64 Malibu

[Hard_2_Handle_454]

As some of you know, in addition to my Challenger, I have also been lucky enough to once have owned a Chevelle.  Since then I've been a bit of a Chevelle collector.  The 64 was the only one not in my collection and I was excited when it was announced they were making this kit. 

The kit itself sits in the "at least you tried" category.  The body looks great, it has headlight lenses, a side mirror, and decals.  All things I complain about in these kits.  However, it kinda breaks down after that.  It's got an opening hood, but NO ENGINE!  Come on, really?  Why bother?  The interior tub is OK, but not great.  The decals, are mostly useless.  They either disappear when applied, or they're too small to fit over the script.  The only ones I could use were for the dash, caps, and a couple emblems.  Still, the model came out looking alright, and it's not like it's for competitions; just my private collection.

 

SAM_1683 by Eric Lucas, on Flickr

SAM_1684 by Eric Lucas, on Flickr

[Jim B]

Cool Malibu.  Very well done.

[Hard_2_Handle_454]

Just now, Jim B said:

Cool Malibu.  Very well done.

thanks

[michelle]

Looks great 
As for the no engine it is ment to be built as a curbside or you can add a engine if you want plus if it end up like the 63 Chevy ll station wagon craftmans plus series kit then it will get a full 2 in one or 3 in one  kit also which will come with 
Plus I think the craftsmans plus series kits are suppose to be a intermediate kit between the snap kit and the glue kit ie simple to build with a low parts count  and can be upgraded with more detial easier then a full snap kit 
my only gripe with thise kits is they should be cheaper then the full detailed glue kits not the same price that is my main gripe with all of round 2 compared to revell which has different prices for different level kits 

Edited August 7, 2024 by michelle

[satterwhite78]

Came close to doing mine in red but had that extra can of Tamiya Lt. Blue itching my finger......yours looks fantastic!

[Hard_2_Handle_454]

3 hours ago, michelle said:

Looks great 
As for the no engine it is ment to be built as a curbside or you can add a engine if you want plus if it end up like the 63 Chevy ll station wagon craftmans plus series kit then it will get a full 2 in one or 3 in one  kit also which will come with 
Plus I think the craftsmans plus series kits are suppose to be a intermediate kit between the snap kit and the glue kit ie simple to build with a low parts count  and can be upgraded with more detial easier then a full snap kit 
my only gripe with thise kits is they should be cheaper then the full detailed glue kits not the same price that is my main gripe with all of round 2 compared to revell which has different prices for different level kits 

It's just weird.  Oh, I get it's a curside, but  it's like they go out of their way to come as close to what their buyers want, without actually doing it.  Just stop with the curbsides and make the 2 n 1 kits like the people want.  People want accurate models.  Or, like you said, make the kits cheaper.  If I'm paying this much for a kit I expect better quality.  The excuse that it's based off a 60 year old kit is not an excuse.  If your business plan isn't to improve your kits over time, then you have a failed business plan.  And their new tooled kits aren't bad, but they're not great either.  Their competition is way ahead of them in quality, ect.  Their problem is they keep recycling old kits and rarely produce new stuff.  Forcing you to circle back to Round 2 for kits of cars you don't have.  It's frustrating.  Especially, when they finally make decals for the emblems, but then they disappear into the paint job when applied because they're too thin. 

[michelle]

19 minutes ago, Hard_2_Handle_454 said:

It's just weird.  Oh, I get it's a curside, but  it's like they go out of their way to come as close to what their buyers want, without actually doing it.  Just stop with the curbsides and make the 2 n 1 kits like the people want.  People want accurate models.  Or, like you said, make the kits cheaper.  If I'm paying this much for a kit I expect better quality.  The excuse that it's based off a 60 year old kit is not an excuse.  If your business plan isn't to improve your kits over time, then you have a failed business plan.  And their new tooled kits aren't bad, but they're not great either.  Their competition is way ahead of them in quality, ect.  Their problem is they keep recycling old kits and rarely produce new stuff.  Forcing you to circle back to Round 2 for kits of cars you don't have.  It's frustrating.  Especially, when they finally make decals for the emblems, but then they disappear into the paint job when applied because they're too thin. 

i prefer simplier models i don't like multi piece chassis  with multi piece suspension with the interior floor pans molded into chassis plate  i like axel rods for attaching the wheels or pegs that the wheels backs attach to the chassis with 
it is why i don't like moebius kits and why i don't like some amt kits and i am always trying to find chassis and interior pans i can use with the bodies and engines and dashes for those amt kits like that at least now i can use the 71 demon interior pan and chassis when i want to do a 71 or 72 duster now 
 

[Hard_2_Handle_454]

5 hours ago, michelle said:

i prefer simplier models i don't like multi piece chassis  with multi piece suspension with the interior floor pans molded into chassis plate  i like axel rods for attaching the wheels or pegs that the wheels backs attach to the chassis with 
it is why i don't like moebius kits and why i don't like some amt kits and i am always trying to find chassis and interior pans i can use with the bodies and engines and dashes for those amt kits like that at least now i can use the 71 demon interior pan and chassis when i want to do a 71 or 72 duster now 
 

I'm kinda the opposite.  I want mine to be as accurate as possible; though I will agree, I do like simpler chassis.  I think Monogram had the best mix.  Simple, but still looks accurate for the most part.  I don't mind Revell multi-piece for the most part though.  It's the foreign kits that get me. 

[ncbuckeye67]

Your build looks great! I almost picked one of these up at my LHS, but I knew what to expect, so I got the reissued 79 Nova & Golden Eagle Jeep instead.

[XYHARRY]

Nice Malibu there Eric, they always look great in red. I don't usually go for curbside kits because of the closed hood but this one has been designed for an easy conversion for engine placement, although I do agree that these type of kits should be priced appropriately by the manufacturer. 

Cheers, 

David. ??

[MeatMan]

Well done! Great overcoming the flaws in the kit.

[Zippi]

Nice looking 64 Malibu Eric.  Like you said, it'll just been in your collection and not going to shows.

[Falcon Ranchero]

I really like this build; always nice to see the stock versions of cars that are popular for customization. ? Big fan of white walls and hubcaps 

[espo]

Great looking original Chevelle. Despite the short comings you mentioned the trim on your build looks good. 

[Dave Darby]

On 8/7/2024 at 8:30 PM, Hard_2_Handle_454 said:

The excuse that it's based off a 60 year old kit is not an excuse. 

It's a newly tooled kit. But I do agree about the price point. Revell prices their curbside kits lower than their full glue kits. 

 

[slusher]

Nice looking Mailibu!

[PappyD340]

Very nice Malibu!

[KWT]

Very nicely done