Help me understand why some of you guys like kits like these

[Monty]

First, let me say that this is not an attack on anyone personally, but a few recent threads about these kits brought the question to mind. I've just never understood why a serious modeler would want to buy and build what amounts to a plastic cartoon. Ever since I took up the hobby as a kid, my goal was to try to create accurate replicas of the 1:1 cars and trucks that impressed me. I was fortunate that my older brother and his friends had a variety of performance cars, which I got to see up close and occasionally ride in. None of these were stock by any means, but the overriding theme seemed to be "fast but tasteful".

When I see these cheesy caricatures (Zingers, Deal'sWheels, Snap Draggins etc) it makes me wonder what kits might've been put on the back burner in order to get these things out on the market. Do you actually take pride in having built any of these?

So, again, why do some of you guys like these things? (Try to come up with something less trite than "slump buster").

[MAGNUM4342]

Pure, unadulterated fun, that's why.

[Harry P.]

Because not everyone defines the hobby or participates in the hobby exactly the same way you do. Simple enough.

[sjordan2]

Because they're fun, they're cute, eccentric and an over-the-top guilty pleasure. Just like the girls I never introduced to Mom & Dad. And the cars work better decorating a desk in your cubicle.

[Rob Hall]

I guess this one of those 'you had to be there' type of subjects...they are from a specific time and place. I have no interest in them, or also Tom Daniels' type of customs, or customs in general, but I do know they have their fans...

[Chuck Most]

Keep in mind- kits like that were originally inteded for kids, not 'serious' modelers. The majority of Monogram's Tom Daniel kits could be lumped into a similar category- they are more cartoon than replica.

As to why they appeal to some adult modelers. Some guys built these when they were younger, and want to reconnect with that. I personally haven't built many of them, but I like them because they aren't dead-serious subjects. I don't need to worry about making it accurate or realistic, I'm just having some fun at the workbench, which I think should be the whole point of the hobby, whether you're building a replica or a caricature.

[Eshaver]

Someone posted eccentric , I think it was Skip. To me , that sums up my feelings too. I never understood show cars like the Milk Crate , Bath Tub Buggy either . Ed Shaver

[Bernard Kron]

I think Harry has his finger on it. Your definitiopn of the "purpose" or goal of modeling is one of many. While I would probably not build in this style, I am an unabashed admirer of those who can and do. It's a form of automotive charicature that's often humorous and can be insightful and enormously creative. In particular, I'm quite a fan of those who either "perfect" the kit original through paint, parts substitution and detail, or who adopt the style for their own and kitbash and scratch-build their way to whole new creations. Obviously, this could just as easily be said about modelers who work in the replica style, and I admire those builders as well.

I hope this gives you an insight into what might be appealing about this style outside of the more obvious areas of slump-busting nostalgia and light-hearted fun.

[Monty]

I guess this one of those 'you had to be there' type of subjects...they are from a specific time and place. I have no interest in them, or also Tom Daniels' type of customs, or customs in general, but I do know they have their fans...

I was there during their heyday. I didn't "get" the Rat Fink phenomenon either, and like you, I had no interest in the majority of Tom Daniel's kits.

Edited May 23, 2012 by Monty

[Casey]

I got into the Tom Daniel-designed Snap Draggins when Revell reissued some of them a decade ago, and they were very enjoyable to build. Since they are artistic interpretations of real vehicles, they needn't be "accurate", so you have the freedom to do whatever you want- at that's exactly the point.

I freely admit the Zingers! series are incredibly goofy and borderline ridiculous, but until Round2 reissued them a few years ago, I never even considered using one of the bodies to build a stock replica, but that's exactly what happened. Sometimes it helps to use your imagination and think "What else could I do with this kit?" instead of "I would never buy that kit!".

As Rob said above, I think there is also a huge nostalgia factor coming into play on these (and quite honestly many other) kits, and that goes right to the core of why we love to build models.

Edited May 23, 2012 by Casey

[MAGNUM4342]

I like them mostly because of Cartoons magazine. Like most have said here, they're fun and don't require alot of thought or skill but can still be an enjoyable end product. I also like the Tom Daniels kits. I love a little fantasy with my reality. Vice-versa I enjoy taking something like Tom Daniel's Vandal and making it a more realistic vehicle. The hobby is for fun. I think the Joker said it best in "Dark Knight". "Why so serious?"

[Badluck 13]

.....OOOooooops better not look at my next posting "under Glass" ......its just like Harry said and for me its just a filler between builds........awwwwwww heck I'll admit,they're cute..........did I just say that?!?!?!??

[Nitro Neil]

Cuz this is America, and I can build whatever I want.

I have never understood the phrase "serious modeler". It's a hobby, it's not supposed to be serious. Let's face it, we are all grown men playing with plastic toys. How can I take that seriously?

I for one can't stand building factory stock models. They bore the hell out of me.

