1972coronet Posted October 31, 2012 Posted October 31, 2012 In recognition of the multitude of reissued versions of the 1974 Road Runner , from its MPC origins ( original Annual from 1973 to its 80's modified reissue as the 1974 GTX and subsequent lack of factory-stock parts) to its ill-fated RC2 issue (complete with 1975-1978 chassis and dashboard !) , to its present Daisy Duke's upgrade (restoration of its correct '71-'74 chassis and dashboard !) and the pending $50,000 version , this kit's come a long way ! What to do next ...?? I know ! How about backdating it to its 1971 origins ! Not only that , but how about including the parts from the 1972 annual ! That way , one could build either a '71 or a '72 (and yes , I'm aware of the cosmetic changes for '72 : new centrecaps for the Rallye Wheels , and the "universal" side marker lamp lenses , in addition to new rear bumper / taillamps and grille ). Instructions could be included on how to fill-in the 71's side markers and add the 72's lenses ; the rest is already included . Now , didn't the original 1972 annual include the necessary customising parts to build the 1971 Rapid Transit Show Car version ? At least its box art alludes to that possibility . Thoughts ?
Rob Hall Posted October 31, 2012 Posted October 31, 2012 (edited) I thought the '71-72 tooling at one time existed independently of the '73-74...it was reissued last in the late 80s molded in yellow, after the '74 'GTX' MPC release. Edited October 31, 2012 by Rob Hall
1972coronet Posted October 31, 2012 Author Posted October 31, 2012 I agree with you , Futurabat ; your words speak a sad , prosaic truth . While I certainly applud Round2 for their restored and updated reissues , the idea that they "won't" touch kits beyond the ascribed licensing , is a let down . While I'm certainly a fan of Star Trek :TOS , I have no interest in those kinds of kits . Perhaps Revell-Monogram would like to step-up and make a new tooling of their 1971 Satellite-come-GTX . While it's decent in its present (since 1995) version , it's also quite dated ; still a bit toy-like . If R-M were to do a solid for us and produce a super nice 1971/1972 Road Runner combo kit (with clear-cast taillight lenses , please ! I hate using silver or white paint to "replicate" backup lamps !!) , I'm sure they'd sell a gang of 'em ! It's not often that one sees a combined-years kit (AMT's '39/'40 Ford is the only example I can think of ...) . The building possibilities would be virtually endless ! Oh , and the inclusion of the phantom Superbird parts would be a necessity !
1972coronet Posted October 31, 2012 Author Posted October 31, 2012 I thought the '71-72 tooling at one time existed independently of the '73-74...it was reissued last in the late 80s molded in yellow, after the '74 'GTX' MPC release. I remember the July 1987 reissue of the '71 R.R. / phantom Superbird quite well . I've built many of them while they were still around ( and ,no , the $60+ ones on eBay don't count to this broke working class fellow !) . I've heard varied accounts of the dual-existence of the '74 GTX / '71 R.R. . One account asserts that they're one-in-the-same , modified back-and-forth to their respective years ; while another account states that they're absolutely independent of each other . The inclusion of the phantom Superbird wing in the '74 only lends credence to the former "theory" ! Well , if the tooling for the '71 still exists , then I would at least like to see it reissued , albeit in "Retro Deluxe" guise ( restored Cragar S/S wheels ; extra decals ; and --again-- taillights moulded in clear !) . If I desire a 1972 , then I'll buy the necessary parts from Modelhaus
Rob Hall Posted October 31, 2012 Posted October 31, 2012 You've touched on one of MY sore subjects John. I've always felt that when it comes to taillights with multiple colored lenses like the Chargers and Roadrunners, why on earth cast them in red? Would it not be easier to start with plain clear, then mask the clear backup light off and paint the red? Then, the backup lenses that are white could be done much more realistically from behind. I just don't get thier thinking. Revell did a lot of that years ago..probably got tired of people complaining about the lights being clear.
1972coronet Posted October 31, 2012 Author Posted October 31, 2012 You've touched on one of MY sore subjects John. I've always felt that when it comes to taillights with multiple colored lenses like the Chargers and Roadrunners, why on earth cast them in red? Would it not be easier to start with plain clear, then mask the clear backup light off and paint the red? Then, the backup lenses that are white could be done much more realistically from behind. I just don't get thier thinking. You're right ; I don't get their logic , either . Maybe back in the day when these kits served a dual purpose of Promo-come-Annual , it was easier to just cast these parts in chrome (head lights) and translucent red (tail light lenses) . There's no excuse these days for this oversight ! No matter how much finesse is applied to these "off-colour" lenses , they never look right !
Rob Hall Posted October 31, 2012 Posted October 31, 2012 Instead they spend thier money on these worthless licenses and then turn around and make a limited edition, brand new three foot long Starship Enterprise! Am I a Star Trek hater? NO. I am however a car lover who is sick to death of seeing the sci-fi crowd get pandered to at every turn while we car enthusiasts, get nothing! Look at Revell and Round2's current catalogs and count how many re-issues there are versus new tools! Thank god for Moebius is all I can say. Well, sci-fi items are probably much more profitable..they can sell at a considerably higher price point that model cars do (remember, model car builders have a reputation for being...um..cheap).
1972coronet Posted October 31, 2012 Author Posted October 31, 2012 ... and "Pad Printed" whitewall tyres in these reissues , please ! Y'know , just like the MPC originals
Rob Hall Posted October 31, 2012 Posted October 31, 2012 I have no issue with them making profitable Sci-Fi items, i'm in for some of them myself. Where my hairs get twisted up is when they WASTE money on a license for a Movie car when they could have paid less for the Chrysler license and let the aftermarket do thier thing. The only folks that will jump on the "Christine" kit are the uninformed. Those of us in the know would rather grab a cheaper original issue somewhere and save the money for the much needed aftermarket body to fix it with. Sure, some folks will just have to have the box with Christine on it, but honestly now...it's just a box. I bet they will sell more w/ the Christine tie-in than they would a regular Belvedere...
