Revell 1984 Olds 442

[Rob Hall]

Just got my order today from Model Roundup. My only "complaint" is no stock version yet. Also how come no oil fill tube on the manifold? 

The kit does represent a stock version.  About the only non-stock parts are the tires which aren't correct for 1983. 

[Jordan White]

for those curious about how the lightning rod shifter works. click this link https://youtu.be/_nSGrfzJdd0

so it works kinda like an modern auto/stick style transmission. but its no substitute for a third pedal. you could not get a manual transmission in any G-Body after 1981.  

 

 

 

Actually, GM sold a version of the Monte Carlo SS in Mexico that came with a 4-speed manual for 1984 only.

[1972coronet]

Actually, GM sold a version of the Monte Carlo SS in Mexico that came with a 4-speed manual for 1984 only.

Mexico (and just about every state / country south of the U.S. / Mexico border) got some really cool cars back in the day ! Stuff that just was not available in the U.S. or Canada (which , itself , had some cool , unique models , too) . Every so often I see a Mexico-market vehicle here ; I live ~100 miles north of the border .

[martinfan5]

Mexico (and just about every state / country south of the U.S. / Mexico border) got some really cool cars back in the day ! Stuff that just was not available in the U.S. or Canada (which , itself , had some cool , unique models , too) . Every so often I see a Mexico-market vehicle here ; I live ~100 miles north of the border .

And its still going on to this day.

[Rob Hall]

Mexico (and just about every state / country south of the U.S. / Mexico border) got some really cool cars back in the day ! Stuff that just was not available in the U.S. or Canada (which , itself , had some cool , unique models , too) . Every so often I see a Mexico-market vehicle here ; I live ~100 miles north of the border .

Yeah, I see all sorts of unusual Mexico-plated vehicles here in Phoenix...Mexican late 90s Dodge Ramchargers, Chevy Chevys, unusual VW models, Chevy Sonoras (Tahoe rebadge), 2nd gen Lincoln Mark LTs, Ford Lobos (F150 rebadge), Dodge-badged Hyundais, etc...

Edited May 5, 2016 by Rob Hall

[1972coronet]

Yeah, I see all sorts of unusual Mexico-plated vehicles here in Phoenix...Mexican late 90s Dodge Ramchargers, Chevy Chevys, unusual VW models, Chevy Sonoras (Tahoe rebadge), 2nd gen Lincoln Mark LTs, Ford Lobos (F150 rebadge), Dodge-badged Hyundais, etc...

At the risk of going far-off-topic ... I see lots of Lobo 150 around . I just thought that it was a regional-specific (southwest U.S.) marketing ploy ! I've also seen one or two Peugeots with Baja California plates ; a number of Nissan Sentra ( I forgot the name applied to that model ) which stand out because they're sans the centre-high-mount-stop-light (those are built-in-Mexico models at that) ; and , sauver le meilleur pour la fin , the 1970 Dart GTS and the 1971-1977 Super Bee .

[Aaronw]

I don't really know why but I kind of like 80s / 90s muscle cars so this is a nice addition to the Buicks, Chevy Impala SS and Ford Taurus SHO. I wasn't aware that Olds had their own answer to the GN, not bad looking.

I've started noticing this generation of Olds around town lately (standard Cutlass' not HO versions), not a lot of them but more that I would have guessed are on the road.

 

I do not get that lightning shifter at all, what is the point? If it is running off the stock transmission then does it really get you much, and if you have to replace the transmission why not go all the way and put in a manual or at least a better auto that allows positive shifting. Seems like an overly complicated set up. The lack of manual transmissions is one thing I never cared for in this generation of GM performance cars (Impala SS suffered from the same issue).

[Rob Hall]

At the risk of going far-off-topic ... I see lots of Lobo 150 around . I just thought that it was a regional-specific (southwest U.S.) marketing ploy ! I've also seen one or two Peugeots with Baja California plates ; a number of Nissan Sentra ( I forgot the name applied to that model ) which stand out because they're sans the centre-high-mount-stop-light (those are built-in-Mexico models at that) ; and , sauver le meilleur pour la fin , the 1970 Dart GTS and the 1971-1977 Super Bee .

Reminds me, I did once see an '81-82 Dodge Magnum (Diplomat coupe) in San Diego..

[Jordan White]

I do not get that lightning shifter at all, what is the point? If it is running off the stock transmission then does it really get you much, and if you have to replace the transmission why not go all the way and put in a manual or at least a better auto that allows positive shifting. Seems like an overly complicated set up. The lack of manual transmissions is one thing I never cared for in this generation of GM performance cars (Impala SS suffered from the same issue).

In theory, it's similar to the Lenco transmission setup that had a stick for each gear. It's also a variation on the ratchet-shifter where you are "manually" shifting through the gears, but don't need a clutch. The main stick can also just be used like a normal automatic shifter. It really was just a gimmick, but it certainly was interesting.

[Rob Hall]

Does the kit have the lightning rod shifter?  (mine have shipped, should have them by Saturday).

[1972coronet]

Does the kit have the lightning rod shifter?  (mine have shipped, should have them by Saturday).

At least according to the instructions (posted in this thread , probably a few pages back) the Lightneing Rod shifter arrangement is indeed there

[Ron Hamilton]

I picked one up today, and it looks like it should go together pretty easy. Back in the day, I sold new Chevrolets, and I had several Monte Carlos of that era as a demonstrator during the 80's. One of my neighbors had an '84 Hurst Olds, which was an interesting car in its own right. personally, I like the '83 better, and I am going to do mine with the gray velour/vinyl interior, which was the other interior trim available on the car. Testors Model Master Dark Cherry Red Lacquer is a very good match for the 1983 GM Dark Red Interior Vinyl Trim, while the velour cloth trim is a shade or two redder, which is the most common interior color for the '83 Hurst Olds, and is the only interior color listed for the '84 Hurst Olds. There is not a lot of reference material on the real car out there n the web, as these cars are fairly rare, but I have found something that will get me the information I need to build one to my standards..

