My take on the Monroe Handler

[Jason Vandergriff]

Been messing with this project for a while now. Ive had a few different frames built for it but not happy with any of them. I decided to get this one back out and see what we could do. Wheels came from a porsche kit that i had gt1 racer i believe. Motovation will be a 4.6 mod motor from the 99 stang from revell. Might steal the chassis from it as well or build my own. Mock up pics to tease you guys with.

Edited December 1, 2010 by Jason Vandergriff

[BigEdsGarage]

I just can't help but wonder how many people reading this actually recall the Monroe Handler? Neat to see this as a kit project. This should be a fun build.

Wasn't there even an ad that had Reggie Jackson in it showing the car in the background? This goes along nicely with the other current post utilizing a road-race inspired Monza as they are very similarly styled kits.

Wow....let the flashbacks begin! Bring on the Levi's Denimachine next..haha

[whale392]

I remember seeing some print ads using that car.........until the FOX version came along. I also remember the McLaren M81s/Enduro as well.

[torinobradley]

I just can't help but wonder how many people reading this actually recall the Monroe Handler? Neat to see this as a kit project. This should be a fun build.

Wasn't there even an ad that had Reggie Jackson in it showing the car in the background? This goes along nicely with the other current post utilizing a road-race inspired Monza as they are very similarly styled kits.

Wow....let the flashbacks begin! Bring on the Levi's Denimachine next..haha

Don't forget the Pontiac Skyhawk(?) that also shared the same 1"X2" box frame, 4 piece engine and two piece tires...

Always wanted to take one of these bodies and sit it over a correct Mustang II chassis. I do like the wheels you chose.

[Jason Vandergriff]

The monza is what caused me to open the box on this one. Looking like a scratchbuilt frame with irs and a neat front end setup. Door bars are coming from a parts lot I took in on trade. Ill get some progress made on it tomorrow.

[miatamadman]

I actually do remember that kit! Built it when I was a kid.......a long time ago

[Jason Vandergriff]

I actually do remember that kit! Built it when I was a kid.......a long time ago

Ive got 2 others as well. ll find some of the other frames i built for it.they are here some where.

[fastram]

I remember seeing the real car at one of the old Car-Craft Street Machine Nationals back in the late seventies.

It was a slick car at the time. Never did pick up one of the kits of it though.

Keep up the good work, it should look great.

The Pro Touring style is bringing back some of the older cars with some cool looks.

[mikelo]

Man, not only do I remember this kit, but I have the perfect tow vehicle for it. Remember the Monroe Ranger? It is nice to see one of these being built.

Mike

[Jason Vandergriff]

Man, not only do I remember this kit, but I have the perfect tow vehicle for it. Remember the Monroe Ranger? It is nice to see one of these being built.

Mike

Id like to see pics of it. I would build the matching tow vehicle if I had it. Im planning a all metallic paint for this one. Found some more goodies for this one last night while digging stuff out for my self want to do a 24 hour build while sleeping and working. Total time to build 8 hours. As for this one I keep finding reference material in the catalog rack from work. Seats will be modded to look like the one out of the porsche donor kit. Cage will be a mix of scratchbuilt and kit parts. Dash will be flat stock. Ill get back to work on it after i finish the 37 ford race car on the bench.

[Chuck Most]

Very cool- the only time I've seen this kit was in a Monroe shocks sweepstakes magazine ad from the late '70's! Like Nessie, I'd heard of it but never seen it... until now!

[Jason Vandergriff]

Did some frame work tonight. Took an amt cup kit and did dome chopping on the rear clip. Ill build the rear tubs and crash panels back in 020 flat stock. Also found the parts bag i had set aside for this project and have the wheels from a shelby series 1 kit. Not sure which ones ill use at the moment. Looking into a set of mcg slotted rotors with my own 4 piston calipers. I want to open the door but I think with t-tops it isnt required. Grilles will get cut and replace with a honey comb mesh. heres a few pics.

Edited December 4, 2010 by Jason Vandergriff

[Joe Handley]

I remember reading the build of the 1/1 in an old Hot Rod Magazine that Dad has managed to hang on to. That and the Monza would make for some neat reissues from Round 2 as well!

[Jason Vandergriff]

I remember reading the build of the 1/1 in an old Hot Rod Magazine that Dad has managed to hang on to. That and the Monza would make for some neat reissues from Round 2 as well!

Both this one and the monza are from revell.Id like to have another dozen of these. All the crash panel work starts tonight.

[mikelo]

Sorry for the delay. I had to dig it up and get a pick. After putting them together, it looks like the Courier may be a little small. Especially with the Mustang being from Revell and the Courier from AMT, though it is a small truck. Here is a pic of them together with the box end behind them.

Mike

Edited December 7, 2010 by mikelo

[Jason Vandergriff]

Mike Ill have to keep the truck in mind to find when im at the shows. What motor was you panning on stuffing in the mustang? I started the framework and bar work. I ran out of .062 rod. Pic of the main hoop and some other small work tonight after work.

[Jason Vandergriff]

Got some progress made on the cage. So far so good. Used .080 rod for the bars. Notched them all with a file.

[Jason Vandergriff]

added the left door bars dash bar and 2 main bars up front. still need to do bars on the right side, behind the seat, bumper bars, and the top bars. i based the cage loosely off a gt1 race car.

[gray07]

This is a cool mustang, its something like the cobra that i have in the trade section. I will watch this build

[mikelo]

Nice job so far. it is coming along nicely. Yea, gotta love the 80's. Can't you tell it was going to have some big motor with a blower on it? Ahh those were the days.

Mike

[Ben]

Hey Jason, looking great so far! This is one of my most favorite kits and I'm currently building one just like the box art. I have made many modifications though to include a correct front and rear suspension, a resin 351 Cleveland and real aluminum, machined Centerlines with machined aluminum lug nuts from RB Motion. The wheels and lug nuts were all made to my specs from drawings I produced.

For anyone interested, you can see the pics at www.public.fotki.com/lotso

[Jason Vandergriff]

Thanks guys. Ben Ill be following yours closely. Mines going to be done in a similar color sceme.

[Jason Vandergriff]

More bar work done in .062 rod I found in the scrap box. Mainly front and rear crash bars.Got half the right door bar done. Only a few more bars to go and the body bracing and tinwork begins. few pics from tonight.

[Jason Vandergriff]

Big update. Got all the interior mocked up and most of the wheel tubs done. I still need to figure out rear suspension. I opened the taillights up on the body and ill uses The ones out of the firefighter kit. It now has a 05 mustang motor to go between the rails.

Edited January 14, 2013 by Jason Vandergriff

[Monty]

Hey Jason, looking great so far! This is one of my most favorite kits and I'm currently building one just like the box art. I have made many modifications though to include a correct front and rear suspension, a resin 351 Cleveland and real aluminum, machined Centerlines with machined aluminum lug nuts from RB Motion. The wheels and lug nuts were all made to my specs from drawings I produced.

For anyone interested, you can see the pics at www.public.fotki.com/lotso

Hi Ben! Nice to see you in a car thread, especially with the improvements (needed) you're making to this kit. My friends who build mostly semi trucks hold you in high regard.

I'd like to know a little more about those Centerline wheels you had made to spec. I assume they can also be made in a 5-lug configuration with different offsets. Can you give us a ballpark figure what a complete set of wheels might cost?