How Rare Is This Kit? Palmer Plastics...?

I was working on a display of boxed Chargers and needed a 71. The MPC didn't work because the box art was verticle. So I went with the Palmer. Much cooler box art than the MPC. Kind of hard to see but it is second from left on bottom row. I did sneak a peek at the kit and wow! What a piece of junk! The chrome had suffered the most. It had all faded to yellow. And of course, completely out of porportion.

I remember receiving several kits as birthday or Christmas gifts from well meaning family members back in the early 70's. They had no clue what lurked within, only these were good values and I was a model builder. The kits all shared the same black generic chassis. This might explain the caricature design. If I remember correctly they even made a Corvair with the same chassis depicting a front engine from underneath. They also had the same wheels and tires which were almost impossible to assemble without the tires cracking. Thanks for the memories. Beauty is within the eye of the beholder.

I do not care what people think of the kits! I like them because nobody else does!

Remember, "Rare" doesn't allways mean disirable. Plamer, there not for me!!!

QUOTE: Originally posted by Nathan

QUOTE: Originally posted by Steve Milberry

Palmer plastics was the running joke of the industry. Almost all thier stuff looked like carcatures of the 1/1 car. In fact April 1st is always "Post a Palmer" day on the Hobby Heaven board. What other company did kits so bad that they could actually retool thier full size '71 Mercury into a Cordoba !!

Beautiful box art usually full of crap,,, You think you have issues with AMT?? Here's a link to the NNL East 2004 site with a few Palmers,, they'r pics # 113 to120.

http://public.fotki.com/tssmcc/nnl_east_18/theme_-_the_big_four_oh!/page6.html

Is number 114 supposed to be a 70 Dodge Charger R/T cause it looks like a Honda Z Act to me

Yup, that's thier '70 Charger.

QUOTE: Originally posted by Steve Milberry

Palmer plastics was the running joke of the industry. Almost all thier stuff looked like carcatures of the 1/1 car. In fact April 1st is always "Post a Palmer" day on the Hobby Heaven board. What other company did kits so bad that they could actually retool thier full size '71 Mercury into a Cordoba !!

Beautiful box art usually full of crap,,, You think you have issues with AMT?? Here's a link to the NNL East 2004 site with a few Palmers,, they'r pics # 113 to120.

http://public.fotki.com/tssmcc/nnl_east_18/theme_-_the_big_four_oh!/page6.html

Is number 114 supposed to be a 70 Dodge Charger R/T cause it looks like a Honda Z Act to me

I`ve listed my two Palmer kits. I would like to know what other auto subjects they casted......can I get a "PALMER ROLL CALL".

I’m also an owner of two Palmer kits. A `68 Ford Mustang Fastback and a `70 Ford Mustang “Boss” 302 Fastback.

The `68 Mustang has a price tag on the box that says 59 cents and the `70 Mustang is priced at a WHOPPING $1.60. Both boxes are in excellent shape. I really like the artwork on the `70 Mustang
box, the kit also comes with an electric motor and is a 3-n-1 (Stock/Custom/Competition) kit.

Both Palmer kits do have beautiful box artwork but the kit execution is crappy. Palmer kits make the AMT (past and present) offerings look like “Technological Masterpieces”. I feel 46achers assessment of the kits quality is on target:
“Rude and Crude... but still a neat representation of kits from our past modeling history.”

Palmer kits are out there (e-bay) and are usually at reasonable prices. Whether or not Palmer kits are “RARE” remains to be seen but in my opinion I would at least call then “HARD TO FIND”.

Steve thanks for the info…I was unaware of Hobby Heaven April 1st "Post a Palmer" day; I’ll be watching for it and the Palmer link was entertaining.

Even though it’s nice to have a couple for their nostalgia kits I have ZERO desire to build them. If someone has an interest in them e-mail me.

QUOTE: Originally posted by djaustinj

In or around 1973, Palmer actually produced a couple of halfway decent kits. They were re-released a few years ago by Lindberg as their Mustang and Challenger kits. They were customized but fairly well scaled versions.Too bad they didn't continue this practice, they almost got it right.

Which mustang kit?

QUOTE: Originally posted by Steve Milberry

Palmer plastics was the running joke of the industry. Almost all thier stuff looked like carcatures of the 1/1 car. In fact April 1st is always "Post a Palmer" day on the Hobby Heaven board. What other company did kits so bad that they could actually retool thier full size '71 Mercury into a Cordoba !!

Beautiful box art usually full of crap,,, You think you have issues with AMT?? Here's a link to the NNL East 2004 site with a few Palmers,, they'r pics # 113 to120.

http://public.fotki.com/tssmcc/nnl_east_18/theme_-_the_big_four_oh!/page6.html

WOW!...thanks for the link, Steve. I've never seen Palmer kits built with that level of care. Painted and polished, even.

I think this is proof that great packing will sell a horrible, low quality product. I was given several Palmer kits while I was a kid. Despite being obsessed with building models, and having an insatiable appetite for more kits, I could find no redeemable qualities in the Palmer models. Not even a single part that was suitable for the parts bin. Despite this, I was always tempted to spend my hard earned 'lawn mowing' money on a Palmer kit due soley to the cool box art...(Maybe this one will be different then the others). I am proud to say, though, that I never actually spent a cent of my money on a Palmer kit.

Almost? Hmmm New saying now: Almost only counts in horseshoes, handgrenades, and Palmer kits!

