Yellow Fever Competition Coupe, Keeler's Kustoms

[Reegs]

Thanks for noticing that. I'll need to search for it. 

[Mark]

I got one of these today, a few observations...

-The dragster front tires are included.  

-Body and related parts, and the two engine trees, are molded in gray that is pretty close to the lighter of the two grays Revell molded the parts pack body in.  The double kit made up of parts packs had the body molded in white.  It would be easier to paint the body yellow over white plastic as opposed to the gray.

-No plated parts at all.  I'd like to see the suspension parts tree plated in one of the upcoming kits...

-Instructions show one version, with the choice between the two engines.  Using the Ford engine with the blower will necessitate enlarging the hole in the body.  The built version shown on the box has the hole enlarged but doesn't show the bugcatcher.

-Ford engine version with the blower has the magneto (incorrectly) at the rear.  The AMT Silhouette kit has a front cover with provisions for a front drive distributor or magneto.

-Instructions don't show other possibilities for the use of the other parts in the kit, specifically the suspension parts and other wheels.

-Instructions show only the nose piece with the grille detail.  The smooth one is in the kit, mine was a very slight short shot.  That's no big thing, the tiny gap (at one corner) would get filled anyway when the nose is molded to the body. 

-The hinge for the right side door isn't mentioned in the instructions.   Mine was broken, not that it would work too well anyway.  The right side door line needs a bit of cleanup at the lower edge regardless.

[stavanzer]

Thanks, for sharing your thoughts, Mark.

They are well regarded.

[Mark]

The instructions don't show a lot of things, like the inner rear fenders that come with the body or the floorboard that comes with the frame.  

Those parts won't necessarily fit without alterations though, and the kit overall is probably more of a do-it-yourself project than the average kit.  But those who like the subject matter will likely know all of that and will buy more than one copy anyway.

[Luc Janssens]

16 hours ago, Mark said:

The instructions don't show a lot of things, like the inner rear fenders that come with the body or the floorboard that comes with the frame.  

Those parts won't necessarily fit without alterations though, and the kit overall is probably more of a do-it-yourself project than the average kit.  But those who like the subject matter will likely know all of that and will buy more than one copy anyway.

A big parts pack then?

Kinda wonder what Jim will come up with when dealing with the ex-Revell Mopar annuals.

[Mark]

Essentially, yes, a big box of parts packs.  Some of the assembly isn't explained well (like how the lower body pan fits the chassis) and some hand work, pre-fitting, and alterations will be necessary during assembly.  Don't take any of this as complaining...I knew precisely what I was getting, as will most of the other people who buy one.  But this is not one of those "shake the box and it all falls together" kits.

[rrb124@sbcglobal.net]

Appreciating your reports on this. A friend just received his and we are all looking forward to pouring over it at our next model club meeting in a couple of weeks.

Thinking that there is a lot of room for creative paint and equipment options.

[Classicgas]

Any chance of photos?

[Mark]

I'll see what I can do regarding photos...I've already taken a number of parts off of the trees!  But I thought some of the trees have already been seen here.  The Ford and Cadillac engine packs, for example.  The suspension parts, wheels, and slicks are included in the Mooneyes dragster, and the chassis pack in that kit (included for only one part) is somewhat like the one in the Fiat coupe kit.

I also got another kit yesterday (new tool Porsche Carrera) and was thinking about a few pictures of that one also.  That one might just be the highest quality "regular kit price" car kit I have ever seen...just my opinion, but it's 90% or more of a Fujimi Enthusiast Series kit at a fraction of the price, and with what looks like easier assembly...

[tim boyd]

I have been planning to do a "what's in the box" on this kit, but the relocation of my office from a second floor bedroom to my lowest level rec room has ended up being far more time consuming and complicated than I would have expected, and that means I am not able to download and post photos .  Possibly next weekend, if no one is able to get it done before that?   

TB 

[rrb124@sbcglobal.net]

Will enjoy seeing what's in the box if you can.

Thanks!

[rrb124@sbcglobal.net]

I heard that the kit includes engine wiring. Can't recall but I don't think that a kit in this scale and price range has ever included that feature.

[Phirewriter]

Monogram's High Performance Series kits from the late 80's had wiring and other details added to a number of kits. 

[rrb124@sbcglobal.net]

Didn't know. Nice!

[stavanzer]

The Pics that Daddyfink posted showed the wire bundle. Sadly, those pics are now gone, the links are dead. But they did show a small bundle of yellow wire.

I cannot wait for the first kit review. There are a few of these "in the wild" now, so pics should be showing up any day now.

I look forward to Tim Boyd's review, knowing how thorough it will be.

This kit just looks better. Has anybody seen the photo of Jim Keeler with his new box of these kits? It is on facebook. He looks so proud of his work! I hope somebody could post it and share it here.

[tim boyd]

On 5/30/2022 at 12:31 PM, rrb124@sbcglobal.net said:

I heard that the kit includes engine wiring. Can't recall but I don't think that a kit in this scale and price range has ever included that feature.

It does.  It is yellow and very fine gauge.  Perfect and era-correct for 1970's and 1980's street freak and street machine models, too!  

TB

[rrb124@sbcglobal.net]

Super!

[TonyK]

I appreciate the reviews fellow modelers give on kits. Very helpful especially the times I'm in the mood to tackle a difficult kit and the times I want to work on a kit that isn't going to give me trouble all the way.

[Mark]

I'd still like to see a variation with plating on the suspension parts tree, but not having it in this kit isn't a problem.  The wheel pack does have ejector pin marks on the faces of all but the dragster spoke wheels, so not having plating means you can get right to cleaning those up.  All but the spoke wheels would be magnesium in 1:1 anyway, so paint is in order.

The frame in this kit is single round "tube", roughly the diameter of many parts trees.  If you cut the frame between the notches for the radius rod tabs, it would be pretty easy to stretch the side rails.  I'd use styrene tubing, and drill the cut ends and use a piece of music wire for strength.  Lengthened, it might make a decent show rod chassis.

[OldNYJim]

Box contents, for anyone curious…

[Dave Van]

I like the lack of chrome!!! Thanks

[Bill Eh?]

Thanks for posting the content pics.

[rrb124@sbcglobal.net]

On 5/31/2022 at 1:49 PM, rrb124@sbcglobal.net said:

Super!

 

[rrb124@sbcglobal.net]

Thanks for showing the cool parts. Liking the wheels.

[Luc Janssens]

Thank you for posting these pics, Jim!

One can really make the parts pop using metalliser paint and also not having to scrape off the plating is a plus too

Again thanks, and puts this kit on my shopping list.