Build a Model of Your Local Fire Chief’s Car (1976 Chevy Caprice) 1:25 Scale MPC Model Kit #753/12 Review
Right On Replicas, LLC Step-by-Step Review 20140517*
Build a Model of Your Local Fire Chief’s Car (Chevy Caprice) 1:25 Scale MPC Model Kit #753/12 Review
Review and Photos by Alan Mann 
If you’ve ever thought that it might be cool to build a replica of the local fire emergency vehicle in your local area; you’re right and you’re not alone. As many of the local vehicle markings become available , it is getting easier than ever to make your own. The markings on this Polk County Florida Fire Department cruiser were available from one the numerous aftermarket decal makers that are described in the full review. You could even make all of the script on this vehicle with simple programs like Microsoft Paint or Word. The only trouble you might have is recreating the department emblems like the crest on the front quarter panel. For this you might have to ask nicely if you can take a photo of the emblem and use you ink jet or color laser printer to make them using some decal paper. The only other obstacle is making decals that are white. If they are stripes you can carefully cut them from white decals paper or tape. If it’s white letters or scripts you need you can get them printed by an online custom decal printer This batch was made by one of them, or you can try to match the background shade of the car’s body color and print the white letters of the script in the middle of that on white decal paper.
For the Modeler: This is based on the 1976 Chevy Caprice MPC kit number 753/12 model in 1/25 scale recently re-released by Round 2 Models. This kit is still available at online model stores. It is a Skill Level 2 kit for the average builder. The kit is molded in White, Chrome, Clear, Red Clear and Vinyl Tires with metal axles with approximately 60 parts. The best part about this kit is that you can customize like this to produce some great period-correct specialty vehicles like a police or emergency vehicle with just a little extra decal and paint work. Shelf space is roughly 9 inches long 3 inches wide and 3 inches tall. The kit comes with a Tilt Bed Trailer that is not reviewed here. The trailer parts count is not included in the parts count of 60 parts. This kit has seen multiple releases, it started life as a 1974 Annual became a 1975 Annual and a 1976 Annual plus all the other re-releases through the years. The latest rendition is still the same kit with new decals to create an Auto World race car hauler. Being an earlier kit from the 70s it is simplified and still holds some of its Promo style quirks, like screw holes in the chassis that were filled in but never really removed. The kit itself is basic and detail is thin on the interior and the motor is bland and generic. Typical for its time, many of the motor parts are Chrome that should not be. The chassis is simplified and basic, but does have decent detail. The body is showing its age, the hood does not fit and other than the side molding the trim work is very shallow. Round 2 has done so much to bring back the oldies we loved to build in the past, this is yet another one of the favorites. But it seems they did not spend the time to make it as good as the “Retro Deluxe†kits released in recent history.
Covered in this Review: If you want to perfect your build; basic construction; preparing parts for better finishing; alternate assembly sequence suggestions for fit and ease of finishing; custom decal sources and methods; repairing warped parts; removing unwanted chrome form parts; engine construction and detailing:  complete paint and adhesive selections and applications; test fitting; contest considerations are discussed; sink, tab and mold seam identification; chassis and  suspension construction; paint masking techniques; detailing the firewall and window trim with a Sharpie pen; interior detailing and finishing; detailing the tires for realism; removing the molded trademark scripts; correcting instruction errors; decal preparation and application; are all fully examined in this pictorial 16 page, full-color Step-by-Step review in PDF format.
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