Chasing Unicorns (kits that don't exist and should ?)

[keefr22]

2 hours ago, Marco F. said:

Van..., Pickup, estate and also a Moke were produced by Motobitz.

They also produced several wheel options for the MINI.

Sadly Motobitz closed the biz.

 

Yep, sadly missed is Mark and Motobitz....

 

Keith

[Spiny]

On 19/04/2025 at 12:35, johnlambert said:

I'd imagine that the recent Ford Fiesta and Focus ST and RS models would be popular subjects. There's a strong fan base, lots of interesting colours and endless opportunities for customisation. The real cars are/were aspirational enough to be desirable, but still something that people could own. If kits of the VW Golf GTI and Golf R sell (which I assume they do, since the kits exist), why not the Fords (or is Ford fandom only a UK thing)?

 

While I'd definitely be up for either of the Fiesta or Focus (particularly if someone did a Mk2 ST), I suspect that for a hot hatch to get modelled by a mainstream manufacturer it would need to be popular in Japan (where most of the manufacturers seem happy to dip their feet into the more common cars) or have a huge following in Germany where Revell might pick it up, possibly in France which could attract Heller. Sadly, I suspect that there isn't the following for the ST/RS in any of those countries to stimulate manufacturing or purchasing interest.

 

I do hope I'm wrong though!

[cmatthewbacon]

I've recently picked up a few period copies of the "World Car Catalogue" -- they are what the "Observer's Book of Automobiles" grow up into when well fed and tended in the library. And browsing through the 1966 edition, I'm going to say there really should be a kit of the FIAT Dino Spider. Beautiful Pininfarina design, as good as anything they did for Ferrari at the time, Ferrari engine, and as stylish as Monica Vitti in a Schiaparelli dress. I certainly don't know of any 1/24 kit -- even our friend at SMP doesn't do one. It's just possible that there's a 1/16 or 1/20 version in period to be had from Bandai or Nitto, I suppose, but if there is I haven't found it...

best,

M.

[johnlambert]

On 21/04/2025 at 13:44, cmatthewbacon said:

I've recently picked up a few period copies of the "World Car Catalogue" -- they are what the "Observer's Book of Automobiles" grow up into when well fed and tended in the library. And browsing through the 1966 edition, I'm going to say there really should be a kit of the FIAT Dino Spider. Beautiful Pininfarina design, as good as anything they did for Ferrari at the time, Ferrari engine, and as stylish as Monica Vitti in a Schiaparelli dress. I certainly don't know of any 1/24 kit -- even our friend at SMP doesn't do one. It's just possible that there's a 1/16 or 1/20 version in period to be had from Bandai or Nitto, I suppose, but if there is I haven't found it...

best,

M.

I prefer the Dino Coupe, particularly in 2.4-litre form. Ideal for a diorama with a bulldozer and smashed Lamborghini Miura.

[Blacque Jacque]

20 minutes ago, johnlambert said:

Ideal for a diorama with a bulldozer and smashed Lamborghini Miura.

Or a white Challenger ?

[Pete in Lincs]

20 minutes ago, Blacque Jacque said:

Or a white Challenger ?

At the end of that film they crashed a very obvious White Charger into the bulldozer.

I saw it at the cinema when it came out and was very disappointed with that ending.

[Windy37]

1 hour ago, johnlambert said:

I prefer the Dino Coupe, particularly in 2.4-litre form. Ideal for a diorama with a bulldozer and smashed Lamborghini Miura.

Preety car 😉

Gary

[Six97s]

11 hours ago, Pete in Lincs said:

At the end of that film they crashed a very obvious White Charger into the bulldozer.

I saw it at the cinema when it came out and was very disappointed with that ending.

 

Minor correction:  it was a Camaro.    It's a pity that there are no decent kits of either the Dodge Challenger or the Plymouth 'Cuda...  The MPC annual kits were the best, even if the underpinnings were a bit lacking, at least they got the body right.

[Pete in Lincs]

9 minutes ago, Six97s said:

  it was a Camaro. 

It was. Don't know why I wrote Charger😄

[Noel Smith]

Maybe you were thinking of the baddies black Charger in Bullitt Pete?     Lol.

 

Back to Unicorns, that Fiat Dino mentioned was a nice looking car and would make a good kit subject.

 

Come to think of it the latest  Fiat Abarth sports car built by Mazda for them  would make a nice model kit too.

Edited April 23 by Noel Smith

[Pete in Lincs]

14 minutes ago, Noel Smith said:

were thinking of the baddies black Charger in Bullitt Pete?

No, just tired I guess. I did find and watch the Bullitt chase on the tube the other day though. Never tire of that!

[Pete in Lincs]

18 minutes ago, Noel Smith said:

built by Mazda

Mazda Abarth? New to me. Mind you, I don't keep up with the new cars world like I once did. Too much ugly and nonsense out there nowadays 

[Noel Smith]

Me neither Pete!    It has to be one of (if not) the best movie car chase of all time when two muscle cars to hear to head.

