1/25 Revell '70 Ford Torino GT

[freakshow12]

Correct. First re issue

[kelson]

Thanks for the review Tim!,i knew the seats were incorrect but no idea about the body,i was going to pass on this kit since I have at least 3 of the pro modeler versions,but I think it's gonna change!,now correct me if I'm wrong did Missing link Resin offer a 70'convertible body a couple years ago?

[deuces wild]

Wonder if they used this car for the box art???..

[Bob Ellis]

Tim, I have the Revell Torino Cobra #85-8253. It appears to have the undesirable rear quarter. Maybe the Street Burner version is correct, but I don't have that kit.

[Robberbaron]

Another great review, Tim! I also didn't know about the rear quarter problem previously, just the seats. I was happy enough to see that this kit was being reissued, since I missed it on the first go around. Sure never expected any corrections like this. Also really didn't expect the PE to be included again without "premium" pricing. Even though Revell has gotten flamed a lot lately for certain problems on certain kits, this goes to show that they can still hit it out of the park when they set their minds to it.

This kit is definitely now at the top of my "must buy" list the first time I see it at my LHS. I've always been loyal to GM in real life, but I really have a thing for these 70-71 Torinos. It might go back to my childhood. Down the street from me, there was a bright yellow Sportsroof Torino sitting in someone's side yard, under a tree. I don't think I ever saw that car move under its own power, but I was always fascinated with the styling.

Same goes for the 70-71 Cyclones. Those cars were so unusual, I never even saw one until I was about 9. I couldn't get over the fact that they actually made a car with a gunsight in the grille! Would really love to see Revell bring one of those out, too, they already have the chassis and mechanicals all ready to go here.

Edited August 29, 2014 by Robberbaron

[booboo60]

Tim! Thanks very much, I love any reissue and if you put fourth the effort to make it better! Just more props to you sir, I love the Torino gt! I had a real 1:1 72! But not the Gt sorry to say! I also love the 67 just put out! So for what ever u all do to keep this near and dear hobby going for me atleast! Being 100% disabled! Its a life saver! Really! I didnt know what I was going to do to fill my time a few yrs back! I started building and my wife seen a big turn around in me! And also even my attitude had gotten much better, this hobby most take for granted, is a life saving hobby for me, Thanks again, as soon as I get my wife too run too Ocala to hobby shop I'll have one. Lol! Ps. Green metallic for me also, later

[DaveM]

I hope somebody from Revell reads this board. I just voted with my wallet and bought two Torinos. I am glad to see the reissue, and I am even more glad to see the fixes. Great job and thanks. I am ripping one open right now and it will join my current project on the workbench. I haven't picked a color yet, but it will be factory stock, and probably OOB like the Camaro I am working on. The other will probably end up detailed a bit more, and be a "Day two" type of a car with nice wheels and a few bolt ons. At some point I will get a third kit and do a drag car out of it. This is a great kit, and the fixing up adds value to me. Hopefully you will continue to improve some of your reissues. (69 Nova, 90 Mustang and the funky fenders on the 70 Cuda. come to mind right away) I can fix pretty much any mistake in a kit, but most model buyers can't, and I would rather spend my time detailing or customizing. I have always loved these Torinos, and I am thrilled to see an improved version of this kit back. The etch is a sweet addition too.

Like they almost said in that baseball movie, "Fix it and they will buy."

[Bernard Kron]

Thanks for another great review. Having missed the majority of Model Kit History when I opted out of model building as an adult, I love this stuff. While these sorts of cars may not be my thing the history of model kit developments and the efforts these companies made over the years to bring us quality kits is something well worth reading about. Thanx For Filling In The Blanx!

Looking forward to the next one,
B.

[Guest]

I wonder if Revell will be willing to send buyers of the old kit replacement bodies and seats.

[MrObsessive]

I wonder if Revell will be willing to send buyers of the old kit replacement bodies and seats.

That would be interesting..............one can only ask to see if they would. In fact, I may call them Tuesday and ask 'em. I have the original Pro-Modeler kit of that car, and never noticed the body differences until Tim made his post. I like that car, but until I get into really building something, I sometimes never pay attention to those subtle details that can make or break a kit.

If you remember, Revell DID replace many bodies of their ill shaped '69 Charger kit (roof shape was wrong). That was a different time though, and with budgets the way they are now, they might not be so inclined to do so this time around.

[tim boyd]

My thoughts are that this is a bit of apples and oranges to suggest that the precedent of the Charger body replacement should also apply to this Torino kit.

The original Pro-Modeler Charger body was wrong in basic proportions on a number of levels. All of us realized something was wrong the minute we opened the box. Not only that, it was a very premium-priced kit at the time.

This Torino body was always correct all basic proportions, and has now only seen a minor change to correct an incorrect body feature line and a minor change to two bucket seats. Most of you have commented that you never even knew there was something incorrect about the Torino body, until I pointed it out, some 14 years after the original kit hit the market. Again....much, much different than with the Charger body.

