Engine or no engine, that is the question.

[Luc Janssens]

Hello gents,

Is an engine an absolute must when buying a newly tooled kit of American automotive subject matter or is curbside fine too, or does your preference also depend on the type of vehicle and or retail price.

Please elaborate on your preference.

Thanks in advance!

Luc

[Ace-Garageguy]

For me, if a 1/25 scale or larger car model doesn't have a reasonable representation of the greasy bits, it's only half a model.

I was quite disappointed that the Revell (dumbguy edit) AMT new Bronco, while providing an opening hood, has nothing under it.

I've been known to build some original-design "curbsides" or "slammers" as styling models only, but part of the challenge of designing a vehicle is the combination of function and aesthetics, engineering and art.

One without the other, as far as machines go, is, to me, missing the point entirely.

 

Edited August 10 by Ace-Garageguy

[StevenGuthmiller]

Not that important to me.

If the model comes with an opening hood, it’s getting an engine in any circumstance.

If the hood is molded shut, I’ll make the determination based on how much detail I want to put into a particular build.

I’m no stranger to kit bashing, so the decision to open the hood on a curbside body is solely based on my interest in the subject, and what’s available for parts from other kits.

 

 

 

Steve 

[stitchdup]

I like them to have an engine but it doesn't mean i wont glue the hood shut and build them curbside. It really depends on my mood on the day, sometimes i just want something for my own shelf so an engine doesn't matter that much but if its something I intend to share its getting an engine but not necessarily the right one. for me the exterior and interior are more important as they can be seen without picking up my models

[drodg]

Well I built the new tool MPC 68 GTO and thought I would never build a kit without an engine but I did and I actually loved the quickness of the build etc.  I think as Steven said it depends on the subject matter. 

[Fat Brian]

It's got to have an engine, that's a huge reason why I build a model a given way is what the engine is meant to do. Without it a part of the story is missing.

Edited August 7 by Fat Brian

[StevenGuthmiller]

Part of my decision to build a model with, or without an engine depends somewhat on the car itself.

I build almost exclusively factory stock, so my decision is often based on how interesting the engine configuration is to me.

A Mopar with a Hemi or a wild intake system, such as a long ram dual quad, an Oldsmobile W-30 package, or a Pontiac tri-power will certainly get more consideration than a standard Chevy or Ford V-8.

Hard for me to get excited about a basic Chevy with a 4 barrel.

 

 

 

 

Steve

[TarheelRick]

As the others have said, to me it depends on the finished product. Right now I have the AMT '61 Ford Styline kit (curbside) that I am building with the extreme custom parts in the kit. The nose will be much longer than stock, so it would require lengthening the hood if it were opened as well as finding inner fenders, etc.  On the other hand, I am also working on a full custom '51 Ford convertible. That kit comes with an opening hood, I have extensively modified that area, but I have also made sure it is opened because I want to show the custom flathead engine. As I said it depends on what I want the end product to represent.

[iamsuperdan]

I prefer an engine, but at the end of the day it doesn't matter. I'll buy curbsides and full details.

Once it's built, I almost never go under the hood or look at the chassis, so it doesn't really bother me if there isn't much to look at. 

 

 

[Oldriginal86]

I’ve bought curbside kits but fully intend to install an engine. I’m not a speedy builder and prefer to build into the kit more detail then the manufacturer provided. Much of this detail is located under the hood. No hoods glued down for me. 

[TransAmMike]

I have always built a model with the engine (well, exception is the '57 Chevy snapper and the '63 Impala I did that has a terrible depiction of a 409).

But in reality, all my finished models go in a display case and the hood will likely never be opened.

It's your choice Luc😀

[Jordan White]

Unless I want to replicate a specific engine, I usually don’t mind if a kit has an engine or not. I really care more if they have a relatively detailed chassis and interior to make up for it!

[Daddyfink]

Some kits have absolute blobs for engines, like 70's MPC kits, and I will only detail the bottom it it is going to show. But some kits, mainly newer cars, have really boring engines that I really do not care about. 

So, either way, I am ok. 

[TECHMAN]

4 hours ago, Ace-Garageguy said:

For me, if a 1/25 scale or larger car model doesn't have a reasonable representation of the greasy bits, it's only half a model.

 

 

Well put

DJ

[Ace-Garageguy]

Here's another thought.

If a model has no engine, I can't really justify going "vroom vroom".

It may as well be a Tesla.  

[peteski]

41 minutes ago, Ace-Garageguy said:

Here's another thought.

If a model has no engine, I can't really justify going "vroom vroom".

It may as well be a Tesla.  

Teslas have engines motors too. And a frunk. 

