TOP TEN LIST--WHAT IS YOURS?

[Dr. Cranky]

Here's Doctor Cranky's Lab-RAT-ory TOP TEN LIST OF CAR KITS. This is a very personal list based on the kits that I have built time and again and enjoyed. I am wondering how on or off the mark my list is compared to yours.

In no way am I posting this list to get us arguing or bickering about what belongs on such a list or not. I am just interested in finding out if any of my kits double on your OWN list.

This also in no way is meant to put down any kit manufacturers (current or defunct). Again, my intention here is to start a healthy and civil discussion of what such a personal list would look like.

DOCTOR CRANKY'S Lab-RAT-ory's TOP TEN LIST OF CAR MODEL KITS:

#1 1950 Chevy 3100 Pick Up (AMT)

#1 1932 Ford Couple (Revell)

#2 1949 Mercury (Revell, chopped tooling)

#3 1941 Wyllis Street Rod and/or Gasser (Revell)

#4 1948 Chevrolet Aerosedan (Galaxie Limited)

#5 62 Chevrolet Impala (Revell)

#6 37 Ford Couple Street Rod (Revell)

#7 37 Ford Pick Up (Revell)

#7 50 Ford PIck Up (Monogram/Revell)

#8 55 Chevy Bel Air (Revell)

#9 56 Chevy Del Ray (Revell)

#10 57 Chevy Bel Air or 210 "Black Widow" (Revell)

#10 66 Chevy Nova (AMT)

My rationale is ease of build and how well the kit comes together, and the fact that I keep returning to build the same kit time again.

[modelbuilder22]

i havent had enough builds yet to have a top 10 list but the two i wanna do is the 49 merc and wyllis street rod is high up on the model kits to get list.

[Junkman]

This list is based on how often I built the kit:

1. Jo-Han 1960 DeSoto

2. Jo-Han 1962 Dodge

3. Jo-Han 1962 Plymouth

3. Jo-Han 1960 Plymouth Wagon

4. AMT 1958 Chevy

5. Jo-Han 1964 Cadillac

6. Revell 1960 Corvette

7. AMT 1949 Ford

8. AMT 1957 Ford Fairlane

9. AMT 1950 Ford Convertible

10. Heller Citroen 15/6

This list is based on how much I enjoyed to build the kit:

1. AMT 1957 Chrysler 300 C

2. Heller Citroen 15/6

3. Tamiya Jaguar MKII

4. Revell 1/16 Rolls-Royce Phantom II

5. Gakken/Academy/Minicraft 1/16 Mercedes 540K

6. All the old Monogram classics

7. Aoshima MGB

8. AMT 1955 Chevy Nomad

9. AMT 1949 Ford

10. Heller 1950 Talbot Lago Record

Edited August 23, 2012 by Junkman

[sjordan2]

This list is based on how often I built the kit:

1. Jo-Han 1960 DeSoto

2. Jo-Han 1962 Dodge

3. Jo-Han 1962 Plymouth

3. Jo-Han 1960 Plymouth Wagon

4. AMT 1958 Chevy

5. Jo-Han 1964 Cadillac

6. Revell 1960 Corvette

7. AMT 1949 Ford

8. AMT 1957 Ford Fairlane

9. AMT 1950 Ford Convertible

10. Heller Citroen 15/6

This list is based on how much I enjoyed to build the kit:

1. AMT 1957 Chrysler 300 C

2. Heller Citroen 15/6

3. Tamiya Jaguar MKII

4. Revell 1/16 Rolls-Royce Phantom II

5. Gakken/Academy/Minicraft 1/16 Mercedes 540K

6. All the old Monogram classics

7. Aoshima MGB

8. AMT 1955 Chevy Nomad

9. AMT 1949 Ford

10. Heller 1950 Talbot Lago Record

Do you have any shots of your 1/16 Rolls and 540K?

[moparmagiclives]

I've only " built " 4 models, but I have a hand full of 32 fords and 40/41 willys. I guess that's a car preference more so then kit.

[thatz4u]

AMT: 53 Studebaker, 72 GMC, 67 Cougar

JoHan: Comet, Maverick

Revell: 56 F-100, 48 Ford Coupe, 50 Ford pickup F-1, 40 Ford goodguys Coupe, 66 GTO

[Junkman]

Do you have any shots of your 1/16 Rolls and 540K?

No, it's too long ago. They were built in pre internet and pre digital camera times, but were featured in a modelling magazine at the time. Both then ended in the shop window of a book shop.

[Dr. Cranky]

Thanks for the wonderful response, folks. Christian I like your list. There are lots of possibilities, and I am aware that from my list I've kept out non USA kit makers like Fujimi, Tamiya, Hasegawa, etc . . . and also I've focused my list on American cars. Those are valid points and weaknesses on my list . . .

