Moebius 1964 Mercury Comet Pro Touring

[Justin Porter]

Taken from a post from Sean Svendsen's "Sven's World of Wheels" page.

"Box art I created for Moebius Models. This will be an all new 1/25th scale 1964 Mercury Comet kit. Two versions are coming. This art is for the Pro Touring version which will get a unique chassis with a modern multi-link suspension and 18"/20" modern wheels. No release date yet, but likely should be on shelves before the end of this year. 

[stavanzer]

Wow!

I like the Comets and this looks very Sharp.

[espo]

Hope they build enough of these.  

[Dragonhawk1066]

Oh man, I'm definitely going to have to get this one!

[64Comet404]

Oh, I may have to get one...or two...or a case! 😜

 

[gtx6970]

I saw that.

Gotta admit...I might have to get that one

[66c10]

This will be a cool kit to have and and to my collection and put on my shelf and build and something different to add the shelf 

[Radretireddad]

Let me guess. Those 18” wheels and tube chassis go along with a Coyote or LS swap, right.🙄
I’m really happy a new tool of this subject is being offered as an alternative to the ancient AMT kit but please, please, please give us a stock or near stock version. The Pro touring shtick is one giant dead horse that was beaten to a bloody pulp long, long ago.

 

Edited yesterday at 04:40 AM by Radretireddad

[niteowl7710]

1 hour ago, Radretireddad said:

Let me guess. Those 18” wheels and tube chassis go along with a Coyote or LS swap, right.🙄
I’m really happy a new tool of this subject is being offered as an alternative to the ancient AMT kit but please, please, please give us a stock or near stock version. The Pro touring shtick is one giant dead horse that was beaten to a bloody pulp long, long ago.

 

Stock Version, Pro Touring Version...as the original post says "2 Versions coming".

[W-409]

This is great news! I have personally zero interest in anything Pro Touring, but will definitely buy a couple of the stock versions! 

[Shark]

Would like to see a drag car like the Sox & Martin car. They already did the '65 in racing trim.

[Mark]

2 versions coming in the near future...but there will be more down the road.  Stock, pro touring, factory FX with big and small engines.

The pro touring might he a response to possible criticism of the non-stock Nova hardtops (though I myself have never heard or read any).  The Nova street machine versions aren't the most up to date (though there are still lots of 1:1 cars out there like them).  It will be interesting to see what they go with for a power train for that one.

Moebius' mantra with car and light truck kits is to design in several versions right off the bat, and so far it has paid off for them.  That would seem to be the right strategy for the subject matter they have been choosing.

[rickcaps55]

Been waiting for this I'm in for 2 or 3 of each version.

[Justin Porter]

1 hour ago, Mark said:

2 versions coming in the near future...but there will be more down the road.  Stock, pro touring, factory FX with big and small engines.

The pro touring might he a response to possible criticism of the non-stock Nova hardtops (though I myself have never heard or read any).  The Nova street machine versions aren't the most up to date (though there are still lots of 1:1 cars out there like them).  It will be interesting to see what they go with for a power train for that one.

Moebius' mantra with car and light truck kits is to design in several versions right off the bat, and so far it has paid off for them.  That would seem to be the right strategy for the subject matter they have been choosing.

I've had a little bit of criticism of the "Restomod" Novas over my counter that the engines and the wheels weren't exciting enough. It's also worth noting that while Revell's marketing tie-in with Chip Foose plus the California Wheels series of kits DID give us large diameter wheels with low profile tires, and even occasionally some disc brakes to go behind those wheels, the lowered suspension options were just unrealistically lower versions of the stock suspension. With the notable exceptions of the AMT Street Machine '57 Chevy and the complete from the ground up Foose F100, there haven't been kits that offer Pro Touring builders up to date suspensions in the same way that Pro Street builders have scores of "go-to" kits for parts donors. 

Seeing Moebius court a more contemporary market is a good sign for the company regardless. They produce an excellent product, but they must be aware that an excellent product simply isn't enough to stay relevant in the model kit marketplace if you're not seeking out a broader base of customers. 

[Ragtop Man]

1 hour ago, Mark said:

2 versions coming in the near future...but there will be more down the road.  Stock, pro touring, factory FX with big and small engines.

The pro touring might he a response to possible criticism of the non-stock Nova hardtops (though I myself have never heard or read any).  The Nova street machine versions aren't the most up to date (though there are still lots of 1:1 cars out there like them).  It will be interesting to see what they go with for a power train for that one.

Moebius' mantra with car and light truck kits is to design in several versions right off the bat, and so far it has paid off for them.  That would seem to be the right strategy for the subject matter they have been choosing.

And if the chassis/powetrain doesn't wind up under the Moby '65 Comets.. AMTs Comet/Fairlane/Meteor/Rancheros of similar dimension and origin...Revell Thunderbolts... Giveaway Trumpeter Falcons and Rancheros... I'll be very surprised. 

FWIW modern hot rod and street machine publications as well as SEMA and Ridler competitions would debate the idea that pro touring or whatever you want to call it is anything but alive and well. Not always my cup of tea, but I think this will be a terrific addition to their portfolio. 

