Snap Draggins?

[ira]

I won some Snap Draggins on Ebay. I have never actually seen these kits built.

I was wondering, has anyone built these Drag Racing Cartoon Cars?

Any Photos?

[Starry Eyes]

I had sone of the Polarlights a few years ago but sorry to say I have none of them in my collection or any photos... I've considered getting them again... They build a lot like the TD Snaptites..

[Bert]

I've built a couple. They are neat kits. As you see, from the ones posted, they have a lot of potential. Here is one I did a few years ago.

[stilljustharley]

My only gripe with them is the way major fixing points are covered by stickers and, in the case of the Manglia at least, the grille sticker looks nothing like an Anglia grille.

With a bit of work there's some great cartoon gassers to be built.

[hobbybobby]

Snap Draggins were originally sold in the 1970s as Car-Toons.

Now made by Polar Lights, they are a snap together model (no paint or glue required) of the famous drag racing Gassers of the 1960s.

Each kit averages 20 pieces.


A bit of kolor here and there and already they look great, right? ;D


Here are my versions of them:


Willy Haulin (early Willys Pick-up).










BADBOY

















Willy Fast

















Li`l Fat Forty






























Now I miss only the Manglia (Anglia two-door sedan) and the Boss Austin (Austin A40 two-door sedan), to complete it...

[stevehammann]

Great looking buildups Bobby, but I believe the Polar Lights version of the Snap Draggins were originally resin kits from our own Jim Johnson from Minnesota (correct me if I'm wrong Jim). I first met Jim at tHe US Nationals collectors show in Indy sometime in the late 1990's when he had a couple of the prototypes on display there.

{Modifying above statement from the Deals Wheels website. I believe Jim was one of the owners of The Good Stuff}

In mid-'98, Polar Lights introduced a new line of kits called "Snap Draggins". These kits are not re-issues of the Monogram models from the early 70's that had the same name, but are rather the result of a joint venture that started as resin kits from a company called "The Good Stuff" and were translated into plastic by Polar Lights. The 2 co-owners of The Good Stuff acknowledge the influence of the great model designers of the early 70's including Deal, Daniels and Roth. The Polar Lights kits are very high quality with good detail and heavy plastic. The boxes are actually corrugated and are quite heavy with high quality artwork on the cover.

Jim does incredible from scratch and modified buildups. Here is a sample of his handywork from the Guest Gallery....


Jim Johnson's Ice Tease


my 2 Lane Blacktop 55



I have three of the Snap Draggins built up in cast colors with just a light misting of clear Pearl and an overcoat of clear. I'll take some pics and post later.

On a side note, the original releases where all cast in a kit specific color, with a secondary release cast with alternate colors. The plan was to eventually release all 6 kits in all 6 colors but the plug was pulled after the second release.

They also had plans at one time to release other models but that was pulled too. There was a picture of a '55 Nomad on their website based on the '55 Bad Boy release that never materialized in kit form.

I like the way they go together. Some parts are harder to snap together than others but when they are there, they are THERE.

When I have time, I will add to this post covering all of the kits/colors available. I got lucky enough to pick a bunch of up on closeout a few years back. They are asking big bucks for these on the 'Bay now.

[robriley]

here's my bad boy done in flat lime-gold.


My Manglia done in metaalic orange.


My willy fast done in boyds purple.

[ira]

[glow=red,2,300]WOW!!![/glow]

Thanks for posting all the photos guys, these look GREAT!!!

[stevehammann]

Ira, and everyone else, I compiled a quickie list of releases and colors I'll squirt down here. When I get time, I'm going to do a PL Snap site like the TD Snap site I did showing all of the kits/colors available.

I have only opened one Willy Fast in the 3rd release style box and it is cast in Metalic Midnight Blue plastic so I am assuming all 6 are cast in metalic but not sure yet.

Here is a sample of the two different boxes they came in. The first box was used for the 1st and 2nd releases with the body color marked on both ends of the box. The 2nd box was used for the 3rd release with the body color marked on the side of the box. As far as I know there were only 3 releases with the last one cast in 1st release color other than having metalic plastic.



