Toy Show Rescue: ’71 Hemi Cuda—in 1/25!

[Snake45]

Yet another one I never knew existed until I bought it at the local toy show. It was made by CMW.

If you want a fairly decent ’71 Hemi Cuda model, you build the Monogram/Revell 1/24 kit—unless you are a stickler for 1/25 scale. In that case you have to find a rare and expensive original MPC annual, convert a semi-rare JoHan Pro Stocker into a stocker, or convert the recent ’70 Revell into a ’71. Or find one of these CMWs.

The CMW model was obviously reverse-engineered/cloned from the Monogram 1/24 kit, just shrunk to 1/25. This includes the incorrect separation of the front valence panel—not too hard to fix in plastic, a bit more complicated in metal. I left it alone for now.

The entire grille and front bumper area is molded in one piece and chromed. Improvement required some 2nd degree Snake-Fu. I carefully masked off the upper rear edge of the front bumper with razor-cut masking tape, then tediously brush-painted the grille inset area with Testor Lime Green to match (more or less) the paint on the body.  The grille openings got black, and the back of the headlight lenses got flat white on the ends of their stems.

I colored the chromed taillights with a red Sharpie, and detailed the Plymouth Rallye Wheels with black, Testor Aluminum, and Tamiya Dark Metallic Gray paints. These wheels are quite tedious to detail, but the results are well worth the time and aggravation. My Silver Sharpie and tire tread sanding block got their standard workouts. Rather than try to paint the side marker lights, I instead laid some Model Master Turn Signal Amber and Stop Light Red on a piece of self-adhesive label stock. When dry, I razor-cut the side marker lights and simply stuck them on. MUCH easier and cleaner than trying to paint them in this case.

Yes, it’s missing a side mirror. I’ll find something to stick on there sooner or later. In the meantime, it looks great on the shelf with my other 1/25 ponycars, unlike the Monogram 1/24 kit, which kind of dwarfs them by comparison. Thanks for looking and as always, comments welcome.

 

[PappyD340]

Nice!!

[vamach1]

Very nice detailing.  Is the 426 one big glob of plastic or decent looking?  If is is toy-like, any possibility of an engine transplant?

[Snake45]

4 hours ago, PappyD340 said:

Nice!!

Thanks, Pappy! 

26 minutes ago, vamach1 said:

Very nice detailing.  Is the 426 one big glob of plastic or decent looking?  If is is toy-like, any possibility of an engine transplant?

It actually has a full engine--including plug wires!--and underhood detailing not unlike the Monogram 1/24 kit. Everything under the hood is black plastic, though, except the chrome valve covers (which SHOULD be black!). 

[donb]

Looks great. Sharp car. 

[Snake45]

6 hours ago, donb said:

Looks great. Sharp car. 

Thanks Don!