Some very sharp creative vision and wise investment on Moby's part, IMHO. 

[tim boyd]

2 hours ago, Justin Porter said:

I've had a little bit of criticism of the "Restomod" Novas over my counter that the engines and the wheels weren't exciting enough. It's also worth noting that while Revell's marketing tie-in with Chip Foose plus the California Wheels series of kits DID give us large diameter wheels with low profile tires, and even occasionally some disc brakes to go behind those wheels, the lowered suspension options were just unrealistically lower versions of the stock suspension. With the notable exceptions of the AMT Street Machine '57 Chevy and the complete from the ground up Foose F100, there haven't been kits that offer Pro Touring builders up to date suspensions in the same way that Pro Street builders have scores of "go-to" kits for parts donors. 

Seeing Moebius court a more contemporary market is a good sign for the company regardless. They produce an excellent product, but they must be aware that an excellent product simply isn't enough to stay..relevant in the model kit marketplace if you're not seeking out a broader base of customers. 

Hi Justin....just a little curious...wondering if any of your customers have had any reaction to the Round 2 reissue of the little-known street machine version of the AMT-Ert 1968 El Camino Street Machine kit?  As I am sure you well know, it does not have a full Pro Touring suspension, but it does include modified suspension parts that deliver a realistic lowered ride height.  And well some of the Street Machine parts are arguably out of date for today's taste (engine induction and valve covers, wheels and tires, etc.) it does have about 25% f the kit parts changes from the Replica Stock kit to be a more accurate street machine.  Sort of "pro touring lite", I suppose.  And thse outdated parts are easily swapped for more current alternatives.  Fiurther, while the kit engineering is innovative and IMHO very well done, there are some final assembly issues and the knockout pins (aka ejector pins) are not at all well handled. 

But still, I think it is a bit of a sleeper kit that deserves a closer look by those who like models that tilt toward the 1/1 scale aftermarket trends.  But that is just me....has anyone else noticed?  Or am I off in the ether on this one? 

Always fun and insightful to hear your views on new kit releases!   Best...TIM 

[thatz4u]

If it's not stock,  slip an AMT 66 Fairlane frame under it

[Justin Porter]

3 minutes ago, tim boyd said:

Hi Justin....just a little curious...wondering if any of your customers have had any reaction to the Round 2 reissue of the little-known street machine version of the AMT-Ert 1968 El Camino Street Machine kit?  As I am sure you well know, it does not have a full Pro Touring suspension, but it does include modified suspension parts that deliver a realistic lowered ride height.  And well some of the Street Machine parts are arguably out of date for today's taste (engine induction and valve covers, wheels and tires, etc.) it does have about 25% f the kit parts changes from the Replica Stock kit to be a more accurate street machine.  Sort of "pro touring lite", I suppose.  And thse outdated parts are easily swapped for more current alternatives.  Fiurther, while the kit engineering is innovative and IMHO very well done, there are some final assembly issues and the knockout pins (aka ejector pins) are not at all well handled. 

But still, I think it is a bit of a sleeper kit that deserves a closer look by those who like models that tilt toward the 1/1 scale aftermarket trends.  But that is just me....has anyone else noticed?  Or am I off in the ether on this one? 

Always fun and insightful to hear your views on new kit releases!   Best...TIM 

So, the Street Machine El Camino has some anticipation around it for its reissue but it hasn't hit my distributors just yet. That means I don't really have sales data to back up the anticipation. What I have heard from customers is that most of them want to rob parts from it rather than build it. It helps having a build of my own that has parts from the kit - my '67 Chevelle - that's drummed up interest particularly in the EFI supercharger setup. It tells me that if some enterprising kit company did a modified reissue of one of their muscle car kits that had a modern Procharger setup it'd sell quite swiftly. 

[tim boyd]

8 minutes ago, Justin Porter said:

So, the Street Machine El Camino has some anticipation around it for its reissue but it hasn't hit my distributors just yet. That means I don't really have sales data to back up the anticipation. What I have heard from customers is that most of them want to rob parts from it rather than build it. It helps having a build of my own that has parts from the kit - my '67 Chevelle - that's drummed up interest particularly in the EFI supercharger setup. It tells me that if some enterprising kit company did a modified reissue of one of their muscle car kits that had a modern Procharger setup it'd sell quite swiftly. 

Thanks Justin....I'd be curious to hear an update after the kits go on sale at your store, if you get a chance or see any definitive reaction.  Best...TIM 

[Bills72sj]

To me the Comet is kind of "Stodgy". But with the Pro Touring bits. I am in.

[Chris V]

I was absolutely stoked to see the announcement of a full-detail 1964 Mercury Comet, as I had already gathered parts and decals for a replica of Jack Chrisman's Infamous "Sachs & Sons" Comet, expecting to build it from AMT's old Craftsman kit.

A dedicated Pro Touring version is wonderful news!  I can't wait to see how well the new '64 Comets lend themselves to kitbashing with the current '65 Comet kits.