MPC released its original 1968 Dodge Coronet convertible plastic model kit in 1969, and I built it as a kid. I don’t remember anything specific about it other than that I painted it just like the box art and was rather proud of it. But this isn’t a reissue — a re-pop in common parlance. No, this is an all-new tool of the old kit.
The parts are molded in white. As you might expect from a new tool, the details are crisp, and the flash is non-existent. The clear parts are like crystal, and the chrome is mirror bright. The kit provides a new decal sheet, too, with lots of vibrant markings including three “bumblebee” stripe options.
And if all that isn’t enough, a nice little utility trailer with accessories is included, too!
The kit’s 440 Magnum V8 engine assembles in the typical way, with the block and automatic transmission split down the middle. All other parts are separate except for the starter, which is molded into the block. You have the options for the stock engine or the race engine with fuel injection and headers. Generally, the parts fit well, but positioning is a little imprecise on some. I clipped off the locating pins for the intake manifold to help it line up better with the heads.
For tires, you get a nice set of bias plies with pad-printed whitewalls, a pair of drag slicks, and two smaller tires for the trailer. You can choose between stock wheels or custom mags, but the kit contains only four of each. Whatever wheel you use on the car, you need the others for the trailer (or raid your spares box).
If you choose the stock exhaust, drill the corresponding holes in the chassis pan. I followed up with a coat of Mr. Color Gunship Gray (No. 305) for the base color and then added a little overspray of the body color. Next, I installed the exhaust and the single-piece rear axle/springs/driveshaft.
The front wheels mount with small plastic pins that didn’t seem too secure. Round 2 may have mixed up the wheel backs on two parts. The lengths of the stubs are different for the front and rear wheels. The pins for the front wheels are slightly larger than the metal axle for the rears. I had one front wheel that I had to drill to fit on the pin and one rear wheel that fit loosely on the axle.
The interior includes a floor, separate side panels, bucket seats in front, rear seat, dash, steering wheel, and center console. If building the racing version, you get racing seats for the front and a roll bar. Molded details on the door panels and seats look good, and seat belts are molded on the stock seats.
The nicely-molded body features crisp details, and the mold seams were a snap to clean up. The bumblebee-stripe decal laid down well, but the side pieces are long and need to be trimmed. Also, the R/T decals don’t match the molded R/T on the body sides or grille.
During the final assembly, don’t glue the rear tabs for the interior up tight against the inside of the body shell. The interior will sit too high, and the convertible boot won’t sit flush with the body. Before mating the chassis to the body, I added a chamfer to the mounting holes to aid in aligning the holes and pins.
With the car complete, I turned to the trailer. I assembled mine completely, except for the axle and springs, and painted the unit as a whole. In hindsight, it may have been easier to build after painting. Accessories include a toolbox, floor jack and stands, a fuel can, and a four-way lug wrench. I reworked the fuel can quite a bit, changing the handle area and adding a cap made from a piece of the sprue because it had nothing.
I have mixed feelings about the new MPC 1/25 scale 1968 Dodge Coronet convertible kit. If you’re looking for a nostalgic build, I think Round 2 knocked this one out of the park. It builds really well, with no fuss, but it feels like a vintage kit, just with all-new parts. If you’re going to make a new tool, why not make it up to today’s detail standards? For example, get rid of the molded-in windshield wipers and similar concessions. It’s nice to have a new kit, but the Coronet leaves me wondering what it could have been.