This is a review of the Jo-han 1969 SC / Rambler #GC-2500

This review is a bit different than I’ve usually done. This is more of a rant and dismembering than a review. The JO-HAN kits have a long standing of being rare, expensive, and good quality. This is NOT that type of kit.

I have long wanted to buy another AMC kit that wasn’t a pitiful Pacer, lethargic Gremlin, or abhorred Matador. This kit is readily on Ebay and sells for exactly one arm and two legs… around $65. I thought that I could make a good run at producing a nice looking model. What I didn’t realize is that the lovely folks at JO-HAN designed a poorly crafted fraud.

The big gag with this expensive B.S. comes from the car NOT BEING a 1969 Rambler. This is – IN FACT – a 1966 Rambler Rogue American. – And here’s why:

The rear end of the car has taillights that are wider than where the hood starts. The 1969 taillights end AT the hood. The only Rambler to have this is a 1966.

The actual ’69 Rambler SC had taillights like this one. The remainder of the rear is the same, but the rear valance is quite different.

This is the model car – and as you can see – the taillights do not match the ’69. This American also doesn’t have side markers like the ’69 – or any other emblems either.

Now, aside from being a fraud, the model car is quite garbage for numerous reasons. Like:

• There is a multitude of flash to deal with – even with the chrome pieces. Some parts are even hidden on the tree because of it (took me a third time through the trees to find the ignition coil because it was stuck to the tree with flash – hiding it completely).
• The axles are made of round plastic that are difficult to use, roll, and insert. It is made worse since TWO of the wheel backs are made for a pin – which doesn’t come with the car. I had to use toothpicks to fix this issue.
• The decals – being some 30 years old – were rubbish. Following the instructions, I wasn’t able to use two of them as they broke and crumbled from age. The side decals also don’t have cutouts for the door handles – making a terrible procedure of cutting.
• The trunk lid fits about as well as a size 27 shoe on Richard Petty. The gap is outlandish and made worse by not being attachable for “opening”.

The hood had a chip in it; the wheels were whitewalls (not typical for these cars – more for a ’66 American); the headrests don’t have the texture needed for the tri-color look; and being a ’66 vs a ’69, the car should have a 327ci – since it did not come with a 390.

I painted the car Classic White, but wished I had used a ’66 American color. That said, I would still have had a misplaced hood scoop if I wanted to go more stock. I also painted the rims as per a SC, but think I may change them as the red side decals are toast.

There is a lot to be said for buying this model car and keeping it for an investment. It is already selling for $50-$60 and more. I find the model and the high sales of them despicable since it is such a hoax. It would be like buying a ’71 Hemi Cuda and finding out the kit was actually a ’74 with a lousy 360. As far as buying this as a model to build, it is among the worst I’ve ever purchased… and certainly for $56. It is a rubbish model with the taint of being misrepresented. I’ve seen a couple modelers build this car with the wrong rear lights; purchased a decal set; and tons of detail – just for a car that doesn’t match. I’d rather have saved all that mess and bought a proper model for half the price.

2.5 – Disastrous