Thinkful Wishing about Round2 Models, future Kits.

[stavanzer]

1 hour ago, Dave Van said:

Anyone else in for a AMT Thomas Flyer NY to Paris winner???? Or just me??? LONG time since a reissue. 

I'd like to see it paired with the MPC Stutz Bearcat.

Two kits in one box would be great.  I think a Dual Kit would sell well. Better to put both kits in one box. The folks who would buy one, would buy the other as well. I'd love to see these.

[stavanzer]

On 6/8/2025 at 10:35 PM, Junkman said:

'62 Galaxie
'67 Galaxie
'68 Galaxie
'67 Bonneville
All '70 Motor City Stockers
All kits from the Flower Power, Jr Craftsman, JR Trophy, and Baja series
All '58 and '59 kits
A parts pack with all the ramps, etc, from the Tournament of Thrills series

Most of the '58-'59 kits are long gone. Most of the Motor City Stockers are the same.

The '68 Galaxie, ended the '67. So, the '67 is gone.

Most of the kits you seek, are long gone, and never coming back, sadly.

[Dave Van]

30 minutes ago, stavanzer said:

I'd like to see it paired with the MPC Stutz Bearcat.

Two kits in one box would be great.  I think a Dual Kit would sell well. Better to put both kits in one box. The folks who would buy one, would buy the other as well. I'd love to see these.

That would work. I\d like to see the Stutz too....Really want to dream add stock fenders to the Thomas. 

[Carmak]

On 6/9/2025 at 10:34 AM, tim boyd said:

As for the factory stock versions of the '73 and '74 Charger, I'd love to see that, however IIRC the 1980s modified reissue did not have an accurate rendition of the 1/1 surface/trim around the wheel openings (perhaps a remnant of the prior Petty Nascar kit?) and would not in my opinion satisfy the expectations of today's modeling community.  I don't know the status of that tooling, nor if it would be possible to modify that tooling back to the original factory configuration, but I am guessing (no insider info here. mind you) that there are probably higher priority/much more viable projects on Round 2's current possibilities iist....TB

 

There is another option.

The original 71-74 MPC Charger bodies fit on the modern 71 AMT Charger platform. The hood, bumpers and clears interchange as well.

I am thinking a partial clone using original 73-74 Charger body and bumpers. You would need a new body, bumpers, seats and interior side panels. Everything else from the 71 Charger. Not perfect but fairly close.  

[CapSat 6]

6 minutes ago, Carmak said:

There is another option.

The original 71-74 MPC Charger bodies fit on the modern 71 AMT Charger platform. The hood, bumpers and clears interchange as well.

I am thinking a partial clone using original 73-74 Charger body and bumpers. You would need a new body, bumpers, seats and interior side panels. Everything else from the 71 Charger. Not perfect but fairly close.  

I hate to be the naysayer here (because I REALLY like your idea), but much has been made on this forum (and other places) of the difficulty of modifying those 90's era AMT tools. Tools like the AMT '71 Charger don't seem to play well with new 3D design. As much as I would like to see it, I just don't think that will fly. This is not what I know, just what I have heard. 

Another path might be a retro retool of the '73-'74- much like the Demon and Coronet (although I know I am veering away from the "rules" of this exercise here- no retooling, stay with existing tools) with variants to make the tooling pay for itself a bit: like a never-before-done Charger SE, a nice factory stock '74 Rallye, and perhaps a new Petty NASCAR body for their MPC chassis.  

I happen to be noodling around with some of my old MPC '71-'74 Charger bodies lately. I'm going to try to start a new topic here with some analysis of the Super Charger body, and how it compares to a factory stock '74 Charger. I'm not convinced that it's really any worse than the MPC '69 Charger tool, so I might think the '74 has value to be rerun as-is/ all open gates, with new factory stock decals, but maybe presented as a street machine (that wagon version from the annuals was really wild, and by no means "stock", but still super-cool  ).

ROUND 2 recently did the "run and gun" with their early 70's Corvette roadster tool, twice (umm...er...), and they keep running the '69 Charger with it's many flaws. I won't even start on some of the new tools from various manufacturers with really bad bodies.

I don't see how the '74 Super Charger could possibly be more offensive or controversial than the other 2 above (or some of those new bodies that I won't mention but that I absolutely loathe), but I'm going to take a really good look at one tonight and share what I see.  