[SSNJim]

I don't normally build with an engine, even if it's included. I'm of the opinion that if you can't see it when it's parked on the street/shelf, it doesn't matter. I've built kits with multiple piece detailed suspensions using metal axles instead. I do build engines and suspensions as instructed every so often, but it's rare.

All these detailed engines don't look like much to me. A set of spark plug wires (often oversized), battery cables, and sometimes a fuel line to the carburetor doesn't a fully detailed engine make. Modern engines are a rat's nest of wiring and tubing, and even older engines have several tubes and cables that aren't often depicted.

I guess I could call it the "Aunt Matilda rule" for mechanical pieces . If your Aunt Matilda doesn't understand/recognize it, you don't need it. I rarely carefully scrutinize my models after being placed on the shelf and don't see the value in going crazy on unseen details. 

[stavanzer]

As others have said, it really depends on the kit and the car. Model A , and Model T. Engine of Course.

Anything from the 21st Century, forget it. Somebody Mentioned the New 2021 Bronco. I've seen under the hood of one. Round2, could not easily recreate the engine compartment in that car. There is really no empty space under that hood, and too much plumbing and wiring to make it work.  A "pancake style" insert as used in some Diecast Cars might be the best compromise for modern car kits. I have no problem gluing the hood shut now. It would have been a deal-breaker 20 years ago, but now, it is subject matter dependant.

[TransAmMike]

20 minutes ago, SSNJim said:

I don't normally build with an engine, even if it's included. I'm of the opinion that if you can't see it when it's parked on the street/shelf, it doesn't matter. I've built kits with multiple piece detailed suspensions using metal axles instead. I do build engines and suspensions as instructed every so often, but it's rare.

All these detailed engines don't look like much to me. A set of spark plug wires (often oversized), battery cables, and sometimes a fuel line to the carburetor doesn't a fully detailed engine make. Modern engines are a rat's nest of wiring and tubing, and even older engines have several tubes and cables that aren't often depicted.

I guess I could call it the "Aunt Matilda rule" for mechanical pieces . If your Aunt Matilda doesn't understand/recognize it, you don't need it. I rarely carefully scrutinize my models after being placed on the shelf and don't see the value in going crazy on unseen details. 

Well Jim, I like your comments and  how you're thinking, and oh yeah, so many engine builds have out of scale plug wires.

[peteski]

27 minutes ago, stavanzer said:

As others have said, it really depends on the kit and the car. Model A , and Model T. Engine of Course.

Anything from the 21st Century, forget it. Somebody Mentioned the New 2021 Bronco. I've seen under the hood of one. Round2, could not easily recreate the engine compartment in that car. There is really no empty space under that hood, and too much plumbing and wiring to make it work.  A "pancake style" insert as used in some Diecast Cars might be the best compromise for modern car kits. I have no problem gluing the hood shut now. It would have been a deal-breaker 20 years ago, but now, it is subject matter dependant.

That rat's nest of wires and hoses was true in the fairly recent past, but today's engine compartments are so simple  that there is nothing really visible. No reason to even model that.

[Jordan White]

Just now, peteski said:

That rat's nest of wires and hoses was true in the fairly recent past, but today's engine compartments are so simple  that there is nothing really visible. No reason to even model that.

I mean to be fair, the Bronco is a rats nest (no engine cover)!

[Ace-Garageguy]

26 minutes ago, stavanzer said:

Anything from the 21st Century, forget it. Somebody Mentioned the New 2021 Bronco. I've seen under the hood of one. Round2, could not easily recreate the engine compartment in that car. There is really no empty space under that hood, and too much plumbing and wiring to make it work.  A "pancake style" insert as used in some Diecast Cars might be the best compromise for modern car kits. 

Yup, and a "pancake style" insert would have been just fine with me...just so I could pose the factory mess next to the way I'm going to build it, with a smallblock Ford V8, and underpinnings from the Revell old Bronco kit.

[Ace-Garageguy]

39 minutes ago, peteski said:

Teslas have engines motors too.  

Yeah, but "whirr whirr" (and silence when it's not moving) doesn't seem as much fun as "vroom vroom". 

And I want to hear a cam-lopey idle, even if it's just in my 8-year-old's imagination. 

[Ace-Garageguy]

40 minutes ago, SSNJim said:

...I guess I could call it the "Aunt Matilda rule" for mechanical pieces . If your Aunt Matilda doesn't understand/recognize it, you don't need it.

I'm glad I don't have an Aunt Matilda.  

[peteski]

45 minutes ago, Ace-Garageguy said:

I'm glad I don't have an Aunt Matilda.  

In today's world I'm sure their are lots of "aunt Matildas", and just as many males as there are females. Even many car mechanics (excuse me: "powertrain technicians") are "aunt Matildas". Scary!

Don't believe me?  Just ask Ace!

Edited August 8 by peteski