Well I found a batch of Reel Rides last night at a local Wal-Mart. Now that I've changed eras from 2001 to 1979, I was anxious to find some of these HO scale Reel Rides made in China by Malibu International. They are packaged in a similar box like the other Malibu cars, so don't look for them in a blisterpack...I was not aware of who was making these or how they would be packaged before last night. Here they are 2.22 each plus tax.
One of the cars is the 1977 Pontiac Firebird from "Smokey & The Bandit." I'm not a motorhead, but the car looks right to me. It has t-tops which look like you could easily remove them with an X-acto knife. The graphics are very crisp. It looks to be proportionally correct. Built a 1/16th model of this about 25 years or so ago, and one of my customers owns one, and this looks good to me.
Then there is the 1972 Chevy C-10 pick-up from "Dazed and Confused." I've only seen that movie once and I could not remember what the pick-up looked like. It's a black shortbox. For those of us who may have wanted to make a bunch of work trucks out of these, the shortbox may present a problem. Looks like the Trident wrecker bed might fit on the back. But again I think they did a very nice job on this truck. It's gloss black with the chrome or silver strips/stripes. The wheels are a little sporty, but then this is supposed to resemble a cruisin' pick-up rather than a farm truck. This will look great as a new shortbox in the early '70s up to today as a restored classic.
The 1970 Pontiac GTO Judge is also from "Dazed and Confused." I had a '72 Pontiac LeMans which was very similar to this car, and the lines and proportions look correct to me. It's a kind of yellow-orange color with a black roof and black spoiler on the trunk lid. Has a magenta tampo on the sides, not overbearing, but I imagine that's coming off of my cars.
The 1967 Plymouth GTX from "Tommy Boy" is a car I'm less familiar with, although I've seen that movie a few times. Since I plan on modeling Illinois in December of '79, I'm a little disappointed that this is a convertible, but hey you can't have everything. Perhaps I'll try to fashion a top for it. It's a metallic light blue color with a black interior. No deer in the back seat.
So those are the Reel Rides I purchased. I left the 1958 Porsche from "Top Gun" on the shelf. It's painted black.
Looks like Malibu did a pretty good job on the graphics...like the "C H E V R O L E T" across the tailgate shows up well, "The Judge" graphic can be read on the Pontiac, the Firebird on the hood and all the striping on the Banditmobile looks great. Even the manufactureres name plates show up nicely, like the Pontiac logo and the Chevy bowtie on the fronts of those vehicles.
My only complaint would be the paint looks a bit thick on some of these. Can be corrected, of course, if you want to go to the trouble. I've not disassembled any of these yet to be modified, so I'm not aware of any potential trouble in that respect.
Well that's about all I know about these. Happy to have found a few!
Jerry SP FOREVER http://photobucket.com/albums/f317/GAPPLEG/
I have the Reel Rides Trans Am. Nice looking car though the paint, while glossy, is a bit thick. The wheels are not accurate. But when viewing it from 3 or 4 feet away I doubt anyone is going to criticize.
For those that wish to repaint the bodies on these vehicles, it may be a bit of a challenge to remove the baked on finish. If ELO, or 91% alcohol doesn't work then a sand/bead blaster should work well.
Another option would be to strip off any decals and wet-sand the bodies. Start off with 3M 600 grit being careful not to sand off detailing. Finish with 1,200 grit. Airbrush a thin coat of primer to promote adhesion and paint away with your favorite acrylic or solvent based paint.
Hope this helps.
"I like my Pullman Standards & Budds in Stainless Steel flavors, thank you!"
Hello-
I have not seen the Reel Rides at Wally World yet, but the Fresh Cherries are there, but I have only seen the 1981 White Ford Escort. The rest were sold out.
I just got a e-mail back from Reel Rides, and they said it will take a while for them to be spread out, so Central WI will be a week or two yet.
Phil
they arrived here yesterday.
sorry American muscle only, no porsche.
I only wish the paint on the GTX wasn't so thick, but can't really complain for 2 bucks each
click for larger view
more pics, different views
http://s46.photobucket.com/albums/f123/river_eagle/cars/
enjoy
They are in here in St Louis area: I just got these 3 fo $2.22 ea. I model the late 1960's to early 1970's....I only got 1 of each car as I model small towns and they are high profile auto's but I might go back for more trucks.
GTO
GTX
C10
If ANYONE would be willing to send me one of each of these at a non-ebay inflated price, I would be eternally grateful !!! Wally's in Canada aren't getting these.
Mark.
¡ uʍop ǝpısdn sı ǝɹnʇɐuƃıs ʎɯ 'dlǝɥ
I had to drive 43 miles to Bonner Springs to get some of the ReelRides. Picked up 5 total.
Ch
MP 53 on the BNSF Topeka Sub
Sorry to say the Reel Rides are licensed for the U.S. only and distribution is strictly through Wally World at this time. However, every Wal-Mart on the list that Malibu sent out will be getting them.
Bill C.
The Pick up truck looks Spot on! Brings back some fond memeopries of my Father-in-Laws truck back when my Wife and I were dating. Now if they would only produce a Delmont 88 4 door, Red with a black vinal top.....
Chris
I've been to 3 and no reel rides yet. The 3 stores I can get to only seem to be carrying the 1/64 in everything. (Cherries, American Graffitti, Deere and Cat) I don't get it. When they do get 1/87 it sells out in a week. The 1/64 stuff just sits there for months.
If you do need to strip the paint on these metal cars, brake fluid works great. Just remove all the plastic first.