$1k MPC Mr Norm Funny Car

[Rodent]

This was the first 1/25th scale glue kit that I paid for and built by myself. I have had a saved search on FleaPay for a while in case I can snag another one for not TOOO much dinero. Got this alert earlier today. Wow. I don't want one that much.

 

Edited July 7, 2023 by Rodent

[Mark]

Fishing for someone who is willing to spend that much.  Who knows, someone may be out there.

[Rodent]

That is a completed auction. It sold for $1k.

Same seller has a '69 SuperHemi for $2500 BIN. 

[BlackSheep214]

Some folks will spend stupid money on a model kit rare or not. All power to the buyer.

[Dpate]

Wants $1000, but still has the nerve to charge $17 shipping lol. 

[Mark]

Being sealed kits, they're strictly in collector territory now.  I don't think I'd crack one open now...in all likelihood you'll find tires stuck to the clear parts and/or decal sheet.

Besides that, with other kits having been released since, the Charger in particular isn't even the best starting point for a replica of that car.  MPC did do a few funny car kits with bodies that closely resembled the 1:1 cars they were modeled on.  The vast majority of them, however, consisted of promotional model bodies (minus chassis mounting posts) draped over the chassis in the tooling bank that provided the best fit. 

The funny car (and later Pro Stock) kits were mainly a way to get a second hit off of the costly body tooling each year.  That's why there were kits of Dodge Coronet and '70-'71 Mercury Cyclone funny cars when you never saw one at the drag strip.

[bobthehobbyguy]

Exactly and even if the kit was reissued the collectors would still want the original.

[Bugatti Fan]

Kit Collectors?     What is the purpose?   

What is the point in hoarding loads of kits never to be built?

I suppose some people like looking at box ends on their shelves. Whatever turns you on I suppose! They will probably be lost forever when the collector passes on and the family either dumps the lot or sells cheaply to a trader not knowing their perceived worth.

As for someone asking 1000 bucks for an old MPC kit on EBay plus shipping. Are they having a laugh or something? Always someone gullible enough I guess!

I am of the kits should be built not hoarded train of thought.

Edited July 9, 2023 by Bugatti Fan

[atomicholiday]

There truly is a sucker born every minute. 

If that's what makes you happy,  I get it.   But WAY too rich for my blood. 

[Mark]

Collecting is...collecting.  Many of these kits were one-shot deals, never to be made again.  The funny cars in particular are way more rare than the corresponding promos.  Someone who owns a 1:1 documented Mr. Norm prepared Dodge might just lay out a grand for that kit, to round out their collection.

[bobthehobbyguy]

  On 7/9/2023 at 11:45 AM, Mark said:

Collecting is...collecting.  Many of these kits were one-shot deals, never to be made again.  The funny cars in particular are way more rare than the corresponding promos.  Someone who owns a 1:1 documented Mr. Norm prepared Dodge might just lay out a grand for that kit, to round out their collection.

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Exactly. And for someone who can afford to own the documented car spending the money for the model wouldn't be a big deal. 

[Ace-Garageguy]

  On 7/9/2023 at 7:45 AM, Bugatti Fan said:

Kit Collectors?     What is the purpose?   

What is the point in hoarding loads of kits never to be built?

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Same reason some folks collect rare wine vintages, and store them long after they've turned to vinegar.

Same reason some people collect Beanie Babies, the very definition of "useless".

Trying to understand other people's motives is a total and complete waste of time.

[Bugatti Fan]

Whilst I respect others points of view about collecting, my views will remain the same.

Each to their own.

I reckon Bill has summed it up in his last line.

[Big John]

I see this all the time on certain buy/auction sites where people take high quality photos of models like Franklin Mint and Carousel One and ask $1,000+ prices for them.  I don't know who they think they are fooling or maybe they fool enough buyers to make it worth their time.  ?

[peteski]

  On 7/12/2023 at 1:11 AM, Big John said:

I see this all the time on certain buy/auction sites where people take high quality photos of models like Franklin Mint and Carousel One and ask $1,000+ prices for them.  I don't know who they think they are fooling or maybe they fool enough buyers to make it worth their time.  ?

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If the photos are of the actual model they're selling then nobody's fooling anybody. The buyer knows exactly what they are getting and is willing to spend the (unreasonably high to many) amount of money on the model.  It is worth it for them, and they have the money to spend.

Our own Paul Hettick regularly sell finished models on eBay which often fetch way more than a thousand dollars.  Those are curbside resin models. No  engine, no opening features.  But they are unique.

[Richard Bartrop]

I suppose it's like the collector comics that remain forever unread in their sealed plastic bags because opening them would destroy the value.

This one sold for $5.3 million, so dropping a thousand bucks on a model kit is strictly small time.

Edited July 12, 2023 by Richard Bartrop

[Big John]

I get the one off custom hand built, even from a rare kit. No these are the same models that I can get near mint in the box with papers for under $100. or less. I do buy some discontinued diecast and kits for high but reasonable prices (to my mind) partly as an investment and partly because I appreciate the cars design and history.

[peteski]

If someone is willing to spend such an excessive amount of money on one of those models, it is their prerogative to do so. That way the buyer is happy that they got what they wanted, and seller is happy with the profit.    Unless we actually were to ask the buyer "why", we'll never know what drove them to buy it.

[Rodent]

  On 7/13/2023 at 4:04 AM, peteski said:

Unless we actually were to ask the buyer "why", we'll never know what drove them to buy it.

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While I would never spend $1k to buy and build a model that jumpstarted my addiction hobby, I would hardly notice the missing money today versus the $2.00 I spent from my lawn mowing money for the one I bought in 1969.

[Force]

A model kit is worth exactly what buyers are willing to pay.
So it's a case of supply and demand, if the demand is higher than the supply the price go up and if someone pays 1000 bucks it's worth 1000 bucks to them.

[junkyardjeff]

I would love to find a old sealed kit to build but would no way give that much money for one,I have 3 or 4 opened unbuilt kits that will get built.

[Dr Crapologist]

Wow! Out of my wallet range. There was another partially built SIGNED by Mr. Norm himself, went for around $300. Another one is currently over $300. Question is, why would you want that kit when you could work the readily available Polar Lights kit?

MPC did a fun job making those frame based drag cars. Might not of been totally accurate in some cases but still fun. Wish I'd bought a few, musta been busy with work or school. We'll see what the swap meets bring this fall. Sad I'm going to miss the IPMS Nationals in Texas.

Cheers,

Doc

[Rodent]

  On 8/1/2023 at 12:55 PM, Dr Crapologist said:

Another one is currently over $300.

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Stuck at $405 (not meeting reserve) for several days. Sold in the last seconds for $750.

 

[Bainford]

I wonder if the new owner is super excited to rip the plastic off as soon as it arrives. Have to open up a fresh tube of Testors just for the occasion. 
Heck, might even spring for a can of spray paint for this one. 

[Mark]

It would be crazy to pull the shrink wrap off now.  In all likelihood, you would find tires stuck firmly to the clear parts and decal sheet...