Messages In This Thread

• MPC 72 Charger decals - aftermarket
  • I wonder if MPC didn't drop the promo model sheet into some of the kits. I've heard of it, even seen a built model or two with promo decals, but never had one myself *NM*
  • The MPC 1972 Challenger and Charger Promos (not kits) shared a common decal sheet. It featured planned R/T liveries on both cars; reinforcing that the change to "Rallye" nomenclature was a very last minute (and in my view, very flawed) decision by Dodge Marketers....TB *NM*
    • I believe I included photos of the sheet in my article in Scale Auto (c.2015?) on kits that replicated still-born 1/1 scale autos that were cancelled very late in development...TB oentron article i n *NM*
    • Rallye was a way to soften the change in performance and emphasize more holistic benefits... but to abandon the R/T 'brand' built over the years did seem short-sighted
      • To be fair though, Chevrolet was doing much the same with the SS, and Pontiac let the GTO go downhill after '72 *NM*
        • It was industry-wide; perfect storm of insurance, emissions and economics
    • I realize everyone has different perspectives on this, all legitimate. My view as a retired automotive marketer is based on the difficulty of establishing a sub-brand, then maintaining its differentiation vs. others. R/T was a very strong branding, while "Ralllye" was..
      • Maybe at a time when the company was backing away from factory-sponsored race teams, upper management thought that the “Track” part of R/T was inappropriate? I would guess, also, given lead times, that the full focus of the marketing people was on ‘personal luxury’
        • All salient points...thanks. TB *NM*
          • Thanks! I could be completely wrong as well. Just a thought exercise, really. *NM*
      • Tim, was there any bite to the Aspen R/Ts or was that just a "dress-up" package? I'm not really that familiar with them. *NM*
        • I forgot about the Aspen R/T. Thanks Steve. *NM*
        • I remembered the Aspen R/T after I wrote my last comment. It was mostly a paint/tape package. There was a 340 engine option but it was single exhaust and a mirror shadow of the 1974-76 E58 HO 360, sadly, and the car was pretty much ignored in the marketplace. Would it ...
          • Wasn’t it some regulatory loophole that allowed them to put the E58 in the L’il Red Express, but not the Volare or Aspen? *NM*
            • Trucks had different emissions standards than cars. Plus until 1979, trucks over 6,500 GVWR had enen less (or no?) requirements, and the first year of Little Red Wagons qualified for that exemption....TB *NM*
              • Thanks Tim. *NM*
            • IIRC, the E58 WAS available in the Volare and Aspen, but only in police packages. *PIC*
              • I thought some of the Super Coupes came through with the "police" engine. Petty switched to Chevy in mid-'78, the Magnum just wasn't working for him *NM*
                • Okay, good catches. Now can we have a few of those in styrene? :-) *NM*
              • From what I recall, the Volare/Aspen platform did not support dual exhausts, which were a crucial component of the original 'E58 powertrain. I'm no expert on Mopar post 1974, but it is possible they used E58 order code for the milktoast A/V 360 4bbl , but it would not ..
                • The true E58 Duster/Demon was a NHRA class racing killer - big ol Thermoquad and a decent cam
                  • Some of the Direct Connection "tests" were done with V8s dropped into Feather Dusters, but they were only sold with the Slant Six/OD combo. Not many options available either (kind of like a Studebaker Scotsman!) *NM*
                    • Aha! It clicked, finally: One of the mags hopped up the Slant 6, I think they got it to run 15's (maybe very high 14's) *NM*
                  • Righto...the NHRA eventually refactored the '74 E58 360 to 280 net hp according to some sources. And yes, that 850 ThermoQuad and the cam (reported by some to be the exact same specs as the '68 340 automatic versioon) were key parts of the story...
                • Tim, I had a 79 Cordoba with the 360 E58 motor. Odd car, with a factory tach, 140MPH speedometer, high stall convertor, 3:21 gears in a 9 1/4 rear axle, and dual exhaust. To the best of my knowledge it was rated at 190 HP despite being mechanically identical to the earlier
                  • Mike...that sounds right on the money to me....TB *NM*
          • Tim, here in Oz the Valiant Charger could be got with an E55 option which I think was the 4barrel 340/auto....the 360 used here only came as a 2 barrel in the top of the range Chrysler By Chrysler 2 & 4dr luxo barges, tho' we had triple Webered 265cu in./310hp sixes....lol.. *NM*
  • Probably not available now, but I remember someone on eBay selling reproduction promo decals *NM*
    • Thanks for the input, guys, though I got a lot of interesting info I hadn't anticipated. Incidentally, I've also seen repro decals for the promos but they were of the self stick type. *NM*
      • That's odd; every MPC promo I can think of has water-slide decals *NM*
  • Keith Marks used to do a decal set for ‘72 Chargers…
    • Unfortunately, he doesn't and his Fotki side is down. Good stuff while it lasted. *NM*
    • Keith Marks has retired from the decal business. *NM*
      • That’s what I thought - thank you for confirming, Mark…
        • Sorry- thank you, MARC! *NM*