Pre-crunched models from the factory?

[asterisk]

Was reminiscing with a fellow model builder earlier and came to wonder...aside from the AMT 'Diamond in the Rough' kit featuring the "put out to pasture" '39 Ford Sedan, and the questionably-worn AMT 'Junkyard Dog' Mack R685, were there any other automotive kits that came with molded-in wear/damage/dents?

[Mark]

Aurora did one in 1/32 scale, a demo derby car.  "Demolition Demon" '56 Ford two-door sedan.

[Chris V]

Back before the days of Round2’s  ownership Lindberg announced an upcoming issue of their Dodge L700, with a truckload of crushed cars. They even had a box art/display model built using existing Lindberg kits, but licensing issues supposedly killed off the project as none of the proposed manufacturers wanted to se their vehicles portrayed as wrecks.

[Fat Brian]

Most of the kits I order from Amazon come pre-crushed but I don't think they left the factory that way.

[Tim W. SoCal]

13 hours ago, Fat Brian said:

Most of the kits I order from Amazon come pre-crushed but I don't think they left the factory that way.

Then there's shipping via UPS, FedEx and USPS

 

[Doug 1061]

I had forgotten all about that commercial.    Reminds me of when I worked at an air freight terminal a real long time ago.

[asterisk]

On 8/17/2025 at 11:12 PM, Chris V said:

with a truckload of crushed cars

That's right! I recall the box art mock-up:

 

[deuces wild]

On 8/18/2025 at 3:37 PM, Tim W. SoCal said:

Then there's shipping via UPS, FedEx and USPS

 

I remember those old Samsonite commercials.....😆😅🤣😂

[Rigor]

Pet detective comes to mind

[Bugatti Fan]

It would appear that all postal services and parcel delivery couriers operate excellent 'Crush a Kit' services as a free bonus with their deliveries.

[mchook]

Advertised as "could be junker" but just a plain kit.

[OldNYJim]

So, am I right in thinking that only the old 1/32 Aurora kit and MAYBE that ‘Diamond…’ kit actually came with molded-in damage?  No other kits since?

Somewhat related, but I fell down a rabbit-hole last year when I discovered Hot Wheels had a whole range of crushed cars and demo derby cars and managed to pick up a few…I’m still planning on some 1/24 inspired-by versions, just to see if I can master the crunched-metal look..

[stitchdup]

there is an article in a recent mcm on how to damage models. they car in the article replaced panels with heavy foil before doing the damage

[mcs1056]

On 8/18/2025 at 2:15 AM, Fat Brian said:

Most of the kits I order from Amazon come pre-crushed but I don't think they left the factory that way.