650+ Scale Model Car Kits | AMT, Revell, Tamiya | ModelCars.com

Complete Guide to Scale Model Car Kits

Welcome to our comprehensive selection of plastic model car kits. Whether you're building your first snap-together kit or tackling expert-level builds with 200+ parts, you'll find 650+ scale model car kits in stock from the world's leading manufacturers including AMT, Revell, Tamiya, Hasegawa, and more.

Shop Model Car Kits by Skill Level

Skill Level 1 - SnapTite Kits (No Glue Required)

Perfect first kits for complete beginners. Pre-colored plastic snaps together in 2-3 hours with no glue needed. Ideal for ages 8+ and adults new to the hobby. Features opening hoods, detailed engines, and chrome wheels. Optional painting available but looks good without. Learn basic assembly and part identification risk-free.

Skill Level 2 - Beginner Kits

Introduction to gluing and basic painting. Simple assembly with 50-100 parts. Requires plastic cement and basic acrylic paints. Clear illustrated instructions guide every step. Build time: 4-8 hours. Great for ages 10+ and second or third kit builders learning fundamental modeling skills.

Skill Level 3 - Intermediate Kits

Standard plastic model car kits for developing builders. Requires plastic cement and multiple paint colors. Features 100-150 parts including detailed engines, opening hoods, and authentic interiors. Average build time: 8-15 hours. Perfect for hobbyists with 3-5 completed kits ready to improve their techniques.

Skill Level 4 - Advanced Kits

Challenging builds with 150-200 parts and complex assembly sequences. Demands experience with masking, airbrushing, and detail painting. Build time: 15-30 hours. Optional photoetch metal details for ultimate realism. For serious modelers seeking professional-quality results.

Skill Level 5 - Expert Kits

Master-level kits with 200+ parts, photoetch metal details, and multi-media components. Requires advanced modeling skills including competition-level painting, weathering, and custom detailing. Build time: 30-60+ hours. For experienced builders only who have completed 15+ intermediate and advanced kits.

Popular Car Categories

• Classic Muscle Cars: 1960s-1970s American muscle including Mustangs, Camaros, Challengers, Chargers, GTOs, and Corvettes. The golden age of automotive performance in detailed 1:25 and 1:24 scale.
• Modern Muscle & Sports Cars: Current-generation Camaros, Mustangs, Challengers, Corvettes, and performance cars with contemporary styling and detailed interiors.
• Import Tuners & JDM: Japanese performance legends like Nissan Skyline GT-R, Toyota Supra, Mazda RX-7, Honda Civic Type R, and Subaru WRX from Tamiya, Hasegawa.
• Vintage Hot Rods: Custom street rods and classics from the 1930s-1950s including Ford Coupes ('32, '34, '40), Chevrolet Sedans, and traditional hot rod customs.
• Lowriders & Custom Cars: 1960s Impalas, custom paint schemes, hydraulics, and wire wheels. The art of Chicano car culture in miniature.
• NASCAR & Racing: Stock cars with authentic sponsor liveries, Trans-Am racers, drag racing funny cars, and historic racing legends.
• European Exotics: Ferrari, Lamborghini, Porsche, Mercedes, and BMW supercars and sports cars in highly detailed scale.
• Classic Trucks: Vintage Ford and Chevrolet pickups from the 1940s-1980s including F-1, F-100, C10, and square-body classics.

Scale Guide - Choose Your Perfect Size

1:12 Scale - Large Showcase Builds

Size: 14-16 inches long for typical car
Best For: Ultimate detail and museum-quality centerpieces
Brands: Primarily Tamiya Formula 1 and sports cars
Price Range: $80-150 per kit
Skill Level: Advanced to expert - these are major projects
Build Time: 40-60+ hours

1:24 Scale - Most Popular

Size: 7-8 inches long for typical car
Best For: Perfect balance of size, detail, and display convenience
Brands: Tamiya, Hasegawa, Fujimi, Revell, AMT
Price Range: $25-65 per kit
Skill Level: All levels available
Why Popular: International standard, widest variety, easy to display

1:25 Scale - Classic American Standard

Size: 7.5-8.5 inches long (4% larger than 1:24)
Best For: American muscle cars and classics
Brands: AMT, Revell, MPC
Price Range: $20-45 per kit
History: Traditional American scale since 1960s
Note: Visually compatible with 1:24 for display

1:32 Scale - Compact Detail

Size: 5-6 inches long
Best For: Space-efficient collecting, detailed small builds
Brands: Limited selection - mostly European sports cars
Price Range: $15-35 per kit

Top Brands We Stock

Revell - Best for Beginners

Largest selection of SnapTite kits requiring no glue. Excellent part fit and clear illustrated instructions. Comprehensive American muscle car catalog plus modern performance cars. Skill levels 1-5 available. Price range: $15-50. Perfect first kits for learning the hobby.

