Revell GMC Van "Stranger things"

[Joe Handley]

Having grown up around a pair of Beauvilles, a ‘78 followed by an ‘87, I kinda want to get at least one to compare to the AMT and Monogram kits from that period!

[Luc Janssens]

Here another photo, with was posted on facebook by Michael Gordon.

[ranma]

Funny no one has said anything about this Radiator ( circled in red) Being a curbside kit. So there will be a full detail with engine sometime in late 2026 or early 2027???

[Rob Hall]

19 minutes ago, ranma said:

Funny no one has said anything about this Radiator ( circled in red) Being a curbside kit. So there will be a full detail with engine sometime in late 2026 or early 2027???

 

Probably included because the grille is cast partially open...makes sense to have the radiator to see behind it. 

[Luc Janssens]

1 hour ago, ranma said:

Funny no one has said anything about this Radiator ( circled in red) Being a curbside kit. So there will be a full detail with engine sometime in late 2026 or early 2027???

IMHO its there because the grille is molded open.

[stavanzer]

At least it has some Chrome.

[Joe Handley]

11 hours ago, Luc Janssens said:

Here another photo, with was posted on facebook by Michael Gordon.

Was that taken at the IPMS Butch O’Hare Show yesterday?  That display looks like the one that was there yesterday.

[Luc Janssens]

Chris "Hpiguys" is building one!

His video will air this Wednesday (his words 😉 )

 

 

[Joe Handley]

6 hours ago, Luc Janssens said:

Chris "Hpiguys" is building one!

His video will air this Wednesday (his words 😉 )

 

 

I’ll have to keep an eye out for that video, I liked what I saw of the kit at the Butch O’Hare show last weekend.

[StanGlover]

Anyone know what website has this available for preorder? Model Roundup doesn’t even show it as coming soon, and neither do my other go-to’s 

[Daddyfink]

 

[OldSkool81]

I just jot done watching the first, newly issued half of Stranger Things 5. Although I wasn't excited at first when I discovered that the final S.T. model kit was going to be a GM van, especially when AMT already made one, I kinda want it now! After checking out most of my usual Canadian retailers, it seems that the ones who list it on preorder want 69,99$ CAD (50$ US) for this! 70 bucks for a curbside model with a toy-like slab chassis? I kinda want it, but I don't want it that bad, sorry. Then, checking out the pictures and infos, I realized it was a Revell Germany boxing, and remember they tried to pull the same shenanigans before with the Camaro, Blazer and Surfer Boy van,  listing preorders for the more expensive Revell Germany versions. But it backfired, because the Revell Germany versions arrived so late, that the more reasonably priced Revell USA kits already came out!!!! So I'm willing to bet that later on in 2026, we'll also have a Revell USA issue, so I'm putting my wallet aside and will wait patiently until then!

Edited Saturday at 10:47 PM by OldSkool81
typo

[Junkman]

Don't worry, it'll be on sale early in the new year.
The ST Blazer, Camaro, and VW Bus kits are already marked down everywhere and still don't sell.

I don't think this series is doing too well for Revell.

Edited Sunday at 04:30 PM by Junkman

[Luc Janssens]

1 hour ago, Junkman said:

Don't worry, it'll be on sale early in the new year.
The ST Blazer, Camaro, and VW Bus kits are already marked down everywhere and still don't sell.

I don't think this series is doing too well for Revell.

Comparing the median age of the viewer to the average age of a model kit builder, maybe tells the whole story, dunno...just guessing, but got a great deal on the Blazer thru Amazon last year, it was like 10 Euro off MSRP.

[Can-Con]

3 hours ago, Luc Janssens said:

Comparing the median age of the viewer to the average age of a model kit builder, maybe tells the whole story, dunno...just guessing, but got a great deal on the Blazer thru Amazon last year, it was like 10 Euro off MSRP.

Don't know what you think the age of the viewers is Luc, but this is DEFINITLY NOT a kids show.  It's even too gory for my wife to watch with me, and she's a "farm girl" so definitely not a wimp.

[Luc Janssens]

9 hours ago, Can-Con said:

Don't know what you think the age of the viewers is Luc, but this is DEFINITLY NOT a kids show.  It's even too gory for my wife to watch with me, and she's a "farm girl" so definitely not a wimp.

Never watched it, hence the "dunno" 😉 

Anyway, if what Christian wrote is reflecting in the overall/regional sales of this series of kits, lessons will be learned.

But since the series was in limbo for such a long time, sales might pick up due to the premiere of the final season last week. 

But then it still boils down to exposure of these model kits to fans of the series....

Edited Monday at 05:59 AM by Luc Janssens
Added thoughts

[Edsel-Dan1961]

I have never seen the show either, (No internet at home So no streaming), but already

have 1 each of the Vanagon and Blazer Police.

