1/12 Revell Shelby GT350 Ford Mustang Collectors Guide (Road & Track Issue c.1985)

This collectors guide is just one in a fast growing series created to assist both Collectors, and Builders, of "Big Scale" plastic model kits. It is also the first to feature a classic American kit. As a side hobby of my Automotive interest, I've amassed a substantial collection of Big Scale Car & Motorcycle kits. Many are the earliest examples. I've learned much about these great kits, and to the best of my knowledge, none of the information contained in this guide is available in any other forum. Emphasis is always on Identification, Kit History, Features, ect. Less information is given to the actual build of the kit due to rarity. Of course, any information forwarded on building will be gladly included. Feel free to email with comments, corrections, or inquiries.

** The c.1985 Only Road & Track Issue 1/12 Revell Shelby GT350 Mustang **

IDENTIFICATION: Revell only issued this Road & Track edition, 1/12 Shelby GT350 Mustang kit one time in 1985. If you see a kit with this box art, it was the "only" issue. The kit number on the endpanel of the box is 7479. Revell did however issue the same kit at the same period of time, but without the "Road & Track" box art. The contents of both kits are identical. 1985 was a period of time when Revell was in transition to "Revell of Germany". Opening the box, you find a one-of-a-kind kit. This was the only 1/12th scale 1965 Shelby kit ever made. Yes, there were kits done in this scale of the regular '65 Fastback, but not the Shelby. A view of the parts below;

     For a big scale American made kit, the parts count is quite high. My guess is close to 200. Also, the Tires are Semi Pneumatic Rubber Like Goodyears, and not the typical hard vinyl tires American kits are known for. The large body molding is impressive, but the basic mold used for this kit was an ex-Renwal relic from the 60's. Lots of mold lines, gaps, waves, and everything in between. If you build this kit, you will use a ton of putty and many hours to get the body "right". There are two very large Chrome trees in the kit. Some of the Shelby parts are plated in the kit, although there real parts were "cast". Now for a very interesting manufacturing point. Revell (and/or Revell/CIJI) was in transition in 1986. They were "aquired" and were in the process of becoming "Revell of Germany". There is a disclaimer in the copyright block of the kit that states; "Some or all of the components of this product were made in West Germany and/or Hong Kong and/or Mexico and/or the U.S.A." To a builder or collector this does not mean much, but open kits from different times in the production run and you will know what I'm getting to. Early kits had bodies molded in Ford Wimbledon "off" White, and later kits had bodies molded in "bright" White! You would probably never know unless you were bashing two different kits. Look closely to the photo below;

Who's your Daddy! Try mixing body parts. If you do you'll have to do a complete repaint. Mold flaws/quality are identical, but the plastic for each is a different color. The early kit is closer to the correct Ford color. I've seen several of these kits built, and it is impressive. The large scale really brings out the possibilities for added detail. The kit builds with a Ford 289 V-8 that has all the Shelby modifications. Revell did not include additional plug wires or hardware. As far as I know, there are no aftermarket decals or detail parts for this kit. Revell did a very poor job of packing the contents when new, and although most parts are bagged, the bags were not sealed and you will always have a ton of loose parts floating around inside the box. Decals were packed face-down in the bottom of the box under the weight of all the parts. Watch for worn or damaged decals. Replacements are impossible to find. Glass parts are notorious for being loose in the box. I opened a sealed kit and thought it was missing a Headlight lens. It was found, stuck under one of the inner flaps of the box! Instructions are typical Revell quality. As for availability, these Road and Track versions are getting scarce in minty unbuilt condition. Even a partially built kit is getting pricey. Prices for nice kits are well above the $100.00 level.

