"Holy Grail" Models?

[Daddyfink]

Yup, I have some Grails to find

+

Edited January 13, 2021 by Daddyfink

[Dragline]

On 7/5/2020 at 8:13 PM, Hammerdown said:

Aurora 1:16 scale Funny Cars

These were my grails as well as for many other funny car lovers. I just happened to be in the right place and got the VooDoo 100% unbuilt many years ago, and the Pinto as a 1/2 built as well. The Pinto was probably built by an adult as what is built is well done. I also paid quite a bit for the two engine and chassis kits. Maybe some day I'll get around to building the Pinto. The Vega? I'm holding out hope someone wants to reverse engineer it so I can provide a nice minty example. There are also a few Tom Daniel kits I'd love to see reissued. The Unreal Roller was thought lost to the ages yet Atlantis will be reissuing it later this year so there is hope for the rest.

[Paul Payne]

Always had a soft spot for the AMT 3 in 1 boat kit, first model I built, back in 1959. Got one when they re-released it, also acquired most of a kit in trade. Another round tuit!

[ZTony8]

My grail, and the only old kit for which I would probably open my wallet wide, is the AMT '62 Buick Special station wagon. I messed it up badly as an 8 year old and I want to atone for it. I have a built-up that I obtained a few years ago but I really want a complete kit. My more modern grail is the Beemax Brabham BT-52.

[Bullybeef]

This is a kit that has eluded me for quite some time, I’ve missed it in production a number of times, and I’ve refused to pay eBay prices.

And I’ve recently achieved success ??
now I can finally build a replica of my 1:1 car! 

 

[BlackSheep214]

It can be my kit; be it auto/truck, armor, aircraft.

I have a few on top of my head I’d love to get another shot in building it again.

Smokey the Convoy Chaser Dodge Dart

Streaker Vette from Great Street Machines Series

Off Road Camper Dodge Truck with Suzuki Motorcycle

KISS van- I know for a fact this kit is rare and fetches top dollar for a sealed kit.

“The General” Locomotive kit

Budweiser Clydesdale 8-Horse Hitch Wagon. A little story on why. Read on...

I was about maybe 12 years old as I received it as a Christmas gift. I spent a good 2-3 weeks building this kit and was proud of it. My parents had a shelf where I could display it in the DR. It stood there for two weeks until one day I came home from school to find it broken in pieces. Apparently mom decided that shelf needed dusting. It was then she accidentally dropped the whole thing to the floor. Needless to say, I was pretty upset over it. I mean really, really upset that I didn’t speak to her for 2 days. I’m sure she felt bad about it even after I tried to mend it all back together. It was no use since the wagon was the main part that was destroyed beyond repair. No matter how hard I tried, I simply tossed it. 

Funny thing...she never dropped “The General” locomotive kit though. 

 

There are others from my youth I have high on my list with hopes of acquiring again. So far I managed to grab a few from my past.

Edited May 31, 2021 by BlackSheep214

[Snake45]

 

[peteski]

Like Snake shows, there is another thread about this.  I currently don't have a Holly Grail kit. I picked up most of mine over the years (mostly on eBay).  I suppose that one more I wouldn't mind having is a funny car I believe called "Peanut 1". Its nose was shaped like Jimmy Carters grinning mouth and teeth.  But I haven't looked for it so I don't know how rare those are.

I have a Kiss van (my original abomination from my childhood), and also a complete unbuilt kit (not sealed - I prefer it that way). Picked that one up several years ago on eBay. Yes, it was pricey.

I also have the General locomotive I picked up on eBay few years back.  Back then were plentiful on eBay, and didn't cost much. Not sure about now.

[keyser]

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-AMT-PEANUT-1-MONZA-1-25-/324614808441?_trksid=p2349624.m46890.l49286
cheapest in there. No relation yadayada. 

[peteski]

6 hours ago, keyser said:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-AMT-PEANUT-1-MONZA-1-25-/324614808441?_trksid=p2349624.m46890.l49286
cheapest in there. No relation yadayada. 

Thanks CL!  I don't think I want it 65-dollars worth.  I still have the parts of the original (I built when I was in  my mid-teens).  Maybe I should set up an automatic search on eBay and look for one to come along for a bit less money.  For now I'll watch this one, and see if it has any takers.  It is a weird model (probably a fantasy model), and that's what attracted me to it in the first place. I'm not really much into funny cars.

