Petetrucker07 Posted January 3, 2015 Posted January 3, 2015 Im just curious if anybodys purchase of kit is effected by the box art. If the art looks cheesy does it make you think the kit is cheesy. Or can you look past the art and see what you want to see.
Guest Posted January 3, 2015 Posted January 3, 2015 I look past the box art. There are plenty of ways on the net to find out what is inside.
Tom Geiger Posted January 4, 2015 Posted January 4, 2015 As a kid, box art was everything! And the model companies put a lot of effort in the graphics. Take any of the old Tom Daniel illustrations of drag scenes like the original Monogram '55 Chevy box. I bought several of the Revell 57 Nomad just for the romance of that famous beach scene! Just like magazine covers sell magazines, model box art sells kits I think folks here are too astute to judge a kit by the box art. It's more for hobby store shoppers. Still, we are not beyond buying a kit because the box art is cool. Round 2 is riding that one right now with releases of ancient kits in their original box art. Doesn't matter if we have five different versions, we are buying a new one because the box is cool.
Harry P. Posted January 4, 2015 Posted January 4, 2015 I've never understood why anyone would buy a kit based on the picture on the box. That picture might be a photo of the real car, so completely irrelevant to what's actually in the box... it could be an illustration, so again, completely irrelevant to what is actually in the box. It could be a photo of the "actual model," so that might be a better guide to what you're buying... but who knows how much retouching was done to the photo? Or how much work went into "fixing" problems with the kit? "Never judge a book by its cover" is a pretty smart motto.
Ace-Garageguy Posted January 4, 2015 Posted January 4, 2015 (edited) I recently bought the AMT '62 Corvette "Sock it to Me" edition solely based on the box art (that, and it was marked down to $11 for clearance). I knew better. I know these old AMT Vettes have horrible blobular chassis and the nose details are not well-scaled or proportioned. I was disappointed when I opened the box...BUT...it's got some cool parts, nice tires, and will end up being a flip-nose drag car on another old gluebomb-based Vette chassis. I'm happy for $11, and I LOVE the box art. Edited January 4, 2015 by Ace-Garageguy
Tom Geiger Posted January 4, 2015 Posted January 4, 2015 I've never understood why anyone would buy a kit based on the picture on the box. Because model car kits were toys aimed at us kids. And we were young, stupid and easily taken in with bright shiny objects!
Harry P. Posted January 4, 2015 Posted January 4, 2015 Because model car kits were toys aimed at us kids. And we were young, stupid and easily taken in with bright shiny objects! Right, when we were kids. But this topic is a question about who buys a kit nowadays based on the box art, not how the box art influenced you when you were 8.
disabled modeler Posted January 4, 2015 Posted January 4, 2015 I have to admit I am a huge fan of old box arts...but Id never let it be the deciding factor of a purchase of a kit...its just another plus. The thing about the old box art it reminds us all of our childhood days which for many were better days.
Roadrunner Posted January 4, 2015 Posted January 4, 2015 I'd have to say that from my view, box top imagery can be a determining factor. At the LHS a few days ago, I passed on a few kits because the box illustrations (kit built up), looked cheesy. The real 1:1 car might look great, but the models depicted on the boxes just looked like cheap imitations. If what's in the box can't be made into a better interpretation of the real thing, I'll save my cash (what little I have of it).
Quick GMC Posted January 4, 2015 Posted January 4, 2015 Box art can sway me. For example, the AMT Nova pro street build on the box is a huge turnoff, but seeing other peoples builds on here is what led me to buy it Nowadays, whether or not the box art affects me, I check builds online
Art Anderson Posted January 4, 2015 Posted January 4, 2015 Right, when we were kids. But this topic is a question about who buys a kit nowadays based on the box art, not how the box art influenced you when you were 8. I would submit that model kit box art isn't as necessary for those who are knowledgeable modelers, but rather for the "casual buyer", and those looking at kits for a gift for someone who builds models. Art
Roadrunner Posted January 4, 2015 Posted January 4, 2015 I once fell prey to being sucked in by box art (and I wasn't a kid at the time) re: a 1:700 USS Missouri. Cheap enough price, and the box art captured the splendor that is one of these ships. Once home, I opened up the kit to behold a 45,000 ton battleship, reduced to about a tiny 15" long. I was flabbergasted, and realized that I'd let the imagery draw me into a dumb decision. I mean the main batteries (which are gigantic on the real deal), were about 1" long! More like a bathtub toy than a decent representation.