 

[Stef]

I built the 74 Super Charger in the mid-80s, and that kit remains one of my holy grails to this day.

IIRC, awhile back when the remastered 68 Coronets materialized, there was talk about the original 68 Coronet chassis/running gear being derived from the MPC 66 Monaco, which survived all the way into the 74 Super Charger. Looking closely at the new 68 Coronet kit, I'd swear the Super Charger had the same basic 440, factory air cleaner, driveshaft loop, traction bars, and chrome headers.

Would it be within the realm of possibility for Round2 to simply clone/remaster a 74 Charger body/interior and drop it onto the remastered 68 Coronet running gear?

[Jordan White]

On 6/9/2025 at 5:08 PM, Chris V said:

I hare to be a buzzkill, but without an authoritative list of Round2’s current tooling inventory available this thread was bound to spiral out of control. 

Many of the kits requested in this thread are annuals which underwent numerous alterations and thus cannot be reissued without considerable investments in new tooling. Others have previously been confirmed to be either damaged, lost or scrapped, and finally some of the AMC kits were literally rebadged Jo-Han kits which AMT never owned the tooling for.

For obvious reasons Round2 isn’t going to disclose a comprehensive list of their current tooling inventory or planned projects  - We’ll just have to see what the future brings… 

 

 

What would be the issue with saying what current, not “new”, tooling they have?

[CapSat 6]

38 minutes ago, Stef said:

I built the 74 Super Charger in the mid-80s, and that kit remains one of my holy grails to this day.

IIRC, awhile back when the remastered 68 Coronets materialized, there was talk about the original 68 Coronet chassis/running gear being derived from the MPC 66 Monaco, which survived all the way into the 74 Super Charger. Looking closely at the new 68 Coronet kit, I'd swear the Super Charger had the same basic 440, factory air cleaner, driveshaft loop, traction bars, and chrome headers.

Would it be within the realm of possibility for Round2 to simply clone/remaster a 74 Charger body/interior and drop it onto the remastered 68 Coronet running gear?

The Monaco had a different- but very similar- chassis to the ‘68 Coronet. I do agree that the ‘68 Coronet chassis and drivetrain ended up under the MPC ‘71-‘74 Chargers, including that wonky pre-‘69 big block air cleaner. I haven’t compared chassis side by side, but man- the engine and custom bits really speak to it. 

[Can-Con]

2 hours ago, Carmak said:

There is another option.

The original 71-74 MPC Charger bodies fit on the modern 71 AMT Charger platform. The hood, bumpers and clears interchange as well.

I am thinking a partial clone using original 73-74 Charger body and bumpers. You would need a new body, bumpers, seats and interior side panels. Everything else from the 71 Charger. Not perfect but fairly close.  

The bumpers interchange ,, not so much, I don't think.

The glass is smaller on the new kits also. Might work but not much gluing area to work with.

New hood is a bit loose side to side but the tight length. The original flat hood is a hare wide but could easily be sanded or files down a bit on the sides and fit.

[tim boyd]

Interesting conversations....

The original 1968 Coronet annual kit chassis did not come from the MPC 1965/66 Dodge C-body (Monaco/Monaco 500/Custom  880/Polara 500/Magnum II) tool, but it has been widely accepted that it was reused from the 1966/67 Charger annual kit tool, which itself was sourced from the "AMT" (but really designed and tooled by MPC) 1965 Coronet 500 annual kit.   Maybe I (or someone else) need to dig out the above kits and do an updated comparison? 

I was also under the impression (but not clear understanding) that the MPC 1971 Charger annual kit had a fresh underbody tooling.  More detective work needed?  

Finally, I am in the camp that says I doubt Round 2 will try another project adapting or cloning original annual kit body tooling to 1990s/early 2000s AMT/Ertl underbody content.  Just like the 1/1 scale automotive world, sounds plausible on the surface but so many unknown/unexpected issues to actually deliver.  Cool and creative idea, though, I must admit. 

TB 

 

[CapSat 6]

1 hour ago, tim boyd said:

Interesting conversations....

The original 1968 Coronet annual kit chassis did not come from the MPC 1965/66 Dodge C-body (Monaco/Monaco 500/Custom  880/Polara 500/Magnum II) tool, but it has been widely accepted that it was reused from the 1966/67 Charger annual kit tool, which itself was sourced from the "AMT" (but really designed and tooled by MPC) 1965 Coronet 500 annual kit.   Maybe I (or someone else) need to dig out the above kits and do an updated comparison? 

