Building a '78 CHP Monaco model...

[Mustang_Boy]

2 years ago I bought an AMT 1:25 scale Batman Gotham City Police Car/ Joker Goon Car and put it on the shelf as I have a BUNCH of models in my den.... I still have them but the police cars are getting my attention over the muscle cars. Anyhow I pulled out the Batman car and though it doesn't officially state it, it is a '77-'78 Dodge Monaco with, according to the instructions a 440 cu. in. V8 (though that is one of my problems that I will explain) This will become a CHP Monaco and I want to do it right. The base kit is decent, it's a Dodge in all but name, but there are some inaccuracies such as it having wheels from a '69 Polara, not the correct vented dog dishes that the real thing used. Also the lightbar supplied is one the CHP never used so I'll have to supply the correct one... what model did those Monacos use? Also the "440" supplied is a joke. It's a vague copy of a big block, it's really generic.

I painted it today, save for 2 minor 'fisheyes' in the passenger rear quarter panel that I will touchup after I paint the front doors and roof white, it came out quite good.

First thing is photos of the interior, does anybody have any pics of the car in service or a spot on resto? Specifically with the shot guns and radios... and anything else signifigant in the interior. Also I notice on episodes of CHiPs when they show Baricza in his car, they show his baton on the door, is this accurate? Also what else should I include in the interior and what colors did the CHP use for the interior?

Second is the engine. I love building the engines in my model kits, easily my most favorite step of the process. This one may be a frustration though as I mentioned before.... but I'll do what I can with what's supplied.... anybody have a photo of the engine in those old Monacos? Also were these the "Lean Burn" models?

Also is there a hobby store that sells decals, lightbars, pushbars and the like in Southern California? I live in Lake Elsinore, but I frequently drive to San Diego and Los Angeles so driving isn't really an issue for me. Also seeking the correct wheels as well.

Finally, the CHP Monacos had side body mouldings. The model kit doesn't. How can I duplicate the moulding or does somebody make them? Also anything that I shoukld include in the kit that I'm not thinking of?

Thanks for any help or insight you may have and yes I'll be posting up pics of the build process. After I'm done with this Dodge I have a Revell '91-'92 Caprice that is up next.... haven't decided what agency I'll use since the CHP didn't use those ( though I'm aware that CHiPs '99 really screwed up on that detail....:doh: ) anybody have some suggestions? That or I might do the Revell Z28 Camaro and build it into the '79 CHP Camaro.

[E433035]

For starters, here's a nice in-service interior shot of a B-body Dodge:

http://images112.fotki.com/v1532/photos/4/438439/4281912/CHPMonaco-vi.jpg

Go to copcar.com and search the photo archives for more interior and engine compartment shots. A couple of nice restored examples have been shown at recent Ripon EV Shows so check the photo albums for sure.

There is also an entire forum there devoted to police vehicle modeling:

http://www.copcar.com/phpBB3/viewforum.php?f=13

Good source for mail order supplies and kits:

http://www.policecarmodels.com/index.html (http://www.policecarmodels.com/index.html)

I built this '78 Monaco CHP model kit that was available long ago from Yodel ((part of a series of '78 Monaco/Fury kits later marked "Big American" but my early version was called "American Violence" - I should frame that boxtop!):

http://images112.fotki.com/v589/photos/4/438439/4281912/yodel-vi.jpg

Curbside only and an interesting take on the subject. They are mostly collectable kits now with prices to match. If I can dig my buildup out, I'll post some photos.

[Mustang_Boy]

E433035, thanks for the picture- exactly right on the money! OK so I'll need to include the "hotsheet" and it's lamp, the radio equipment, shotgun, fab a column mounted shifter and I think I'll add a flashlight on the seat as well. Plus the officer in the picture answered my question about the baton as well with it being next to her on the seat. Also I like that shade of blue, a bit different from the tan you usually see on these Monacos.

On those Yodel models, those are really cool, but a nightmare to get on ebay, people pay insane prices on these models, a $100+ isn't uncommon, even for the more obscure San Diego Sheriff Department version and it's unique green paintjob. Infact, I bought this Batman model because I always lost bids on these Yodels and a local hobby store had it at $10.00 (they still might have them- I'll check Wednesday) Here's a pic of the box.http://www.superolho.com/interhobbies/loja/images/AMT.38060%20THE%20JOKER%20GOON%20-%20%20CAR%20GOTHAM%20CITY%20POLICE%20CAR.jpg?osCsi d=bvj3ic9b0rrr0u9mvh8tbsq7m1

... and my next one as well. For a snap tight model it has fantastic detail! Though what should I build it as? Thinking LAPD or LASD... the LAPD had some, here's a pic of one and the box shot of the model below it.
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/40/92045076_3dd9b914a7.jpg
http://cdn1.ioffer.com/img/item/104/313/23/1.jpg

[CHP8336]

E433035, thanks for the picture- exactly right on the money! OK so I'll need to include the "hotsheet" and it's lamp, the radio equipment, shotgun, fab a column mounted shifter and I think I'll add a flashlight on the seat as well. Plus the officer in the picture answered my question about the baton as well with it being next to her on the seat. Also I like that shade of blue, a bit different from the tan you usually see on these Monacos.

