Model Car kit prices

[MikeB]

Remember when 1/25 scale plastic model kits cost around $1.00? Price inflation looks to be a higher percentage than real trucks! Well, at least basic trucks.

[special-K]

Yeah, I guess. The cheapest I remember was when the price was part of the printing on the box at the bottom of the side panel as part of the model #. That was early '60s AMT 3 in 1s right after SMP and the price was $1.49. What is really expensive are what the 67-72 original kits are going for now. These re-issues coming out start out at collector prices for sure

[MikeB]

Originally Posted by special-K

That was early '60s AMT 3 in 1s right after SMP and the price was $1.49.

You probably have a better memory than me. My dad was in the military where the Post Exchange (on-base store) price would have been discounted somewhat, but I'm just guessing when I say $1.00.

I also remember that I liked the AMT kits much better than Revell and Monogram. I probably built 50 or more over my Jr high and high school years, several of them being variations of highly modified 40 Ford coupes. Did one with canted quad headlights (ala Edsel) using balsa wood and lots of body filler! Also did lots with opening/closing doors and trunk lids using a jewelers saw and Exacto knife blade attached to a wood burning tool to cut the plastic.

I'm surprised I didn't grow up to be a paint and body man!

[dieseldawg142]

prices are pretty much what drove me out of the hobby.
last model i bought at a store was the sport stepside last oct and it cost me $48 taxes in...
even though junk is a little more expensive north of the 49th, 50 bucks for a plastic toy is too much to stomach for me...

[67C10Step]

I have that exact 76 Chevy Sport model kit. Got it on a half price sale at the local Hobby Lobby a few years ago. I was a model kit building fool as a kid and remember prices in the $2.50 to $5.00 range in the late 70's through the 80's.

Also have a Beechcraft V35A Bonanza model I plan on building. My father in law had a V35 and man did I love flying in that machine.

[special-K]

Originally Posted by MikeB

You probably have a better memory than me. My dad was in the military where the Post Exchange (on-base store) price would have been discounted somewhat, but I'm just guessing when I say $1.00.

I also remember that I liked the AMT kits much better than Revell and Monogram. I probably built 50 or more over my Jr high and high school years, several of them being variations of highly modified 40 Ford coupes. Did one with canted quad headlights (ala Edsel) using balsa wood and lots of body filler! Also did lots with opening/closing doors and trunk lids using a jewelers saw and Exacto knife blade attached to a wood burning tool to cut the plastic.

I'm surprised I didn't grow up to be a paint and body man!

Same here, including liking AMT the best. Revell was next, but they did some funky stuff on some. Like the body had to be glued together. I think the '57 Ranchero was like that. I loved their Henry J gasser, except headers looked like 1" tube with collectors that were 6". Front wheels and tires looked like 13". I always switched that stuff out. Monogram was my least favorite. They did their models in 1/24 scale. Just had to be different. They were good for monster kits, not cars, which I never built. No boats, planes, or monsters. Only cars and trucks

Originally Posted by dieseldawg142

prices are pretty much what drove me out of the hobby.
last model i bought at a store was the sport stepside last oct and it cost me $48 taxes in...
even though junk is a little more expensive north of the 49th, 50 bucks for a plastic toy is too much to stomach for me...

Yeah! And they don't even put it together for you . Seriously, Like MikeB, I built a ton of models when I was a kid. I ended up with my own junk yard of parts. A kid could never afford that now. By the time you buy paint and glue you would have a heap of money into just one

[special-K]

Doing work on my house, so my original 67-72 GM Truck model collection, along with other things, are crammed into one side of my bedroom. But here it is

[weasel29gm]

SK, very nice collection. I have 3 or 4 been thinking about putting them together.

[Just call me Sean]

Mine are on shelves in my living room, all over the house. I have a lot. Here's some squares and vans:

[special-K]

Great collection! I especially like the vans. I see van kits and think about getting into those. My trucks need some buddies

Originally Posted by weasel29gm

SK, very nice collection. I have 3 or 4 been thinking about putting them together.

I have some kits I want to build, but I'll never build any of these original issues. Strictly collector items.

I had a lot of various model kits I began buying in the '80s, current issues to build. I broke my foot in December, was Christmas shopping for the kids, and kept seeing re-issues of kits I built as a kid in the '60s. I went nuts! I built quite a few while laid-up, but had many left over I stashed in the attic when I moved here in Dec '87. I also had bought my son way more than he could build. Plus, he just didn't have the car thing in his blood (stepson). When my wife left my younger son and I in '06, during the Great Recession and after refinancing the house to pay her monstrous debt, I needed to take a hard look at many thing I had collected and ended up selling things off. It's only things. I realized in my '50s life was more about doing than having. Anyway, no longer the collectomaniac I once was. I know see I had it pretty bad . I decided to keep anything 67-72 GM Truck, as well as selected few other vehicle stuff. One kit I still have, that I had bought for my son, is the huge Cobra kit... 1/16th scale?. Box has been opened but only to take a look. I also have a 1/25th scale Peterbilt 379 and an auto transport trailer kit unbuilt. On the fence about building that to display the built GM Trucks. I also have 1/25th scale Ertl pressed steel/diecast Astro/auto transport trailers, so don't really need to build the Peterbilt. I need a dust-free display cabinet before displaying anything. I'll build some one day.

[3757chevy]

I found this at Walmart for $19.97.

[MikeB]

Originally Posted by special-K

Seriously, Like MikeB, I built a ton of models when I was a kid. I ended up with my own junk yard of parts.

That's a great way of describing it! I used buy some kits just to build up my parts stash. I even ordered some "chrome trees" from AMT.

[Rickysnickers]

Originally Posted by MikeB

Remember when 1/25 scale plastic model kits cost around $1.00? Price inflation looks to be a higher percentage than real trucks! Well, at least basic trucks.

Just seeing this. WOW!!! $29 for a plastic model!!?? Ridiculous.....