Monster Models

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How to Collect Monster Plastic Models

Collecting monster plastic models has become an increasingly popular hobby among baby boomers that grew up assembling these class Model Kits after watching Universal monster movies on TV. These Monster Model Kits were produced by Aurora Plastics in the 1950s and 1960s and featured classic monsters such as Frankenstein’s Monster and Dracula as well as Japanese monsters such as Godzilla and Rodan. Since the original Aurora went out of business in 1977, these classic model kits have substantially grown in value and can fetch hundreds, and even thousands, of dollars in the collector’s market.

There are a number of factors that affect the value of original Aurora monster plastic models, the main one being condition; model kits that are as close to the original condition as possible will be more valuable than those in less good condition.  The most valuable model kits are those that are still wrapped in plastic, which can fetch thousands of dollars. If the kit no longer has the plastic wrapping then all the original parts should still be inside the box as well as all the inserts including the assembly instructions. Note that any missing components can affect the value, even if they’re just the plastic connectors that the parts are attached to. Even the condition of the box can cause the kit to be devalued if there are creases and worn corners.

Another important factor that determines the value of monster plastic models is rarity.  Aurora Monster Model Kits with a limited production run are more valuable than more common ones like the original Monster Kits that were produced in the millions. Because of the controversy surrounding them, the Monster Scenes kits from the seventies had short production times and even the glow-in-the-dark Frightening Lightening variants and the later Monsters of the Movies kits are relatively rare, particularly those of Japanese monsters Rodan and Ghidrah. For particularly scarce figures, even kits in less than perfect condition can fetch high prices due to their lack of availability.

Many collectors of monster plastic models also seek out fully assembled models. Although these are less valuable than unassembled kits, these can still fetch good prices. However, many collectors are willing to pay high prices for factory-built models assembled at the Aurora factory and sent to dealers as demonstration models, particularly if they still have the cardboard display backdrops that were sent along with them. However, the model should not require substantial cleaning and restoration, since these repairs will substantially pull down the asking price.

The best place to find classic Aurora monster plastic models are online auction sites such as eBay, where many collectors sell their holdings, as well as dealer sites specializing in classic model kits. Retail sites such as Amazon are good sources for reissued monster kits such as those released by Revell in the late-90s based on Aurora’s Monsters of the Movies sculpts or the re-releases by Polar Lights. These re-releases are relatively affordable and are a great way to get into collecting monster plastic models without having to initially invest a lot of money.