Edited May 6, 2016 by Ron Hamilton

[1972coronet]

Here's a video of an in-car ( 1973 Duster ! ) shot of a Lenco and its Lightening Rod shifters in-use https://youtu.be/2zx54zjDU4s

 

[niteowl7710]

Does the kit have the lightning rod shifter?  (mine have shipped, should have them by Saturday).

It's there, but in typical Revell "good nuff" fashion they molded the entire thing on one vertical plane like a set of airplane throttles, whereas in real life the stick on the left is "regular" auto transmission and is bent out towards the driver a bit and when in park is significantly further forward than the other two sticks. 

[Aaronw]

In theory, it's similar to the Lenco transmission setup that had a stick for each gear. It's also a variation on the ratchet-shifter where you are "manually" shifting through the gears, but don't need a clutch. The main stick can also just be used like a normal automatic shifter. It really was just a gimmick, but it certainly was interesting.

At least according to the instructions (posted in this thread , probably a few pages back) the Lightneing Rod shifter arrangement is indeed there

So the Lightning rod is just a shifter to mimic the Lenco using the stock transmission?

Seems to me kind of a clunky solutions, just a bunch of transfer cases linked together. At least with the Lenco I can at least see the appeal if you are producing too much power for a stock transmission since they seem to be available built to withstand horsepower in the 1000+ range.

Using the same style of shifter on a stock transmission seems like the kind of thing you would find in a JC Whitney catalog.

Still if they were popular it is nice to see Revell include it as an option.

[Aaronw]

It's there, but in typical Revell "good nuff" fashion they molded the entire thing on one vertical plane like a set of airplane throttles, whereas in real life the stick on the left is "regular" auto transmission and is bent out towards the driver a bit and when in park is significantly further forward than the other two sticks. 

I would assume molding limitations require the levers be all on the same plane, or be multi piece. One piece is probably cheaper than multi piece, so... Seems like less of an issue than crummy tires. 

[Daddyfink]

I rank them right up there with fuzzy dice, curb feelers and single exhaust split into two outlets. 

[Rob Hall]

I scored 83 Cutlass Supreme and an 83 Hurst Olds brochures on eBay today for reference. 

[charlie8575]

Not as well as I like it to be, My skills aren't that great when it comes to splice and cut/putty.

Not perfect, but a very credible job. I doubt I could do it that well. 

Just got my order today from Model Roundup. My only "complaint" is no stock version yet. Also how come no oil fill tube on the manifold? 

Manifold? No. 

Olds V8s have the oil filler on the front cover of the engine. From the pre-production sample I saw at NNL-East, it's where it's supposed to be. 

Mine just came in a couple of hours ago, on my way to go grab it.

Our local distributor had 60. My shop made an error, and didn't get my order in, so we got it from one of the big wholesalers. Our local guy ordered another 60. They were due in Wednesday, and from he said, at least half of them were already sold.

Charlie Larkin

[stavanzer]

Jesse (Daddyfink) that second Pic of the Shifters is perfect reference for detailing that part of the kit. Thanks for posting.

It shows in photo form, exactly what James Duff was talking about in his post. I'll remember that when I build mine.

[charlie8575]

The tires are the worst part of this kit being the bias ply tires out of the '70 Cuda. A real head scratcher if you ask me. Sure they didn't have a tire in inventory to use for this kit, but considering there's at least one other version of the kit coming and the potential of doing other 1980/1990s cars down the road (a Grand Prix to round out the G-Bodys would be nice for example) investing a couple of bucks into a new appropriate tire tooling would have been a smart investment in the long run. 

I agree. I've accepted (grudgingly) that Revell is too cheap to spend the money for properly-engraved (i.e., branded) tires, and the other fact that Goodyear and Michelin (which owns the rights to Uniroyal and BFG) are monumentally expensive, but at least a decent set of radials would've been good. Looks like Fireball Models to the rescue. 

Charlie Larkin

[Daddyfink]

I am pretty sure the majority of the kits sold will not be built stock and most of these tires and wheels will end up in the parts boxes. 

So, dig into your stashes and find what you need, or like charlie8575 said, "Looks like Fireball Models to the rescue"

[Jordan White]

I agree. I've accepted (grudgingly) that Revell is too cheap to spend the money for properly-engraved (i.e., branded) tires, and the other fact that Goodyear and Michelin (which owns the rights to Uniroyal and BFG) are monumentally expensive, but at least a decent set of radials would've been good. Looks like Fireball Models to the rescue. 

Charlie Larkin

The one thing that I don't quite get about this is how Revell loves to use the same tire for multiple kits, thus it seems like they could spread the cost out over those several kits (which I'm sure is what they did in the past). Granted, the other thing they could do is go to some of the smaller companies that aren't owned by any of the big ones. 

[Ron Hamilton]

The one thing that I don't quite get about this is how Revell loves to use the same tire for multiple kits, thus it seems like they could spread the cost out over those several kits (which I'm sure is what they did in the past). Granted, the other thing they could do is go to some of the smaller companies that aren't owned by any of the big ones. 

I looked at those tires, and they may be passable, as they have kind of a funky shape to them. I will look into a better substitute when I start on it.

[blubaja]

I would assume molding limitations require the levers be all on the same plane, or be multi piece. One piece is probably cheaper than multi piece, so... Seems like less of an issue than crummy tires. 

Yea. That fraction a cent in styrene would be a real hindered to production costs. Just like making something correct the first time around is such a problem.