1st and 2nd release box



3rd release box with metalic plastic body


Willy Fast - 1st Midnight Blue; 2nd Cherry Bomb Red; 3rd Midnight Blue (Metalic)

Willy Haulin - 1st Leavin Da Lime; 2nd Stagin Yellow; 3rd Leavin Da Lime

Willy Wild - 1st Blower Blue; 2nd Midnight Blue; 3rd Blower Blue

BadBoy - 1st Stagin Yellow; 2nd Leavin Da Lime; 3rd Stagin Yellow

Manglia - 1st Orange Crunch; 2nd Blower Blue; 3rd Orange Crunch

Boss Austin - 1st Cherry Bomb Red; 2nd Orange Crunch; 3rd Cherry Bomb Red

[ira]

[glow=red,2,300]WOW!!![/glow]

Thanks for all the details, photos & history guys.

My Snap Draggins should be delivered soon!

[robriley]

Have any of you ever seen the marvel comics superheros snap draggins? They were called "marvel machines"
They made them with pre-printed super hero designs tampo printed on them and i have one of them (just the body, chassis, oil pan, glass and headers). I wish i still had the box that it came in tho. I bought it just to use the blower, wheels, tires and shadow base for a different model. From what i can tell, these are kind of hard to find (but i didn't look on e-bay to see if there are any on there.)

here's the one i have.




(I got the following information from the web):
These are simply Polar Lights’ “Snap Draggins” kits with tampo-printed Marvel Comics graphics in place of the stickers. Just like the “Snap Draggins”, there are 6 kits in the “Marvel Machines” series, each with unique graphics featuring either Spider-Man, the Incredible Hulk, or Captain America.

[stevehammann]

Yeah Rob, i forgot about those. Didn't they come in a box that was kind of a display with a clear plastic cover over the top and front so you could see the body? Can you say Cross Marketing?

I think Walmart was the biggest marketer of these when they still sold models but I do remember seeing a few in my local hobby shop. I didn't pick any of these up because of the goofy graphics.

[robriley]

yes you're right steve, the box had a clear display window so you could see the body.
yes, wal mart sold them when they still carried models.
The only reason i picked up the hulk one was for the parts to use n a different model, but i think i only paid like $4.96 for the kit.
I shoud have bought more because those graphics can be easily stripped off, and at $4.96, they were cheap enough to have some fun with.

[hobbybobby]

[donut]

Steve hit the nail on the head with the history. I still search for the original resin versions. The Good Stuff was a joint venture with Jim Johnson and Jim Kampmann. I am proud to say that both are member of the RPM Model Club, which I am the current president. Here is a link to the last one I built as the Malco Gasser:
public.fotki.com/dstadick/2009nnlmilwaukee/dsc07405.html

[stevehammann]

Great looking Malco build Don. Could you please ask "the Jims" about the 55 Nomad Snap Draggin that was shown for a short time on the Polar Lights website. Obviously it was never released, but just wondering if it was their prototype, or something Polar Lights had whipped up after they bought the line.

[ira]

[glow=red,2,300]Just recieved my Snap Draggins!!![/glow]

They are the Polar Lights 6001 Series, all in different colors. The Willy Wild was open so I took a look. These are nice kits! No decals but I think I have a Willys Grill decal somewhere.
I was surprized, when I picked these 4 kits up for $14.00 delivered. I wasn't sure when I bid but I am a happy guy now!




[glow=red,2,300]Thanks for all the info on these FUN kits guys!!![/glow]

[stevehammann]

Sooooo Ira,

Are you gonna build'em right out-O-the box, or are you gonna Ira-ize them? Nice score on the price. By the markings on the end of the box, you have 2/3 of the 1st series kits.

On my Willy Wild kit, I used Bare Metal Foil on the grill. It made it look more like a nostalgia drag racer like when they used to run fiberglass front ends with a solid grill.

[ira]

Aug 16, 2011 12:59:02 GMT -6 stevehammann said:

Sooooo Ira,

Are you gonna build'em right out-O-the box, or are you gonna Ira-ize them? Nice score on the price. By the markings on the end of the box, you have 2/3 of the 1st series kits.

On my Willy Wild kit, I used Bare Metal Foil on the grill. It made it look more like a nostalgia drag racer like when they used to run fiberglass front ends with a solid grill.