On those Yodel models, those are really cool, but a nightmare to get on ebay, people pay insane prices on these models, a $100+ isn't uncommon, even for the more obscure San Diego Sheriff Department version and it's unique green paintjob. Infact, I bought this Batman model because I always lost bids on these Yodels and a local hobby store had it at $10.00 (they still might have them- I'll check Wednesday) Here's a pic of the box.http://www.superolho.com/interhobbies/loja/images/AMT.38060%20THE%20JOKER%20GOON%20-%20%20CAR%20GOTHAM%20CITY%20POLICE%20CAR.jpg?osCsi d=bvj3ic9b0rrr0u9mvh8tbsq7m1

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/40/92045076_3dd9b914a7.jpg
http://cdn1.ioffer.com/img/item/104/313/23/1.jpg

Mustang Boy, If you are interested I know where there is a complete 1995 Caprice that looks the same as the one in the picture. It is strait as can be. The owners plans for the car is to pull the engine and transmission and install them in a Vega. The Caprice is still black and white with spotlights. The car still runs perfect. The car is located 2 hours North of S.F. The owner does not have the car for sale but...... if you offer cash you might be able to drive it home? :biggrin:

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/40/92045076_3dd9b914a7.jpg
http://cdn1.ioffer.com/img/item/104/313/23/1.jpg

[Mustang_Boy]

Mustang Boy, If you are interested I know where there is a complete 1995 Caprice that looks the same as the one in the picture. It is strait as can be. The owners plans for the car is to pull the engine and transmission and install them in a Vega. The Caprice is still black and white with spotlights. The car still runs perfect. The car is located 2 hours North of S.F. The owner does not have the car for sale but...... if you offer cash you might be able to drive it home? :biggrin:

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/40/92045076_3dd9b914a7.jpg
http://cdn1.ioffer.com/img/item/104/313/23/1.jpg
Well here's the problem.... I build models because I can't afford the real thing.:cry:

I for the most part abhor GM products, the exceptions being the Corvette and the 9C1 Caprice. I think the Crown Victoria was an excellent police car and yes I'm a Ford guy..... but the Caprice had it beat hands down. It's up there with the '69 Polara as hall of fame cars. I know first hand too, I drove a '94 9C1 Caprice with the LT1 at my work. That car had perfect balance- speed, durability, comfort, handling and steering feel. I loved that car.

[LadyVol@330]

You have probably already seen these:

(Won't let me copy the illustrations)

http://www.diecastfast.com/diecast/DCF/PROD/AMM-935
http://www.detoursdiecast.com/awCHPMonaco.html (http://www.detoursdiecast.com/awCHPMonaco.html)

[Mustang_Boy]

You have probably already seen these:

(Won't let me copy the illustrations)

http://www.diecastfast.com/diecast/DCF/PROD/AMM-935
http://www.detoursdiecast.com/awCHPMonaco.html (http://www.detoursdiecast.com/awCHPMonaco.html)
I've seen that model and I do want it, but I'm not willing to drop $50 for it. It is sweet though. That's actually quite different from the one I'm building, I'm doing a '77-'78 Monaco, that one on the link is a '74 Monaco- like the Blues Brother's Bluesmobile. The '77 is actually smaller and on a different platform. The '74 was considered a true fullsize car, the '77 was an intermediate. Dodge did some name changing; the true fullsize became the Royal Monaco, however in California you couldn't get the 440, which is why the CHP didn't use that car. Here's a pic of one. They were all pretty much destroyed in the Blues Brothers movie.
http://images4.fotki.com/v42/photos/4/49373/311793/hnpca0033-vi.jpg

Next platform down was the Dodge Coronet in 1976, this:
http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r71/Steam_McQueen/blues/blues2/copcar22.jpg

However in '77, they changed the name to Monaco and changed some things: this is the beast I'm building.
http://images102.fotki.com/v855/photos/4/42477/245217/1CHP1978-vi.jpg?1161270481