MPC Pepsi Laguna stocker is at vendors now - any in-box pics?

[Matt T.]

Anxious to see what the "restored to original" parts are.

Thanks.

[Brett Barrow]

I didn't open one up, but here's the parts map off the bottom of the box if that helps. Instruction sheet is online at Round2 site.

http://www.round2models.com/models/mpc/pepsi-chevelle-stock

[Rob Hall]

On thing I did read that was different from previous releases is the window netting is now a separate part rather than molded in as in past releases.

[Brett Barrow]

The roll cage was redone so that it fits the size and shape of the body better. I think this is an area that might be better than original.

[Rob Hall]

Looks like two sets of rollcage parts on the trees..probably the old and the new. I have the '80s Hawaiian Tropic version and the Model King version from a few years ago, neat subject matter.

Does the Pepsi livery represent a real car? I haven't seen mention of a specific driver.

[Brett Barrow]

Lennie Pond drove Pepsi Chevys in that era with that scheme, but he was #54.

[Matt T.]

Thanks Brett!

[unclescott58]

I want a show room "stock" street version of this kit.

Scott

And yes, I know it was never done.

[Robberbaron]

Stopped at my local Hobby Lobby, they FINALLY restocked and had a bunch of new releases, including this Laguna. With my 40% off coupon, knocked the price down to $14.99 before tax . That's quite a bit cheaper than the old sealed Cannonball Run version of this kit I bought back in the late '90s (which turned out to have a chassis so warped it was unusable! Ah, '80s quality control!)

Anyway, as stated above, the roll cage has been totally redone, and the window net is separate. I'll admit I didn't bother looking at the parts layout too closely on the bottom of the box, so I was surprised to see the original cage still in there, too. In addition to the old cage having the net attached, it also has simulated wrapped padding, which was not duplicated on the new cage. I also noticed a new set of valve covers (originals are still in there, too).

Edited August 2, 2014 by Robberbaron

[Luc Janssens]

Lennie Pond drove Pepsi Chevys in that era with that scheme, but he was #54.

I seem to recall amt having a Lenny Pond Laguna, think even having the box, but anyway which is the better kit amt or mpc?

[mnwildpunk]

I must be blind but in the parts layout on the bottom of box I don't see a rear diff. Nevermind I see it is a four piece axle

Edited August 2, 2014 by mnwildpunk

[Rob Hall]

It's molded in a bright blue, almost Petty blue w/ some parts molded in black.

[Daddyfink]

I still have a set of Hawaiian Tropic decals from the Canon Ball issue, re-visiting my childhood once again!

[62rebel]

so we might see more of the ex-MPC Grand National kits reissued again?

[Dave Van]

History on the original kit. The kit was announced and single sheet sales info was for the Lennie Pond #54 Chevy.

But just as the kit was to be manufactured Pepsi split with Pond....some say due to Pond's lack of winning.....some say because Pepsi didn't pay up.

But MPC had a slot to fill and thus the fictitious #39 Pepsi Chevy of 'Noah Body' was born.

No correct Pond Pepsi sponsored kit was ever produced but the decals have been a number of times.

My Pond Pepsi Chevy using the AMT Chevelle kit

Per some folks that have all three kits, original, Model King version and new say the cage is new but the chassis has had some work done too so it's more like the 70's era kit. I got to work on the Model King version and when R2 wanted to reissue the S-3 they contacted us asking what the kit needed....I hope our input made the kit a little better.....but I have yet to get one so I can't say 100%.

This is a Model King build of the S-3 kit just reissued.......

This is box stock including decals.......

Edited August 5, 2014 by Dave Van

[W-409]

This is absolutely a Must Have kit for me! I think it's much more interesting than the new '70 Barracuda or Starsky & Hutch Torino from Revell. I can't wait to build this one.

[ZIL 111V]

Remember hearing the rumour about Pond & Pepsi brakeup leading to this MPC nascar #39 PEPSI racer.

Happy to see it back in its "fictitious" #39 PEPSI edition

[Old Gasser]

I open up this kit and noticed that the frame has been restored to the lenght on both ends where it joins together. Will this work on the Model King 71 Cyclone, 72 Monte Carlo & 72 Torino stock cars for the right wheel base?

[Sledsel]

I just bought this kit and am going to share my thoughts on it. It is a re release of a 30 year old kit, so there will be no pointing out inaccuracies like saying its a Laguna, not a Chevelle.... All Lagunas were Chevelles, but not all Chevelles were Lagunas. Get it?

