Old Monogram ElCo: Macho mania Out of Box!

[Faust]

As most of you know, when an old ‘70s kit gets repopped, I get pretty excited. That’s because, even though I love the old ones, they’re not easy to find, and I’d say about half of my “retro” car collection is reissues. However, sometimes I do get lucky, and I find an original, or an older reissue. That means that when the new repop comes along, I don’t have to worry about finding one, or at least finding one right away.

A perfect example is the Monogram (now Revell) 1/24 1978 El Camino. This was just reissued as a 3-in-1 kit, a repop of the “Lowriders” version, I believe. However, I have an earlier variant, the second of these kits to be issued, the El Camino Camper. The new kit has all these parts and some extras, but I think it’s instructional to check out the source material when you can.

So, take a gander and all the late-70’s custom-cowboy-streetness you can handle below! Then you can decide if the new one is of interest too!

https://adamrehorn.wordpress.com/monogram-1-24-1978-el-camino-camper-oob/

[Motor City]

I'd be embarrassed to be seen next to or in an El Camino as awful looking as that one!  I guess that's Monogram's version (El Macho) of the Macho T/A! ?

It's another great review, Adam.  As an original owner of this generation EC, I bought it as a second vehicle for occasional hauling, but mostly as a good looking and handling toy, at a substantially lower cost than a Grand National,  Monte Carlo SS, 442 or Corvette.  

Edited October 22, 2020 by Motor City
needed the emoji !

[Fabrux]

Those wheels look to be from a Shelby Mustang. This kit should have shallow and deep Cragars. Those are the correct tires, though. Same ones as in the '66 Chevelle flip nose. ?

[Fat Brian]

3 hours ago, Fabrux said:

Those wheels look to be from a Shelby Mustang. This kit should have shallow and deep Cragars. Those are the correct tires, though. Same ones as in the '66 Chevelle flip nose. ?

The new version still has those tires in it as well.

[Faust]

Oh, weird. Shelby wheels on an ElCo? Hmm... kinda goes with the whole "Macho" thing, I guess. Sorta. Okay, not really...

I do wish it had come with the right wheels. I don't know if I want to buy the new one just for that, though. I'll have to check my spares box to see what I can come up with. 

I thought of the MACHO T/A as well. To me, that's one of the most lame, welfare-looking things ever done to a T/A. My laughing hatred of that package is one of the main reasons I wanted to get this kit. That, and that pink was apparently Macho in 1979.... Suuuuure.

I definitely agree it's a much cheaper and more distinct looking toy than any of those others! I can't recall the last time I've seen one of these around! 

[Snake45]

19 minutes ago, Faust said:

I do wish it had come with the right wheels. I don't know if I want to buy the new one just for that, though. I'll have to check my spares box to see what I can come up with. 

Are 6-hole Rallys appropriate? There are a lot of those in parts boxes left over from AMT '72 Novas. If you need a set, let me know, I got a bunch of 'em.