MPC 1986 Dodge Shelby Charger

[Jordan White]

As mentioned in the other Round 2 thread, Stevens International is showing the MPC 1986 Shelby Charger kit as coming out soon. 

I’m excited since I’ve never been able to find this in person or for a decent price! I am going to guess they won’t, but it would be cool if they included the parts to make a GLHS version!

[chitownbri]

Hopefully they'll include the blue and silver stripes on the decal sheet.

[Bills72sj]

A buddy in the Navy had a black and silver one. I am pretty sure it was an 87.

[Rbray47]

I'll have to pick one of these up when they're out. I bought a sealed original at a swap meet a few years ago. It's so horribly warped that I never finished it. 

[RT6PK]

I had an '85 back in the day. I remember that it was easy to work on, which was good.... because it always needed to be worked on.

[ncbuckeye67]

I was in Junior Achievement in high school, and our company was sponsored by the local Chrysler plant. When we went on trips, we rode in the latest Chrysler/Dodge vehicles ( including a black & silver Dodge Rampage Turbo "Shelby Edition". It was a 5 speed manual, and would absolutely roast the front tires if you dumped the clutch (I was told.... a friend had seen it.....rumor is....  um yeah....).

[SteveG]

On 9/19/2023 at 12:29 AM, chitownbri said:

Hopefully they'll include the blue and silver stripes on the decal sheet.

Yes, will have Metallic Silver and Blue stripes on the decal sheet. 

-Steve

[Jordan White]

1 hour ago, SteveG said:

Yes, will have Metallic Silver and Blue stripes on the decal sheet. 

-Steve

I'm sure this is just a straight reissue right now, is there any chance of releasing a GLHS version in the future? Looks like it would mostly just need new wheels/tires, intake assembly/intercooler, and decals.

Edited September 27, 2023 by Jordan White

[CapSat 6]

6 hours ago, Jordan White said:

I'm sure this is just a straight reissue right now, is there any chance of releasing a GLHS version in the future? Looks like it would mostly just need new wheels/tires, intake assembly/intercooler, and decals.

Well…there is a bit of a problem with that. 

The engine in this kit isn’t accurate to a Shelby Charger to start with. It’s really the old VW based engine that the Omni 024 came with. The turbo was originally a custom option for that kit. When the 024 became the Shelby, MPC made the updates to the body and wheels, but never updated the tooling for an accurate engine. 

A much more accurate engine, representing the Chrysler 2.2 Turbo can be had in the MPC Daytona (last seen several years ago). 

I’m still glad to see the Shelby come back though, and I would like to see body, wheel and graphics updates to make it a Shelby GLHS. 

[Rob Hall]

Interesting...so the 2.2 in the later kits isn't a 2.2.   I think I might get one and do something weird like stuff a Hellcat V8 in it.

[Jordan White]

40 minutes ago, CapSat 6 said:

Well…there is a bit of a problem with that. 

The engine in this kit isn’t accurate to a Shelby Charger to start with. It’s really the old VW based engine that the Omni 024 came with. The turbo was originally a custom option for that kit. When the 024 became the Shelby, MPC made the updates to the body and wheels, but never updated the tooling for an accurate engine. 

A much more accurate engine, representing the Chrysler 2.2 Turbo can be had in the MPC Daytona (last seen several years ago). 

I’m still glad to see the Shelby come back though, and I would like to see body, wheel and graphics updates to make it a Shelby GLHS. 

Oh yeah I see what you mean, it's a shame really! Rob has the right idea then in doing a swap with something else!

[CapSat 6]

44 minutes ago, Rob Hall said:

Interesting...so the 2.2 in the later kits isn't a 2.2.   I think I might get one and do something weird like stuff a Hellcat V8 in it.

Direct Connection used to sell a V8 conversion kit for their Omni and Daytona cars (it really could be used on most of their FWD cars). It was designed to use a Mopar Small block, but as the new Hemi is somewhat related to the LA V8, this would be a pretty plausible combo! 

I looked at something like this years ago…the problem with the Shelby kits is that the central tunnel (I wouldn’t call it a Transmission tunnel- the exhaust system usually goes there) follows the 1:1 design, so it’s pretty shallow. 

[mikos]

This is a nice kit.  I’m glad to see it coming back.

[SteveG]

11 hours ago, Jordan White said:

I'm sure this is just a straight reissue right now, is there any chance of releasing a GLHS version in the future? Looks like it would mostly just need new wheels/tires, intake assembly/intercooler, and decals.

It's more likely that you'll find some Aftermarket and or 3D printed parts being made for it now that it's finally being reissued.   I don't see any tooling dollars being spent on it anytime soon but never say never.  

-Steve

[Rodent]

2 hours ago, SteveG said:

It's more likely that you'll find some Aftermarket and or 3D printed parts being made for it now that it's finally being reissued.

Paging Charles Estes, Charles Estes to the 3D courtesy phone!

[Rob Hall]

I’ve never had the MPC Shelby Charger, but built the Monogram back in the day.  Snagged an MPC ‘81 Omni 024 and ‘83 Charger 2.2 kit recently, will be fun to compare the kits and the differences.  

[Vettegasser]

Now I can finally do one of the open wheel modifieds I been gathering photos of. 

[slusher]

I have only seen the kit on the internet. I remember the Omni but didn’t want one because it was molded in red..

[Jonathan]

Has anyone ever seen this version actually built?  I have one buried in my stash, but the decals seem ... dauting! 

[thatz4u]

I have one, it's going to the CARBS swapmeet this Saturday....

[Jonathan]

14 minutes ago, thatz4u said:

I have one, it's going to the CARBS swapmeet this Saturday....

Oh, cool.  And you built it like the box art?

[thatz4u]

8 minutes ago, Jonathan said:

Oh, cool.  And you built it like the box art?

nope, selling it

[StanGlover]

I built the older Omni 024 version last year, with the stock non-turbo engine. I recall the driveshafts being tricky to align with the suspension and transmission. The hood also doesn’t fit great, and the custom front tires stick outside the fenders a little too much. I’ve been wanting the later Shelby Charger to go with my 024 so I’m excited for this one! Now I just need Round2 or Revell to repop a Fiero kit… and the Ford EXP. 

[Stef]

4 hours ago, StanGlover said:

Now I just need Round2 or Revell to repop a Fiero kit… and the Ford EXP. 

Agreed 128%. IIRC, Monogram's 85 Fiero GT was one-and-done, so hopefully that kit can come back as-is. MPC's Fiero last appeared as an 88.

Recently got one of my grails; a near-mint MPC 82 EXP (molded in blue). This awesome kit seriously needs to come back.

We also need Revell's sister kit to their EXP, the Escort.

Although I've never seen or built AMT's Escort or Horizon TC3 kits; hopefully they can make a comeback, too.

And surely, there's enough interest in bringing back MPC's 82 Cavalier.

Lastly, would be awesome if Revellogram could reissue their 85-ish Daytona snapper.

[StanGlover]

@Stef I built the ‘82 Cavalier a couple years ago, got it cheap from eBay at the time. They’ve started getting expensive too. I wouldn’t mind doing another, it was my first build returning to the hobby after 15 years and my skills have vastly improved. I’d love to a full custom build of it with those crazy wide body fenders. And put me down for one of those Escorts!