The kit is molded in blue and black, and very nicely also. Flash is minimal and the blue body could be buffed and look as good as paint. The body is clean and straight with no twist or warpage. There is a minor sink mark only on the drivers side front fender, but is so minimal, could be wet sanded out. The proportions and overall shape look good, but the roof looks a bit low. Then again, it is a race car.

The chassis is in an interesting piece since it is two pieces. Where the chassis is joined together, there are 2 pins on the front section, but 3 holes on the rear. I believe this was done to change the wheelbase for other bodies. Pretty good thinking on MPC's part in the day.

The rear suspension is leaf springs which would be incorrect for this car and era. The front suspension is a Ford design. The entire chassis is pretty basic, but then again, in those days they were not overly technical like today. I does represent an older Nascar set up though.

The interior is pretty sparse and basic, just like the cars of the day. The dash could use better detail, but with some detailing would be very acceptable.

The wheels and tires consist of a set of 10 hole Nascar style wheels, but are definitely not deep enough. The tires are the smaller style Good Year Blue Streek Stock Car Specials. These are also not quite large enough.

The engine is a very unique piece. Lil bit of Ford and Chevy. The starter is on the right side, oil pan sump in the rear, distributor in the front, water neck on right side, water pump inlet on left side, generic cylinder heads and BBC valve covers (2 sets)

Round 2 has retooled the cage and window net to make the net separate, but have also included the original pieces. Decals are very nice, so nice that I believe this will be a box build.

My overall thought on this kit is: I really like it, yea, not perfect but I am sure it will build up nicely. I will probably source out wheels, tires, and engine from a newer AMT Nascar kit and maybe a dash from a Monogram, but that's it. I am sure the coil suspension from the AMT kit could be retrofitted to the older chassis also. I am looking forward to building this in the near future and I recommend it to anybody that likes stock car builds. (I will try to post some pics soon)

Edited June 13, 2015 by Sledsel

[Daddyfink]

I don't know how many of these I thrashed when I was a kid. The local Play Co toy store was clearing them out for a $1 and I bought about $10 worth!

Wish I still had at least the box art!

Edited June 13, 2015 by Daddyfink

[Snake45]

Somebody's going to ask, so I might as well get it out of the way: Can this be used to build a stock or stockish/streetish car? I mean the body of course; I realize the interior and chassis would have to come from someplace else.

[Rob Hall]

Somebody's going to ask, so I might as well get it out of the way: Can this be used to build a stock or stockish/streetish car? I mean the body of course; I realize the interior and chassis would have to come from someplace else.

No. At least not without a lot of scratchbuilding for trim, lights, etc. And it's a 40 yr old kit, not 30 as the original post says.

I looked into kitbashing one of the Hawaiian Tropic issues w/ the Revell '77 Monte Carlo, since the interior and chassis would be similar for a 1:1...but the interior tub was going to require quite a bit of massaging to fit (too tall) w/ the chassis...the interior tub from the Johan '75 Cutlass snap kit might be a better fit, maybe one of those could be modded to use the Monte Carlo dash and seats..

Edited June 13, 2015 by Rob Hall

[stavanzer]

Man, I remember those kits. I had four of them built at one time. As a Teenager those wheels/tires and engine were oddly enough the best parts of the kit back then, compared to the Monogram kits I was building.

I remember build a "Mad Max" style off road buggy using the chassis and roll cage from this kit with an old Revell Fuel Injection manifold from the Thames Dragster, of course this many years before ther WAS a Mad Max, but it just seemed to be a great platform for a Post Apocolypse build.

I built a whole series of Kits that way when I was in High School.Wish I still had them

Maybe I should pop for one again and try for another Warrior Buggy.

[ranma]

not that hard to make it near stock I've done it it was posted on the forum last year. Body is still in the molded blue, I didn't have the heart to paint it a diffrent color. These cars were closer to a regular car than the nascar cars of today.

[ranma]

Somebody's going to ask, so I might as well get it out of the way: Can this be used to build a stock or stockish/streetish car? I mean the body of course; I realize the interior and chassis would have to come from someplace else.

I used the interior from a revell 77 monte carlo engine and chassis from a AMT 70 Chevelle kit. see pictures in my Gallery on my profile page.