I was also under the impression (but not clear understanding) that the MPC 1971 Charger annual kit had a fresh underbody tooling.  More detective work needed?  

Finally, I am in the camp that says I doubt Round 2 will try another project adapting or cloning original annual kit body tooling to 1990s/early 2000s AMT/Ertl underbody content.  Just like the 1/1 scale automotive world, sounds plausible on the surface but so many unknown/unexpected issues to actually deliver.  Cool and creative idea, though, I must admit. 

TB 

 

The Monaco chassis might have been the best C Body chassis in a kit to date. That ultimately ended up with the Magnum GT kit. 

The AMT ‘65 Coronet gave its greasy bits to the ‘66 and ‘67 Chargers. Compare the gas tanks and engines, and you’ll see that they are very similar. The chassis ended up in the Charger tool and stayed there. It might be why we have never seen a revival of the old AMT Coronet, if they couldn’t find the chassis tool. 

The ‘68 Coronet got a new chassis tool that year- it went under the ‘69, then the ‘70 Super Bee, and then the chassis and drivetrain went right under the ‘71 Charger tool. It stayed with the ‘74 Charger tool. When they found the ‘70 Super Bee body and interior, perhaps they thought it was missing, but really, it was with the ‘74. It might still be with the ‘74 Charger if they still have it. 

Pics are better than words. Here is a mint, original MPC ‘68 Coronet annual chassis (in white) compared to a used ‘72 Charger chassis (painted black and red). I’m sure the ‘74 is the same as the ‘72 except that screw holes have been blocked. It looks like they extended the front pan area, cut down the rear pan area, and took some length out of the wheelbase (correctly) when it went to the Charger in ‘71.

EDIT: Now that I REALLY look at these pics, it looks like the Coronet chassis is also a smidge wider. They still seem to have a lot of the same markings and details though. Either MPC modified the chassis tool, or cloned it heavily. It does seem like a lot of their kits reused certain design elements (wheels, engines, chassis), so maybe they somehow copied it and modified it to suit. 

Edited Wednesday at 03:00 AM by CapSat 6

[tim boyd]

9 hours ago, CapSat 6 said:

The Monaco chassis might have been the best C Body chassis in a kit to date. That ultimately ended up with the Magnum GT kit. 

The AMT ‘65 Coronet gave its greasy bits to the ‘66 and ‘67 Chargers. Compare the gas tanks and engines, and you’ll see that they are very similar. The chassis ended up in the Charger tool and stayed there. It might be why we have never seen a revival of the old AMT Coronet, if they couldn’t find the chassis tool. 

The ‘68 Coronet got a new chassis tool that year- it went under the ‘69, then the ‘70 Super Bee, and then the chassis and drivetrain went right under the ‘71 Charger tool. It stayed with the ‘74 Charger tool. When they found the ‘70 Super Bee body and interior, perhaps they thought it was missing, but really, it was with the ‘74. It might still be with the ‘74 Charger if they still have it. 

Pics are better than words. Here is a mint, original MPC ‘68 Coronet annual chassis (in white) compared to a used ‘72 Charger chassis (painted black and red). I’m sure the ‘74 is the same as the ‘72 except that screw holes have been blocked. It looks like they extended the front pan area, cut down the rear pan area, and took some length out of the wheelbase (correctly) when it went to the Charger in ‘71.

EDIT: Now that I REALLY look at these pics, it looks like the Coronet chassis is also a smidge wider. They still seem to have a lot of the same markings and details though. Either MPC modified the chassis tool, or cloned it heavily. It does seem like a lot of their kits reused certain design elements (wheels, engines, chassis), so maybe they somehow copied it and modified it to suit. 

Bill....thanks for doing the deep dive on this.  Fascinating to see the images side by side. 

And yes, the MPC Dodge C-Body chassis is by way far the best rendition of a Mopar C-Body in any 1/25th kit I know of.

Best...TB

[Carmak]

10 hours ago, CapSat 6 said:

It looks like they extended the front pan area, cut down the rear pan area, and took some length out of the wheelbase (correctly) when it went to the Charger in ‘71.

 

Nice info Bill! 