Remember the nice little twist in it when the baddies were following Bullitt and lost him. Next thing was a camera angle of the bad guys rear view mirror and Bullitt coming over the brow of a hill behind them !

Edited April 23 by Noel Smith

[Noel Smith]

Read some time ago that there was a tie up by Fiat with Mazda to build their open two seaters including the Abarth version.

It's quite a nice looking car to my eyes.

[Pete in Lincs]

38 minutes ago, Noel Smith said:

coming over the brow of a hill behind them !

Yes, a brilliant piece of editing, the chase is on!

[cmatthewbacon]

44 minutes ago, Noel Smith said:

Fiat with Mazda to build their open two seaters including the Abarth version.

The 2016 FIAT 124 Spider is essentially an MX-5 with bespoke front and rear clips, and a FIAT original MultiAir engine, made as Noel says by Mazda on the same lines as the MX-5. The Abarth version ups the trim, improves the suspension and takes the power up to 170 BHP. It’s quite nippy. I still hold out hope that Chris at C1 or USCP might bring out a resin or 3D printed transkit to convert the Tamiya kit. I’d have one like a shot.

best,

M.

[Spiny]

10 hours ago, Pete in Lincs said:

Mazda Abarth? New to me. Mind you, I don't keep up with the new cars world like I once did. Too much ugly and nonsense out there nowadays 

 

To my mind a strong contender for best looking car of the last decade:

 

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/01/Abarth_124_Spider_(17).JPG/1024px-Abarth_124_Spider_(17).JPG

[Noel Smith]

Isn't that a lovely looking motor car !   Well worth a kit !

Edited April 24 by Noel Smith

[RossFMJ]

23 hours ago, cmatthewbacon said:

I still hold out hope that Chris at C1 or USCP might bring out a resin or 3D printed transkit to convert the Tamiya kit. I’d have one like a shot.

 

https://www.scalemates.com/kits/scale-model-creators-tk-100-fiat-124-spyder-abarth--1102324

 

No current trace of company or this kit, but maybe there's one somewhere?

[keefr22]

1 hour ago, RossFMJ said:

 

https://www.scalemates.com/kits/scale-model-creators-tk-100-fiat-124-spyder-abarth--1102324

 

No current trace of company or this kit, but maybe there's one somewhere?

 

That looks like it might be a proper unicorn hunt....

 

Keith

[Toftdale]

On 13/04/2025 at 19:59, Blacque Jacque said:

And Thank you too @Six97s I had no idea there was even an attempt at the Coyote.

Whatever you do don't pay a fortune for one as an attempt the polite way of putting it.  The shape is woeful as best and the underpinnings just don't fit the body,  which makes far more sense after @Six97s explanation.   That said I still intend to build mine as I have a cunning plan.  Despite being a 1/25 kit, the top half of the body sits remarkably well over an Accurate Miniatures Mclaren M8B.  Happy hunting - Andy 

[bigbadbadge]

A decent 1/24 kit of a VW Type 3 (Fastback for me, but the Squareback would be good too), would be great, but don't think one will be produced.

Would love to see a decent kit of the 914 too,  I have been looking but can only see an old Revell kit of a racing version with a very weird looking windscreen and costs a lot of dosh. I know there is a 43rd scale kit which I might have to consider.

 

Edit

I also see yhere is a road going version of the Revell 914 kit, but none around and the shape of the rear end from B pillar back appears odd looking, also  any kitsare all 914-6 models and not 914s

Chris

[fightersweep]

The mentions for a Vauxhall Chevette made me smile. It was my first car so it would be great to have a kit of one in 1/24th. I would have to pump it full of Tamiya filler to replicate just how much Isopon P38 was barely holding my poor old Chevette together.

 

On a similar note, I would love a 1/24 Cortina Mk III and a Mk V just because I owned a loved an example of each myself. Have a Mexico already thanks to mixture of Motobitz and C1 Models even though I only owned one for six days before it got nicked. Wouldn't mind a model of the Datsun 260C estate my dad owned either. That was quite a car with all the comforts and features. Worlds away from the Marina he owned previously.

 

Finally, a 1/24 Leyland Sherpa and Roadrunner so I could model the stuff I was thrashing about in for Royal Mail in the late 80s. All total fantasy, but I would build any of those in a heartbeat.

[keefr22]

1 hour ago, fightersweep said:

Have a Mexico already thanks to mixture of Motobitz

 

Hope you have less ''fun'' applying the stripes than I've recently had doing my 1600 Sport replica (I was luckier, owned and rallied that car for a few years) - the Motobitz decals, while really nicely printed were an absolute nightmare to apply!

 

However I will forever be grateful to Mr. Motobitz for actually giving me the opportunity to build 'my car' - nobody else is likely to....!!

 

Keith

[fightersweep]

1 hour ago, keefr22 said:

However I will forever be grateful to Mr. Motobitz for actually giving me the opportunity to build 'my car' - nobody else is likely to....!!

 

Duly noted about the decals. I shall approach with caution! Regarding the Mexico. C1 Models have just started taking pre-orders for an Mk 2 Harrier so maybe a Mexico is likely too.