1972coronet Posted October 31, 2012 Author Posted October 31, 2012 The kit the OP is talking about would definitely benefit from a chassis and interior retool like the '68/'69 Roadrunner got. Yes ! I very much like the idea of a retool of the '71 R.R. vis-a-vis the inclusion of the 1971 Charger's chassis , interior , and engine compartment (but , please , add a non-A/C pulley arrangement along with the preexisting A/C setup , and toss a Six Pack induction in the mix !) . I'm kind of gratefull for the mistake with the late seventies dash because that will allow Kevin and I a little ease when it comes to the Dodge MAGNUM we're working on. That notwithstanding, there's a gigantic stable of AMT, MPC, Aurora, ERTL and Polar Lights (Playing Mantis) kits that could make decent bank if only the bean counters could see beyond thier slide rules and pie charts. just sayin. A Dodge Magnum ! (For those of you whom aren't familiar , the original "Magnum" was a 1978-1979 "B"-Body 2 door coupe ; the Charger's replacement). Talk about a kit that's ne'er been widely available (a resin caster did/does make a transkit , if I remember correctly) ! Last of the big block-powered Dodge models (1978 , the 400 B-Engine was available in 2Bbl and 4Bbl versions ; 1979's had the E58 360 as the top engine) , along with the last of the long-running B-Body (okay , the R-Body was a B-Body in disguise ...). When you say "Kevin" , I'm guessing that you're in reference to the braintrust at Missing Link Resins ?
1972coronet Posted October 31, 2012 Author Posted October 31, 2012 I've loved the '78-'79 Magnum since its introduction . That fascia is the tops ! The local Dodge dealership --a High-Perf-oriented one at that-- had a rather neat-o '78 they used as a promo vehicle . I don't know much about it ( I was but 8 years old at the time ) other than it had Doug's Side Pipes (not sure if they were the functional type , but seeing that this was in California , I highly doubt it ; most-likely the "show pipes" ) and Keystone Klassic wheels . I haven't seen it since the early 80's ... As far as the Wagnum is concerned : I'd be interested in one of the "A38" versions (rubber mats , Certified 160 MPH speedo , h.d. suspension , and the whatnot) that this city has had for 5 or so years now . But , I divulge ... Looking forward to seeing that proposed resin-cast Magnum see the light of day !
Guest Posted October 31, 2012 Posted October 31, 2012 Well Jacen this time we part ways a bit. TOS Star Trek Fans have been wanting a "large scale", in other words, 1/350 kit of the Enterprise for many many years. As a matter of fact, there are 2 versions of this kit coming, a basic one, and a limited edition one with exttra details. The ONLY thing keeping me from getting this kit IS the high price tag. I do agree however that Round 2 should put more money into new tooling of car subjects versus reissues.
Guest Posted October 31, 2012 Posted October 31, 2012 Revell did a lot of that years ago..probably got tired of people complaining about the lights being clear. Exactly. I'm sure plenty complained about having to paint them. Not only are car modelers cheap, but a fair number are lazy too.
disabled modeler Posted October 31, 2012 Posted October 31, 2012 I still have the Yellow one with the phantom superbird option...Id welcome any of the old MPC kits that have not seen the light of day in over 20 years or more.
1972coronet Posted October 31, 2012 Author Posted October 31, 2012 Bring back the '73/'74 Charger kit! I'm tired of drooling over them on eBay because I can't afford them anymore. I , too , would like to see a reissue of the original MPC '73 / '74 Charger annuals , complete with the wagon option and all the original goodness . Yeah , again eBay kits that are outrageously-priced ... $80.00+ for a lot of these oldies . My biggest complaint is the '73-'75 Duster annuals ! They're going for way too much !
Rob Hall Posted October 31, 2012 Posted October 31, 2012 Yeah , again eBay kits that are outrageously-priced ... $80.00+ for a lot of these oldies . My biggest complaint is the '73-'75 Duster annuals ! They're going for way too much ! Supply and demand...there are more people that are interested in them than kits that are available, so the prices get bid way up...
kruleworld Posted October 31, 2012 Posted October 31, 2012 As for the car kits they've all but ignored spending any money other than for useless licenses. Why would I say useless? For the simple fact that we DO NOT NEED a 1958 Fury kit with pictures of Christine on the box, nor do we need a 1972 Nova with photos from Beverly Hills Cop. What we need are some new tools or at least some partial re-tools! If we want to build either of those cars it can easily be done with a decent kit and some aftermarket license plates. Instead they spend thier money on these worthless licenses and then turn around and make a limited edition, brand new three foot long Starship Enterprise! Am I a Star Trek hater? NO. I am however a car lover who is sick to death of seeing the sci-fi crowd get pandered to at every turn while we car enthusiasts, get nothing! i agree, they didn't need to buy them licenses for those movies. i only hope it brings some more people into modeling. I don't expect to see a lot of 'new tooling' until the (USA) economy is out of the crapper. however the sci-fi crowd are not any better catered for. in fact, i'd say they get the worst coverage of subjects compared to what auto has received in the past few decades. This is the first time Round 2 has released new star trek kits since polar lights offered Enterprise from the series 'Enterprise'. Revell did a few Star Wars kits, but that's all in a long time. The difference is they havea much better garage-kit scene. Revell's venture into Babylon5 and Galactica haven't been runaway successes.
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