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Topic starter
01/01/2022 1:00 pm
An eye-catching Prowler in 1/43 scale, thanks to Chrysler Corporation and Testors, and it was fun!
As my physical activities have become less “physically active,” I have returned to a former hobby of constructing models, primarily cars. I did this as a young fellow with the Revell Highway Pioneers in the 1950’s, and I confess that sometimes I bump into one of those kits and build them all over again. But today’s report is about a 1/43 scale Testors kit that’s from about the year 2,000, found in an unopened box (always the best bet!) I’m suggesting that kit building can be fun even without a total paint job. Since my workshop is not heated, winter-time painting is also kind of hard to accomplish.
However, some small parts call for just a little touch of paint during the construction process. Small and very small decal stickers are provided to make the dashboard “come alive” and they are to be applied during the construction. The mirrors are also loose and are not detailed.
Background: The Plymouth Prowler, later the Chrysler Prowler, is a retro-styled production car manufactured and marketed from 1997 to 2002 by DaimlerChrysler, based on the 1993 concept car of the same name. The Prowler was offered in a front-engine, rear-drive, rear-transmission configuration — with an overall production of 11,702.
The Testors model was copyrighted in 2,000 and built in China. Its components are metal, plastic, and rubber, all painted. The special “paint” is a decal, also applied during the production process. This is my second Testors Prowler; I like the paint/decal colors used in this series. Prowler models in 1/43 scale are not uncommon, but most are not painted and detailed as well as Testors. It is also helpful to keep the older and finished model at hand as a guide to new construction.
Last point: I prefer older kits from the “used” markets. If financial investment is your goal, then keep your kit in its original state. Building it usually makes it lose its resale value. But since I pay little and these kits are mine, I will just keep on having fun with them!
So here goes.
Now I'm going to go outside and work in the yard. Enjoy! David H 
01/01/2022 2:58 pm
Glad you had fun David, and Happy New Year! Like several of these Testors kits, they originally made an appearance in built form as Eagle's Race by Universal Hobbies in the 1997-2001 time frame. Here's mine in the classic purple used by Plymouth.
01/01/2022 3:00 pm
Nice looking model. I still enjoy building models, though in recent years it has been building structures for my train layout. Do you remember other 1/43 scale cars, which Testors produced?
Ed Davis
Inverness, Illinois, USA
John Kuvakas and John Kuvakas reacted
Topic starter
01/01/2022 4:05 pm
Sure, Ed, as I have built several of them. My favorite is the '69 Dodge Daytona. Also the Dodge Viper, VW Beetles in several body styles, Ford GT, Corvettes, and I might add that Testor had, also in 1/43, an "Easy Build" series, mostly Mustangs and T-Birds. These last also were pre-painted and are easier to build. Have fun! PS- eBay has a good selection most of the time.
01/01/2022 4:50 pm
@ed-davis Some were cobranded with Bburago. See https://www.hobbydb.com/marketplaces/hobbydb/subjects/metal-body-model-kit-series .
01/01/2022 8:14 pm
Very nice David. Excellent job. I have never been very crazy about the look of the Prowler, an odd car for the time.
John Merritt
South Lyon, Michigan - USA