BY BILL ENGAR
TODAY'S RACE: VINTAGE 1/32 REVELL VEGA FUNNY CAR KIT RE-RELEASED FOR THE FIRST TIME IN DECADES -- AUTHENTIC FUNNY CAR DETAILS -- EASY TO BUILD FOR OLD AND NEW MODELERS -- BUILD IT IN AN EVENING OR CUSTOMIZE IT TO WIN A CONTEST -- GREAT FUNNY CAR BODY WILL EXCITE SLOT CAR CUSTOMIZERS!
TODAY'S RACE: VINTAGE 1/32 REVELL VEGA FUNNY CAR KIT RE-RELEASED FOR THE FIRST TIME IN DECADES -- AUTHENTIC FUNNY CAR DETAILS -- EASY TO BUILD FOR OLD AND NEW MODELERS -- BUILD IT IN AN EVENING OR CUSTOMIZE IT TO WIN A CONTEST -- GREAT FUNNY CAR BODY WILL EXCITE SLOT CAR CUSTOMIZERS!
ATLANTIS #H1119, 36 PARTS, GLUE AND PAINT NOT REQUIRED, RECOMMENDED AGE 14 AND UP, MSRP ONLY $19.99 AT TIME OF POSTING (2023)
Atlantis Models has released a 1/32 Jungle Jim funny car. This is a great companion for your Atlantis 1/32 Tom Daniel funny cars or 1/25 and 1/16 Jungle Jim funny cars, all available from Atlantis Models.
This is a simple model that you can snap together without paint or glue if you wish. Being a former Revell Model kit, it is full of fine, authentic detail so you could use paint and add scratchbuilt details to make a contest-worthy model if you want.
Atlantis Models' 1/32 Jungle Jim '74 Vega Funny Car has All-new box art and returns after decades of absence from your favorite hobby shop or online retailer!
“Jungle” Jim Liberman was a famous American drag racer who specialized in funny cars. During an era where drag racing exploded in popularity, Liberman embraced showmanship to promote his name. His branding included a stylized font and amusing Tarzan-style caricature of himself. Revell provided sponsorship and a number of Revell kits were released of Jungle Jim funny cars in various scales!
Our sharp-eyed readers will note that parts to Atlantis' 1/32 Jungle Jim '74 Vega funny car look a little different from their Tom Daniel cars in the same scale. This is because the Jungle Jim Vega was originally a Revell kit and it shared no engineering with then-competitor Monogram. This kit is a perfect companion to those TD funny cars, originally released by Monogram Models. You'll definitely want to collect them all!
Funny car model kits were wildly popular in the 1970’s and Revell and Monogram devoted pages in their catalogs to these racers. Atlantis Models revisits that exciting time in racing history with a number of re-releases of iconic kits.
Atlantis’ 1/32 Jungle Jim Vega funny car was formerly a Revell kit. Sharp-eyed modelers will note some differences between it and the Atlantis Tom Daniel 1/32 funny cars. This is because the Tom Daniel kits come from Monogram tooling.
Atlantis’ 1/32 Jungle Jim Vega funny car was formerly a Revell kit. Sharp-eyed modelers will note some differences between it and the Atlantis Tom Daniel 1/32 funny cars. This is because the Tom Daniel kits come from Monogram tooling.
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There are some similarities between these parts and those found in the Tom Daniel funny cars kits. Details are very nice for 1/32-scale. One of our favorites is an accurate butterfly-style steering wheel on the sliver parts sprue. It's 100% authentic. Most of the real funny car racers of the 1970's had one of these.
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This kit was originally designed for younger modelers, but enough detail was included to excite more experienced builders who enjoy 1/32-scale. The parts snap together. Glue is not required. The finished model will look pretty nice without any painting as well. Using glue will secure the parts together better and of course adding paint is fun and can enhance realism. Decals are the water-slide variety and are nicely rendered by Atlantis with gorgeous Jungle Jim graphics that will look amazing on the finished model. These are a little harder to apply than stickers but they look a lot better on the model than the self-adhesive variety. Expert modelers prefer this type of decal and Atlantis decals are known for being better quality than what most kitmakers provide. They're certainly better than what was included with the kit back in the 1970's.
The body is nicely engineered with rear window louvers and front wheel vents.
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From the side, it's obvious that this is a funny car body. The hood is quite a bit longer than on a factory Vega. Note that the front wheels are pushed very close to the front of the car. On a real funny car, this would be a fiberglass body.