If you look carefully just below the ends of the torsion bars you can see where the tool cut was done. Notice there are two gussets in this area between the rockers and the floor on the Coronet chassis and only one on the Charger chassis.

[pack rat]

FWIW at least 10 years ago Round2 was well aware that the 66/67 Charger chassis originated in the '65 Coronet.

When they were working on the '67 Charger reissue they found that the exhaust system had been shortened at some point before being eliminated entirely for the Street Machine .  Speculation at the time was that the modification was made to accommodate the '66 Charger headers.  I sent them a pic of some measurements at the time as they were exploring options on the reissue.    

[CapSat 6]

1 hour ago, Carmak said:

Nice info Bill! 

If you look carefully just below the ends of the torsion bars you can see where the tool cut was done. Notice there are two gussets in this area between the rockers and the floor on the Coronet chassis and only one on the Charger chassis.

Thank you! I noticed some of this stuff only after shooting the pics and studying them. I guess they had to chop somewhere! 

[tim boyd]

5 hours ago, pack rat said:

FWIW at least 10 years ago Round2 was well aware that the 66/67 Charger chassis originated in the '65 Coronet.

When they were working on the '67 Charger reissue they found that the exhaust system had been shortened at some point before being eliminated entirely for the Street Machine .  Speculation at the time was that the modification was made to accommodate the '66 Charger headers.  I sent them a pic of some measurements at the time as they were exploring options on the reissue.    

de

Mike....thanks for weighing in on this.  Always, always look forward to your insights on AMT/Ertl/MPC/Round 2 kit development!  TIM

[Falcon Ranchero]

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Edited Thursday at 05:00 PM by Falcon Ranchero

[bbowser]

On 6/10/2025 at 3:35 PM, Dave Van said:

That would work. I\d like to see the Stutz too....Really want to dream add stock fenders to the Thomas. 

I would love to see stock fenders.

[Edsel-Dan]

Only the Matador might be able to be re-issued, as that WAS an AMT kit from the start.

The 1/25 AMX and Javelin kits were AMT Boxed Jo-Han kits, and likely were scrapped 

back in the 80's or 90's at the latest

AMT also boxed the 70 Olds Toronado. Again Permanently lost.

 

As a 1961 model myself, YES, I would love to see that entire listing offered again, but..............

[Stef]

15 minutes ago, Edsel-Dan said:

AMT also boxed the 70 Olds Toronado. Again Permanently lost.

I've been wondering about the 70 Toronado; most of it seems to have ended up the MPC Californian. Any chance that Round 2 could create a new Olds body and bada-boom bada-bing?

 

[Rob Hall]

17 minutes ago, Stef said:

I've been wondering about the 70 Toronado; most of it seems to have ended up the MPC Californian. Any chance that Round 2 could create a new Olds body and bada-boom bada-bing?

The Californian is what the MPC '68 Toronado ended up as...after the Mannix convertible?  The AMT '70 rebox was of the Jo-han tool.

Edited Wednesday at 10:42 PM by Rob Hall

[Edsel-Dan]

Yes. MPC tooled up a separate Toronado for 1967.

I have 1, it differs from the AMT/Jo-Han in that the underhood is a single piece, and has the front

fender marker lights, that the AMT issued Jo-Han does not. 

also MPC used the same metal axle up front as in the rear

MPC Updated the Toronado for 68, then 69.

After that I think was the Mannix Roadster, then the "Californian" Custom

That one was recently re-issued in the Retro-Deluxe  series.

Yes I would love to see Stock versions available again,  but.........

[stavanzer]

3 hours ago, Falcon Ranchero said:

Well it’s broken record time: 1960 PLYMOUTH FURY HARDTOP

Sorry.. That's a Johan kit.

[Falcon Ranchero]

15 hours ago, stavanzer said:

Sorry.. That's a Johan kit.

oh yeah that's right it's just a thread for Round2. 

1962 Galaxie hardtop then totally

[Mark C.]

On 6/11/2025 at 9:26 AM, tim boyd said:

Bill....thanks for doing the deep dive on this.  Fascinating to see the images side by side. 

And yes, the MPC Dodge C-Body chassis is by way far the best rendition of a Mopar C-Body in any 1/25th kit I know of.

Best...TB

Which is why we must(!!!) have some cloned ‘65/‘66 Monaco/Polara kits hit the shelves again! 
 

Oops… not thread-appropriate!