!

[cobraman]

I never knew there were that many.

[BlackSheep214]

I did the Hombre and Mountain Goat kits in my teen years

[BlackSheep214]

That Safari Jeepster kit is cool. Never knew they had that one growing up during the 70s and 80s. The 72 police jeepster is cool too.

[Can-Con]

I got this builtup years ago in a box of other built kits. The lot also came with a bunch of instruction sheets. The only Jeepster sheet in the lot was the one for the Safari version  so I'd assume that came in it. 

I haven't looked at the sheet in years but I'm pretty sure it shows the long roof assembly.

[Tom Geiger]

Wow Steve!  That's the long roof I've been looking for!

The picture must be the first release from 1968.  Safari version didn't come with long roof, and was in yellow plastic.

[Ironman63]

32 minutes ago, Can-Con said:

 

Maybe I'm wrong, but it looks like a '72 roof was kitbashed on an earlier version.  The '68 & '69 have a small step behind the back of the roof that this one doesn't have.

[Can-Con]

1 hour ago, Tom Geiger said:

Wow Steve!  That's the long roof I've been looking for!

The picture must be the first release from 1968.  Safari version didn't come with long roof, and was in yellow plastic.

I have all the safari parts and plow parts in white plastic Tom

Also, the "Commando" pickup version with the plow does have the long hardtop and full door panels according to the instruction sheet.

https://public.fotki.com/drasticplasticsmcc/mkiba-build-under-c/mpc-instructions/automotive-cars--pi/jeep/mpc-commando-jeep-w/#media

35 minutes ago, Ironman63 said:

Maybe I'm wrong, but it looks like a '72 roof was kitbashed on an earlier version.  The '68 & '69 have a small step behind the back of the roof that this one doesn't have.

Like I said, I haven't looked at the instructions in years so it may be. 

Anyway, here's a shot I took for some reason of the sheet I have. Shows both the safari and spoof parts so they were both in the same kit at one point.

I might take a look for that sheet sometime next week. 

Looks like al those extra parts were running changes and not unique to each year.

 

[Mark]

The '70 annual had the safari version and was molded in white.  The '71 annual still had a safari version, I'm not positive but I believe some of the extras for that version were deleted to make way for those hated spoof parts.  I'm pretty certain the '71 had only the short pickup roof.  My '71 is molded in orange.

I do have all of the kits through '72, will check tomorrow and see which ones have which tops.  There was a short pickup roof, the longer "wagon" roof, and a raised convertible top that was in a couple of early kits.

Edited December 21, 2020 by Mark
Info added

[Tom Geiger]

Interesting Steve! I wasn’t aware that both sets of door panels came in that release. And interesting that they eventually pulled out the longer ones. They are tough to find. I have one set that I’m using on a build and one stray. 

I have a total of three kits, the 1968 box, the Safari and Wild one. I bought them used at shows so they may have mix or match parts. I’ve never had a long hardtop. 

[Fabrux]

Olson Brothers offers a reproduction wagon roof. Appears to be out of stock at the moment, however.

[Plowboy]

The first issue is actually a '67. No long roof. Convertible roof only. The "69" looks to be a '67 also.

The Safari version has no roof at all. Mine is molded in white plastic. It does have the side markers lights on the rear quarters and the reflectors added above the tail lights. But, no markers on the hood.

As far as I know, the plow kit and the '72 were the only kits with the long roof.

One thing that's wrong on these kits is the tail lights. The backup lights should be on top. Not the bottom. The Safari box art has them depicted correctly.

Edited December 21, 2020 by Plowboy

[Daddyfink]

 

[Plowboy]

2 hours ago, Ironman63 said:

Maybe I'm wrong, but it looks like a '72 roof was kitbashed on an earlier version.  The '68 & '69 have a small step behind the back of the roof that this one doesn't have.

Can you post a photo of an example? I've never seen a full top with a step in the roof.

[Ironman63]

32 minutes ago, Plowboy said:

Can you post a photo of an example? I've never seen a full top with a step in the roof.

I was referencing the 1968 &  1969 pictures used by the OP.  The second year model is the best view to show that the roof ends at an angle and has a small flat area before the backend of the car.

[NOBLNG]

40 minutes ago, Plowboy said:

Can you post a photo of an example? I've never seen a full top with a step in the roof.

I was wondering about that too.

3 minutes ago, Ironman63 said:

I was referencing the 1968 &  1969 pictures used by the OP.  The second year model is the best view to show that the roof ends at an angle and has a small flat area before the backend of the car.

Those first two pictures are convertible soft tops, not hard tops. Here is a pic of my ‘71 that shows the drip rails and hatch well.

 

[Ironman63]

Didn't mean to confuse everyone.  Guess I should have stayed out of it.  I'm not as knowledgeable as the rest of you.

[1930fordpickup]

There is an instruction sheet for sale with the Hombre Jeepster. It says 1977, I had to zoom it in. Grainy pic, after the date I think it says fun dimensions. 

[Tom Geiger]

1 hour ago, 1930fordpickup said:

There is an instruction sheet for sale with the Hombre Jeepster. It says 1977, I had to zoom it in. Grainy pic, after the date I think it says fun dimensions. 

Thanks!  I just updated the post up top!  

[1930fordpickup]

3 minutes ago, Tom Geiger said:

 

There is also a copy of that release on ebay now. 55bucks, but there is no long roof.  

[Plowboy]

2 hours ago, 1930fordpickup said:

There is an instruction sheet for sale with the Hombre Jeepster. It says 1977, I had to zoom it in. Grainy pic, after the date I think it says fun dimensions. 

I built that kit when I was a kid. I painted it red with a brush! Several years ago, I bought and built the Stevens International issue in the same color scheme.