[rmvw guy]

1. AMT '32 Fords
   
2. AMT '40 Fords
   
3. AMT '49 Fords
   
4. Lindberg '34 Pickup
   
5. AMT '49 Merc.
   
6. AMT '57 T Bird
   
7. AMT '50 Chevy Pickup
   
8. AMT '53 Ford Pickup
   
9. Monogram '37 Ford
   
10. Moebius Hudsons
    

I can't stop, OK, noticed I cheated a little by adding a plural on some. Honerable mentions, why not? Revell '57 Black Widow, Revell '49 Merc., Revell '56 Chevy, AMT '55 Chevy, AMT '25 Model T sssssssssss. OK you get the point, this is too hard!!!

[Dr. Cranky]

Here's my TOP LIST in video form for those of you interested in hearing a bit more on each kit and my rationale, etc . . .

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vV37V081YIU:

[Jantrix]

I have only built one model kit more than once, and no plans to do so again in the near future. So any model I finish would be in my favorites list.

[Dr. Cranky]

Rob, that's a natural progression, and I hope you will be in the hobby long enough to start repeating. Or perhaps you never will. Either way it is very cool in my book.

[crazyjim]

It's difficult at times, but I try not to build the same kit(s) over and over.

[Sixx]

Other than the first two, they are in no order.

1. 41 Willys - Revell

2. 32 Fords - Revell

3. 49 Merc - Revell

4. 69 Nova - Revell

5. 57 Black Widow - Revell

6. 55 Bel Aire - Revell

7. 48 Chevy Aerosedan -Galaxie Limited

8. 66 Nova - AMT

9. 55 Cameo - AMT

10. 69 Camaro - Revell

I've built more Willys than ANY other model. Both full detailed & slot-car bodies. Love those Willys!!!!!!!!!!

[Dr. Cranky]

Derrick, I likes your list. Wink. Wink.

[JamesW]

My top 10, based on my favorite subjects.

1. AMT 454SS Pickup

2. AMT 90 Chevy C1500 Stepside

3. AMT 94 S-10/Xtreme

4. Tamiya 7th generation Toyota Celica

5. AMT 93 Chevy extended cab (snap kit)

6. AMT Chevy Dooley (snap kit)

7. AMT 89/90 Chevy C1500 LWB

8. Lindberg 61 Impala convertible

9. Revell 62 Impala

10. Trumpeter 78 Monte Carlo

[Deathgoblin]

Jo-Han 63 Chrysler Turbine (also one of my favorite cars)

Revell Ponitac Banshee concept

Revell 92 Mercury Cougar

Lindburg 53 Ford Victoria

Revell Henry J gasser

Galaxie 48 Chevy Fleetline Fastback

Revell 58 For Thunderbird

IMC/Testors 48 Ford Convertible

Monogram Li'l Coffin Special

Monogram Boot Hill Express.

[2000-cvpi]

Three are my favorite kits to build. I have at least two of each if not five of each kit listed. All ten are built at least twice.

1 Johan 68 Plymouth police car

2 Revell 69 Nova, COPO and SS

3 Lindberg 1997 Ford Crown Victoria

4 Johan 1970 Oldsmobile 442

5 Johan 1960 Plymouth wagon

6 amt 1962 Pontiac Catalina super duty

7 amt 1936 ford coupe

8 amt 1966 Fairlane

9 Johan 1963 Oldsmobile Starfire

10 Revell Hemi Dart

[Nick Winter]

Hmmm tough to make a judgement here. These are in no particular order.

1.) AMT 1990 Chevrolet C-1500 Stepside: Excellent kit of the subject, very detailed and proportionate to the 1:1 (have a 1:1 Fleetside to compare it to), has working steering (I just think that's neat), Really enjoyable kit to build, can and have built it a number of ways.

2.) AMT '58 Plymouth Belvedere: Detail is Very nice and crisp on this kit, almost falls together. Neat Subject with only minor proportionate issues, 318 Poly is nice for other uses also. Have built one and have 3 more under my bench.

3.) Revell '57 Chevy 150 "Black Widow": Have only built the one, but very much so enjoyed it, very nice crisp detail and nice decal sheet. Just plain enjoyable to build a nice stripper once and while.

4.) Lindberg '97 Crown Victoria: Built two of these now and have 2 more under the bench, would like a few more, it's a crown vic, not like nobody has used it as a fleet car, can be built a million ways with a bit of work, very nicely molded, and other than having no engine, really isn't a snap kit.

5.) Revell Caprice: haven't built mine yet, have two, but the quality is excellent only kit I've ever seen that says it's a snap kit but has a engine and separate suspension parts

6.) AMT '62 Bel Air: just a really neat kit, great detail.

7.) AMT '57 Chrysler 300C: goes hand and hand with the '58 Forward Look Plymouth, just really nice.

