GENERAL LEE general question

[Brutalform]

I have a friend that wants to buy the 1/25 scale of the MPC version of the General Lee for me to build. Is the MPC kit the only, and best version of this car? 

[Jim B]

When I built mine, I used the Revell/Monogram Pro Modeler 1969 Dodge Charger R/T (although I did use the 1968 body as I didn't feel like sanding off the vinyl roof).

Came out alright, I guess.  I did use the decals from the MPC kit, and I scratch built the CB antenna.  This article really helped me out:

http://di-namix.com/ModelCarFiles/howto.htm

[Brutalform]

Thanks Jim. I saved that article in the link you provided. The build you did looks fantastic. So basically the 69 Revell kits have vinyl roofs, and the 68 is a hardtop? The front grills are basically the same? Was it difficult to fit the 69 taillights into the 68 body? 

[Brutalform]

Anyone have any opinions on the AMT, or the MPC kits?

[Can-Con]

7 minutes ago, Brutalform said:

Anyone have any opinions on the AMT, or the MPC kits?

Same kit, different box.

[Carmak]

46 minutes ago, Brutalform said:

Anyone have any opinions on the AMT, or the MPC kits?

I will speak to two different versions of (MPC/AMT/ERTL) plastic model kits.

The first version of the General Lee was made by combining pieces of a Daytona stock car kit, original 69 tooling and some 71-72 Charger tooling. The body had the Daytona flush rear window, It didn't have and taillight bezels, the grille inserts were 71-72 Charger, nothing fit really well, and the tooling was worn. It then became the best-selling model car kit of all time.

The second version was revision of the first version. The rear window was fixed. The tail light bezels were sorta molded into the body. It got a little better in some places but the tooling was even more worn and nothing fit.

I grew up building these kits (multiples) and I loved them. An okay model can be built using either of these kits (not accurate, just okay) if you put some work into it.

If I wanted to build a nice, detailed replica I would use the Revell kits.

[Street Rod]

I’ll agree with using the Revell kits. You’ll get a more detailed finished build than the MPC version. Grille and taillight panel will be interchangeable between the 68 and 69 kits if you don’t want to deal with the vynil top on the 69. 

[Fat Brian]

I put together a kit for my wife's cousin to build with. I used the Revell kits, a stock 69 and the Dick Landy 68. You need the body from the 68 for the smooth top and the 69 tail light panel and lenses along with the grille. Most everything else comes from the 69 kit but I did add the roll bar and back seat delete bar from the Landy kit if you want a racier build. The good thing about this mix and match is that there is a complete 68 vinyl top car left over.

[Brutalform]

Thank you everyone for the replies. I have all the information I need now. 

Edited July 14 by Brutalform

[Shark]

Slixx has the decals on one of their mini sheets

[gtx6970]

I have a parted out Revell 1969 kit if you need any 69 specific parts to convert the 68 

Tail lights and rear body panel, interior , grille etc etc etc 

 

 

BUT , IMO the door scallops are more accurate  to the 1/1 car MPC/AMT versus the Revell body 

Edited July 14 by gtx6970

[Brutalform]

2 hours ago, gtx6970 said:

I have a parted out Revell 1969 kit if you need any 69 specific parts to convert the 68 

Tail lights and rear body panel, interior , grille etc etc etc 

 

 

BUT , IMO the door scallops are more accurate  to the 1/1 car MPC/AMT versus the Revell body 

Thanks for the offer, Bill. I explained everything to him. He’s not really concerned about ultra correct detail. He just wants a GL to display on the shelf. Maybe down the road I’ll eventually build a GL using the Revell 68 & 69 parts. 

[michelle]

the mpc and older amt glue kit does not have the correct engine for the series car which was a 440 magnum the main hero cars had the kits have a 426 no series car had a hemi only the 2005 movie did 

the glue kit has a crappy  ill fitting full roll cage none of the hero cars had that they had a roll bar 
the glue kits back bumper does not line up and fit have to replace with a revell 68-70 charger one to get a better fit 

now the mpc snap kit general lee is very good except for the vectors which are shallow almost flush with the out rim  but it has a cb radio and antenna and correct roll bar 
both kits have a very undersized super thin easy to brake ram bar which does not match either version used in the show or the movies 
 

[Brutalform]

On 7/14/2025 at 7:42 PM, michelle said:

the mpc and older amt glue kit does not have the correct engine for the series car which was a 440 magnum the main hero cars had the kits have a 426 no series car had a hemi only the 2005 movie did 

the glue kit has a crappy  ill fitting full roll cage none of the hero cars had that they had a roll bar 
the glue kits back bumper does not line up and fit have to replace with a revell 68-70 charger one to get a better fit 

now the mpc snap kit general lee is very good except for the vectors which are shallow almost flush with the out rim  but it has a cb radio and antenna and correct roll bar 
both kits have a very undersized super thin easy to brake ram bar which does not match either version used in the show or the movies 
 

I decided to build this car for myself. I haven’t heard from my friend since he originally contacted me. Not too concerned with the ram bar, or the wheels, as Fireball has both of those. I have a sealed 68 kit, but I’ll still need the front and rear body parts. Is the 68 interior the same as the 69? If not maybe Bill might still have those parts? 

[michelle]

20 minutes ago, Brutalform said:

I decided to build this car for myself. I haven’t heard from my friend since he originally contacted me. Not too concerned with the ram bar, or the wheels, as Fireball has both of those. I have a sealed 68 kit, but I’ll still need the front and rear body parts. Is the 68 interior the same as the 69? If not maybe Bill might still have those parts? 

depends on which general lee you make earlier seasons had slightly more actual 69 chargers with only a couple 68s converted on the outside to look like a 69 
the generals made using 68 chargers only had the grilles and tail light panels replaced and the round 68 side markers removed and filled in so the interiors  were still the 68 interiors which the seats have different patterns from the 69 seats and there were quite a few of the 68s used in the later seasons and in the first original cast reunion movie in 1997 
the early seasons generals ram bars were tall and not that wide on the horizontal while the late seasons ram bars were not as tall as the early seasons versions but much wider on the horizontal then the earlier seasons versions 

 

[Brutalform]

Thanks for this info Michelle. I guess if I score the front and rear body parts, I can live with the 68 interior.