84 replies to this topic

[Casey]

The only release of the Avanti I have that omits the racing parts on the instruction sheet is the Modern Classics and even it has the Slicks and Dual Paxton option. I haven't opened the plastic package to see it the parts are there. The rest all list it as 3 in 1 on their instruction sheets. Those kits are the Grand Turismo Avanti, Reggie Jackson, Prestige and Millennuim versions.

Does the Reggie Jackson/Matchbox era kit include the five-slot Halibrand wheels?

I'm not quite sure which parts were omitted after the original issue, but according to Round2's page, this reissue features:

• All Original Parts Restored
• Build Stock, Custom or Slat Flats Racer
• Retooled Optional Halibrand Factory Mag Wheels
• Four Different Wheel Options
• Steerable Front Wheels
• Opening Doors
• Expanded Original Decal Sheet
• Vintage Box Art Packaging

[Rob Hall]

Does the Reggie Jackson/Matchbox era kit include the five-slot Halibrand wheels?

I built that one as a kid...IIRC, it only had the stock wheelcovers. I don't have the later Presige or Millenium Series reissues, so I don't know about them.

[tim boyd]

First, Manuel, great picture of the R5 engine - best one I've seen.

Second, (I'm doing this from memory insteead of having the kit in front of me, so take this with a grain of salt), most recent reissues had all the Bonneville parts except for the Halibrand wheels, the original decal sheet, and one very small radiator filler that replaces the coolant overflow container when building the Bonneville version. We can guess that the first two are covered in the new kit, but if they get the filler tube back, I'll be really impressed.

Best regards...TIM

[Casey]

if they get the filler tube back, I'll be really impressed.

Great info, Tim, thanks.

I will LYK on the filler tube in the retro reissue when it arrives.

[Crazy Ed]

Does the Reggie Jackson/Matchbox era kit include the five-slot Halibrand wheels?

I'm not quite sure which parts were omitted after the original issue, but according to Round2's page, this reissue features:

• All Original Parts Restored
• Build Stock, Custom or Slat Flats Racer
• Retooled Optional Halibrand Factory Mag Wheels
• Four Different Wheel Options
• Steerable Front Wheels
• Opening Doors
• Expanded Original Decal Sheet
• Vintage Box Art Packaging

Hi Casey
In answer to your question, No - The Jackson Kit was the least optioned with mostly only Stock parts included. But this turned into more Fun than I thought it might. Turns out there were (as far as the Kits I have on hand) 4 different Chrome Trees
My earliest Kit is Kit # 2364-200 and the Five Slots weren't offered but five spoked Wheels were.



Next up was the Modern Classic release there the Spoked Wheels were replaced by the Slotted Wheels. Oh and look in the lower left to the right of the Steering Wheel - The Knock Offs have been deleated!



On too the Reggie Jackson tree looks like a Fire Extinguisher has become your optional equipment



The last two releases I have are the Prestige and Millennium Kits which in my "collection" are the first to share a tree and the missing Knock Offs have been returned.

Edited by Crazy Ed, 23 July 2012 - 03:35 PM.

[Danno]

That's interesting!

[rasafyff]

I just bought the new Avanti.

I have to say the new Halibrand wheels are better than the originals.They're on their own seperate chrome tree.

Yes, the racing radiator filler is in the new kit.

It has the new parts pack Firestone thin white walls and Goodyear Blue Streak Special Stock Car tires.

[sjordan2]

Here's a new short video on the Avanti, shot at the Studebaker Museum.

http://money.cnn.com...ney/?iid=F_Jump

[W-409]

This kit is another Must Have-type of kit. Hopefully those opening doors just close nicely too. I know that in AMT '57 Fairlane, they didn't.

[2000-cvpi]

My local hobby lobby is going to stock this kit. I will be getting everyone that they have.

[Erik Smith]

As promised last week, here are the contents (not trying to cut out Casey's pics, but I felt bad not getting to this until today):









I am pleasantly surprised how nice the parts look considering the age of the kit and how many times it has been released.

[Erik Smith]

Continuing with the other sprues...













Four of each:



Decals and extra booklet, nice touch:

[Don Sikora II]

I bought this kit yesterday. They did a really nice job, and I was pleasantly surprised with the booklet that's included. I already had more AMT Avanti kits than I'll ever need, but I'm happy I bought one of these.

['70 Grande]

Erik, I'm curious; just how long is that Avanti body in inches? Weren't these Avanti's about the same size when compared to a 1964 Ford Mustang?

Edited by '70 Grande, 28 July 2012 - 09:35 AM.

[Casey]

It's very close in length, and the two wheelbases are almost the same. The Mustang looks much more svelte, though, the Avanti a bit pudgy in comparison.

[Crazy Ed]

Interesting. The seperate chrome tree brings back the wheels replaced by the mags, and the Decal sheet is a return to the earliest releases with some changes.

[Casey]

A few comments and observations regarding the kit I just picked up.

1) Both of the optional front nerf bars/bumperettes and the front bumper have obvious sink marks, the rear bumper has some really rough/poor chrome on the top edge, and the blower intake manifold is missing the mounting pins for both superchargers.

2) The chassis/floorpan piece has a pretty good twist, but it appear to be the only twisted/warped part. I see nothing short shot.

3) This kit still has some crisp details for being 40+ years old, not to mentioned reissued five times or so? Based on the appearance of the parts, the tooling appears to have held up well. If you're familiar with and a fan of '60s AMT kits, this one will put a smile on your face.

4) The included Avanti booklet is very well done, with plenty of vintage photos from the car's press debut and other events. Including the Studebaker National Museum card/flyer was a nice touch, too.

5) The front seats DO appear to be underscaled, as do the rear seats, but they seem to be true to the 1:1 car's seats.

6) The box is what I would call "extra strong" with double thickness sides, and the box art is definitely retro, but a bit restrained and slightly different from the original Trophy Series box.

7) The doors fit very nicely into the body shell, and there's a hint of a latch at the rear jamb/interior door panel edge, so the door stays closed.

8) All four sets of wheels are nicely molded, with no sink marks.

9) Woo-hoo, no metal axle rod passing through the engine block!

[Danno]

Nice.

[Casey]

Erik, I'm curious; just how long is that Avanti body in inches? Weren't these Avanti's about the same size when compared to a 1964 Ford Mustang?

Here's the Avanti next to an original 1/25 AMT '66 Ford Mustang:

[jbwelda]

that avanti body has always looked either too long or too narrow or both to me. and those "opening" doors dont help matters at all. ive got a copy of the prestige kit and one of the blue printer version and the only thing i have ever coveted from them is that dual supercharger set up on the motor. the rest seems like total junk to me.