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

Review Author
Steve Jahnke
Published on
Company
Round 2 Models
Scale
1/25
MSRP
$27.99

This kit is presented in a throw-back to 1971 complete with period packaging.

Molded in white, it can be built with a detailed motor or with a promo-style motor plate option, features include wild psychedelic decals, a few custom pieces and a miniature display kit box. Skill Level 2. The manufacturer claims that the kit is supposed to include pad printed slicks, however my review kit sample did not include those items.

The Kit

This kit was originally offered as an annual kit and as a “dealer promo” style kit back in the day. Due to this design parameter the front and rear fascia’s are pretty well detailed, however the body engraving is soft in spots, the engine, interior and chassis is somewhat simplified therefore parts count is lower than our modern and newly engineered kits . For instance the front lower portion of the grille and rear splash pan is molded to the chassis.

Review Author
Doug Hamilton
Published on
Company
Round 2 Models
Scale
1/24
MSRP
$26.99

The Jawbreaker Dragster is a Round 2 Models reissue of the old MPC kit. Round2models has recently purchased the rights to a number of old favorite models from the past. Names like MPC, AMT, Hawk, Lindburg, and Polar Lights all live again under this banner. All are friendly reminders of days past, and all share in a certain level of nostalgia. How many times have I said “Gee, I’d love to build that kit again.” Thanks to Round2Models, it’s now possible to build some of these classic kits once again.

The Jawbreaker Dragster is one of those kits. Originally produced by powerhouse MPC back in the day, this kit is a front engine slingshot dragster with a coupe body on the rear. A wing mounted on the roll bar and body work covering the front frame comes from a time when breaking the 200 mile per hour barrier on the dragstrip was considered a major milestone.

Review Author
Joe Porche
Published on
Company
Round 2 Models
Scale
1/25
MSRP
$27.99

It has been a while since AMT has issued the Lil Hot Dogger. I thought the plastic was typical to their current releases being just the right consistency for trimming, sanding, and gluing. All the clear parts were crystal clear with little flash. The white styrene molds themselves had produced small areas of flash especially around some of the larger parts and many ejector pin marks in noticeable locations.

Parts count:

Review Author
Joe Porche
Published on
Company
Round 2 Models
Scale
1/25
MSRP
$27.99

It has been some 35 years since this version on the Ford Model “T” Delivery Wagon has been issued from AMT. Surprisingly the molds have held up fairly well with little flash or exaggerated seams. Do to the engineering of the kit however, there is a great deal of punch holes to be dealt with. See photo reference #2.

The AMT plastic is typical to their current releases, not too soft, not too hard, just right for trimming, sanding and gluing. All the clear parts were crystal clear with little flash. I used Tamiya primer, paints and glue for the assembly of this kit and Bondo 907 as filler. All products reacted well to the AMT plastic.

Instructions follow a typical layout, engine, tires, chassis, rear suspension, front suspension. One issue with the suspension is the chassis uses metal axles in both the front and rear which can be clearly seen once the Model T is complete. This is not very realistic and again another engineering issue with the kit.

Review Author
Joe Porche
Published on
Company
Round 2 Models
Scale
1/25
MSRP
$28.99

AMT recently released the NASCAR Car of Tomorrow Racing Dreams Snap/it generic race car with some special markings attempting to appeal to the wider base of children modelers. The kit is simplified in its parts count and if the directions are followed a fairly simple build. Clippers, a file or sanding stick, hobby knife and screw driver are all that are needed to complete this kit. Painting is not necessary to complete the build.

Available options are limited to the choice of rear wing or spoiler. There are only one set of stickers with a few placement options. If you choose certain parts such as the containment seat, rims, dash board, chassis and drive train could use some detail painting. Unfortunately for the junior modeler there are no color options called out for, they will have to wing it. There is no under-hood detail or engine, a primary focal point for most race car models.

Parts Count:

Review Author
Joe Porche
Published on
Company
Revell
Scale
1/25
MSRP
$12.95

This new Snap and Play kit from Revell is part of a series of kits going after the most junior of modelers. Ideal as a first model kit these models are pre-finished in a multitude of colors and have the minimum parts count to simplify constructions.

All the parts are packed in individual plastic bags to retain their finish and are removed the spure runners with the attachment points cleaned up. There are no tools necessary to complete the construction.

Parts Count - 17 total parts

  • 1 Pre-finished Ford Crown Victoria police car
  • 5 Clear styrene and finished parts
  • 5 Black parts
  • 2 Axles with wheels and tires attached
  • 2 Chassis mounting pins
  • 2 Chrome and colored parts

It actually took me longer to unpack, separate and count the kit parts than it did to construct the kit. The instructions are way simplified with no more that three parts going into each step. There are a total of 7 steps.

Review Author
Doug Cole
Published on
Company
Round 2 Models
Scale
1/25
MSRP
$30.99

The Kit

This review covers the Carl Casper Cosmic Charger 1:25 Scale Model Kit #826. A 2015 release, this model is a reissue with some brand new parts and updated decals. It is rated a skill level 2 kit for the 10 year and older builder although I think this is a bit conservative, and a level 3 rating is probably in order. This is due to the large decals and delicate frame construction. It is molded in white, clear, and chrome pieces with waterslide decals and instructions. Two versions can be built; either a front or top blower configuration are included. This kit features a highly detailed rendition of the 426 Hemi V-8, 15 new parts and pad printed drag slicks. The completed dimensions are Length: 12” Width: 2½” Height: 2¼.”

Review Author
Gordon Miller
Published on
Company
Revell
Scale
1/24
MSRP
$23.99

The 1955 Panel Truck is considered to be a part of the F100 Series that lasted up until 1956. It was a sturdy and reliable vehicle for the blue collar workers of the day. I decided to build a vehicle around the same look, with the custom parts added, to a truck that closely resembled my uncle's truck for his catering and restaurants needs. He meant a lot to me and I was very excited to see this kit available for a build on the reviewer's board. There are a few panel trucks out but not many and this one looked very good from the box art. It's rated at a skill level 2 and has just 93 pieces in it. When I opened the box and inspected the contents thereof I seen that it could be built only one way, and that's the way it looks on the box. It is molded in white. So, for me that's a plus. The chrome was impeccable and cut from the sprig without any problems. The kit was without any mold injection marks and did not have any flash to it what so ever.

Review Author
Ben Guenther
Published on
Company
ICM
Scale
1/24
MSRP
$59.99

I am no expert on the Ford Model T cars, but by using the internet I have found out several things. The Model T was the first affordable car that opened car ownership to the American middle class, which was due to the assembly line production method that reduced car prices. The Model T's made in 1913 were priced at $525 for a runabout, which is another name for this model car. 170,211 Model T's of all types were made in 1913 and this was the last year in which you could get a color choice. The colors being black, gray, green, blue and red. The first Model T was made in 1908 and production lasted for 17 years. Even today the Ford Model T is a name that is recognizable to a majority of American car owners as there are still several thousand of these cars that are still running. If you go to most car shows you will still usually find one or two Model T's on display.