AC Norton Posted July 9, 2014 Share Posted July 9, 2014 does anyone know when the original amt modified stockers series,,,64 ford, 66 skylark, 65 olds 88, etc, hit the stores back in the day. I built 3 of the original issues in late 1977, but found some of them hard to find in most stores around here back then. also, does anybody remember if all 9 came out at once, or were they issued 2 or 3 at a time. I am building the 64 ford re issue at present and have always had a soft spot for them,,,just thought I would ask. thanks, a.c. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Posted July 10, 2014 Share Posted July 10, 2014 First issued in 1971. All nine were out that year. The first one dropped was the '66 Skylark (wasn't in the '72 catalog if I remember right), by '74 only the '66 Impala and '65 Chevelle were in the catalog. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AC Norton Posted July 10, 2014 Author Share Posted July 10, 2014 thanks for that info, mark. makes sense now that the 65 fairlane, 65 olds, and the 65 gto were all that seemed to be around here by 1977 summer. regards, a.c. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scummy Posted July 10, 2014 Share Posted July 10, 2014 G,day , i just pulled out my copy of the AMT 1971 catalog . And all i can see is 6 modified stockers , T-189 66 Buick skylark T-190 65 olds 88 T-191 65 fairlane T-192 66 chevy T-193 64 ford T-194 69 torino Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
james460 Posted July 10, 2014 Share Posted July 10, 2014 Around 1970 I believe. I built a couple right after I got married. 1970 As to how they were issued I'm not sure. I built an Olds and a Fairlane back then. At least that what my 65 year old mind remembers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Posted July 11, 2014 Share Posted July 11, 2014 The other three ('65 Chevelle, '65 GTO, '69 Falcon) came out during '71. They aren't in the '71 catalog, but are in the '72 catalog and not listed as "new" for that year. The '66 Skylark was gone for '73, and for '74 only the two Chevies were listed. Both of those disappeared after '74. In addition, most of these weren't great sellers. I had the '66 Skylark back in the day, I picked it up on clearance. That would have been in '71 or early '72; we moved in mid-'72 and I remember having that one prior to the move. I had the Chevelle too, but that one was bought when it first came out. These kits were called "butchered" in one of the model car magazines back then. But to be fair, the issues of some of these kits prior to the conversion didn't sell well. I had pre-Modified Stocker issue '65 Olds and '65 Fairlane kits that I'd bought for cheap AFTER the Stocker issues appeared. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AC Norton Posted July 11, 2014 Author Share Posted July 11, 2014 its funny,,,,,after buying and building cars from 1968 on, I really don't remember these kits from their 71 issue era. as I mentioned prior, I had 3 in the 1977 summer, and don't recall them until sparking a stock car interest at that time. I think you are correct, mark, that they were poor sellers too. buying the olds, fairlane, and gto around town in mid 77 I think tells us there was no lineup at the shops for these. certainly enjoying the 64 ford mod I am building at present. a.c. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mnwildpunk Posted July 11, 2014 Share Posted July 11, 2014 The other three ('65 Chevelle, '65 GTO, '69 Falcon) came out during '71. They aren't in the '71 catalog, but are in the '72 catalog and not listed as "new" for that year. The '66 Skylark was gone for '73, and for '74 only the two Chevies were listed. Both of those disappeared after '74. nothing really to do with this thread but darn I wish I had that kind of memory Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bob Ellis Posted July 11, 2014 Share Posted July 11, 2014 I feel like they destroyed some good kits. The 66 Impala was a mistake, to me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
THarrison351 Posted July 11, 2014 Share Posted July 11, 2014 (edited) I built the '64 Ford Modified Stocker as a kid in the early 70's. Don't remember too much except the two piece tires would fall apart and the bumper and side braces kept falling off. I liked to push the cars around and crash them into each other. Now I have all the reissues including a case of the 66 Chevys. I built the Falcon, Olds, and Buick to look like the box art. I wish they would have left the '65 GTO alone. The stock version is pretty poor. I have the reissued AMT (MPC) Monte Carlo and GTO Super Stockers, too bad the Mustang, Camaro, Barracuda, and Chevelle were lost or returned to stock. Don't get me started on all the lost MPC NASCAR stockers and pro stocks. Edited July 11, 2014 by THarrison351 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
unclescott58 Posted July 11, 2014 Share Posted July 11, 2014 (edited) For me, these are the worst things AMT ever did! They ruined several great kits that I'd love to be able to build stock now. In fact I'd buy all of them, if they could still built stock. I like them all, even the '65 Olds 88. So, I literally hate AMT's Modified Stockers. Let's never mention them again! Scott Edited July 11, 2014 by unclescott58 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Van Posted July 11, 2014 Share Posted July 11, 2014 For me, these are the worst things AMT ever did! They ruined several great kits that I'd love to be able to build stock now. In fact I'd buy all of them, if they could still built stock. I like them all, even the '65 Olds 88. So, I literally hate AMT's Modified Stocks. Let's never mention them again! Scott If AMT thought there was money in the kits.....they could be restored back at any time. The GTO was, the 69 Torino was. The Falcon is the only one I'd put any money into. It MIGHT get a return on investment if the stock stuff is floating around in the mold. The rest would not turn a profit.....and had they not been modified and given new life would have been scrapped by now anyways. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DR JAY Posted July 11, 2014 Share Posted July 11, 2014 I sure do like the Header-manifolds that came in the Impala kit...PERFECT for that Mystery-Motor 1963 Chevrolet conversion. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