In or around 1973, Palmer actually produced a couple of halfway decent kits. They were re-released a few years ago by Lindberg as their Mustang and Challenger kits. They were customized but fairly well scaled versions.Too bad they didn't continue this practice, they almost got it right.

Guess i'll obstain from the palmer line of kits!

When I first began building I was given a "60 Corvette and later a '60 Falcon, both were by Palmer. I never did get those sides situated so they would look right. It may be fun to have a couple for their nostalgia value, but as far as building - leave them in the box and admire the box art.

You wern't kidding Steve, those things are hidious! Those things should be melted down, blown up, used for target practise, have a model rocket motor strapped to them and launched into space! What a waste of good plastic.

looked good till i saw the vette i'm still lmbo

Thanks for the help everyone, especially to Steve for the link. Yup, pic 118 is the kit I've got, done box-stock it appears from the photo. He's right about the 'caricaturedness' of the car, too; don't stare too long at my Cougar or else the over-sized grille'll hurt your eyes! I guess I'll hold off on building it for now...Again, thanks for the info everyone!

QUOTE: Originally posted by 46achers

Palmer kits aren't that RARE, they are out there to be had and usually they are reasonably priced. They are usually ignored by most builders and collectors...they have terrific "box art", just don't expect the same when you open the box.

Palmer kits were usually out of scale.....a bit crude.....,multi piece models that did "resemble" the actual cars when built.

Back in the mid 50's you could buy a model from them for 29 cents while the AMT kits were a whopping $1.29!

The did some unusual subjects........, I have a 1962 Comet wagon made by Palmer and yes........ it is a "caricature" of the real car, BUT I think it is pretty cool.
Another company "Winneco" also, I believe was a Palmer company, at least the kits were in the same build style.

Rude..crude... yep...also neat stuff from our modeling history.

Thanks for explainin!

Palmer kits aren't that RARE, they are out there to be had and usually they are reasonably priced. They are usually ignored by most builders and collectors...they have terrific "box art", just don't expect the same when you open the box.

Palmer kits were usually out of scale.....a bit crude.....,multi piece models that did "resemble" the actual cars when built.

Back in the mid 50's you could buy a model from them for 29 cents while the AMT kits were a whopping $1.29!

The did some unusual subjects........, I have a 1962 Comet wagon made by Palmer and yes........ it is a "caricature" of the real car, BUT I think it is pretty cool.
Another company "Winneco" also, I believe was a Palmer company, at least the kits were in the same build style.

Rude..crude... yep...also neat stuff from our modeling history.

QUOTE: Originally posted by 7055

QUOTE: Originally posted by Steve Milberry

Palmer plastics was the running joke of the industry. Almost all thier stuff looked like carcatures of the 1/1 car. In fact April 1st is always "Post a Palmer" day on the Hobby Heaven board. What other company did kits so bad that they could actually retool thier full size '71 Mercury into a Cordoba !!

Beautiful box art usually full of crap,,, You think you have issues with AMT?? Here's a link to the NNL East 2004 site with a few Palmers,, they'r pics # 113 to120.

http://public.fotki.com/tssmcc/nnl_east_18/theme_-_the_big_four_oh!/page6.html

They looked pretty good to me. What so bad about them?

You'r kiddn', right? You did see the Vette in pic 120 and ,that's supposed to be a Mustang in 119,,looks more like a Pinto to me.

QUOTE: Originally posted by Steve Milberry

Palmer plastics was the running joke of the industry. Almost all thier stuff looked like carcatures of the 1/1 car. In fact April 1st is always "Post a Palmer" day on the Hobby Heaven board. What other company did kits so bad that they could actually retool thier full size '71 Mercury into a Cordoba !!

Beautiful box art usually full of crap,,, You think you have issues with AMT?? Here's a link to the NNL East 2004 site with a few Palmers,, they'r pics # 113 to120.

http://public.fotki.com/tssmcc/nnl_east_18/theme_-_the_big_four_oh!/page6.html

They looked pretty good to me. What so bad about them?

Palmer plastics was the running joke of the industry. Almost all thier stuff looked like carcatures of the 1/1 car. In fact April 1st is always "Post a Palmer" day on the Hobby Heaven board. What other company did kits so bad that they could actually retool thier full size '71 Mercury into a Cordoba !!

Beautiful box art usually full of crap,,, You think you have issues with AMT?? Here's a link to the NNL East 2004 site with a few Palmers,, they'r pics # 113 to120.

http://public.fotki.com/tssmcc/nnl_east_18/theme_-_the_big_four_oh!/page6.html

I think I've heard of Palmer Plastics somewhere.

Biscuit builder is the one you need to ask.I'll bet he can tell you everything you need to know about it.

Can't tell you about the rarity, and the only mention I found in my references was in Terry Jesse's "Hot Rod Model Kits". It barely mentions the kits you describe and a later issue Tiger Cat T-Bucket model produced in 1962 so it looks like Palmer was around at least by 1960. It states that Pyro bought Palmer in 1970 and Pyro was bought by Lindberg in 1974.
Be interested to learn about these too; I have an MIB Palmer Avanti with a .98 cent price.

Edit - Hey Kevracer. What kits were you watching on eBay and how much were they going for?

I have seen Palmer Plastics models auctioned on E-Bay; although they do not appear that frequently. I have looked at many of the auctions, and bid on a few, but have never been able to buy one. All the pictures I have seen appear to show that the seperately molded top and sides were typical for Plamer Plastics kits. As far as rarity, I will leave that for others to comment.