RCMP '73 Chevy Caprice decals

[unclescott58]

A little over a year ago I got an MPC '73 Caprice model build up. Been unsure of what to do with it. It's in fairly nice condition. Not really a "glue bomb" per say. The only thing missing are the stock wheel covers and air cleaner.

Years ago, I saw that MPC at one time offered this kit in a Royal Canadian Mounted Police version. I've heard the kit is very rare. I'm thinking my '76 Caprice kit still comes with the missing police car pieces. So all I need is proper decals, wheel covers, and an air cleaner, and I can build a replica out of my '73.

Is there anybody out there that can help me with the missing pieces and decals. And/or give me more information and photos on the MPC RCMP kit?

Scott

Edited February 10, 2015 by unclescott58

[dptydawg]

This is what came with the kit. The major difference is the molded in plates on both bumpers. They are Ontario plates with RCMP engraved on them. The wheel covers are full disks not dog dish on steell The decal is a simple shield with RCMP crest.

I've built this kit back when it was first issued, so it is showing its age.

Thanks

Carl

[unclescott58]

I've been doing a little research. 1973 the RCMP went to dark blue cars with white doors on their real cars. With a simple decal/logo on doors. The only other markings seem to be the simple word "Police" on the trunk lid and the cars number on the front fender. Can anybody confirm this, and give me any more information? The original MPC box art for the kit shows the car in dark blue with white doors. It also shows the decals on the doors. But in the pictures I've seen, not the trunk.

As far as the wheels go, I understand that the MPC kit came with full wheel covers. So did the real '73 Caprices. I doubt that the RCMP used real Caprices, especially 2-doors, for their cars. But, since the model came this way, that's the I want to replicate it.

Scott

Edited February 10, 2015 by unclescott58

[unclescott58]

By the way dptydawg, were did you get the Mountie to go with your car?

Scott

[unclescott58]

Found decals from Aftermath Decals on eBay. Ordered a set. Not exactly the same as what came with the MPC kit. But very close.

Still need wheel covers and an air cleaner.

Scott

[dptydawg]

Hi Scott

The car should have been painted dark blue. When I built this model back then the only cruisers around here where OPP black and whites, so that's what I used as a reference. Over the years I considered a rebuild but lack of decals was a main holdup. To be accurate a 4 door post would be a better choice.

The mountie figure is a conversion of a Tamyia 1/25th scale German officer kit. I used epoxy putty to craft the hat.

Carl

[unclescott58]

Great job on the Mountie Carl. If you should decide to redo your Caprice, as note above, Aftermath Decals on eBay simular decals for $12.99 (US) including shipping. Not exactly the same decals as came with the kit in '73, but darn close. At the same time, I don't know your kit needs to be redone as much as be cleaned up. It still looks pretty good.

Scott

Edited February 13, 2015 by unclescott58

[Rodent]

Scott,

I *should* have eight of the wheels in my parts box. I just found one of them, plus the air cleaner from a '72. If I can find at least 3 more, they are yours.

[unclescott58]

Scott,

I *should* have eight of the wheels in my parts box. I just found one of them, plus the air cleaner from a '72. If I can find at least 3 more, they are yours.

Wow! That would be great.

Scott

[Rodent]

Wow! That would be great.

Scott

I will keep looking. I built two of these "back in the day", so the stock wheels should be in the parts box(es) somewhere. At least I found an air cleaner right where I thought it would be. Probably have 3-4 more of those too.

[unclescott58]

Via e-mail I requested info on RCMP cars of this time period, from the RCMP themselves. I just got a e-mail back from them with a bunch of attachments I haven't had the chance to go through yet. What I do know so far, is they know of the old MPC kit, but have no photos of it. They attach a photo of the a '71 Chevy 4-door done in black with white doors and the style of door decal as shown on Carl's model above. They also seem to indicate that blue colored cars really did not come in to use until 1974. So Carl, you may have built your model the correct color after all.

I'm going to have to take some time to go through the other stuff they sent me. I will pass on more information here as I find it, if others are interested.

Scott

[dptydawg]

Hi Scott

I would be interested in any info that the RCMP . So the 73 cars were in a colour transition? They may have been a mix of blacks and blues depending on where and wen they were acquired?

Here is a pic of the RCMP box art. it may be of some use in your research.

Carl

[ZIL 111V]

The '73 RCMP MPC kit was a very small/special run, limited for Canadian market only ( A few kits got to "neighbouring" US states :Mich, NH, NY, VT,etc) to celebrate the 100th aniversary of the force back in 1973, MPC got the deal using their annual '73 big chevy kit, not exactly correct but very close enough to "Biscayne convert" for a skilled modeler. Very RARE kit indeed.

[unclescott58]

Okay, more info. One of the attached extras the RCMP sent me, is a printed history listing 1974 for sure as the year for the switch to the blue cars with white doors. They also sent me a photo of a RCMP '73 Plymouth Fury. Again it is painted black with white doors. Looking at the MPC box art in the picture above, is that car blue or black? It looks blue to me. But, I'm not sure? Either way, I'm leaning more to painting my Caprice black with white doors, since the "official" information I've gotten from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police show and say the cars were black for 1973. And if you can't trust the RCMP, who can you trust? (And I'm not being sarcastic about that. I really do trust the RCMP.) It was a non RCMP, but a Canadian Police Car source that indicated the blue cars came in '73. Yet they had no pictures to back that up.

Scott

Edited February 14, 2015 by unclescott58

[hillbilly168]

hi all

a friend gave me his old collection of kits(he was gonna pitch them in the garbage) one of them is a built-up of the said rcmp car.the only thing with the decals is they didnt have "police" but had "RCMP" in the shield area.in 2008 the rcmp had a limited run of crown vickys done in the 73 paint scheme and door logos(modified with the "RCMP GRC"wording to commemorate the 135th anniv. of the force.i am rebuilding the car as it was painted with a brush and it needs a tlc treatment.

not sure,but there is a seated figure that looks as though it may have come with the kit...anyone who has this kit could confirm it?