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If you're not familiar with building kits like this, a sharp hobby knife like an X-Acto with a #11 blade is recommended. A single-edge razor blade can be used as well. Younger builders who haven't used these cutting tools should have supervision from mom or dad or an experienced model builder. Never twist the parts from the sprues; you might break them. Cut the parts from the sprues with the hobby knife or a sprue-cutter. You can use scissors if you want; just be careful not to cut too closely to the parts or you might damage them. If there is a small "nib" left where the part met the sprue, that's OK; you can use the hobby knife or razor blade to carefully trim it off.
The "glass" consists of a front windshield only. We'd recommend being careful separating it from the sprue; use a sharp hobby knife and work slowly to avoid any cracks.
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The "Jungle Jim" Tarzan-figure was very nicely executed by Atlantis. These are water-slide decals, not stickers. They are good enough to build a contest-quality model if you want!
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Recommended age to build this model is 14 and up. It's a Skill Level 1 kit meaning gluing is not required. Younger builders with experience building complex Lego kits could likely handle this. If mom or dad have a little mechanical aptitude, they could help much younger kids build the model and it should be an easygoing and fun evening project.
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Kit instructions consist of vintage artwork. With 22 steps, they are clear and easy to understand.
For beginning modelers, this is a great first kit. The instructions in particular were written very well with clear drawings that break construction down into 22 simple assembly steps. Glue isn't required, of course, but using glue on the parts not intended to move will make a stronger model. You could use tube glue made for styrene models or cyanacrylate "super glue." Younger builders not familiar with gluing model kits together will benefit from some adult supervision and good ventilation must be maintained in your work area since the fumes to this glue are noxious.
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The back of the box shows the Tom Daniel 1/32 funny cars, which you'll want to collect after building your Jungle Jim '74 Vega funny car! Check out our article here. We have a lot of further information about funny cars including painting tips provided by a pro drag racer/modeler!
We were very excited when we learned that Atlantis Models was re-releasing this kit. In the 1970's, professional drag racing evolved quickly. Revell's 1/32 Jungle Jim Vega funny car was released a couple years or so after the Monogram Tom Daniel racers. These models had such authentic details, you can see the actual advancements. For example, the chassis of the Jungle Jim Vega has many more radiused tubes than the older Tom Daniel cars. A stronger, lighter frame can be built with tube sections radiused on a bender. This reduces the number of welds. A stronger structure can be created from less material. It's just one of many authentic funny car details engineered into this great model!
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The 2Modeler guys give Atlantis' 1/32 Jungle Jim 1974 Funny Car kit four enthusiastic thumbs up! These 1/32 funny car kits released by Atlantis Models are awesome! They are full of great features and perfect for new and experienced modelers alike. Prices are crazy-low! Order yours today!
WE'D LIKE TO THANK ATLANTIS MODELS FOR PROVIDING THE REVIEW KIT. VISIT ATLANTIS-MODELS.COM!
BONUS FEATURE
THE INFAMOUS CHEVY VEGA!
Starting in the 1960’s, Americans began to get used to imported economy cars. Perhaps the best early example was the Volkswagen Beetle. This small German “people’s car“ actually began limited production prior to World War II!
Beginning in about 1960, the Beetle began to be imported to the USA in large numbers. While it was never known for its performance, it was inexpensive to buy , run, and maintain. It became very popular with young drivers as a good first car or among families who wanted an economical second car. By the end of the decade, it had become an iconic part of American pop-culture.
Beginning in about 1960, the Beetle began to be imported to the USA in large numbers. While it was never known for its performance, it was inexpensive to buy , run, and maintain. It became very popular with young drivers as a good first car or among families who wanted an economical second car. By the end of the decade, it had become an iconic part of American pop-culture.
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"Jungle Jim" Liberman chose the Chevy Vega as the funny car body for his 1974 drag car. Jungle Jim had a reputation for winning races. Lucky for him, his drag car and the actual Chevy Vega had virtually no parts in common. As a passenger car, the Vega is not particularly well remembered!
Soon, a few Japanese car manufacturers began to import similar vehicles. The Toyota Corolla debuted in 1966 with a version for import to the USA following in 1968. By 1974, it was was the world’s best selling car.
American car makers decided to offer products that could compete in this compact and sub-compact economy segment that was dominated by the small imports. As the Corolla was first being sold in the USA, General Motors initiated development of the Chevy Vega.
Many of the compact cars of the era looked nothing like larger cars. The Beetle’s name was descriptive of its shape and some early Japanese models were notable for their unusual lines and proportions. Chevrolet put a lot of work into the engineering and aesthetics of the Vega utilizing German expertise and influence from its Opel division.
American car makers decided to offer products that could compete in this compact and sub-compact economy segment that was dominated by the small imports. As the Corolla was first being sold in the USA, General Motors initiated development of the Chevy Vega.
