Terrible Kits You Love!

[unclescott58]

I hate the Lindberg Auburn, but love the car!

I have this strange desire to pickup Lindberg's (Pyro's) Cord 812. Like the Auburn, I like these two old Pyro kits for some reason. I do have the Monogram Cord. A far superior kit to Lindberg's in every way. So why do I keep thinking I need a Lindberg Cord in my collection? I had the Pyro kit years ago, so I know what it's like.

Scott

 

[Russell C]

I agree with you on this one, Jesse! One of my favorites as a kid, but too difficult at that time. Might have to give it another go!

X3 on this one and the "Mother's Cherry Pie" variant. Of the two, the Woodstock retained its wheels when I played with it in the carpet, but Man! were those things a chore to assemble. I snagged a pair of the original blue-molded panel off ebay recently for cheap (1 unpainted built-up & 1 complete kit), with the intent of finally conquering that kit. Stay tuned on that later.

[bbowser]

I have this strange desire to pickup Lindberg's (Pyro's) Cord 812. Like the Auburn, I like these two old Pyro kits for some reason. I do have the Monogram Cord. A far superior kit to Lindberg's in every way. So why do I keep thinking I need a Lindberg Cord in my collection? I had the Pyro kit years ago, so I know what it's like.

Scott

 

Likewise the '48 Lincoln.  I have one in the stash, but every time I think I want to build it I open the box, look at the parts, and put it away 

[DumpyDan]

This little gem taught me never to try it again! Now I know it is an IMC kit, but back then it just turned me off to anything Testors! 

100% agreed, I have ever only seen one built and looking good.  I have had or have the Conv and the hard top for the last 35 years and still not finished either.

[Cpt Tuttle]

I'd say the AMT Deuces. Sure, they aren't so terrible fit-wise, but the detailing suffers a lot, the stock wheels are too small, the bodies have the wrong proportions.....but they are classics that can be made into anything and I feel that they do have a lot of soul that's lacking in the more modern efforts from Revell.

[Mike999]

X3 on this one and the "Mother's Cherry Pie" variant. Of the two, the Woodstock retained its wheels when I played with it in the carpet, but Man! were those things a chore to assemble. I snagged a pair of the original blue-molded panel off ebay recently for cheap (1 unpainted built-up & 1 complete kit), with the intent of finally conquering that kit. Stay tuned on that later.

And all those tiny little hinges!  Some years ago at a kit swap meet, I found a giant Zip-Loc bag full of unglued, unpainted REVELL '31 Woody/Sedan parts in somebody's "junk box."  It was cheap and I mostly wanted the wire wheels and other stock parts.  No instructions, but I had a re-issued Woody kit to take care of that. 

So I sat down with the re-issue instructions and giant bag, and started counting parts.  The final tally was a complete Woody/Sedan kit as originally issued, plus a second Woody body with its unique cowl/windshield/doors. etc  And all the hinges were still there! Amazing. I promptly separated all those hinges into smaller Zip-Loc bags so I could keep track of them.  And someday I'll actually do something with them...

[Snake45]

....and I feel that they do have a lot of soul that's lacking in the more modern efforts from Revell.

And isn't that true of so many old kits? That's why we irrationally love them so....

[Mark]

I'd say the AMT Deuces. Sure, they aren't so terrible fit-wise, but the detailing suffers a lot, the stock wheels are too small, the bodies have the wrong proportions.....but they are classics that can be made into anything and I feel that they do have a lot of soul that's lacking in the more modern efforts from Revell.

The AMT Deuces obviously aren't as accurate as the newer Revell kits, but assembled they still do look like '32 Fords.  With them, you're better off not trying to do too much correction...fix one thing, and that throws something else up that will then stick out.  I've been wanting to build each body style stock, out of the box, just get them assembled cleanly.  Just seeing all of them on the shelf together would overcome any shortcomings that the individual kits have.

[Deathgoblin]

This little gem taught me never to try it again! Now I know it is an IMC kit, but back then it just turned me off to anything Testors! 

It's a little fiddly on the body, but it's beautiful once it's built.  It's extremely detailed.  I have the convertible and it came out pretty well. 

[Daddyfink]

X3 on this one and the "Mother's Cherry Pie" variant. Of the two, the Woodstock retained its wheels when I played with it in the carpet, but Man! were those things a chore to assemble. I snagged a pair of the original blue-molded panel off ebay recently for cheap (1 unpainted built-up & 1 complete kit), with the intent of finally conquering that kit. Stay tuned on that later.

Don't ask me why, but the "Mother Cherry Pie" kit is one of my all time favorites. I have probably never finished one, but, I think I own like three of them! Madness I tell you! LOL! 

[Ben]

This is probably my favorite! Being built exactly like the box art but much more detailed using kitbashing, aluminum wheels etc.

http://public.fotki.com/lotso/monroe-handler-project/

[disabled modeler]

Some builders dislike the Johan and other older curbside kits....not me...I love them just as much as the full detail ones.  Ill build them any day even though some had their issues.

