MPC 1/25 scale Ramchargers Funny Car plastic model kit review

Round 2 has brought back the MPC 1/25 scale Ramchargers Challenger Funny Car plastic model kit with updated decals representing the car as it ran at the 1970 NHRA U.S. Nationals in Indianapolis, Indiana. Campaigned by Leroy Goldstein, aka “The Israeli Rocket,” it was the first Funny Car to run a sub-7-second elapsed time.

MPC’s kit is molded in white and black styrene and has a one-piece glass insert, pad-printed vinyl slicks, and Denman front rubber. Many of the parts are chrome plated and should be stripped and repainted for a more accurate model. As a bonus, there are two open parachutes. The basic 13-step instructions offer paint suggestions, and the last two steps explain decal placement and rigging the chutes.

The assembly sequence is pretty straightforward, with some of the steps creating subassemblies.

I repainted the supercharger and exhaust for a more accurate appearance and drilled the ends of the exhaust pipes. Make sure the engine’s front cover (Part 4) is mounted correctly because it locates the engine to the frame. Speaking of alignment, you should continually test-fit the drivetrain parts to keep everything true.

The quick-change rear end consists of four parts, and the frame needs to be spread to install this assembly. It’s a tight fit, but it does go in; trust the process. The brakes mount to the axle tubes, and a metal axle is used for the rear wheels. The two-piece tubular frame was straight and true (always a plus in this type of kit).

The chrome front axle mounts to two tabs on the frame. I notched my axle for a more secure assembly. Unfortunately, the chrome on the long drag link that runs down the side of the frame was thick and lumpy. I stripped it and painted it with a Molotow Liquid Chrome pen.

The interior panel (Part 3) did not want to fully seat into the body. I did two things to correct this: first, I removed the middle section of the glass creating a separate windshield and rear window. This allowed these to be positioned so the interior panel would fully seat. I also sanded the edges of the panel to make equal contact front and rear.

As expected, I cleaned up the mold lines on the body’s exterior. The body for the real Funny Car was made of fiberglass, and I suspect the kit’s separate rear spoiler and valance should have been molded with the body; the valance fit poorly.

I used Tamiya Pure White (No. TS-26 ) for the body, which is a close match for the white used in the decals. Numerous and colorful decals are definitely a high point of this kit. Be sure to use a lot of water because they are thin and don’t like to move once placed. The red and white stripe decals required the assistance of setting solution and a hairdryer to get them to conform.

A great kit for Funny Car fans, the MPC 1/25 scale Ramchargers plastic model kit requires building experience to get a good result. I recommend it for builders with a few kits under their belts.