New vs old.

[ewetwo]

If a kit has been re issued. Is the original still worth more? 

[Mark]

Depends on a lot of things: condition, popularity, content of one versus another.  Many times the newer issue has better tires or decals, or is molded in a different color, making the finished build better.  Sometimes newer issues aren't molded as crisply, leaving some details softer than the originals.  It all depends on the particular kit.

[imarriedawitch]

1 hour ago, ewetwo said:

If a kit has been re issued. Is the original still worth more? 

Maybe to a collector, maybe not to a builder.

[1972coronet]

There have been some instances when I've purchased seriously-discounted originals just because they're made in the U.S.

[Mark]

It all depends.  With built or started kits, they're all over the map.

At the last pre-Covid local IPMS meet, myself and two friends always get three tables and set up.  Naturally we rifle through each others' sale stuff the day before, and while waiting for everyone else to set up.  I spotted a built/unpainted AMT '63 Stingray.  Looked it over, it looked really clean and was all there.  Three bucks.  I said to my friend "you did know this one is an annual, right?"  He said yes he knew, but at that time he wasn't able to get more than $5 for a built one regardless of issue.  He had it at $3 because he'd brought a carload and a half of stuff to sell, was blowing everything out because he didn't have the extra half carload of space to get back home after the show.

So, for $3, I snagged a decent, clean, annual issue Corvette.

I myself prefer early issues of many-times-reissued kits...sharper detail, (usually) harder plastic, (usually) molded in opaque white.  I try to steer clear of issues molded in black, yellow, orange, or red, and anything with satin finish or gold tint plating.  Just my preferences though.

[BlackSheep214]

I don’t know. It depends on the rarity of the kit that’s never reissued. ie: I loved to get the MPC Dodge 4x4 camper with motorcycle- you know the white Dodge truck camper kit. I rarely find it for sale anywhere, even on eBay. When I built it back in the 70s, I loved it.

Oh, it doesn’t stop there. There are a lot from my youth and early teen years I’d love to acquire again. I was fortunate to find a few from a member in another forum I belong to. Some I’ve done as a kid, some I wished I had gotten then now have them.

Remember those vintage Aurora dinosaur kits or those monster kits? How about those super hero kits. Let’s not forget those Tom Daniels Design kits or the vintage Monogram armor and aircraft kits. Sure some are out as reissues - Patton tank, P-61 Black Widow, USS Arizona, New Jersey, Missouri, etc...

The problem with those reissued Monogram kits, the molds are so old, the amount of excessive flash are found in them. The Black Widow Kit is one good example. Horrible fit issues, figures looked like they’re so skinny, they don’t even look like a human figure.

Even rarer are the vintage motocross and custom bike of the 70s are very hard to find. Try finding the old Evil Iron trike Kit. If you do find it, they’re going for stupid money. I can’t blame the seller for his prices but they are so hard to find.

As one poster mentioned- maybe to a collector, maybe not to the builder.

[MrMiles]

im a builder and would prefer to buy a new just because of warping and damage to parts and decals, etc of an old kit

 

with that said, i find for the most part, generally the older plastic is better quality so if i knew the old kit was perfect, i would prefer to build from the original.  

[Oldcarfan27]

5 hours ago, Mark said:

So, for $3, I snagged a decent, clean, annual issue Corvette.

You still paid 100% over list price and it's already built. You got took!!

Seriously, I think the value of original issue kit verses the reissues depends somewhat on what parts originally came in it and how much the condition of the tool has deteriorated over the years. Box art, special paraphernalia, decals and the color and quality of the plastic can all have an impact on the value too. Most importantly, mint condition and unbuilt means EVERYTHING to the strict collector. 

The rest of us will settle for whatever we can get at a good price. 

Edited May 30, 2022 by Oldcarfan27

[TonyK]

There are a couple of older kits I'd like to have as original because I remember them as a kid. I want the box and original parts so they would be worth more to me that way.

I have enjoyed reissued kits that I built as a kid just to build them again.