Kit purchasing questions.

[CA Whitecloud]

Are these good/decent deals? I know a lot of variables. If I do plan on building them are they that nice? I hear so much about Jo-Han kits, but is that just for collecting? Thanks.

[Mark]

If you must have the Jo-Han versions of the funny cars, those prices aren't out of line.  But Round 2 also offers Challenger and Mustang funny car kits.  The Jo-Han kits replicate the Gene Snow '70 Challenger and Mickey Thompson '71 Mustang (original issues did include decals for those versions, later ones do not for licensing reasons).  Both have unique chassis designs that replicated those cars quite well, and aren't really similar to those of other cars.  If you want some other Mustang or Challenger, the Round 2 MPC equivalent kits are probably better starting points as the chassis (same one in both kits) is a more common design.

The Cadillac is way high (you can probably find one for half that price if you are patient) but that's my opinion, and everyone has one of those.

[Fat Brian]

I agree about the Johan funny car kits. Another issue I've had with mine is the tires are getting weird and will need to be replaced. The kits are good, better than a lot of kits in that era, but will still need a bit of cleanup depending on which issue you get. One thing I like about the Mustang specifically is that it has a Ford engine. The prices on the funny cars is pretty good for a Buy It Now situation, you might find them cheaper but unless you're really wanting to get a deal I would pay those prices and not think twice about it.

[gtx6970]

Like said, the Challenger and Mustang are in line.

 

Cadillac , WAAAAAAY to high

[Ace-Garageguy]

My too pence...I'd happily pay that for the funny cars.  

[Bainford]

When it comes to 'buying-for-building', these are all great choices. The Caddy can be had cheaper, as noted, but the funny cars are very reasonably priced.

The funny cars, in building, have a bit of an AMTish feel, and were the nicest 1/25 scale funny cars you could get until Revell's state-of-the-art funny car kits of the mid-70s, and IMHO are every bit as nice as the Revell funnys in terms of authenticity, detail, and overall looks. They are easier to build than the Revell kits, too.

The Challenger is a Logge chassis with Hemi power and the Mustang is a digger with a Boss 429, so very different kits but equally well done. Slixx has Micky Thompson decals for the Mustang  and the Gene Snow decals for the Challenger. For a builder looking to experience some vintage plastic, I highly recommend them.

[CA Whitecloud]

Gosh! Now I may consider dishing out some dough. In full disclosure, I am not any bit the aficionado in model kit history or the engineering of the real thing as many of you. All these insights are very interesting. As far as the building goes, I welcome a challenge but don't want to bite off too much. I mostly build for myself...and my shelf. I love all the loud colorful decals (not the patience for Rally of NASCAR decals). Also, agreed on the price of the Caddy. Unless it is an actual collectable that may appreciate.

 

PS. When did they start calling them Funny Cars?

[Straightliner59]

4 hours ago, CA Whitecloud said:

PS. When did they start calling them Funny Cars?

Pretty much from the beginning, meaning when they were called FX or Factory Experimental. At first, they were allowed a 2% alteration in wheelbase--they were allowed to move the axles forward 2% of the wheelbase. It quickly changed when the wheelbase alterations became more and more radical, and people started saying they looked "funny". It stuck!

[Bill Anderson]

Its ironic, for there is nothing funny about "funny cars".  The one's I saw in action were seriously mean machines!  I've always thought the "funny" description came from the fact that the entire body was hinged to the chassis and could be easily lifted up for access to the motor, etc.  

[Carmak]

Can I take a step back, why are you looking at those specific kits?

Is it because they are Johan?

Are you looking to build early 70’s funny cars?

[CA Whitecloud]

On 4/1/2025 at 12:42 PM, Carmak said:

Can I take a step back, why are you looking at those specific kits?

Is it because they are Johan?

Are you looking to build early 70’s funny cars?

I have yet to build any funny cars, but I will. Yes, I was curious to know if Jo-han kits in general were notably any "better" than the bigger brands.

[Carmak]

3 hours ago, CA Whitecloud said:

I have yet to build any funny cars, but I will. Yes, I was curious to know if Jo-Han kits in general were notably any "better" than the bigger brands.

In their era (late 60's/early 70's) Some JoHan funny cars were more accurate than AMT and MPC. Many AMT and MPC funny kits used bone stock kit of promo bodies for their funny cars (Johan also did some of this but not at the same volume and AMT and MPC).

The two JoHan funny cars you have shown are two of their best funny car kits. Be aware that JoHan kits of factory stock cars typically have very good body detail but often have very simplified and sometimes incorrect interiors and chassis.

Today I feel there are many offerings that are on par or better than JoHan for late 60's/early 70's funny cars. Revell has two late 60's Charger funny cars that are verry accurate (and quite different from each other). Round 2/Polar lights did a great series of late 60's funny car kits (I really like these kits).

There is a book by Tim Boyd called "Collecting Drag Racing Model Kits" that is a wonderful resource on this topic. Tim does a great job or describing the kits from an accuracy point of view and from the point of view as a top tier model builder.

I hope this helps.