 

I buy EVERY  version of the VW Vanagon I can!! Ambulance (3), Fire depatment ELW (2),UN Bus, etc

All started with the original Orange Westfalia Camper

[stavanzer]

If I can get a Less than MSRP Deal on the Camaro or Blazer, I will get more. The Vans (VW & GMC) do nothing for me at all.

What ever Revell's "Grand Plan" was, it seems to have hit the rocks. Letting Europeans decide on American Subjects. tends to go that way...I am saddened.

I had hoped that the Blazer Tooling anyway might get many more extensions. But the Half-Hearted GMC Jimmy, does not look like it will be a hit.

We will see when they start to show up at Ollie's.

Edited Monday at 03:50 AM by stavanzer

[Mark C.]

It has been written that the science fiction show tie-ins expand the market from just car and truck builders to SF builders/collectors as well.  Perhaps the show’s popularity is declining?

Otherwise, not sure why they wouldn’t be selling as an all-new tooled, detailed square body Blazer should sell well on its own merit, shouldn’t it?  Seems like it should check all the boxes to be successful.  Did I mention that the Blazer is all-new tooling, highly detailed, and n-o-t a reissue?  What’s the deal?  Isn’t new tooling what everybody wants?

[Daddyfink]

Most viewers of the show, regardless of their age, don't even know that there are kits for this show, nor do they care! My sister just watched the current installment of the show, they broke the last season into two blocks, and I told her about the kits. She was happy for me about them, but otherwise they are just another promo tool that she is not going to buy. And she is 60, btw. 

People here got excited about the Supernatural Impala and bought them because of the show tie in, but I have never seen the show once and I bought them because it is a unique subject. I think they will sell to fans of the show who are modelers, folks who are fans of these certain vehicles, and guys like me that collect show biz type kits. 

I am just happy they are still making some new kits, regardless of how they come wrapped! 

[Mark C.]

The point is, I’ve been reading here and on other forums that sci-fi collectibles is a much bigger market than car models and that in some cases the only way we could ever expect to see certain new releases is if they are tied to some successful sci-fi show or movie.  I think the Supernatural Impala is a prime example of this.  I can say with confidence that we would never have gotten a 4 door hardtop Impala without the tie-in to the show.

I have no source of sales information (which some here appear to), so I have no idea whether the sci-fi affiliation is a guarantee of sales success or not.  But going by what has been said here, I expected the Stranger Things kits to have been gobbled up by the sci-fi collectors… but it’s being speculated that they are a sales flop and that Revell doesn’t know what it’s doing.  I’m just trying to get some clarity on the subject.

For my perspective, I’m purely a car guy and have little interest in modern sci-fi (or superhero movies, etc.).  So I still buy mostly based upon vehicle subject matter, not show affiliation, etc.  In fact, I have never seen any of these shows, and there’s a good chance I won’t.  I actually wouldn’t even know about them if not for the models with the show branding on them.

Edit:  I should add that I have purchased copies of these kits just because I want to build the vehicles depicted.  They will not be built to replicate any of the versions depicted in the shows, however.

Edited 15 hours ago by Mark C.

[Mr. Metallic]

11 hours ago, Mark C. said:

It has been written that the science fiction show tie-ins expand the market from just car and truck builders to SF builders/collectors as well.  Perhaps the show’s popularity is declining?

Otherwise, not sure why they wouldn’t be selling as an all-new tooled, detailed square body Blazer should sell well on its own merit, shouldn’t it?  Seems like it should check all the boxes to be successful.  Did I mention that the Blazer is all-new tooling, highly detailed, and n-o-t a reissue?  What’s the deal?  Isn’t new tooling what everybody wants?

The shows popularity is not declining. The viewership numbers are apparently through the roof so far.

And think about it for those that are wondering if it's a sales failure because they see it sitting stagnant on hobby shop shelves. Fans of the show are generally not going to venture into a hobby shop to buy it, because they probably don't even know it exists. They're going to stumble upon it on Amazon or grab it off Hobby Lobby shelf IF they happen to see it on the shelf. 

[iamsuperdan]

As an aside, Billy's Camaro and the Surfer Boy VW van are on Amazon in Canada for $44 and $46 CDN respectively. So under $33 US for each.

Not bad.

Hopper's Blazer and the WSQK van not on there at this time.

 

[av405]

I keep reading that the Blazer has been a sales flop so far. Is there any concrete evidence of this? Or that at the very least its underperforming?

[Daddyfink]

1 hour ago, av405 said:

I keep reading that the Blazer has been a sales flop so far. Is there any concrete evidence of this? Or that at the very least its underperforming?

Yeah, I would like to see these numbers as well, as my LHS totally sold out of the U.S. issue and the Germany Boxed issues, which are about $10 dollars more than the U.S. issues. 

Hard data always beats homemade speculation!