74 E100 is here!

[Kris Morgan]

What website please?

www.motorcityresincasters.com

[Rob Hall]

So the '76 or so AMT van that was recently reissued looks like it would be a good donor for the other dirty bits (engine, tires, wheels, etc).

Edited November 5, 2013 by Rob Hall

[jeffb]

i will be including the suspension parts, so you could use any wheel/tire engine combo you want. altho the ford van is the ideal doner kit

[Bowtienutz]

Motor Resin Casters has reproduced Tom Ellifritt beautifully mastered replica of a 73-74 Ford Econoline van in 1/25 scale. I purchased the kit directly from MCR. The cost was $65.

All the pieces in the kit are cast in white resin and it looks like a typical kit.

It’s almost a complete kit consisting of 30 parts. Most of the small parts are cast together as a sheet of flash to clean up. The builder will have to supply his own clear plastic (report cover) for the rear windows, mirrors, and wheels and tires and an engine, driveshaft, some exhaust system for the engine of choice.

Included you will find the body is well molded and with minimum flash the only complaints I have with the body is I find the absence of door lock cylinders, and the body has slight marks of not being totally polished before molding.

The floor pan has the engine cover molded in place and nice ribbed floor. On the bottom side the frame is molded in place, something I like because a lot of the van kits I’ve built the frame to floor pan is not a very positive fit.

The front suspension includes the engine cradle, and a well reproduced Ford front suspension consisting of 2 long arms and 2 short arms along with 2 shocks. Clean the flash off the parts and it builds up real nice.

The rear suspension is much simpler it consist of the rear end with the leaf springs molded as one piece and 2 shocks The rear end drops directly on the mounts with no warpage in the parts.

The interior parts include a nicely engraved dash, a steering column (minus turn signal or gear shift) steering wheel, front door panels two seat pedestals and two seats. I won’t get into how accurate the details are I’m no expert but they sure look good to me. The more you look the more you find Tom’s dedication to replicate a project (note the countersunk screw holes on the bottom of the armrest that no one will see)

Back to the body, the body parts include vacu-formed plastic windshield, a beautiful front grille and bumper (1piece) and rear bumper both non-plated. Rear taillights molded in red and two small red reflectors that mount below the taillights. Headlights are provided in clear resin but they are pretty cloudy. All the parts fit the body perfectly and the body fits the floorpan just as well. I noticed that the body has gas filler opened but you’ll have to supply a cap (or a scale rag J) there. The side marker lamps are molded in place but they lack any detail.

So what can be done to make it a killer build? If you want to built a replica stock version lets see what Moebius does with the Ford truck coming out we might find a great source for wheels and tires along with an engine. You can always hunt through your parts box for the necessary parts. I’m thinking maybe either a watch stem for the missing gas cap or a simple punch from plastic. Some alclad for the Bumpers or a trip to Little Motor Co. for plating for the bumpers. Replace the cloudy headlights with some kit parts.

For the guys wanting to build a street machine style van the sky is the limit to begin with the recent release of the AMT Ford “Phantom” Econoline Van or AMT “Vantsy” Dirty Don Chevy van you have decal sheets that can give you custom paint job with soapy water.

My take on the kit, Well I’m so impressed I’m ordering another! I was that impressed. This one I’ve already started operating on. My project required me to have opening doors. I was kinda hesitant a first, but I threw caution to the wind and took the Photo-etch saw to the side doors. I was amazed how easy I was able to make straight cuts in the body. In about 20 minutes I was able to have the side doors removed. I’m not going to hinge them but fix them in an open position for a diorama.

Remember early I said how Tom put a lot of effort into stuff you may never see? I was even more please when I fit the body with the gaping hole where the doors use to be back on the floor pan and found that floor lined up with my gaping hole with no gaps. Looking around on the floor pan I noticed the step down of the floor pan for the front doors would actually match the front doors of the body. “AMAZING ENGINEERING TOM !!!”

I rate this Kit 9.9 only thing detracting from it is the lack of chrome, the foggy headlights and the slight flaws in body polishing.

You can see pictures on my Fotki site @ http://public.fotki.com/VincePutt/scale-modeling-1/motor-city-resin-fo/

[jeffb]

thanks for the review vince. i can address a few of your concerns, the headlites are molded in an open face mold that gets sanded, this kinda replicates the whiteish look of a sealed beam head lamp. many vans of the era didnt have chrome bumpers and the grilles on these were either white or aluminum. i did miss some spots while polishing but, i had to leave something for youse guys to do!

[Eshaver]

jeff, being as the P-M won't allow me to ask questions on the Econoline can you drop me at line at Artformsdesign@yahoo.com ............. Thanks

[Repstock]

Sounds like an objective review. I'm very intimidated when making these masters because I want buyers to be happy with what they get. There's always people who know more than I do about about these subjects. I wish I could attend to every little thing, but honestly, mastering takes so long I have difficulty staying interested long enough to finish everything. I can't wait to see some of these built, I hope everyone enjoys them.

I've always wanted a 1/25 Econoline of this vintage, and I thank Jeff for helping me make it happen. I gave him the master with just a coat of primer because he's much better at smoothing things out than I am.

I think few casters would sell all this for less than $90.00, so kudos again, Jeff, for trying to keep this within reach of as many modelers as possible.

Can't wait to build mine.

[Bowtienutz]

Jeff It was probably a good move on your part then for you to not plate the parts I understand. I'll paint my grill with an aluminum finish and alclad bumpers. Tom I was very pleased with your engineering and execution of this kit. Like I said seeing that the floor lined up with the body openings of the cut opened doors, That blew me away. Man I haven"t see that kind of engineering in Manufactured Kits. I've cut open Kit doors before and fit the interior & chassis together and just scratched my head wondering how am I gonna fix this mess. You got nothing, I mean nothing to feel "intimadated" about. The Chevelle you did for Missing Link was another awesome piece. You keep mastering 'em let the boys from Detroit cast 'em I'll keep buyin' Kudus to you both

[Alan]

I have one on order along with a Torino coupe. Looking forward to this one ! Vince, what Chevelle ??

Alan

[Rob Hall]

Sounds like a sweet kit..I'll have to get one, do it as a period delivery van maybe..

[Bowtienutz]

The Torino Coupe is nice my neighbor has a a 1:1 with a 429 with two 4's. It's very nice you won't be disappointed. Here is the link To Tom's build of the 73 chevelle Alan http://www.modelcarsmag.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=51594&hl=chevelle . Get yourself a a cup of coffee enjoy seeing Toms handywork. Then order one! Make us some SS & Balwdin Motion decals for the Chevelle. I gotta see if i pulled off all the hobby over expenditures i snuck past my beautiful, loving, forgiving, caring wife before I place an order with you Alan but I've been looking.

[Alan]

Vince,

Where can one get the 73 Chevelle ?

[jeffb]

gotta contact kevin at missing link resin

[checkmate]

Love to get one of these.

[thebronze]

Still not on Your website.... I want one of these as it was My 1st set of wheels as a 16yr old.

[Revstew]

Jeff I was wondering is this a 1/25 scale van and how can I order one for me here in Southern California?? I went on the website that seems to be where people say you can get it and I don't see any links to it. Anyt help someone can give me on this would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

Edited December 30, 2013 by Revstew

[jeffb]

i will try to update the website tomorrow

[Revstew]

Great thank you for getting back to me on this cause I would love to get one as soon as possible. Please let me know if you can when that site is updated and they are available again.