If we ask Revell to replace the Torino bodies, I could predict that they would be adverse to making any future minor corrections/improvements on other kits they've offered in the past. Another words, if you ask for a replacement, the whole idea of "continuous improvement" in other Revell model kits could backfire on us.

No insider info on this, just my concern about unintended consequences....and something to think about... TIM

Edited August 30, 2014 by tim boyd

[MrObsessive]

That's a good point Tim, and considering what I now know of the original body, I can fix the body contours. I still would like the updated kit though as that IS a really nice kit in its own right, and one that from what I've heard builds up very nicely.

[IMPALASS89]

On the body for the corrections is just back of the rear quarter pannel the very lower part the body line is removed and is now smoothed out.

[unclescott58]

I have the old Pro-Modeler version. That incorrect body line doesn't bother me too much. The seats always have. I need to finish building the old kit. And despite my dislike of the use of the low back buckets in this kit, I will still use them in this build. They look okay. They're just more right for a '69 Torino, than a '70. If anybody asks, I'll just tell then that my Torino represents an early pre-production prototype built before the correct seats were available. I may have to buy and build a second with correct seats. Painting it a different color. Just for the fun of it.

Scott

[jefropas]

Nice review Tim, thanks, I gotta grab me a couple!

Jeff

[Jaguar man 21]

I can wait till I get mine

[1972coronet]

I just ordered one of these bad boys via eBay ; $20 + free shipping .

I've owned a 1970 Ranchero GT in the past ( 351-C , FMX , 9" with 3.50 Trac-Loc ** , yellow with dark green interior [ originally it was ; its prior owners changed the interior to black , and the vehicle was painted white lacquer with fade-out blue stripes] , and chromed-reverse 15x8" wheels ) , so these Ford intermediates are my favourite from the Blue Oval camp .

Being a life-long MoPar fanatic , and thusly having concentrated predominately on their ins-and-outs , I have practically no experience in regard to factory colours , inside and out . Any-one have a link or two to factory literature for the 1970 Torino (et al.) ?

** = I'm not sure as to whether or not that "Trac-Loc" is the proper term for the FoMoCo differential . I would appreciate and welcome a correction in regard to this .

[freakshow12]

Yes it is and what would you like to know?

[1972coronet]

I would love to see a kit of the '70 Ranchero GT, or even the Ranchero Squire.

Ah....memories....TIM

Hopefully one of the fledgling resin casters will offer a Ranchero transkit for this kit ! Of course , I'm *assuming* that the Ranchero and Torino 2 door shared the same wheelbase ...

[MrObsessive]

I just ordered one of these also on eBay from GMS Customs. I'll probably keep my Pro-Modeler kit as it'll be interesting to compare the two while I'm building it. There are a couple other body changes I'd like to make comparing the model to the 1:1.

Now when that will be is anyone's guess!

[freakshow12]

What changes?

[Ace-Garageguy]

Nice thorough review and pix, and it's really heartening to learn that Revell expended the effort and $$ to correct the faults, AND is issuing the kit with up-content decals and PE.

This is a car I really had no particular interest in previously...though it's a good looking design and I even owned a 1:1 for a short time, I guess I just saw too many of them back when they were current.

However, this new release is just begging me to get one (or a few)...in part to show appreciation to Revell for making the changes...and I'm thinking it would make a really trick, lightly-chopped pro-touring car.

[jeffs396]

I just ordered one of these bad boys via eBay ; $20 + free shipping .

I've owned a 1970 Ranchero GT in the past ( 351-C , FMX , 9" with 3.50 Trac-Loc ** , yellow with dark green interior [ originally it was ; its prior owners changed the interior to black , and the vehicle was painted white lacquer with fade-out blue stripes] , and chromed-reverse 15x8" wheels ) , so these Ford intermediates are my favourite from the Blue Oval camp .

Being a life-long MoPar fanatic , and thusly having concentrated predominately on their ins-and-outs , I have practically no experience in regard to factory colours , inside and out . Any-one have a link or two to factory literature for the 1970 Torino (et al.) ?

** = I'm not sure as to whether or not that "Trac-Loc" is the proper term for the FoMoCo differential . I would appreciate and welcome a correction in regard to this .

See if this helps John:

http://grantorinosport.org/70torino05.htm

[MrObsessive]

What changes?

Well, this is just my own personal observation--------the upper window line could stand to be a bit "straighter" and "higher", especially as it comes over the rear quarter window area. Also, Revell seems to have an aversion to getting window corners at a sharp angle. I'm noticing that the upper rear quarter window trim doesn't have the sharp angled corners per the 1:1. Someone did a buildup of an original AMT '70 Torino here a while back, and that's when I noticed the difference.

Now this may be the pics, and I also need to dig out my Pro Modeler kit, but the body side creases could stand some sharpening up. They may be fine as is, but a few coats of paint, and they're going to fade away. The crease will be there, but not as sharp as it could be.

Just my 2¢ worth and nothing more..............

[MrObsessive]

I want to add also that it appears that GMS Customs on eBay has sold out of their Torinos! At $19.95 each and free shipping, that was a deal that couldn't be beat! He'll probably stock up on some more later, but as of now they appear to be gone.

Glad mine is on its way!