Lennie Pond Chevy Malibu Stock

This kit was first offered in 1975 and updated in 2022 with new box art. It shows its age with a low parts count and many inferior parts. The kit has poor instructions and if built straight out of the box, would afford a disappointing replica of a NASCAR Chevy Laguna. You will need to exercise your scratch building muscles and have a well stocked parts box if you hope to correct the stance and other issues. I built the kit as the car that Benny Parsons drove to his 1973 championship. The chassis has a separately molded, but incorrect, rear axle and 4 link suspension. For better accuracy, you will want to replace it, preferably with a ford 9 inch riding on leaf springs. The front suspension is molded in, and is not well done. It uses the dreaded metal axle through the engine block. There are no spindles, shocks, springs, upper control arms, or steering gear. The included slotted wheels lack lug nut detail, but the tires are nice. The engine is a passable representation of a big block chevy with 4 speed transmission, but the headers are badly undersized, and required surgery to keep them from hanging too low. The interior is very basic with relatively little detail. The roll cage went together easily using liquid cement and fit surprisingly well, however, many of the tubes are oversized. The body has easily dealt with flash and parting lines, but the front wheel openings are too large and have odd flaring to their rear edge. I did not use the kit decals, but they look very good. Unless you absolutely need a Laguna for your collection of NASCAR stock cars, you should avoid this kit.