** 1/12 Revell Shelby GT350 Mustang Kit History **

Revell was never a manufacturer of "Big Scale" Automotive kits. Their bread and butter was always the 1/24 - 1/25th scale car kits (in huge quantities). The molds for this kit were aquired by Revell when Renwal went out of business. Revell used the original Renwal molds to release a 1/12 1965 Ford Mustang GT kit in 1975. It was molded in yellow, and was basically the original 1960's Renwal kit, in a new Revell box. White wall tires (vinyl), Hubcaps, Blah, Blah Blah. A great kit in the 1960's, but getting dated, even by 1975 standards. In 1964, Ford had unveiled the Mustang to the World. It was the most successful New Car launch in history! 20.000 cars were sold on the very first day, and over 1 Million were sold in the first 18 months of production. In August of '64, Ford contacted Carroll Shelby to develop a high performance Mustang to compete in SCCA Racing. Shelby had 3 prototypes built by September. Two cars were "R" code Race Cars, and One was an "S" code Street Legal Car. Most factory built race cars are modified regular production cars. This was not the case with 1965 Shelby Mustangs. The Street versions were de-tuned Race Cars. Shelby had to have 100 cars built by January 1st of 1965 to qualify the car for SCCA racing. All of those first 100 cars were painted Wimbledon White with Guardsmen Blue Stripes. A total of 36 "R" code race cars were built out of the 562 total GT350's built in '65. Many of the "S" code street legal cars were purchased and converted to "R" code specs by their owners to go racing. SCCA Class B required a car to be a Two Seater, and Shelby built all the GT350's with no back seat. He also used this vacant back seat area to mount the spare tire. Approximately 300 of the first cars produced had a trunk mounted battery. Due to battery fumes making their way into the drivers compartment, the battery was moved back to the engine compartment on the later cars. The engine was a Shelby modified "K" code 289 V-8, with a 4 speed transmission. All suspensions were heavily modified and a Detroit Locker rear end was installed. The hoods were fiberglass with an integral scoop with hood pins. There was an added set of gauges to the upper center of the dash, and a wood trimmed steering wheel. Cars were available with painted white wheels, or cast Shelby American Mags. Quarter windows had vents, rather than windows found in normal Fastback Mustangs. The 1965 GT350 cars dominated 5 out of 6 SCCA Divisions in '65. In March of 1965, Shelby introduced the first "Drag Race" version of the GT350. The Revell kit is of an "S" code Street Car. In 1985, Revell had been bought out, and was in the process of becoming "Revell of Germany". This Shelby kit was released during this transition period, but is still labeled as a "Revell Inc., Venice, Cal." kit. It is probably one of the last true Revell kits, and worth the price of admission for that reason alone. The specifics of the Shelby kit are very interesting. It is not a simple re-issue. Revell took the original Renwal Mustang GT kit molds made in the 1960's, and did an extensive re-work. The changes include; New Shelby Wheels, Rubber Like Goodyear Tires, New Hood with Scoop, New Dash, New Steering Wheel, No Backseat but an added Spare, New Shelby 289 V-8, New Exhaust, New Suspension, New Vented Quarter Windows, ect. Very few old kits had this large a revision to make a new model kit. I'm certain that with all these changes to the molds, the original Mustang GT kit is gone forever. When the dust settled, Revell had created a classic kit. A Big Scale Shelby Mustang with a ton of features. Opening Hood, Trunk, and Doors. The steering works although non-scale. The windows roll down! Yes, under all the changes there is still a 1960's low-tech Renwal kit, but Revell breathed new life into it. A one of a kind kit, with alot of build potential. Scale dimensions are close, but not exact. Purist will find something to bash with every aspect of the kit. To the collector, it is a must have kit for the collection. Revell only issued the "Road & Track" Shelby GT350 kit one time in 1985, and 23 years later, it does not appear this kit will be re-issued. Probably a licensing problem with Road  & Track and Caroll Shelby. Nice unbuilt examples are getting scarce. Prices are trending above $200.00.

** Kit Features **

** High Performance 289 V-8 Engine with Shelby Modifications

** Shelby American Modified Suspension and Spare Tire Mount

** Opening Air Scoop Hood with Hood Pin Latches

** Detailed Interior with Shelby American Instrument Cluster

** Side Windows Roll Up And Down

** Opening Doors, Hood, and Trunk

** Detailed Chassis with Shelby American Modifications

** Rubber Like Semi Pneumatic Goodyear Tires

** Authentic Shelby Mustang Decals

** Kit Pros And Cons **

Lets start with the Pros. A Vintage 1960's Renwal kit, that was heavily modified and only issued one time in 1985. This is the only 1/12th scale "Road & Track" 1965 Shelby GT350 Mustang kit ever produced, and has never been re-issued. The subject car could not get any better. This was one of the very last True Blue Revell of Venice California kits made. All the Shelby Modifications and plenty of features and functions. One of the only American produced kits I've ever seen that had Rubber Like Semi - Pneumatic Tires, rather that the hard rubber/vinyl tires. A kit that builds to an impressive display right out of the box, but also has unlimited potential to the Master Builder. A classic kit of a classic American Car. A must have kit for the Big Scale Collector.

Cons. Yes, it really is the Renwal Mustang GT kit under those Shelby Colors. The body molds were not reworked during the re-tool by Revell, and all those old mold lines and waves are still there. There are 2 very large chrome trees, but the plating is very thick and really shows up in the window/windshield trim. The "Stance" of the car is slightly off (front end sits high and the offset of the wheels sets the wheels and tires too far out). Overall mold quality of the parts screams 1960's. Revell packed these kits in their typical thin cardboard, and even sealed kits are not standing up to the test of time. Parts are poorly packed, with open ended bags, and even sealed kits will have tons of loose parts floating around inside the box. Decals were loosely packed, face down, in the bottom of the box and are notorious for being rubbed and damaged (even in well cared for sealed kits). Replacement decals are not attainable, anywhere. 

I hope you have found this guide helpful and informative. It is the first to be done on a "Big Scale" American made kit. If you have found this guide helpful, take a moment to vote below. Keep an eye open for many more guides being created at this time. As always, input is very welcome. Email with any requests, corrections, or comments....