The world of NASCAR model kits offers enthusiasts a tangible way to connect with their favorite racing series. When examining the tooling behind these kits, particularly from manufacturers like AMT and MPC, a clear evolution emerges across different generations. MPC’s initial forays into NASCAR kits began with iconic models like the Dodge Daytona, a release that demonstrated early tooling capabilities and market appeal. Following the Daytona’s success, MPC expanded its lineup with adjustable wheelbase cars, featuring bodies such as the Roadrunner, Charger, Torino, GTO, and Chevelle. These models, while diverse in body style, shared a common chassis and engine tooling, showcasing a pragmatic approach to production. The Torino body variant from this series has seen re-release within the last five years, indicating the continued utility of the original tooling molds. However, the chassis mold itself has been utilized in numerous subsequent releases, sometimes resulting in kits of varying quality.
With manufacturers like Salvinos now offering superior kits of Charger and Roadrunner models, the likelihood of MPC reissuing their versions in the near future seems slim. Excluding the GTO and Torino, many of MPC’s early NASCAR offerings are unlikely to be re-released, especially considering the availability of higher-quality alternatives from Salvinos and Monogram for similar car bodies. While the Johan Torino might be considered a better option than the MPC version by some collectors, its relative scarcity makes it a less accessible choice for the average modeler.
AMT also contributed significantly to the NASCAR model kit landscape, notably with a series of GM-based cars, including the Lennie Pond kit. However, these AMT kits were often perceived as less refined compared to other offerings. Later, AMT introduced a series of 1990s NASCAR kits, which are arguably the “Tooling For Cars” you might be most interested in. These kits, despite their excellent detail and accuracy, faced criticism due to their 1/25 scale, in contrast to the prevailing 1/24 scale favored by Monogram. This scale difference, although seemingly minor, positioned AMT’s kits as noticeably smaller than Monogram’s dominant 1/24 scale models. This scale discrepancy, or perhaps the type of plastic used in molding, may have contributed to the AMT 1/25 scale kits never achieving the same popularity as their Monogram counterparts. Given a choice between kits of the same subject matter from both manufacturers, consumers often gravitated towards the larger Monogram models.
The current market reflects this perception. AMT’s NASCAR kits from this era are frequently available at relatively low prices at model shows, sometimes as low as $3 in recent years. This low market value makes the prospect of reissuing these kits commercially unappealing. This is unfortunate, as these AMT kits, representing a significant era in NASCAR history and demonstrating quality tooling for cars, arguably deserve a better appreciation from collectors and modelers today.