Edited May 23, 2012 by Nitro Neil

[LDO]

Different strokes for different folks. I can't see why anyone would want to build a model of something rusting away in a field...or worse, a rat rod, but hey, some folks dig it.

[sjordan2]

Cuz this is America, and I can build whatever I want.

I have never understood the phrase "serious modeler". It's a hobby, it's not supposed to be serious. Let's face it, we are all grown men playing with plastic toys. How can I take that seriously?

I for one can't stand building factory stock models. They bore the hell out of me.

Nothing personal, but I think most members here don't consider what they're doing as "playing with plastic toys." It's a creative craft that is highly rewarding. Have you not seen the research and craft that go into the fine work shown here, along with amazing scratch building skills? Quilters have nothing to apologize for, nor do scrapbookers, ship builders, and other hobbyists, etc. It's a creative expression of personal interests, and for the best among us it requires a lot of blood, sweat, toil and tears. That's why there is a forum like this.

Edited May 23, 2012 by sjordan2

[W-Machine]

Build what you like. It's your scale universe, and probably the only one that you have some measure of control over. I may not dig the subject matter that the next guy does, but I can almost always appreciate the time, effort, and craftsmanship that goes into each build.

[Dr. Cranky]

All I have to tell you is to check out Ira's work and you'll understand why:

http://www.modelcarsmag.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=58654

[Gluhead]

They're not something I'd ever go out of my way to build, either...but I can appreciate them. CARToons magazine was a huge influence for me as a kid, and they remind me of all those times I spent thumbing through those pages, following the misadventures of Krass and Bernie, and challenging myself on all the drawing cars how-to's. So that's how I connect with them...a simple appreciation for nostalgia.

I have to admit, though, that it's kinda funny how ga-ga the fan clubs can get when one comes up on here.

[Monty]

The hobby is for fun. I think the Joker said it best in "Dark Knight". "Why so serious?"

As Harry said, we all approach the hobby differently. I was influenced by military modelers who strove to get every detail correct, but being a gearhead at heart, I wanted to apply that philosophy to automotive models.

That should explain why I prefer this (model & photo by jdcar32)

to this

[ffreak]

For me it's a matter of taking me back to a point in time in my childhood when I built things like this the first time they came around. Back then, it was pure fun, as it should be always !! I built many of the Tom Daniels kits then, and have them again now, and I don't see the problem with that. Some people like Ferraris, some like 57 chevys and so on... I also like Rat Fink, I bet there's some that don't. Variety is the norm !!!

[Chuck Kourouklis]

The same adult figure in my childhood who had me look up the word "hypochondriac" when I thought myself coming down with the measles (and I was right about that) also had me look up the word "model" for the exact reasons you list, Monty, over the very Zingers themselves. Begging your pardon, but it's kind of an oppressive line of thought.

As serious miniatures, of course they fail. They WANT to, just as no cartoon or caricature ever aims to be a serious portrait. But if you delve into a Rembrandt for its near photo-realism, does that automatically preclude you appreciating a well-done political caricature or the Sunday Funnies? It's the exact same reasoning in three dimensions; a serious modeler can still find room to enjoy these kits through the simple realization that their reason for being is entirely distinct from the more serious models. Yet as exercises in honing your building technique, they function no differently than the more prototypical kits. In fact, there's a certain wit in giving one of these the same loving finish you would your top contest contender.

I also have to cry foul a little on the notion that there's some holy grail lost in the mists of time for want of the resources squandered on these kits; they came out during that "golden age" when model kits were ubiquitous enough to find in grocery stores, and manufacturers could afford a little more frivolity. Just as the Porsche Cayenne plays on the bad taste of certain well-heeled to fund a cornucopia of 911s, Monogram might never have been in a position to develop their NASCAR series if their coffers hadn't been fattened by Tom Daniel kits flying off the shelves. Models in general are far more limited in appeal now, and don'cha know, about four decades have passed since we've seen such widespread frippery in new tooling.

I'm generally a replica stock builder myself (what a surprise, considering the history above), and honestly, I was delighted when they put the Zingers back out. Nabbed them all up with great satisfaction.

Edited May 23, 2012 by Chuck Kourouklis

[Monty]

Please keep in mind that, while it's blazingly obvious that I detest these kits, the purpose of this thread was to find out why other people liked them.

[my80malibu]

Pure, unadulterated fun, that's why.

[Harry P.]

Please keep in mind that, while it's blazingly obvious that I detest these kits, the purpose of this thread was to find out why other people liked them.

I think you knew the answer before you asked the question. "Different strokes for different folks."

[zenrat]

I like them because they can't be rivet counted and because they inject humour into what some people make a very dry pastime.

Model building is a hobby. It's something I do to wind down and relax. If i'm getting stressed then i'm doing it wrong. It's not work.

Wherever possible I like to add a little humour, to build with my tongue firmly in my cheek and to twist towards the zany side of things.

Ed Roth knew where it was at - if you're offending the "grown ups" then you're doing something right.

Edited May 23, 2012 by zenrat