Revell 1990 Mustang LX 5.0 Drag Racer

Revell's '90 Mustang "notch" has been pretty popular, despite the too-low roof. The balance of the kit is very nicely done, and quite a few people used the initial 2-in-1 (stock/police) to build drag cars. Now, Revell makes the job easier for you with this version, which includes about all you'll need to build a typical Fox-Body Saturday night special.

But it gets better... there's a "hidden" stock building version too. Because of the way the kit is laid out, all of the st ock parts are still included, just not mentioned on the box or in the instructions. There's even a full set of stock tires! So really, this verison of the kit is a 2-in-1 as well. You could build this kit as a stock Mustang LX and stash the drag-specific stuff for other projects.

The heavily Photoshopped cover image shows a 1:1 Notch doing its thing on the track. I have non idea why, but the kit is listed as a Skill Level 3.

For some reason, Revell likes to mold the engine compartment with the interior floor. Unorthodox, but it works. The body, floor, and chassis all have pretty good engraved detail.

Here we have the basic chassis parts... you'll see the drag version's lightweight front suspension on the top left sprue, but notice the stock unit just beneath it! The sprue at the bottom right contains the drag car specific parts, but the other three sprues are shared with the initial stock/police version of the kit.

Engine parts are to the left and right- these sprues are carryover from the first version. The center sprue contains headers, the Edelbrock intake plenum, and intake runner. There is also a stock-type Ford distributor on the center sprue.

The sprue on the left is all new and contains the rollcage, spoiler, cowl-induction hood, and seats for the drag version. The sprue containing the stock hood and interior parts are carryover.

Here are the interior side panels, and the stock seats. See what I mean? There's a stock Mustang LX 5.0 hidden in here...

There are two sprues of plated parts- you can see the stock wheels on the left, while the new sprue on the right carries the drag wheels and the tach. Wheels attach via short metal rivets, in accordance with current Revell practice.

Here we have the clear parts. Each window is done as a separate part. The backup lighs are separate from the main taillight lens... a nice touch.

The drag slicks are on top, while the stock tires are below. The slicks are nothing to write home about, but they'll get the job done.

The standard fare Revell decal sheet, with a brief story on the 1:1 car, and a list of parts on the first few pages.

And finally... the decal sheet which includes, in addition to the stock body, interior, and engine bay graphics, drag racing markings, graphics to replicate the paint scheme on the box art car, several sponsor logos, and even shredded rubber for the rear quarter panels!

All in all, low roof aside, it's a very nice kit. I have yet to finish one, but I've worked on a couple, and I can say that parts fit is pretty good. I'm not sure how I want to build this one just yet, but in any event, it should be a fun and relaxing project with a nice finished result.