AMT - American Muscle Heritage

Classic American brand specializing in 1960s-70s muscle cars, trucks, and vintage customs. Iconic toolings from the golden age of model kits. Strong Chevrolet, Ford, and Mopar selection. Affordable pricing. Some older kits have minor fit issues - best for intermediate+ builders. Price range: $20-40.

Tamiya - Japanese Precision

Premium quality with legendary fit and finish. Exceptional engineering and detail. Specializes in JDM imports, sports cars, and Formula 1. Higher price point but worth it for guaranteed excellent results. Skill levels 3-5. Price range: $35-120.

Hasegawa - JDM Specialist

Japanese manufacturer focusing on import tuners and racing cars. Detailed Nissan Skylines, Mazda RX-7s, Subaru WRXs, Mitsubishi Evos. Excellent decals and authentic details. Quality comparable to Tamiya. Intermediate to advanced builders. Price range: $30-75.

Aoshima - Tuner & VIP Style

Japanese tuner cars with aftermarket parts included. Multiple wheel options, body kits, and custom parts in one box. Perfect for custom JDM builds. Drift and VIP car specialist. Price range: $30-60.

MPC - Vintage Reissues

Classic kits from the 1960s-70s rereleased. Nostalgic subjects including custom vans, show cars, and vintage muscle. Part fit varies - best for experienced builders who enjoy vintage tooling character. Price range: $20-35.

Moebius - Modern Tooling

New manufacturer creating kits of classic subjects with modern engineering. Known for 1960s-70s muscle cars and TV/movie cars. Better fit than vintage toolings. Growing catalog. Price range: $30-50.

Why Buy Model Car Kits From ModelCars.com

• 650+ Kits In Stock - Comprehensive selection across all skill levels, scales, and brands
• Same-Day Shipping - Orders before 2pm EST ship same business day
• Expert Support - Our team are active modelers who build regularly and can recommend kits for your skill level
• Competitive Pricing - Low everyday prices on all major brands
• Secure Packaging - Kits packed with bubble wrap and corner protection to prevent box damage in transit
• New Releases Weekly - Latest kits added within 1-2 weeks of manufacturer release
• Free Shipping Over $150 - Easily reached with multiple kits plus paints and supplies
• Pre-Orders Available - Reserve upcoming limited edition releases before sell-out
• Restock Notifications - Email alerts when sold-out kits return to inventory
• No Sales Tax - Except in California

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What's the best first model car kit for a complete beginner?

A: Start with a Revell SnapTite kit in 1:24 or 1:25 scale. The '69 Camaro SS, '65 Mustang, or '14 Corvette are excellent choices. No glue required, pre-colored plastic, builds in 2-3 hours. Teaches basic assembly without overwhelming you. After 1-2 SnapTite kits, move to Skill Level 2 kits requiring glue and paint.

Q: What tools do I need to build model car kits?

A: For SnapTite (Skill Level 1): No tools required, hands only. For Skill Level 2-3: Plastic model cement ($4), hobby knife ($6), 400 and 600-grit sandpaper ($3), and acrylic paint set ($12-20). Optional but recommended: flush-cut sprue cutters ($10), tweezers ($5), masking tape ($5). Total starter investment: $20-50. Advanced builders add airbrush equipment later ($200-300).

Q: How long does it take to build a model car kit?

A: Build time by skill level:
• Skill Level 1 (SnapTite): 2-4 hours
• Skill Level 2: 4-8 hours
• Skill Level 3: 8-15 hours
• Skill Level 4: 15-30 hours
• Skill Level 5: 30-60+ hours
First builds take longer as you learn. Painting adds 24-48 hours for drying between coats. Budget 2-3 weekends for your first painted kit.

Q: What's the difference between 1:24 and 1:25 scale?

A: The difference is minimal - 1:25 models are 4% larger than 1:24. A car that's 8 inches in 1:24 is about 8.3 inches in 1:25. The scales are visually compatible for display together. 1:24 is international standard (Japanese/European kits), 1:25 is traditional American standard (AMT/Revell). Choose based on which manufacturer makes the car you want, not the scale.

Q: Can I build a kit without painting it?

A: SnapTite kits (Skill Level 1) are designed to look good without paint - pre-colored plastic in appropriate colors. However, painting any kit dramatically improves appearance. Even basic brush-painted engine details and chassis make huge difference. Recommendation: Build first kit without paint to learn assembly, paint second kit to develop painting skills separately.

Q: Do kits come with paint and glue?

