AMT's new Challenger kits are out

[SteveG]

What ar you using for the paint Steve? I've got a couple cans of the Mopar spray touchup in that color (crystal black pearl coat or something like that) that I bought to paint a couple of my R/C bodies with and will have plenty left over and would like to paint this car and the Model King '59 Imperial in that color.

I used some of Duplicolors brush touch up Chrysler Black Crystal Pearl that I thinned out with PPG mid-temp lacquer thinner, then I shot it through my air brush. I let it gas out for a few days then top coated it with Duplicolors gloss clear coat. I'm very pleased with how it came out.

Overall I think it's a nice kit and a good value for the money although the all vinyl seats didn't impress me. Also there is no guide to black out the window edges. My biggest complaint is with the Decal sheet. All the grille and R/T badging just disappeared when applied over black paint. I ended up using a combination of decals from "Mike's Speed Shop and "The Last Detail" even though I'm still missing the Challenger badge for the passenger side of the grille, I think I got the "Classic style" trim I was after.

So if your looking for a quick and fun kit to recharge your batteries, or need a cool canvas to try out some new paint like I did then this kit for you. For those that want something more challenging (no pun intended) the Revell full detail will be out very soon.

-Steve

[Billy Kingsley]

I bought mine today and looked inside the box only quickly, as dinner was a cookin'! It looks gooooood. I love the real car, I want one but can't afford it.

I hope to paint it tomorrow, mine will be Sublime green. I don't care if it's not factory stock! (If I was ordering a real one, I would order it in white and then instantly have it painted sublime green)

I may be one of the few, perhaps only one alive, but I prefer the looks of the new Challenger over the classic. Sacriledge? Maybe.

The tooling looked very crisp! The kit itself I am going to build box stock, and I am looking forward to it!

I get my kits at the TNMCC meetings, and I would have had it and built it already but I was sick last month. I think this kit was worth the wait!

I got the 09 version, as well.

[Billy Kingsley]

Work has been progressing slower then I expected. I have to say, I am NOT a fan of the rubber seats. While the concept may sound good on paper, it just doesn't translate into actual form.

In addition to just making things harder then they need to be, my rear seat is also warped. I am hoping super gluing it down will fix the issue, if not, that alone will make the kit just sub par. Dissapointing.

Other then that this is the most finely crafted new tool I've got my hands on in years.

[John]

Billy, I had not trouble with the seats. One the first one I hand painted them Tamyia Semi Gloss Black and the second one I sprayed them MM light met blue. The paint dried great with both. I like the seperate rear seat, it allows you to do your carpet and seat different shaped or colors with ease. I love these kits and as I said, think they are a gret way to just have fun.

[Billy Kingsley]

Yeah, I didn't have any trouble either...I didn't bother painting them, I planned to have the interior black from the start so it saved me the trouble. I just don't like the concept of them I guess, I am more of a tradionalist then even I realize most of the time! I am not sure when the car will get done now, I need to clearcoat it and it's supposed to be raining for the next week. Phooey! The chassis and interior are done, already! I did have to run a bead of super glue across the entire "ledge" on the back of the rear seat to get it to stay flat and not sit in there crosswise. It was warped just a bit.

I want to add I also like the ease of wheel assembly. When I saw those axles and the wheel holes I thought it was going to be nigh impossible to get them in there, like some of the 1990s AMT snaptights....but they went in perfectly and locked into place, without any hassle!

[Zoom Zoom]

I built an R/T and had zero problems painting the seats w/Tamiya TS 48 Gunship Gray, which pretty well matches the dark charcoal interior (as well as Tamiya XF 63 German Gray acrylic). The seat pleat decals work well too, they look good on the dark gray and will look good on black. The one-piece front seat is nicely detailed, down to the seat recliner handles. The mold lines are fairly faint. Don't get discouraged because it's not styrene, they are easy to paint (just don't use enamel), easy to press-fit and then glue into place from underneath.

[PlasticWagens]

I am waiting for an 08' and 09' and after reading these reviews I am excited to get them as they are a birthday present for my son who is turning 7.

[Casey]

Good thing the Challenger hasn't changed all that much in it's production run...what's old is new again:

[Maindrian Pace]

We need a Hellcat widebody Redeye. I know, I won't hold my breath.

[Bucky]

Nice looking box art on that one.