cobraman Posted January 4, 2015 Posted January 4, 2015 I will admit to having done that in the past but so much now anymore. If you buy only for the art on the box there is a good chance you may be disappointed . IMO
Tony_B Posted January 4, 2015 Posted January 4, 2015 Interesting topic....over on FB, I've just joined a box-art group-->lotta neat stuff I have to admit, and I'm a sucker for the "shiny, ohhh, new" stuff! (I'm a computer nerd after all...). Unfortunately, box art will always get me. I've been looking at some of the AMT reissues (late-60's box art) and it just turns me off from buying the kit....I can't help it... <shrug>
chunkypeanutbutter Posted January 4, 2015 Posted January 4, 2015 The Revell box art has turned me off of buying a kit before. Whoever built the model couldn't paint the window seals in a straight line, tail lights painted half-a$$ed...
Guest Posted January 4, 2015 Posted January 4, 2015 The Revell box art has turned me off of buying a kit before. Whoever built the model couldn't paint the window seals in a straight line, tail lights painted half-a$$ed... How about some examples?
Scale-Master Posted January 5, 2015 Posted January 5, 2015 The Revell box art has turned me off of buying a kit before.Whoever built the model couldn't paint the window seals in a straight line, tail lights painted half-a$$ed...If the box art model was poorly painted or built and you could still see what the parts looked like (assuming they were acceptable to you) why would the way the box art model looked deter you from buying the kit?
Scale-Master Posted January 5, 2015 Posted January 5, 2015 How about some examples?Yes, I too would like to see what was being referred to.
chunkypeanutbutter Posted January 5, 2015 Posted January 5, 2015 On the Revell '78 Firebird box, the tail lights are painted badly. I think it was a Cuda I saw with the wonky seal painting.
w451973 Posted January 5, 2015 Posted January 5, 2015 I buy solely on the subject matter. I do love the older box art ( 60's - early 70's AMT and JoHan) but never eally liked the built up model box art. Still, that did'nt stop me from buying the kit.
Ramfins59 Posted January 5, 2015 Posted January 5, 2015 Since I've been building as an adult, I buy kits of cars that appeal to me, or, for the assortment of parts in the kit that I know I can use on builds of other cars. I've never been "sucked in" by the box art. I really don't remember whether or not the box art influenced my buying decisions way back in the late 50's and into the 60's.
peekay Posted January 5, 2015 Posted January 5, 2015 If the box is old and beautiful and the price is right I'll buy it even if it's EMPTY. No, I'm not rich or mad, I just love good model car box art.
Scale-Master Posted January 5, 2015 Posted January 5, 2015 On the Revell '78 Firebird box, the tail lights are painted badly. I think it was a Cuda I saw with the wonky seal painting.But if you can tell the box art model was painted poorly, why would that be a determining factor in not purchasing the kit if otherwise it was something you wanted?
Phirewriter Posted January 6, 2015 Posted January 6, 2015 (edited) If the box is old and beautiful and the price is right I'll buy it even if it's EMPTY. No, I'm not rich or mad, I just love good model car box art. Agreed, I have numerous kits in my collection that are there for nothing more than the box art. Why else would anyone in their right mind actually make an effort to buy Palmer kits? (some of the cooler boxes from the 60's/early 70's, despite the contents) There are plenty of bad, cheesy kits out there that have some of the best artwork. Not only do I enjoy the art but it is somewhat of a time machine for me when I descend into the styrene cavern. I still buy for subject matter on kits that I will/would/might build regardless of the box art. Edited January 6, 2015 by Phirewriter
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