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R.A.I. Scarab Revell-Monogram No. 0124 Reissue of Monogram kit Molded in Metallic Blue, Chrome, and Clear Suggested retail: $9.95 |
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R.A.I. Scarab Revell-Monogram No. 0124 Reissue of Monogram kit Molded in Metallic Blue, Chrome, and Clear Suggested retail: $9.95 |
General
What an easy kit to review! This is just a slot car body with optional parts to make it displayable, a-la Ferrari 275P. To call this a curbside is giving it too much credit.
Body
The distinctive body on this car is the main attraction with this kit. It's a nicely-molded 3-piece affair. It needs only minor modification (flared rear fenders, mainly) to be accurate for later versions of the car.
Chassis
A one piece bottom is all the chassis you get here. It's poorly detailed, and isn't really noticed when the car goes together.
Interior
All you get is a bucket insert with two seats molded in, or a slot car insert with the driver figure molded in. The engraving on the seat insert isn't bad.
Wheels
The wheels look nice, but they aren't accurate. They could be stripped, drilled out, and painted, but then that funky chassis might show through!
Tires
The tires are nice. They're Goodyears, probably from the Indy kits. I don't know if they're accurate or not, but considering the other problems, who cares?
Markings
The kit comes with number 14 and a few sponsor decals. I haven't found out what version of this car wore number 14. It definitely wasn't the 1963 Nassau-winning A.J. Foyt car, which wore number 77. Check the references below for help with markings.
References
Only one mid-engine Scarab was ever made by Reventlow Automobiles, Inc. (R.A.I.) So there's no vintage sports car that's more rare than this one. It ran in many configurations, from 1962 through 1965. These references are very helpful for markings and body shape details for the various versions.
Buy Rating: 6*
If I were looking for a slot car body, this kit would be great. But I like doing engine and chassis details, so I usually avoid curbsides. Although this kit has a very nice (and apparently accurate) body, that's all it has to offer. Based on subject matter alone, this kit gets a reluctant buy recommendation.
*1-10 scale, 1-5 = don't buy it, 6-10 = buy it.