What the #@*$!% !!!!!!!

oldhooker

Member since
July 2003
From: Piedmont Triad, NC (USA)

What the #@*$!% !!!!!!!

Posted by oldhooker on Tuesday, September 2, 2003 8:27 AM

Well, over the weekend I decided to get the materials I needed to build the "Marty Robbins" '71 Dodge Charger, since obtaining the decal sheet a couple weeks ago

.... so I purchased the "Polar Lights" Buddy Baker Dodge Charger. Pictured on the front of the box is a 1971 Charger,

.....but upon getting home, I discovered the body in the kit is that of a 1974 Charger!

I thought there had just been a slip-up on the Polar Lights assembly line, but on the instruction sheet, it show's a '74 body style......... Angry [:(!]

I was wondering, and should have taken the hint, because Bobby Issac was the driver of the '71 Charger (as is pictured on the box).... Baker came along later on, during '73 - '74.... (like the body style in the kit).... Angry [:(!]

I guess us dumb modelers aren't suppose to know the difference, are we?

In addition, the roll cage isn't to scale and will require heavy modifications to be made correct, and a test fit of the {chassie} revealed even MORE modifications would be required to make this car accurate.

BIG thumbs DOWN!
Frank

Reply

wildwilliam

Member since
December 2009
From: West Grove, PA

Posted by wildwilliam on Thursday, September 4, 2003 1:59 PM

OH,
i agree the Polar Lights kits are rough.
i have the Petty car and it is nothing special.
aren't they just poppong them out of old (Aurora?) molds/tools?

ed.

Reply

oldhooker

Member since
July 2003
From: Piedmont Triad, NC (USA)

Posted by oldhooker on Thursday, September 4, 2003 10:58 PM

Hi Ed,

Supposedly.... but I don't remember Aurora making any of the old stock car kits, maybe they did, but I missed them if they did.

This was the 2nd time in my 34 years of modeling that the contents were different than what was illustrated on the box.... the first time it happened with one of those re-issued Monogram airplane kits. (Box and title was T-28A, contents was a T-28D)

Thank God Auto Parts stores don't operate by the same principles, we'd be driving around in one of those "Hot Rod Lincoln's"!

I think it reflects who they are marketing these kits to.... so sad.

Frank

Frank

Reply

Anonymous

Member since
November 2005

Posted by Anonymous on Friday, September 5, 2003 11:21 AM

OH -
Easy, Frank - you'll blow a head gasket!! I know the Polar Lights kit is a major PITA, but after looking at what you did with Bobby's Monte, I'd be willing to wager that with a little "tweaking" (okay, so maybe a lot of "tweaking), you'll end up with another great looking piece. I'm right there with you; we "old timers" gotta stick together! LOL
lowdog

Reply
Edit

oldhooker

Member since
July 2003
From: Piedmont Triad, NC (USA)

Posted by oldhooker on Thursday, September 11, 2003 11:19 PM

Lowdog,

Thanks for your words of encouragement.... I have successfully modified the body, and finally got the color right on it. Got the Marty Robbins decals in the mail yesterday, so as soon as this last coat of paint sets up, and a slick coat of Gloss Coat, the decals will be applied.

Here's a picture I came across on the internet of the car I'm doing, with Marty kneeling beside it:

I read some things about Marty today while browsing, and learned that He was the first person in the United States to have a "Triple By-Pass" operation, and how he once performed a concert after knowingly just having a heart attack!!! The racing was his way of "Doing what I always dreamed of doing" before his heart finally gave out on him.

I'll post some pictures of the modifications to my kit tomorrow sometime, in case anyone else might find themselves in my delema. Wink [;)]

"Oldtimers for sure!"
Frank

Reply

Anonymous

Member since
November 2005

Posted by Anonymous on Friday, September 12, 2003 12:29 PM

Frank -
Can't wait to see the progress photos! I remember when Marty was giving Petty, Cale, the Allison brothers, and Pearson all they could handle. Pretty cool for a part-timer who was pursuing his "hobby" with such passion. BTW, interesting about the triple by-pass; I didn't realize. It's amazing the education you can get on the forum. Here's from one "old timer" to another! Wink [;)]

Good Luck!!
lowdog

On The Bench:
'97 T. Labonte Kellogg's Corn Flakes MC
'97 D. Earnhardt, Jr. White Sikkens MC
'97 S. Park Pennzoil MC

Reply
Edit

oldhooker

Member since
July 2003
From: Piedmont Triad, NC (USA)

Posted by oldhooker on Friday, September 12, 2003 10:35 PM

Thanks,

I'm currently awaiting the paint to cure out some more before putting the decals on. The first set I got looked like it must have been home made because it wasn't as sharp as it should have been, so I got another sheet from BSReplica;s out of Atlanta.

Here's three pictures of the body work, showing the modifications to the aft part of the side windows. The profile shot reveals the Polar Lights kit is not in scale at several points. I'm in a good mind to go get one of the Revell '71 street Chargers, and use the body from it. Geezzz, it's sure getting to be a LOT of work just to make this kit! Polar Lights kit = $15.95, Decal Sheet #1 = $7.50, Decal Sheet #2 = $12.00, Revell '71 Charger = $13.95........ $49 Dead [xx(]

Of course the yellow is straight forward enough, but the sides and top color can be duplicated by mixing Red, Orange, Blue, then bring the correct hue by adding white.

"Gentlemen, start your APU's"
Frank

Reply

oldhooker

Member since
July 2003
From: Piedmont Triad, NC (USA)

Posted by oldhooker on Saturday, September 13, 2003 10:11 AM

In a comparison view, one can readily detect the diferent shape of the Polar Lights Charger, even without my modifications to the area behind the windows, the descrepencys on the front end are enough to render the body unusable.

I inspected the AMT Charger body this morning, and it is an exact replica of the real profile, Wink [;)]

"We learn as we grow, even *oldtimers*" (The SLIXX decal sheets are the PL redeaming value however) Go figure.

A Memorial service will be held this afternoon in Frank's backyard, for the Body of the Polar Lights Dodge Charger. Cremation has been selected as the most appropriate means of enterment. News at 11"

Cool [8D]

Frank

Reply

Anonymous

Member since
November 2005

Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, September 13, 2003 6:36 PM

I was thinking of sending flowers for the service, but after looking at what you've had to spend to get to where you're at, I'm beginning to think a cash donation to the OH Polar Lights Memorial Fund is probably more in order! Big Smile [:D]