Reviews of products for scale automotive models, including motorcycles and motorized vehicles.

Review Author
Chris Smith
Published on
Company
Revell
Scale
1/25
MSRP
$26.95

In 2010 Ford introduced a restyled Mustang known internally as the S-197 platform. The fifth generation of the iconic pony car featured design cues from the 1960s fastback including a body shape with hard edges, scalloped side panels and hooded headlights for a more aggressive look. As it turned out, this generation would mark the return of the Mustang muscle car. In 2011 the GT version featured the return of a much improved 5.0 Liter Coyote V-8. This dual overhead cam 32 valve power plant made over 400hp in its normally aspirated form. The S-197 platform was also the basis for the return of the infamous Boss 302 (2012-2013). This kit represents the last year of S-197 body style that was replaced by the current S-550 body style in 2015. In the last few years I’ve reviewed a number of Mustang models on this site so it’s no secret that this is my all-time favorite car. The only thing that’s changed since then is that after a 30 year hiatus I have one in my garage.

Review Author
Doug Cole
Published on
Company
Moebius Models
Scale
1/25
MSRP
$34.99

The Kit

This review covers the 1972 Sport Custom Pickup Truck 1:25 Scale Moebius Model Kit #1220. This is a newly released kit (using common parts from its’69-’71 counterparts) with great detailing and it is one that can be taken forward with some added work. This kit has ~130 parts molded in White, Clear and Chrome with Vinyl tires and easy to read instructions. It has a nicely detailed engine and interior. Moebius calls it a skill level 3, meant for modelers 15 years and older. Finished dimensions are: Length 8”, Width: 3½”, Height: 2¼”

Review Author
Gordon Miller
Published on
Company
Round 2 Models
Scale
1/25
MSRP
$24.95

The '57 Bel Air is truly one of the most beloved cars in the history of the automobile. Its unique styling is unmistakable. I was thrilled to be able to have the opportunity to build Round 2's newest creation. It is released under their series of cars entitled "the Car Culture" series. Everything comes molded in white so to me that's a good thing. It has no flash and the entire car is very intricately detailed. It contains 160 plus pieces including photo etched chrome.The chrome etching covers the namesake fins, as well as the front and back gold V's that require some gold paint to accurately depict them, as well as the 3 inserts in the front fenders. As of these pics I hadn't completed these yet.

Review Author
Joe Porche
Published on
Company
Revell
Scale
1/24
MSRP
$23.95

Early last year I was excited to see that Revell was going to release two new NASCAR kits sometime in the 4th quarter of 2015. I was equally excited because these would be of the newer Generation 6 style of cars and Ford Fusions. Well the bubble burst when I discovered that these kits would be SnapTite kits. Excited for the kids and snap builders, but a little disappointed that we haven’t had a new glue-style NASCAR kit in almost two decades.

I understand Revell plans to rectify this situation in 2017-18, based on the sales of these snap kits. At $24 dollars each I am really skeptical that they will be able to penetrate the youth market with these kits.

Review Author
Jim Stepanek
Published on
Company
Moebius Models
Scale
1/25
MSRP
$32.49

Moebius hits another grand slam with their 1961 Pontiac Ventura kit. Little to no flash, excellent fit, and terrific engraving make this a kit worth building. If there’s a downside to the kit, it’s the poor instruction sheet. While printed on glossy paper, I found the instructions incomplete, incorrect, and lacking in detail. More later.

Engine

The engine comes with only a tri-power setup. This is an option for air filter(s) although not covered in the instructions. There’s the large air filter (#79 & 80) or the individual air filters (#93) that are not mentioned in the instructions. I chose to use the #93s. There are 2 heater hoses shown but placement on the engine is not clear at all.

Interior

Moebius did an interior platform with separate side panels and seats that feature wonderful engraving. Detailed painting instructions make for correct color interior.

Review Author
Doug Cole
Published on
Company
Revell
Scale
1/25
MSRP
$19.95

The Revell website sums up this vehicle nicely, “The 2013 Camaro ZL1 is the most technologically advanced Camaro ever made. In 1969, the original ZL1 was a custom-built COPO ordered car with an all-aluminum 427 c.i.d. engine. It was a bold move for its time. Stepping ahead more than 40 years, the 2013 ZL1 is even more robust, with a 6.2 liter supercharged V-8 pumping out 580 horsepower.”

Review Author
Bill O'Malley
Published on
Company
Italeri
Scale
1/12
MSRP
$195.00

This is a difficult kit to assemble with some significant fit issues with many of the parts. An old diecast version of this car was previously issued by Protar, and it looks like Italeri worked directly from the diecast kit. The Italeri plastic parts are identical to the Protar diecast parts, including ejection pins and sink marks. It looks like Italeri used the Protar parts to make their molds. This helps to explain some of the rough spots, lack of crisp decal on the parts, and all the nut & bolt fasteners.

Review Author
Tom Moon
Published on
Company
Model Art
MSRP
$20.00

Background

Auto Modeling is a high quality Japanese language magazine from publisher ModelArt. Each edition features models of cars, mostly racecars, from various race series and eras. Many of the previous editions focused on Formula One cars in different time periods.

The magazine has Japanese text, but some of the titles and headings are in English. The photographs are numerous and very high quality.

Contents

This issue, Volume 32, December 2015, has the following sections:

Review Author
Allan Murrell
Published on
Company
Moebius Models
Scale
1/24
MSRP
$44.95

This is the latest Batmobile from the Batman vs. Superman Dawn of Justice movie. It is a nice looking vehicle! The instruction booklet is concise and gives great illustrations.

The kit contains

  • 8 sprues molded in light grey styrene
  • 1 clear sprue
  • 4 Black Rubber tires
  • 1 instruction booklet.

Construction

The kit is not too complex and can be built in a number of sub-assembles via 8 main steps. The use of sub-assemblies allows you to paint these as you progress through the build. I would recommend that you test fit each part before any glue is used as a few need a little adjusting to fix correctly.

Review Author
Doug Cole
Published on
Company
Revell
Scale
1/25
MSRP
$24.95

Chip Foose has added his touch to this new release of the 2015 Stingray with a definite nod to the iconic styling of the 1978 Indy 500 Pace Car. This is another “transition” kit from Revell meant to give the novice some experience with glue joints and decals but it will still look great on the shelf. That gives them an all important ego boost and they can still say “I made that!” with pride and move on to more detailed kits.