I have had some automatic searches set up and waited few years to get a model I want for a reasonable (to me) price.

Edited June 1, 2021 by peteski

[RSchnell]

Here's 2 of mine. 

[BlackSheep214]

9 hours ago, keyser said:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-AMT-PEANUT-1-MONZA-1-25-/324614808441?_trksid=p2349624.m46890.l49286
cheapest in there. No relation yadayada. 

Heh... I fondly remember seeing that kit at my local Kmart back in the 70s. Loved how it described it the Quarter Mile Smile on the box. Lmao!

[89AKurt]

The other night, on a lark, I searched 'Sportstar' to see if anyone built this.  What I found was my comments in this thread.  Checked out eBay, saw one in auction mode, only 1 bid.  So I set my alarm, checked in about an hour before the hammer, no action, put mine in with 30 seconds to go, and got it.  I had a hunch and manifested it.  Just put it out in the universe for what you want, you might be surprised.

[Captain Spaulding]

This would be mine, have seen a few online just wanting more than I'm willing to pay for a kit.

 

[TonyK]

I believe it was the AMT 1966 Chevy Impala kit that was probably a 3 in 1. Had a picture of the stock car version on the front. Think I've seen 2 variations of this kit but want the certain one I got as a Christmas present when I was a kid. Probably not a great kit today but always wanted it to relive a childhood memory.

[doorsovdoon]

1 hour ago, Captain Spaulding said:

This would be mine, have seen a few online just wanting more than I'm willing to pay for a kit.

 

Been wanting that one myself too, but as you say, it's more than I'm willing to pay for a kit. The Plymouth police wagon is another Jo-Han I'd like to get but again the price is out of my range.

[Casey]

18 hours ago, peteski said:

there is another thread about this.

 

 

[Tom Geiger]

Like Pete, I don’t have a Holy Grail kit,  life has been good to me and I’ve managed to find everything I’ve ever wanted during my 30 some years in the hobby as an adult. 

My Holy Grail was the ever elusive 1966 Valiant promo. Probably the rarest Mopar promo, I don’t believe it ever saw general circulation since the C panel and rear window are incorrect.

I wanted one for years and always have had an eBay search active. I’d only find one when my finances wouldn’t allow it. I found this one on eBay some ten years ago. Timing wasn’t exactly right but I figured timing would never be right so I grabbed it on the Buy It Now for $400.

Funny thing, the seller actually messaged me to be sure I understood it was a model and not a real car!

[Dave Ambrose]

My Holy Grail kit was always the Nautilus from Disney's 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea. A few years ago, we had the pleasure of meeting Scott Brodeen, who restores movie props, and also makes a resin kit of the Nautilus. After some discussion between my wife and I, we decided to get the 31 inch version. Scott wasn't getting any younger, and the built ones we saw looked very great. I'm glad we did. I'm working at bringing my weathering skills up to the level this kit requires, but it's lovely. Fit is generally excellent. Detail is good. I picked up some 3D printed parts for it. Now to learn how to apply rust washes. 

[iamsuperdan]

Thanks to Ebay sellers that weren't asking the moon, and the generosity of another member here, I've managed to find a few of my grail kits; a Ferrari 288 GTO, original AMT Matador X,  and an AMT 1966 Mercury Comet Cyclone.

 

There's always a couple though that seem to be out of reach though.

ESCI Ford Transit - molded in red, in the promo box

Tamiya Volvo 850 - estate, BTCC estate, BTCC sedan

None of these are particularly rare, but they are listed and sell for more than I'm willing to pay at this time. 

Eventually, I'll get lucky like I did with the Ferrari and Matador mentioned above. Found each of those for under $40 CDN.

[stitchdup]

9 minutes ago, iamsuperdan said:

Thanks to Ebay sellers that weren't asking the moon, and the generosity of another member here, I've managed to find a few of my grail kits; a Ferrari 288 GTO, original AMT Matador X,  and an AMT 1966 Mercury Comet Cyclone.

 

There's always a couple though that seem to be out of reach though.

ESCI Ford Transit - molded in red, in the promo box

Tamiya Volvo 850 - estate, BTCC estate, BTCC sedan

None of these are particularly rare, but they are listed and sell for more than I'm willing to pay at this time. 

Eventually, I'll get lucky like I did with the Ferrari and Matador mentioned above. Found each of those for under $40 CDN.