[oldcarfan]

I just got one of the old Testors 1980 Firebirds. Not a lot of detail, but it brings back memories.

[Dusted1972]

The model I love but hate and has caused me nothing but frustration is both versions of the Revell /Monogram 66 Malibu with the flip front end.Awesome mean looking model when done,but I can NEVER get that front end end to flip open correctly without knocking off a carb or two.Or the entire tunnel ram.Or the front end coming detached from the front grille/bumper assembly.

My other has to be any AMT model with the  exhaust,and differential molded in to the chassis (like the 1974 GTX,which I know can be fitted with the AMT 71 Charger R/T chassis)But I guess that's the fun in kitbashing,right?lol oh,and AMT's wonderful misleading box art.How many were also disappointed the 74 GTX didn't include the Cragars and decals?lol

Edited January 2, 2017 by Dusted1972

[disabled modeler]

I just got one of the old Testors 1980 Firebirds. Not a lot of detail, but it brings back memories.

Is it the wagon..?

[Lovefordgalaxie]

This little gem taught me never to try it again! Now I know it is an IMC kit, but back then it just turned me off to anything Testors! 

Have the exact same edition of the kit built. It's not bad at all. 

Evan want another one.

Am I crazy??? Am I?? 

[Lovefordgalaxie]

About the Testors '48 Ford, there is a curious detail on the box top that made me think I was going to fail building it. 

The model pictured has the "mylar" trim going straight from the cowl into the door. If that door opens, the trim would come with it. So, the box top model has doors glued shut. Very encouraging...

 

[Lovefordgalaxie]

The model I love but hate and has caused me nothing but frustration is both versions of the Revell /Monogram 66 Malibu with the flip front end.Awesome mean looking model when done,but I can NEVER get that front end end to flip open correctly without knocking off a carb or two.Or the entire tunnel ram.Or the front end coming detached from the front grille/bumper assembly.

My other has to be any AMT model with the  exhaust,and differential molded in to the chassis (like the 1974 GTX,which I know can be fitted with the AMT 71 Charger R/T chassis)But I guess that's the fun in kitbashing,right?lol oh,and AMT's wonderful misleading box art.How many were also disappointed the 74 GTX didn't include the Cragars and decals?lol

Just use more glue. A LOT more glue

[Lovefordgalaxie]

When I was a kid I saw a Revell 1955 Chevrolet kit on a store on Sunday. It was closed, but it was close to my school. Spent a week saving my lunch money to get it. 

On next Monday, when the break came I slipped out of school, having to dodge not one but two priests (It was a Salesiano school ran by priests disciples of Don Bosco. There I learned to love mathematics and physics, what ultimately led me to study engineering).

On my way back, I was cough getting back in... Father Luis, the Math teacher saw me, and wanted to see what I had in the plastic bag. When he saw the Revell box, he asked me to come with him to the principal's office (Father Lino) and there, I saw about 20 built kits!!! And they were super neatly built and painted. All '50s and '60s cars. Father Luis told me to keep building kits, and that was a most healthy hobby, and sent me back to philosophy class (when was detention when I needed it??).

When I got home, and opened the box...

The kit couldn't be built stock, only as a gasser.

Think about a disappointed 9 year old.    

[Snake45]

The model I love but hate and has caused me nothing but frustration is both versions of the Revell /Monogram 66 Malibu with the flip front end.Awesome mean looking model when done,but I can NEVER get that front end end to flip open correctly without knocking off a carb or two.Or the entire tunnel ram.Or the front end coming detached from the front grille/bumper assembly.

 

 

I've been messing around with one of these since it came out in the '70s. I haven't QUITE got the front end to fit yet. Also haven't gotten the flat out of the roof. I think I'm gonna give up just cutting the front and rear ends off and grafting them onto a Revell '67 body. Surprisingly, they're almost the same size.

[vintagerpm]

1/43 scale Honda 500GP motorcycle by MEA. OK, a 1/43 scale multimedia kit of a bike was never going to be easy but many of the castings were horrible. Lots of cleanup. The resin tank/seat part was so bad much of it was remade from putty. Still, I love the finished model and (stupidly) would readily build one of their Dakar race bikes.

[Junkman]

That's a bit like combing a sparrow.

[Snake45]

I just got one of the old Testors 1980 Firebirds. Not a lot of detail, but it brings back memories.

Ex-Lindberg? I've never had that kit, but I do have the contemporary Mustang and Corvette. I need to get those out and Snake-slap them together sometime. IIRC, neither can be built 100% factory stock, so I can go nuts with them.

[Daddyfink]

All of the Revel 70's Dragsters! I love them, but, they are a pain to build with all the tiny and very fragile parts. The Frames just keep getting worse and worse after all the re-issues! 

[Dusted1972]

I've been messing around with one of these since it came out in the '70s. I haven't QUITE got the front end to fit yet. Also haven't gotten the flat out of the roof. I think I'm gonna give up just cutting the front and rear ends off and grafting them onto a Revell '67 body. Surprisingly, they're almost the same size.

I was actually thinking about trying that with the Revell 67 Chevelle Pro Street.