Drag-U-La (Grandpa Munster’s) with Surf Slab 1:25 Scale AMT Model Kit #657 Review

Right On Replicas, LLC Step-by-Step Review 20150908*
Drag-U-La (Grandpa Munster’s) with Surf Slab 1:25 Scale AMT Model Kit #657 Review

Review and Photos by Alan Mann

Grandpa Munster had his own special dragster: Drag-u-la! A wild ride with a coffin shaped body, “organ pipe” exhaust pipes and a bubble canopy. DRAG-U-LA, along with the Munster Koach, was one of two cars designed by Tom Daniel while working for George Barris and Barris Kustom Industries for the television show The Munsters. The fiberglass body of DRAG-U-LA was built from a real fiberglass coffin. It featured a 289 Ford V-8 engine, with a four-speed stick shift. The rear tires were 10.50-inch Firestone racing slicks, mounted on custom 10-inch Rader aluminum and steel wheels. The front tires were 4-inch Italian tires on Speedsport English buggy wire wheels. To extend the Gothic motif further, Barris installed four Zoomie style organ pipes on each side of the car in lieu of a standard exhaust pipe, and mounted antique lamps on the front and rear. The front of the vehicle sported a marble gravestone — supposedly Grandpa Munster’s license plate “from the Old Country” — with the inscription: “Born 1367, Died?”.  A “hidden” radiator was topped with a small golden casket. The driver sat in the rear of the vehicle behind the engine, under a plastic bubble.

 

For the Modeler: This review covers the Round2 re-release (Re-Pop) of the AMT kit Drag-u-la from The Munsters TV show. It is in 1/25 Scale. This is kit number AMT657 in the current catalog and was released in this box art in October of 2011. The kit is Skill Level 2 for the Moderate builder. AMT has released this kit numerous times over the years and it has seen multiple box arts, this time being a reproduction of the original. There are 61 parts that are molded in Black, Chrome and Clear and includes a metal axle. The decals have both the original kit and screen accurate replica style options. You get a fairly nicely detailed motor. The chassis is a simple rail. There is no interior other than a seat and wheel. The body is a one piece “coffin”. The kit has plastic tires instead of vinyl. This is a quick remedy that will help your overall look. The instructions are done in two steps for the car and one for the additional surf board. The bonus “Surf Slab” surf board is also included as it was seen in one episode. The Munsters fans will be treated to a bonus full-color cardboard display base with backdrop. The Drag-U-La backdrop coordinates with the Munster Koach backdrop (available separately) to make a complete scene. Overall build of the car is: Length: 5-1/2”, Width: 1-3/4”, Height: 1-1/5”.

 

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; Surf Slab construction; using the custom cardboard display; finishing the engine; interior color selection; engine construction and detailing, detailing the instrument panel; combining instruction steps for better finishing; original vehicle history; making custom plates for your model; where “NOT” to use glue; optional Surf Slab installation considerations; using floor wax to make crystal clear window glass; decal preparation and application; using decal setting solutions for that “painted on” look; are all fully examined in this 15 page, full-color Step-by-Step review in PDF format.

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