The esci transit with the red van on it is on ebay uk quite often and the prices have dropped a lot since the italeri reboxings came out. They still go for around$60 US but it about a third of what they were going for

[iamsuperdan]

27 minutes ago, stitchdup said:

The esci transit with the red van on it is on ebay uk quite often and the prices have dropped a lot since the italeri reboxings came out. They still go for around$60 US but it about a third of what they were going for

Yes, I see it there quite a bit. There's one active now, but it's about $120 CDN. I've paid half that for the other versions that are molded in yellow or white. I'm sure at some point I'll just do it, but for now I'm happy waiting for a deal!

[Casey]

On 7/5/2015 at 4:56 PM, hgbben said:

 

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y94/paulo57509/camaro/Revell87IROC_zps4b96e424.jpg

I would love to see this one reissued, by whichever company currently has possession of it. Not holding my breath, though...

Still hunting for this one, but just have to be patient:

[slusher]

16 hours ago, Captain Spaulding said:

This would be mine, have seen a few online just wanting more than I'm willing to pay for a kit.

 

Many must want this kit because I have had no luck ? for what I can afford for a few years now..

[Snake45]

On 11/8/2014 at 10:09 AM, Snake45 said:

Almost any of the original AMT annual kits from 1965 to '69, especially the '66s and '67s, in their original boxes. I've managed to acquire several of them in the last few years. My favorites are prolly '66 Skylark, '66 Barracuda, '66 Mustang HT/Convertible, and '66 Corvette roadster.

AMT '65 Chevelle, either original annual or the AWB funnycar.

JoHan '68 Javelin with the Logghe-chassis funnycar option. Also, any other '68-'70 Javelin, or the AMT AMX with the funnycar option.

MPC '33 Chevy Sedan Delivery.

MPC '66 and '67 Bonneville hardtops.

I'm sure I'll think of others but the above is a good "core" list.

Interesting to look at my "grail list" of almost 7 years ago and see where I am now on it. Still love them all, still buy them when I can, still enjoy restoring, rescuing, and building them. 

'66 Skylark: Recently finished the Snake-Fu rescue of an original Craftsman. I have at least two more glue bombs that can be rebuilt. Last year I scored a complete set of original kit custom parts, and am planning to build up a kit custom on the dirt-track kit. 

'66 Barracuda: Bought an unbuilt mint kit many years ago and it will remain that way. I've "rescued" a nice yellow promo, and am planning to build at least one street cruiser based on the HUG body. 

'66 Mustang HT/Conv: Have one mint unbuilt annual kit and again it will remain that way. Have succeeded in rounding up enough extra custom parts from the kit to do a kit custom on a common current reissue. 

'66 Corvette roadster: Have now rounded up enough bodies and parts to do a factory stock, a road racer, a kit custom, and maybe even a drag car. I really need to get on these. Have the factory box and instructions, too. 

I added two more AMT '66s to my grail list: Impala HT and Mustang fastback. No luck so far on finding a full Impala kit but I did get two nice promos, a radio car, and I think one rebuilder that's good enough for a "Day 2" car. Also rounded up all the kit custom parts, which I'll install on a common dirt tracker. Scored an original convertible box, but not a HT box. In Mustang fastbacks, I've bought and restored/rescued five builtups: Two drag cars, one mild custom, one nicely painted factory stocker, and one so-so-painted stocker that I might strip and repaint someday. Also got a painted bare body that should strip to minty. Would still love to score an unbuilt kit, but I did get an original box and instructions. 

I got two '65 Chevelle Craftsman builtups, one of which I've already restored and the other I hope to do this year. Also have three of the AWB FC bodies in very bad shape, with a number of random FC parts. I MIGHT be able to piece two whole models out of the whole sad mess. Have an original AWB FC box and instructions.

Finally scored a nice '69 Javelin promo that needs some minor repairs, and a '70 promo that needs major restoration/love. I still have the nice original that I built in 1968, and have restored a '68 promo and have another '68 promo to do. Still would love to find an original '68 or '69 kit with all the funny car parts, though. Don't have any original boxes for any of them.

No joy on MPC '66 Bonneville HT. I did grab a '67 HT at the local toy show that would be really nice except for something heavy rested on it for years and pushed the whole roof over about half an inch. Gotta figger out how to fix that.