IT’S A SMALL WORLD - THE INCREDIBLE SHRINKING MODEL KIT

TINY VIEW BY MAT IRVINE

You may have noticed some of Round 2’s AMT and MPC kit releases that also include a miniature version of the kit's own 'big box.' A new idea? Not exactly, as AMT/MPC’s previous owner, RC-2, had produced a range of small diecast cars in its Johnny Lightning ‘Classic Plastic’ series.

Unique mini-models

These mini-models were probably unique in the annals of diecasts, as they were miniature versions of what were already miniatures - plus you got a mini-reproduction of the kit box as well. The only difference is that the Classic Plastic mini-boxes came ready-assembled, the recent versions come flat, and you have to cut them out and make them up yourself. 

Anniversary Corvette

There were several Classic Plastic series, and I keep an eye out for the odd ones I’m missing. Although I have only a passing interest in anything ‘ready-built’, the interest is of course to get all the ones I have kits of - or alternatively, to find the kits for the ones already in diecast form. One of my recent finds was a 1978 Corvette, as issued in a 25th Anniversary box by MPC. I’ve had the MPC kit for years, but only recently found the Classic Plastic version. 

Mystery releases

Exactly how many there are of these is a slight mystery. There has been no set pattern to the releases - some have appeared as part of a set of four, some in six, and at least one series as a set of nine. To date, I have details of about two dozen. Most feature AMT or MPC car kits, but there a couple of Jo-Han items, and at least one each of Aurora and Pyro subjects. 

AMT Royal Rail 

Here is an example of the current style ‘miniature kit box’, demonstrated with AMT’s reissue of its Royal Rail show rod. The box is shown as you find it in the kit - flat - plus a completed example.

Mini-AMT Blazer

The AMT Chevy Blazer follows the same format as the 25th Anniversary Chevrolet Corvette, and comes complete with its Classic Plastic equivalent. 

AMT Surf Rod - or is it a Woody?

Here I show a builtup AMT Surf Woody, compared with the Surf Rod box and Classic Plastic version. The Surf Rod was a reissue of the original Surf Woody kit, that you could build either as in Woody form, or as the ‘Surf Hearse’. The Classic Plastic version combined elements of both designs.

MPC kits available here.

AMT kits here.

THIS WEEK ONLY - 40 PERCENT OFF A 1:32 SCALEXTRIC CHEVROLET CORVETTE RACER

 

SMN report
The Chevrolet Corvette Stingray - we’re not supposed to use ‘Chevy’ according to some recent (and misguided) PR rules, we’re told - has been in production since 1952 (yes, 1952!) and it’s been an all-American performance-car love affair ever since. After six design generations in various body styles, the car is still going strong, and as you can see from the video above there’s no shortage of ideas for many more years to come. Which is great, as it’s one of this writer’s all-time fave road rippers.

This week’s Amazon offer
So it’s ‘yes please’ to this week’s Amazon offer of a 40 percent discount on the Scalextric 1:32 scale race version of driver Steve MacDonald’s 2008 car. To be honest, the ’Vette is not the ultimate best from Scalextric, but for scale model fans willing to put in some effort, it’s definitely a masterwork in waiting, as the basics are pretty much there, with the general shape being captured quite decently.

Adding detail to the Corvette
However, the driver looks somewhat vacant, and details like his straps need some TLC to look convincing, as does the cabin itself. As for the exterior, it’s not too bad at all - you’ll want to carefully hollow out the sidepipe exits though, as well as re-scribe the panel lines to give them some bite and incisiveness. Dulling off the paintwork and muddying the wheel arches with an airbrush will also add authenticity.

And after all that lot, blimey, it goes around a track as well! Not bad at all...

Access Amazon’s 40 percent offer here.

Visit Scalextric here.

HOT WHEELS FREE CHEVY CORVETTE OFFER

Here’s an offer for US collectors from Hot Wheels - a free 1:64 scale 1962 Chevrolet Corvette. It represents a ’Vette from the last year when America’s own sports car came with a wraparound windshield. Add to that the handsome ultramarine blue paint plus a pair of racing stripes and you have a nice addition to any collection to this scale. The Hot Wheels ’62 Corvette is packaged in a ‘Collector Edition’ blister card, and comes in a delightfully-named ‘Kar Keepers’ clamshell pack.

Mind you, there’s free and ‘free’. You do have to buy 20 selected cars from the range at selected Kmart stores in order to qualify for the offer, and all before April 17, 2010. So it really amounts to just 5 percent off - but that Corvette looks terrific, and Hot Wheels prices are not exactly wallet-busters, so who’s complaining - not SMN, that’s for sure.

Visit the Hot Wheels offer here.

If you like Corvettes in other scales, there’s a tasty selection here.

Thanks to Autoblog for the offer heads-up.