Randy Ayers Nascar Modeling Forums

[jchrisf]

I'm kinda new to modeling and was wondering what Nascar models do I need to be on the lookout for that are fun to build and go together well? Any particular year better than the others?

[Dennis O]

That is a broad question. What is your favorite era of cars? Do you like the new cars or perhaps older cars of the 1960-1990's. Build what you like, that makes the hobby way more fun. Keep your eyes open for a local model car swap meet. You can usually find all kinds of NASCAR kits, some older and some newer. Welcome to the hobby.....
_________________
Dennis
Artificial Intelligence is no match for Natural Stupidity.......

[DaveVan]

As far as 'hottest' kit.....Chase Elliott Chevy SS....selling for $$$$$ now

[jchrisf]

I just mean what kits are the best to build for a newb nascar builder that can be found on eBay for a great price.

So far it seems Revell/Monogram are better than AMT?

And what years are the best to look for? I read somewhere that the late 80s and early 90s Lumina is the best.

What about car models? Are Thunderbirds and Pontiacs any good?

And I like all years of Nascar but only followed it in the 80s and 90s so those would be the cars I would be most interested in.

The newer Nascars look better IMO but are impossible to find at a good price so they are out unless Revell makes more.

[RCB]

The Salvinos 80's cars go together well and there are decals for so many versions to build. They would be a good start IMHO.

[Razorback 46]

I think a good first kit would be one of the late 80s or early 90s Monogram kits. Not too many parts and they usually fit together pretty well.

[TonyK]

I agree with building the Monogram kits. They're pretty good. Revell can be thrown in there and the AMT kits were different but seemed to go together well also.
I'd stay away from Salvino's if I were a beginner. Good kits but you gotta know what you're doing and be familiar with NASCAR kits in general.

[RCB]

The 80's and 90's Salvino kits are the old Monogram kits, but with much better decals.

[Tom M.]

I recommend starting with one of the Monogram Buick kits. Go on eBay and find one in the smaller box, they were the early issues so the fit and molding quality will be better than the newer reissues. The Mountain Dew #11 was the first issue and it's molded in white so it's my first choice and it can often be found cheaper than the current reissues. Mike's has plenty of decal options for them and they build nicely. Plus, since they've been around forever most of us can help with building tips and things to watch for. This kit is in my top 5 domestic kits of all time.

If you want something a little more modern then one of the '03-'05 Monte Carlos is a good choice. They're a little simplified and most guys add some details that Revell-Monogram omitted like spoiler braces and ignition boxes but their simplicity doesn't take away from the way they look sitting on the shelf finished. The biggest drawback is that most of the aftermarket decals are as old as the kits are and they're getting a little harder to find.

[KDM_Racing]

May I suggest the Hut Stricklin #27 McDonalds car, Or the Heinz 57 Pontiac. Or the Sterling Marlin Kodak Monte Carlo. Kits that if you didn't even paint them will turn out pretty well. And there are a bunch of them about so they should be cheap to start playing with.

[Tom M.]

[Schumacher330]

If I was starting out with building NASCAR kits I would probably start with the generation of Revell kits including with the pre decorated kits. They go together fairly easily, there are several decal options out there, and the bodies are one piece and the window trim is already done. Also they take well to being highly detailed as your skills increase.

[big_al40]

Thought I would add my '2 cents' to your post regarding NASCAR kits. First off, welcome to the world of race cars!!
I would like to offer my help in your selecting a NASCAR kit (or kits). Rather than going the bidding route, I have 'hundreds' of unbuilt NASCAR kits that I need to 'dispose' of. I try to keep my prices reasonable.
I'd be more than happy to try and help you. If interested, PM me and we will see what we can come up with.
Al Kinney

[jchrisf]

Thanks everyone for posting. It has been very helpful. Basically, it seems all the Revell/Monogram kits are good. I'll be sure to look out for the ones that were mentioned.

[R.J.]

the early 1980's Monogram Buicks, Monte Carlos and T-Birds. Pretty basic straight forward build, paint and decals not to complicated and they look great when done.
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Roanoke, VA.

[jchrisf]

Found this treasure trove of what looks like every Nascar kit made with pictures of the boxes

http://www.nascarmodelkits.com/catalog.html
i.e., http://www.nascarmodelkits.com/Revell-MONOGRAM1990s.html

[KDM_Racing]

[drppr76]

[jchrisf]

[jchrisf]

I recently got some AMT Nascar kits around the 1990 era and was impressed with the plastic, packing and instructions. I think they bagged more of the parts and didn't put the clear plastic around things that would scratch it. I also like that the tires are not on the sprue. The plastic looks great though I can visually see that the body is smaller than the 1/24 kits... not sure if I will like that as much or not.

The negative was the decals stuck to the instruction sheet and pulled off some decal color when I went to separate them.

But it seems to me by looking at the kit and instructions that these kits may be easier to build? They don't seem to have as many parts or detail so it may be better for a newbie like me to start with. Am I right to think the reason people don't like these kits as well as R/M is because they are not as accurate to the real car? Hoping it will be a pleasurable and easy build to help me through my newb stage. I really like that they leave the trunk separate and let you detail it a bit more.

[1fozziebear]

I personally like the AMT kits. Probably because I built more "annual" kits when I was a kid than R/M kits. I think the detail is good but 1/24 took off in the 1980s with the Regal/MC kits and the RM kits can be built while sleep modeling.

All the kits we want reproduced were made in 1/25, Pearson GTO, Laguna, Monte Carlo, Torino etc. The 1/25 scale lost the bubble in the 80's. Now AMT kits are parts donors..... for dark side builds

[jchrisf]

[drppr76]

[jchrisf]

[Wild Bill 2]

Early 1st Qtr 2022 Salvino's JR are releasing Hendrick Cars (Chase Elliott 1st)
They say Tamiya quality.
they are using cad files from Hendrick/NASCAR/GM
they should be good quality be done from the Ground up with new tooling.