A: No. Kits include only plastic parts, decals, instructions, and sometimes chrome-plated parts. Paint, glue, and tools sold separately. This allows you to choose preferred brands. We offer starter tool kits bundling everything needed. Check our Paint & Supplies collection.

Q: Are these officially licensed by car manufacturers?

A: Yes! All kits are officially licensed by Ford, Chevrolet, Dodge, Ferrari, Lamborghini, Porsche, Nissan, Toyota, Honda, and other manufacturers. Kits feature authentic logos, badges, correct colors, and accurate details approved by original car companies.

Q: What if a part breaks?

A: Most broken parts can be repaired with plastic cement - it melts and fuses plastic creating strong bonds. For small parts, use CA glue (super glue). If part is lost or damaged beyond repair, contact kit manufacturer directly - most send replacement parts free or minimal cost. Keep box for manufacturer contact info.

Q: How do I choose between AMT, Revell, and Tamiya?

A: Revell: Best for beginners - clear instructions, good fit, affordable ($15-40). Start here.
AMT: American muscle specialists, budget-friendly ($20-35), some older toolings have minor fit issues but manageable.
Tamiya: Premium quality, exceptional fit, higher price ($35-80), best for Japanese cars and when you want guaranteed excellent results.
Recommendation: First 2-3 kits = Revell. Next 5 kits = AMT and Revell variety. After 10 kits = invest in Tamiya for step up in quality.

Q: I built kits as a kid in the 1970s-80s. What's different now?

A: Modern kits have significantly better part fit, clearer instructions, and finer details. Tamiya and Hasegawa engineering is light-years ahead of vintage AMT. However, many classic AMT and Revell kits are reissued - you can rebuild the same '69 Camaro you built 40 years ago. Paints are now safer (water-based acrylics) and easier to use than old enamels. Welcome back to the hobby!

Building Tips for Success

Before Starting Your Build

Read ALL instructions first - Review entire instruction sheet before cutting parts. Identify steps requiring painting before assembly. Plan your build sequence.

Organize workspace - Clear flat surface, good lighting, protect surface with newspaper. Keep small parts organized in egg cartons or compartmented boxes. Have trash bag ready for sprues.

Test fit everything - Never glue on first attempt. Dry fit parts to check alignment. Sand or trim parts that don't fit. Mark problem areas before gluing.

Assembly Best Practices

Minimal glue - Apply tiny amounts with toothpick to ONE part only. Press together, hold 30 seconds. Wipe excess immediately. Too much glue melts plastic.

Remove parts carefully - Use flush-cut sprue cutters or sharp hobby knife. Cut away from body. Leave small stub, sand smooth. Never twist parts off.

Build sub-assemblies - Complete engine, interior, chassis separately before combining. Makes painting easier and allows fixing mistakes.

Painting Fundamentals

Prime first - Gray primer reveals imperfections and helps paint adhere. Spray thin even coats, dry 2+ hours, wet sand smooth with 600-grit.

Thin paint properly - Mix 1:1 with thinner. Should flow like milk. Test on scrap plastic. Multiple thin coats (3-5) beat one thick coat.

Paint order - Interior first, then engine, then chassis, finally body. Prevents damage to visible parts.

Skill Progression - Your Building Journey

Kits 1-2 (SnapTite): Focus on following instructions, basic assembly. Success = completed kit that stays together.

Kits 3-5 (Skill Level 2): Learn gluing, basic painting. Focus on neat glue joints, even paint. Success = clean seams, no visible glue marks.

Kits 6-10 (Skill Level 2-3): Develop consistency. Try different car types. Success = each kit better than last.

Kits 11-15 (Skill Level 3): Master intermediate techniques. Consider airbrush investment. Success = builds you're proud to display.

Kits 16-25 (Skill Level 3-4): Experiment with weathering, custom paint. Success = developing personal style.

After 25+ kits (Skill Level 4-5): Ready for expert builds and competition. Consider contest entry or teaching others.

New Arrivals & Restocks

New model car kits added every Monday including latest AMT, Revell, Tamiya releases and limited edition reissues. Popular kits sell fast - sign up for restock notifications on product pages for email alerts. Pre-orders available for announced releases before street date.

Get Started Building Today

Complete beginners: Revell SnapTite '69 Camaro SS or '65 Mustang. No glue, 2-3 hour build, looks great unpainted. Perfect intro under $20.

Returning after years away: Try Skill Level 2-3 kit of your favorite car. Modern kits have better fit than you remember. Budget $25-40 for kit plus supplies.

Experienced builders: Challenge yourself with Tamiya or Hasegawa for exceptional quality. Try 1:12 scale for ultimate detail.

Free shipping over $150. Stock up on kits, paints, supplies in one order. Questions? Contact our team - we're fellow builders happy to help. Email or call for recommendations based on your skill level and interests.

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