Barnabas Vampire Van 1:25 Scale MPC Model Kit #763 Review

Right On Replicas, LLC Step-by-Step Review 20150922*
Barnabas Vampire Van 1:25 Scale MPC Model Kit #763 Review

Review and Photos by Alan Mann

Dark Shadows is an American soap opera that originally aired weekdays from June 27, 1966, to April 2, 1971. The show depicted the lives of the wealthy Collins family of Collinsport, Maine. The series became hugely popular when vampire Barnabas Collins appeared a year into its run. Barnabas Collins, arrives and takes the show in a new direction; his vampire curse introduces a new history of the Collins family. Part of this revised history is the popular character of the witch Angelique who’s jealously led to the tragic death of Barnabas’ great love Josette and who placed the curse upon Barnabas. Dark Shadows also featured ghosts, werewolves, zombies, man-made monsters, witches, warlocks, time travel, and a parallel universe. But the show never had a Vampire Van or automobile of the sort.

The Barnabas Vampire Van was a model of a hot rod hearse originally issued in 1969 by MPC to tie-in with the hit Dark Shadows ABC TV show. The base kit started life as a 32 Chevy panel van, while not actually in the show the van was a popular seller. MPC was known in the 60’s and 70’s to make many Tie-In kits of vehicles never seen in the shows, other examples are Hogan’s Hero’s Jeep, Welcome Back Kotter’s Grand Prix and Happy Days character Fonzie driving the Monkeemobile!

For the Modeler: This review covers the Round2 2011 re-release (Re-Pop) of the MPC Barnabas Vampire Van in 1/25 Scale. This is kit #MPC763 in the current catalog and although discontinued it is widely available online. Round2 considers this a Skill Level 3 for Advanced builders. The kit has over 160 parts molded in White, Chrome and Clear and includes soft Rubber tires. There is a fairly detailed but simplified motor. Some extra wiring will go a long way on this. The chassis is a very nice replica of a 32 Chevy and the base for a Rat Rod build for those who “Kit-Bash”. Many of the suspension parts are nice quality for rods. The interior is overly simplistic and I would recommend flocking the floors. The body is quite detailed and a multiple piece unit. It has a ton of very cool details for the Gothic look! The rear door open also. The tires are very nice soft rubber with Pad-Printing. This build hinges on the exterior look. Also included is a coffin to make a trailer with and a figure for the coffin. While the figure is a little flat it is neat looking. The coffin details are nice and it would look great as a separate detail in a graveyard diorama! There are no decals for this kit. As with many of the MPC re-pops you get a Mini Box and a MPC sticker. Overall car dimensions: Length: 6-1/2”, Width 3”, height 3”.

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; abrasive choices; complete paint and adhesive selections and applications; test fitting; suspension construction; detailing the tires for realism; chassis construction and detailing; mounting the body to the chassis; coffin trailer construction; finishing the engine; interior color selection; making wood trim; finishing the Barnabus figure; engine construction and wiring, clarifying part placements; combining instruction steps for better finishing; original vehicle concept; modifying the body shell for fit; where “NOT” to use glue; optional; using white glue to make crystal clear window glass installations; are all fully examined in this 19 page, full-color Step-by-Step review in PDF format.

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