8.) AMT '71 Duster 340: super cool kit of a very nice car (guy I bought my '69 Plymouth off, has a '70 Duster 340 that is all original with factory speed parts, has 4:1:1 gears in the 8 3/4 Sure-Grip)

9.) AMT '94 Sonoma SLS: Very detailed kit, matches the 1:1 very well, has a great Vortec 4.3L if you need to source one.

10.) Revell '64 Chevy Impala SS: Surprising how nice this kit actually is, detail is Excellent, was worth what I got mine for.

Nick

[Tom Setzer]

Here is my TOP TEN LIST as it stands today:

1: Rvell 32 Fords

2: Revell 29 Ford Pickup/Rat Rod etc.

3: AMT 50 Chevy 3100 Pickup

4: Revell 50 Ford F1 pickup

5: Revell 57 Chevy 150 Black Widow

6: Revell 69 Chevy Nova COPO

7: Revell 37 Ford Pickup

8: Revell 40 Fords

9: Revell 32 Ford Hi Boy Roadsters

10: Galaxi 46-48 Chevy Aero Sedan

I must add a couple more to my list!

11: Moebius Hudsons

12: Moebius 56 Chrys. C 300s

This list is based both on how many times I have built the kits, and Kits I really enjoy Building!!

[Sport Suburban]

This is fun to think about and a bit surprising.

#1 Revell 65-66 Shelby's, I have built about 10 of these over the years and even combined two of them with the 64 pace car to build a 66 GT350 conv. Currently I have 6 built up on display and 6 more unbuilt.

#2 Revell 70 Mustangs, Here is another one I have built all versions of this kit from the Boss 429, Boss 302 and the new Mach 1. I have even kit bashed these with the 69 Mach 1 to make the 69 Boss models.

#3 Revell Shelby Cobra's, Another one that I have built 5 or 6 over the years and have anout 6 more unbuilt.

#4 Revell Thunderbolt, Again a great kit that I have built 2 of and have 3 more unbuilt.

#5 Revell 71 Hemi Cuda, I have 5 of these built up and some converted to 70 models plus I have 4 more unbuilt. Great simple kit.

#6 Revell 32 Fords, I'm not into these hot rods but this kit is awesome. I built two and have three more unbuilt.

#7 Revell 69 Camaro, Another kit that if you havn't built one of these you need to. I have built two and have more than 10 unbuilt. Revell has many versions of this kit to choose from.

#8 AMT 71 Charger, Awesome newer tool that I have built two almost out of the box. I have also kitbashed this kit with 3 older MPC and AMT kits for a much better detailed kit. I have 5 more in my stash for kit bashing.

#9 AMT 68 Roadrunner, great kit that I have built 2 of right out of the box plus the 2 69 GTX version. I have also kitbashed this chassis with some resin bodies for a total of 9 built and I have 6 more unbuilt.

#10 AMT 69 Olds 442, Great kit to build out of the box or kitbash with older GM A body kits. I have built 5 of these and have about 5 more unbuilt to kitbash. Works great with the old Johan 70 442 kit.

[Junkman]

It's interesting to see how some seem to gravitate towards Revell, and others to AMT.

I wonder whether this is due to subject matter, or the way those kits are made.

[Dr. Cranky]

That's what I'm thinking too, Christian. It's definitely the reason why I build so many Revell kits, they ten to be a bit easier to work on, although you might not get better results.

I am delighted to see so many of you getting some of the same kits up. That says a world about some of these kits.

It was brought to my attention that the new HUDSON HORNET is already a classic kit, and I would have to agree, as I am sure the NEW OLDS is going to be.

[slusher]

OK, here are the ones l have built more then once and are still with me...

Amt 49 ford

Revell 1970 mustang

Amt 71 plymouth duster

Amt chevy 1500 pick up

Revell 1967 coronet

Revell 1971 challenger

Amt 1955 chevy truck stepside

Amt 1962 chevy belair

Amt 57 belair

Revell 1971 cuda

l have yet to build my revell 57 black widow and both revell 32 fords but there are waiting.....

[my name is nobody]

AMT - '70 Dodge Super Bee.... my favorite to build. my first 1:1 was a '70 Super Bee....... fond memories.

Revell - '70 Ford Mustang.....I have built several. I just like this kit alot. Funny too.....my Dad bought a '70 Mach 1 brand new, and I hated that car.

Revell - '69 Dodge Dart GTS....Have owned a couple of these in 1:1, so I just use these kits to build replicas of my cars. it is a great kit

Revell - '69 Dodge Charger... Have built a couple and I really like the way the kit builds up.

AMT - '68 Plymouth Road Runner.......nice kit.

AMT - 68 Shelby GT500.......over the years I've built many. probably a dozen.

Monogram - '69 Dodge Coronet Super Bee.... a very nice kit.

Monogram - '70 Plymouth Road Runner.

Monogram - '70 Plymouth GTX.

Monogram - '66 Ford Mustang.

Edited August 24, 2012 by my name is nobody