A book and a kit

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I spent a little time on eBay this evening and went ahead and bought the Maximum Performance book I wanted. Then I happened to see the Challenger kit at a really low price, REALLY low. I know nothing about the kit, but at the price I figured it was worth a shot. I didn't get hurt on the deal, for sure. I've got a couple of the Pro Shop kits in my stash and they didn't look too bad so thought this one might be about the same.

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The Challenger kit arrived today. I opened it and took a good look at all the parts, pieces, and instructions. Other than it having a prepainted and predecorated metal body, it's pretty much like any other kit. The pretense being that the builder shouldn't use any paint, just glue all the black and chrome pieces together, then assemble the body, interior tub, and the chassis. I think I'll have to do a bit of detailing and painting as I go along. The funny thing about the paint is that in the instructions there isn't a single part identified as needing to be painted a different color other than the fan. It specifically states "Flat black" for the fan. They had their reasons, I guess. I looked the body over pretty closely and it looks really nice. So far I haven't found any defects in the paint or detailing. I might move this up on my list to do since it already has a great looking body. At least I'll have one build I can display.

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What do all you guys think about the prepainted and predecorated body kits? I have 2 plastic body kits and now have this metal body kit. I spent some time a little while ago looking at all the pieces in the Challenger box. From what I can tell, it's actually a better all around kit than a lot of the typical kits I have in my stash. Very little flash and all the parts seem to be very well formed and crisp. Other than the metal axles it uses it seems to be a really nice kit. I haven't gone through the two plastic body kits I have. I might try and do that tomorrow.

I'm just curious to see what the general feeling is about prepainted kits. Any thoughts?

[70sprostockfan]

To be honest I stay with the plastic over diecast as much as possible. That said I do have a few of the pre decorated kits that I liked the car and couldn't get the full kit. Some of them I stripped and repainted and some I used as is. I also have a few diecast of cars that just aren't available otherwise. One I'm especially looking forward to is a 1/12th scale 1957 2 door station wagon (not the nomad) just a plain bel air wagon that I plan to make a cool M/P or Gasser out of some day. I even have a few realistic looking old friction toy cars that I hope to rebuild at some point in time just for the fun of it. I guess what all this is saying is if you like it build it and enjoy it. If someone else doesn't like it tell them to turn their head !!! HE HE !!

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Thanks for the input. I'm thinking about building a few of the prepainted kits in the near future. That'll give me an opportunity to kind of concentrate on building skills for engines and chassis.

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I thought I'd relay a little about the "Maximum Performance" book. I did a bit of outside work today so I'll be on the couch tonight and all day tomorrow. I decided to put my reading of the "Junior Stock" book on hold to at least browse and read a little of "Maximum Performance".

I have leafed through the entire book, pausing to read captions under some of the photos. Then I read through the "Preface", "Acknowlegdements", and "Chapter 1".

After only reading that much, I can most definitely recommend this book for anyone with any amount of interest in drag racing. If you have a special interest in 60s drag racing, or if you are a MOPAR buff, then you just can't be without this book.

I'll not read any more of "Junior Stock" until I've finished every page of "Maximum Performance". At $20 +/-, it's a bargain. Great book, guys. Really.