Polar Lights / Round 2
Scooby-Doo Mystery Machine
Kit Number: POL814
Reviewed by  Jeff Faucett, IPMS# 43031

[kit boxart image]

MSRP: $14.19
Website: www.round2corp.com

As a kid, I loved watching Saturday cartoons and Scooby-Doo was one of my favorites. If you were like me, how could you pass up a model of the Mystery Machine. Not only does the kit come with figures of Scooby and Shaggy, it also includes glow in the dark stickers.

The kit is your standard curbside snap-together model aimed at younger modelers. Construction is simple and easy with the novice modeler in mind. Although steps could be taken to provide additional detail and improve the overall kit, this build will keep with the young modeler intent of the kit.

The sturdy box contains six sprues of parts (two blue, two black, one chrome, and one clear) and separate windshield, interior, chassis, and body parts. Also included in the box are pre-painted figures of Scooby and Shaggy, two metal axles, a single page instruction sheet, and a sheet of stickers.

Contrary to other kits, on car models I prefer to paint as many parts as possible prior to beginning assembly. The instructions provide general guidelines for painting, but there is much more that can be done. The instructions suggest gray for the interior. But I went with black. In addition to the painting of the suggested interior parts, I painted the inside of the body black to match everything else. A little silver on the dash instruments help spruce up the interior. The rest of the painting is typical for any car; red brake lights, amber turn signals, etc. The flower pattern in each of the wheels a spare tire could be painted red to match the flowers on the stickers. However, I choose not to paint the wheels and see how the stickers fit as a young modeler would. I also left the body unpainted, again as a young modeler would.

As with most vehicles, construction begins with the interior and the chassis. Everything snapped easily into place, with the exception of the Scooby-Doo and Shaggy figures. Then it came to them, I found it easier to deviate from the instructions. Instead of installing the figures and then the dash as indicated in the instructions, I did the opposite. This eliminated having to work the steering wheel in behind Shaggy's hand while trying to align the dash. I also found that the figure mounting holes in the seat need to be slightly enlarged so that the figures would sit properly.

Now comes the assembly of the body of the Mystery Machine, beginning with the headlights and taillights. Although these parts were generally clear and would have looked good straight out of the box, each was given a coat of Future and allowed to dry. Again everything snapped right in to place, provided you keep track of which light assembly goes on the driver's side and which one goes no the passenger's side. As recommended in the instructions, I installed the front bumper and windshield leaving the spare tire off until after the stickers had been applied.

The joining of the interior/chassis assembly to the body assembly is the next step. The instructions tip of sliding the interior/chassis assembly through the body's rear door opening and then into place made things go a lot easier. There was however a gap between the interior and the body at the rear door. This is fine for snap-together model and unnoticeable once the rear doors are installed. At this point, final assembly of the body is completed by adding the rear bumper, axles, tires, wheels, and rear doors. The only difficulty encounter with this assembly was the fit of the rear doors. It took a little finagling to get the doors in place and I could not get rid of the gaps no mater what I tried.

Again keeping with the young modeler intent of the model, stickers are provided as opposed to decals. Care must be taken when removing the stickers from the sheet; the compound curves are easily torn. Placement of each sticker is clearly identified in the instructions with some overlap occurring at the front of the Mystery Machine. Now the cool test. After a few minutes in the bright light, the sticker glowed brightly when the Mystery Machine was moved to a dark room. I was concerned that the application of a clear coat may affect the glow-in-the-dark affect so I did not add one.

In summary, this is an excellent kit for the young modeler. I would highly recommend it to anyone trying to get younger modelers interested in the hobby. It is even great for those Scooby-Doo fanatics who want to take the time to turn this Mystery Machine into a show winner.

My thanks to Suzi Klimek and Round 2 for such a nice kit.

[review image] [review image] [review image]