Jump to content
Model Cars Magazine Forum

1977 Ford Pinto USPS


Chuck Most

Recommended Posts

Easily the worst kit I've built in recent memory. Maybe the worst ever. Let me count the ways ...

1. The hood needed to be widened to fit into the opening.

2. The front edge of the fenders, to which the fascia attaches, needed some copious putty application and associated bodywork to eliminate some nasty gaps at the hood. And it's still not perfect.

3. The glass unit will fit flush against one opening at a time, not all simultaneously. I cut away the windshield and hatch glass and cut quarter glass from .010" clear plastic.

4. Not a fit issue but they weren't even trying with the under hood detail. I added some strips to hold up the rear of the hood, although that might be my own fault, as now I suspect I installed the firewall too far back. But things fit so vaguely that didn't affect fitment anywhere else.

I guess it's true to life in that the Pinto wasn't a great car, but at least the parts on a real Pinto actually fit together. ?

On the positive side? The USPS graphics look good. I kinda wish Round 2 had provided decals for the scripts. Did I mention that the Ford letters molded to the hood look like they were stolen from a typewriter? I'm sure Round 2 would screw up the proposed script decals because they'd disappear over any color other than white but whatever. ?

For some inexplicable reason, I have three more of these kits ('77 reissue and two Poppers) but I'm in no hurry to get to them anytime soon. The kit has one steel wheel on the chrome sprue, I robbed one from each kit to use on this because I doubt a postal spec Pinto would have the styled wheels.

IMG_20231122_143058.thumb.jpg.19715023f13e823b2b534695243304ed.jpgIMG_20231122_143105.thumb.jpg.f9d9d7b3d3e237d41b45a7bd28b2da3b.jpgIMG_20231122_143113.thumb.jpg.f38d77e4f13ed6d51c092cbf6d9ee6f5.jpgIMG_20231122_143126.thumb.jpg.c361f39ef954fc4cdd44a3a9aa08d42a.jpg

  • Like 8
Link to comment
Share on other sites

To me, these old MPC kits are kind of trash, but they are nostalgic trash. Their parts fit is not good, but building them always remind me of the glue bombs I put together as a little kid. All I need is a tube of citrus scented glue, some cheap Testor's paints and a semi-sharp knife.

I do wish that Round 2 would go through these old kits and redo the molds to tighten them up. Maybe, they could backdate them as well so we could get the original issue style kits as well.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 8 months later...

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

×
×
  • Create New...