Here is a sample of the loose parts included in our first kit purchase. Missing the crankshaft and other major parts, this was merely a tease. But the box is in very good condition. Those circular red plastic parts in the middle of the picture are the compression rings.
The September 1961 issue of Rod & Custom contained a full page look-see story on the kit. The article states that more than 15,000 man hours and a quarter of a million dollars went into the development of this 300 piece model kit. We believe it!
The Revell Slant Six kit isn’t the first, nor is it the last, ¼ scale plastic engine model kit. The granddaddy of them all is the Renwal Visible V8 (center). Introduced in the late fifties, it is loosely based on the Packard 352 V8 but lacks the amazing surface texture, casting numbers and multi-colored plastic of the Revell Slant Six kit. Though the original release featured an electric motor and blinking glass spark plugs, this veteran model is still offered – ironically – by Revell in de-contented form. Now, a hand crank works the innards and the illuminated spark plugs are absent. On the right is the astonishing ¼ scale Street Hemi by Testors that was introduced only a few years ago. Every bit as good as the vintage Revell Slant Six kit, the Testors Street Hemi kit is currently available at major hobby retailers.
Bill Weertman supplied this copy of the original press release – prepared by Chrysler Corporation’s Press Information Service - announcing the arrival of the Revell Slant model kit. The news item was supplied to major news paper editors for publication on Friday, September 29, 1961, and may be seen here.