Many of the compact cars of the era looked nothing like larger cars. The Beetle’s name was descriptive of its shape and some early Japanese models were notable for their unusual lines and proportions. Chevrolet put a lot of work into the engineering and aesthetics of the Vega utilizing German expertise and influence from its Opel division.
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The Vega had lines similar to the second-generation Camaro pony-car. Mechanical innovations included an aluminum engine block, revolutionary for any mass-produced car in 1970, but common a half-century later. The car’s geometry provided exceptional handling for an economy car. It rode on front and rear coil springs and a four-link rear suspension copied the now-iconic Chevy Chevelle. Americans liked cars with a smooth ride and this big-car feel was somewhat achieved along with European responsiveness and what could be considered sporty handling for the time.
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General Motors tried to emulate European car aesthetics and engineering. Since Opel, a German company, was owned by GM, many aspects of the Vega were influenced by Opel.
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Chevy’s new Vega was fast-tracked from idea to showroom-ready car in just two years. Early reviewers were enthusiastic and the car received Motor Trend’s coveted “Car of the Year” award. However, the product line quickly became a near-disaster for Chevrolet and GM. Corners were cut in many areas to save money and keep the base retail price low. Quality suffered as production lines were rushed. Poorly set up sealing processes caused rampant, serious rust problems. Aluminum engines detonated. The car set records for numbers of government-mandated recalls.
Jungle Jim's Vega funny car was based on the 1974 update of the Chevy Vega.
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Later Vega model years had many of the early issues addressed but the car’s reputation was beyond repair and the car was discontinued after 1977. The Vega’s main U.S. competitor was the Ford Pinto, which had plenty of problems of its own, yet the Pinto stayed in production until 1980.
The Pinto and AMC Gremlin both had rather awkward kammback proportions and the Vega is generally better remembered for its European lines. The Vega body was chosen by a few drag racers for the popular stock funny car classes including “Jungle Jim” Liberman. Between 1972-74, Jungle Jim fielded three Vega funny cars. The Atlantis model represents his last car. It has the sloped, louvered body-color front grill which was new and considered very cutting-edge for 1974. |
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Period advertisements for the three domestic economy cars of the early 1970's. Which one did you like best??? The Vegas disappeared into rust and engines siezed. Pintos developed a similarly infamous reputation from sensational news reports about the car bursting into flames when being hit from the rear. Ironically, perhaps the homely Gremlin by American Motors Corporation survived the period as the king of 70's domestic small-cars. All it can really be faulted for in hindsight is its love-it-or-hate-it look. These cars ran pretty well, got respectable gas mileage, and were better off the green light than the Vega or Pinto.
The Vega nameplate was dead after 1977. The Monza and Chevette replaced it at GM. The Chevette, derived from the world-car “T” platform developed by Isuzu and Opel, was America’s best-selling small car in 1979 and 1980. But by this time, the competing imports were refined to the point where marques like the Toyota Corolla and Honda Civic became associated with reliable, efficient economy transportation. New American small cars come and go with the Chevrolet Cavalier, Cobalt and Cruze coming to mind, but the Corolla and Civic have now been around for over half-a-century and show few signs of slowing down.
ATLANTIS MODELS' 1/32 AUTO KIT LINE -- THE BEST SMALL CARS BUILT IN AMERICA
Atlantis Models has an exciting line of model cars in 1/32-scale, all made in the USA! 1/32-scale was traditionally the realm of smaller, less complex kits ideal for beginning modelers. However, each of these kits originally engineered by Revell and Monogram were designed with exceptional detail with many features that excite more experienced builders. 1/32-scale is also a favorite of slot car hobbyists. The bodies and some interior parts can be modified to fit a slot car chassis and they can be raced on common 1/32 slot car tracks. It takes some modeling expertise to do this, but it's fun to race a model car that wasn't originally designed for model motoring. Many model contests including the IPMS/USA Nationals have categories specifically for 1/32-scale and it's common to see these kits with added detailing or built with perfect finishes right out of the box. Atlantis 1/32 car kits are easy on your pocketbook with crazy-low retail prices and they won't take up a lot of room on your shelf.
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In addition to the precise-scale 1/32 racing and factory-stock cars, Atlantis offers some fun caricature-kits including Tom Daniel's classic Red Baron and T'Rantula. Additional caricature-cars with crazy drivers such as Mr. Gasser and Super Fuzz are also available. Check out Atlantis-Models.com today to see what's coming soon. While you're there, don't forget to sign up for their newsletter. You'll receive a weekly email with news about the latest releases and direct-order discounts on their already crazy-low prices!
CHECK OUT OUR ADDITIONAL ARTICLES ABOUT ATLANTIS CAR KITS!