GREASED LIGHTNING FORD: CUSTOM CAR STAR OF THE 1978 HIT MOVIE GREASE.

 

A PREQUEL TO Grease, one of the most successful musicals of all time, has been recently announced. So this 1:25 scale kit of one of the cars featured in the movie looks to be to be a well-timed release.


Mat Irvine: But the kit was released around the time Hobbico ceased business, taking both Revell-Monogram and Revell-Germany with it. However, revitalising the brand has been solved in remarkably short order, and both divisions now seem to be on an even keel – even if Revell-Monogram (now back to Revell Inc) is but a shadow of its former self.

And kits are still being issued, this version starting as the Pro Modeler issue of a 1948 Ford. This Grease release is basically the stock kit, with the addition of three lots of new parts – grille, front bumper, and wheels. There are also appropriate decals, even including one for the ‘rust’ on the passenger door, visible in the movie when the car first appears.

Overall, it’s a great kit, but with one slight worry. It’s the white-painted version, rather than the bright red custom version seen during a fantasy dance sequence, and at the end of the film.

Mind you, I’ve always thought that the red Greased Lightning is one of the oddest, and frankly ugliest, creations ever made. So I reckon you are far better off with the mild custom look of this kit!

Plenty of clean-moulded parts (below) which include a new chrome runner (bottom) and a set of whitewall tyres.

 

Kit shown in mid-build (below) showing the engine, chassis and interior. Seat patterns are printed on the decal sheet.

 

The finished model (below). Note the lightning bolts go over the chrome strips on the sides, not underneath as the box-art shows. For the chrome, I used Bare-Metal Foil.

 

Body and chassis separated (below). Note the small hubcaps are only on the front wheels, not the rear

 

The car (below) in original condition, with the rusty door! If you want, the ‘rust’ is supplied on the decal sheet.



The same car (below) after a bit of restoration.

Here's the befinned fantasy version (below). It's available as a 1:18 scale diecast model, which could look pretty good after you've given it some TLC.

Scale stats
Revell: Greased Lightning ’48 Ford
Scale: 1:25
Parts: 141
Assembled length: 195 mm (7.7 in)
Manufacturer’s ref: 4443

Click here for the 1:18 diecast model.

Click here for the new Revell website.

Click here to buy the Revell Greased Lighnting online.

Facts n stuff
* The red Greased Lightning was a modified (plexiglass hood, tail fins, chopped front fenders) 1948 Ford convertible.
* The white car in the movie's race scenes was a 1948 Ford De Luxe convertible.
* The black car of the rival Scorpions gang was a 1949 Mercury Custom.
* The Pink Ladies’ car was a Studebaker Commander.
* The car that leading stars Danny and Sandy took to the drive-in movie was a 1949 Dodge Wayfarer convertible.