Polar Lights 1/25 Richard Petty Ford Torino Talladega Kit First Look
By Aaron Thomas, Front Range Auto Modelers (FRAM)
| Date of Review | October 2013 | Manufacturer | Polar Lights |
|---|---|---|---|
| Subject | Richard Petty Ford Torino Talladega | Scale | 1/25 |
| Kit Number | 896 | Primary Media | Styrene |
| Pros | Subject Matter, Building Options, Decals | Cons | Body Warped, Lots Of Flash |
| Skill Level | Experienced | MSRP (USD) | $24.95 |
First Look
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Richard Petty shocked the racing world in 1969. After years of campaigning Chrysler products, Petty Enterprises chose a Ford to carry the number 43. The Ford Torino Talladega was named for the new race track being built at that time near Talladega, Alabama. In 1969, with the help from Holman-Moody, Petty Enterprises won 10 races and finished 2nd in points. Now, for a review of the kit!
The first thing to be noticed is the Box Art. It shows pictures of the real car and the built-up model. All of the pictures are good reference points. After removing the instructions, read them carefully because there are a lot of diagrams.
There are a few options to choose from, such as: the car's suspension may be lowered and there is a choice of 2 different engines. After the builder has selected his choices, the assembly will begin with either the 427 engine or the Boss 429. Both engines require the assembly of 24 parts.
The next step will be the upper chassis, including the roll cage and the interior. After test fitting several of the chassis pieces, there does not seem to be any issues with them fitting together properly.
The lower chassis is the next step to be completed, which includes the suspension and installation of the engine. Again, no issues with any of the pieces not fitting.
Next, the wheels and tires need to be put together. The Holman-Moody wheels included in this kit are some of the best that have been seen in kit form. The tires included are Goodyear and are nicely molded.
The only real disappointment in this kit is that the body is warped in the front fender area, a common problem with all releases and variations of this kit. There are several ways to fix this, but it is a disappointment from an otherwise good kit.
After painting the body, the final step is the application of the decals and they are great! Extra decals are included for different variations of the car.
In conclusion, with a little patience, this kit will build up into a nice replica of the King's ride for 1969! This car is a "must have" for any Richard Petty fan or vintage stock car fan!
My sincere thanks to Round 2 Models for this review sample!