Reviews : Revell-Monogram 1970 Ford Torino Cobra

I found this kit to be just as fraught with problems as the reissue Pontiac GTO. Let me say at the outset that this kit looked like a real winner during the module building stages. Everything just assembled so nicely, and according to plan. However, I held the finished chassis up so that I could look at it from the rear, and noticed that the whole assembly looked out of kilter. I decided that this would probably correct itself with the body being able to hold the chassis in alignment. (flawed assumption) Again, the windshield's visors had to be cut off because they had been designed with a flawed angle that prevented it from holding its position inside the body. Once this was glued in place, I saw again, a big gap between the windshield and the dashboard. The dashboard was just too tall - it was a really tight fit up against the windshield, so tight that it broke the glue line at the roof. Struggling to continue toward completion, the assembly became a very discouraging fail. While trying to figure out what was preventing assembly, which was already so tight, there was just no room for adjustments, I inadvertently put too much pressure on the roof, and caused the front A pillars to buckle. Well, that proved to be the proverbial straw that broke the camel's (or should I say Torino's) back. I have my doubts that negative reviews will make any difference to the current Revell. After all, they had someone build this kit and he/she said it was just fine. Well, the builder could have been a pro, and who really knows how many kits he/she blew through in a final push to actually complete one that was worthy of being photographed. The long and the short of it is that if you're not a professional model builder, you may want to pass this one up. In fact, you might just as well go ahead and buy older kits, because they won't fit any worse than the reissues!

My 20th build since last fall. Great looking kit, nice detailed parts thought this was going to be my best build yet. Took my time, painted and clear coated it as per the illustration on the box. Disassembled, it looked awesome. Then the problems began. First, the hood decal stuck crooked and wouldn't move - probably my fault even though I used the decal softner & setting solutions - then it wouldn't come off. Had to sand, putty and repaint the hood -it came out ok. Struggled with the front windshield. It would seat properly and was down lower than it should. Probably should have removed the sun visors. The marker lights would not fit in the body holes. Tried filing and sanding to no avail. Not only are the holes too small, but the ridge is too thick and the markers would sit back too far into the body. I made my own - which turned out nice. Then the door handles... they're too small, deformed and can't be separated from the runner with out damaging them - so no door handles. Then I couldn't get the interior tub to sit properly on the body. Figured it would straighten out when i installed the chassis. WRONG!! The car is sitting right, but the dashboard is separated from the windshield and the driver side is higher than the passenger, as are the door panels.

This is a very well done kit from Revell with very little flash to clean off the parts. The parts are crisply molded and the detail on the parts is excellent. This is a box art dedicated build with only the parts to build it as pictured. The decal sheet does include decals for the Twister version. Unfortunately though it doesn't include the GT stripes, which is the only real nitpick I have with this kit. The parts fit is excellent and there are no real issues when it comes to completing this kit. A highly recommended kit from Revell by Stumpy Grump's Scale Speed Shop!

Have an original release, same good quality. Also have some Torino GT kits. They have some extra pieces, some of which in my opinion should be included in the Cobra kit. Front spoiler and the tube headers. Maybe the Cragar wheels too? Anyway still a good kit of a great muscle car.

Beginning to end a good model with only a few issues. Some parts required some massaging to fit correctly, which is normal with Revell kits. Scale issue with the very small chrome parts. There is lots of detailing in both the interior and much more in the engine compartment.