Thanks again for the Snap Draggin info Steve!

I have no plans for these right now, going to put them on the shelf. I have 5 other models I'm working on, they will keep me busy for a while...

[donut]

Steve, If I recall, there was actually two other kits that were released in resin, but Polar Lights decided not to release them in plastic hen they purchased the rights to the line. I know one is a Willys Pickup and the other may have been the Nomad. I'm still trying to track them down. Jim K was kind enough to give me an entire set in plastic. I'll ask him at the next meeting. Thanks.

[stevehammann]

Hey Don,

Ever find any more info from "the Jims" on this?

Thanks, Steve

[Honest Charlie]

I have an Thames Panel they did in resin. I bought it from them (Jim's) at Toledo one year way back when.

I do not remember seeing the Nomad Steve, I would have grabbed one of those for sure.

[stevehammann]

Hey Charlie,

Howsabout shooting me some pics of that Thames and I'll add it to the Polar Lights section of the TD snappers website I'm doing.

s1123.photobucket.com/profile/tdsnap

Thanks, Steve

[Honest Charlie]

I'll get them to you over the weekend Steve.

[Wardster]

Aug 16, 2011 12:59:02 GMT -6 stevehammann said:

Sooooo Ira,

Are you gonna build'em right out-O-the box, or are you gonna Ira-ize them?

An' more than one inquiring mind wants ta know! ;-)

Actually, besides just saying that, I wanted to throw in that two special issues exist, of a really nice magazine you guys might want to know about ... since both issues of Amazing Vehicular Modeler, if memory serves, had crazy 'tooned car kit-bashes that used those "bent forward with motion" wrinkle-wall slicks that come in all of those cute little Snap Draggin / Marvel Machine kits. They aren't that expensive, as specialty pubications go ($10 per issue, plus shipping, I think it was) and they're chock full of crazy and inspiring kitbashes and the like, of all sorts of eye-candy car stuff. Check it out at:

www.amazingmodeler.com/avm.html

I have both issues, and treasure them ... in fact, David Fisher's build-up of his Noseratu's Coach tooned monster rod was how I found Dave's Showrod Rally; and from there, found the Corners. He had plugged Dave's, as a way to seek out great starter kits for all sorts of crazy kitbashes; and he was right on the money.

Anyway, Ira ... if ya didn't already know these existed, you need both issues! You'd go ballistic, I think, seeing what they've done! (Not that you haven't been doing just that for years, but you know what I mean. I think you'd really like seeing their bashes.)

[Wardster]

While we're on the subject of Snap Draggin's kits, here's some random images of an experiment I had done, some years ago, with the Swirladelic paint technique. (The rapid change from a yellow / orange / red overall paint scheme, to one with more blues and purples and the occasional green, was due to over-thinning some blue, and dipping all the previous work in that. The paints were all Testors' square bottle enamels, thinned with mineral spirits. I had added some Borax to the water, as well; since some guitar-swirling articles, online, said that helps a lot.)



















Not everyone's a fan of the technique ... and that's fine.

You'll note from the obvious mold separation lines and such that this was just a random body, being used for testing stuff out. After these pics were first shot I kept experimenting, and (as is often the case with too much experimenation, all at once) screwed it all up ... and stripped it all off ... but, no biggie, as I learned a lot; got some "interesting" photos as I learned, etc.

[Honest Charlie]

They also had plans at one time to release other models but that was pulled too. There was a picture of a '55 Nomad on their website based on the '55 Bad Boy release that never materialized in kit form.



I'd like to see that Snap Draggin Nomad Steve. Maybe Jim has some pix of it somewhere?

[stevehammann]

Here is a handy release reference chart I built....

[stevehammann]

* * * U P D A T E * * *

Evidently, Polar Lights (Tom Lowe) in their grand marketing scheme did box art for Japanese export, which makes people like me crazy. Cuz now I gotta have THESE too! Found this one on the 'Bay but it was priced too steep for me so I at least scammed the photo. Sorry for the poor quality, blame Itchyleg Yamamoto who had it listed....

[Bert]

I've built a couple of these. They have a lot of potential for a mind like yours Ira!