unclescott58 Posted July 11, 2014 Share Posted July 11, 2014 If AMT thought there was money in the kits.....they could be restored back at any time. The GTO was, the 69 Torino was. The Falcon is the only one I'd put any money into. It MIGHT get a return on investment if the stock stuff is floating around in the mold. The rest would not turn a profit.....and had they not been modified and given new life would have been scrapped by now anyways. I hope your right about them restoring back the Falcon. That is the number one kit I'd like to see back in its original form. Followed closely by the '66 Skylark. Scott Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Gorday Posted July 11, 2014 Share Posted July 11, 2014 I built a Chevelle somewhere along about the mid 70s with the balloon tires of the day. Then about 6 years ago, I learned about filling in the wheel wells a bit and using PPP wheels and tires, and I liked it a lot better. And then about 2 years ago, I built the ' 64 Ford with PPP wheels and tires, didn't fill the wells in at all, and thought it looked just fine. Most guys don't like the balloon tires, but there are ways around that. The MS series of kits, I think, make an easy, basic, late model of that day, if you just want a shelf model like I do. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AC Norton Posted July 11, 2014 Author Share Posted July 11, 2014 I feel the same, john. they are a simple, yet a fun series to build and enjoy. I am presently working on the 64 ford mod, and enjoying it very much. I think all of the 9 in this series are interesting,...even if not really up to par by the standards of todays models. I will post it upon completion hopefully in a week or two. thanks for your input. a.c. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
james460 Posted July 11, 2014 Share Posted July 11, 2014 Doesn't take much effort to make a nice model out of them. The biggest shame is they changed molds to make them what they are. I love to have a 64 Ford restored to stock. That's probably never going to happen. AC just to let you know, sometime in the late 60's one of the NASCAR driver, I think it was Bill Dennis drove a 64 Galaxie in the Sportsman race at Martinville Va. Everyone else was driving Chevelles, Fairlanes, Novas. It was a big deal on the local news. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bob Ellis Posted July 11, 2014 Share Posted July 11, 2014 When they restored the AMT 65 GTO, it didn't exactly return to it's former self. The first ERTL version had wires covering the headlights and some body contours were wrong. But, it is possible they could come back. The biggest problem is the kits were based off promos and the kit design, not even considering cost to restore, is too primitive for todays modelers taste. I wonder if the current supply of used kits / unbuilts satisfies the few that may want those cars. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Posted July 11, 2014 Share Posted July 11, 2014 nothing really to do with this thread but darn I wish I had that kind of memoryNot memory, just having the catalogs! I should have looked at the '71 catalog before my initial post, however. I don't have the mid-year release listing for '71, though. For me, these are the worst things AMT ever did! They ruined several great kits that I'd love to be able to build stock now. In fact I'd buy all of them, if they could still built stock. I like them all, even the '65 Olds 88. So, I literally hate AMT's Modified Stockers. Let's never mention them again!For "worst", I'll nominate the Boss Nova. I'd bet a lot of folks would like to have the stock '63 Nova wagon back again...Scott Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChrisBcritter Posted July 11, 2014 Share Posted July 11, 2014 One thing I've wondered about this series: Were those huge wide slicks really common for the Modified Stocker class in the early '70s, or did AMT just use what they had available? Anyone have more info on the PPP wheels/tires John mentioned? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AC Norton Posted July 11, 2014 Author Share Posted July 11, 2014 well, now that you ask....old photos of some mods in that late 60s to mid 70s era seem to have huge slicks. several of the pics I have recently seen have the tire way out from the body. seems different cars and such ran different setups, but I am no expert. the 64 ford mod I am doing now looks better once the tires are sanded down some, with the sharp side edges rounded out a bit as well. I also trimmed the axle stubs down about 40 percent to bring them in some. that really helps, and looks ok to my eye. best, a.c. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AC Norton Posted July 11, 2014 Author Share Posted July 11, 2014 i'll forgive you for that, mark,...but don't make that kind of error again....lol....a.c. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Gorday Posted July 12, 2014 Share Posted July 12, 2014 I am new to this forum. Are we allowed to mention manufacturers, or aftermarket people ? If so, I have info about PPP or someone else might like to go ahead and mention them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Truck parts Posted July 16, 2014 Share Posted July 16, 2014 We use to run a 65 mustang in the late 70's . The tires was about 18 inches wide,and threaded . We raced on dirt,and was also working on that thing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bbowser Posted July 16, 2014 Share Posted July 16, 2014 One thing I've wondered about this series: Were those huge wide slicks really common for the Modified Stocker class in the early '70s, or did AMT just use what they had available? Anyone have more info on the PPP wheels/tires John mentioned? Depended on the track and the local rules. Around here they allowed a big slick on the right front only back in the day. 1/4 mile bullring at Thunder Road, owned and operated by none other than Ken Squier. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.