84 replies to this topic

[Exotics_Builder]

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

1:1 Car Dimensions:
Avanti -
Weight 3095.3 lbs
Length / Width / Height 192.4 in / 70.4 in / 53.9 in
Wheelbase 109 in
65 Mustang -
Weight 2,562 lbs
Length / Width / Height 181.6 in/ 68.2 in/ 51.1 in
Wheelbase: 108 inches

I also have the original Aurora Avanti and can compare the two if there is interest?

Edited by Exotics_Builder, 30 July 2012 - 12:17 PM.

[Casey]

I also have the original Aurora Avanti and can compare the two if there is interest?

I'd like to see some pics of that kit, and some comparison shot of it next to the AMT kit.

[Exotics_Builder]

I'd like to see some pics of that kit, and some comparison shot of it next to the AMT kit.

I'll make a stab at it some time this week.

[Jantrix]

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.

It is a highly stylized car. No doubt. Leowy was an artist. And as such I figure for most people it is a love it or hate it situation.

[Casey]

Are the Firestone Gum Dipped tires included in the Avanti kit something new from Round2?:






And the second included set, Goodyear Blue Streak Stock Car Special tires :

[Joe Handley]

Considering the tooling for those tires is probably old than me, I'd hope not!

[boss 302 mustang]

Those are not Polyglas GT tires but rather blue streak stock car special tires

[2000-cvpi]

I just bought one from hobby lobby today, it was 16.97 with tax. Not to bad for a kit that I have lusted after since hearing that it was being re released.

[MrObsessive]

I'd also like to get the reissue.......but you guys know that I also have to open up the trunk as well!

Only thing is........those hinges for the trunk are mighty tricky! They're not the typical gooseneck hinge, but more of the scissor type seen in 1:1 hoods and such.

['70 Grande]

Regarding this kit's tires, below I have posted a pic of the same Goodyear Blue Streak Stock car tires as found in previously-issued AMT and MPC kits. There has always been a mystery to me regarding these tires. My photo shows Tire A on the left, with a 1" outside tire diameter and a 11/32" tire tread width.

Tire B on the right side of the photo has the exact same sidewall lettering and tread-pattern, but has a overall different size to it; a larger 1-1/16" outside tire diameter and a narrower 9/32" tread width.

Why would the exact same tire have been issued in two distinctly different sizes?
And, what are the overall dimensions of the Blue Streak tires found inside this Avanti kit?
(In the previously-posted Avanti kit photos, the Blue Streak tires look even narrower than the "skinny" Blue Streak Tire B that I have)!

[Rob Hall]

I haven't looked closely at the tires in the Avanti reissue...as far as the two different sizes of BSS tires, maybe one originated w/ MPC and one with AMT? I remember some '80s MPC kits like the DOH Monaco having them...

['70 Grande]

Rob: That is my theory, too, as these tires came out of my parts box, so I cannot confirm what kit(s) they originally came from, (AMT or MPC). I'm hoping the Avanti kit's tires match "Tire Size A" in my photo, as I've been looking for just one of these, "smaller & wider" Blue Streak tires for a long time now. I've got a project going that has 3 of the "A" tires, but needs a fourth to be completed!

[Exotics_Builder]

I'd like to see some pics of that kit, and some comparison shot of it next to the AMT kit.

Here are some photos of the Aurora and AMT Avanti. The Aurora is the tan plastic. The Aurora has more pieces to the body and does allow an opening trunk (although Mr. Obsessive would decry the inaccuracy of the hinges). There are also no custom pieces for the Aurora kit.

They look close, but I did not do any measurements. The seats (as previously speculated) are much smaller than they should be. Compare the AMT to the Aurora seat. The Aurora package shelf is separate, but does sport, as does the AMT, the bump for the fuel tank filler.
















A photo of a real interior show that the seats of both are not quite right:



My plan for the Avanti was to a pro-touring version with modern Chevy LS gear and a modified interior. But, if you were doing a replica stock, some work would be required or just let it be for the AMT.

HTH,

Gerry

[Casey]

And, what are the overall dimensions of the Blue Streak tires found inside this Avanti kit?

They measure .322" (~21/64") across the tread (tread width) and have an O.D. of 1.075" (~1-1/16") with maybe a .005" variance between the four I have.

Thanks for taking and posting those pics, Gerry.

[MrObsessive]

Hmmmm, I would still take the AMT over the Aurora version. The whole body seems "off" to me, especially the rear quarter window shape and the rear fenders. It's almost like the folks at Aurora did the body from memory, and not actual blueprints that would yield better proportions.

[Exotics_Builder]

Hmmmm, I would still take the AMT over the Aurora version. The whole body seems "off" to me, especially the rear quarter window shape and the rear fenders. It's almost like the folks at Aurora did the body from memory, and not actual blueprints that would yield better proportions.

I agree. I am looking at using the AMT kit as my base. And, I am debating about opening the trunk, but may skip it. The Revell 2010 Camaro SS is contribuiting engine, drive train and, perhaps, some interior pieces.

[Joe Handley]

I gotta agree with Bill. The whole car goes to pot after the B-Pillar and over all kinda reminds me of that yellow "Mingni" that was shown on Top Gear earlier this year.

[Exotics_Builder]

I gotta agree with Bill. The whole car goes to pot after the B-Pillar and over all kinda reminds me of that yellow "Mingni" that was shown on Top Gear earlier this year.

Don't forget Aurora's 62 Ferrari GTO that became a Monogram then RoG that was so off. I tend to agree with those who stated that it started out as a 250 GT that was converted mid-design

[Mark]

Don't forget Aurora's 62 Ferrari GTO that became a Monogram then RoG that was so off. I tend to agree with those who stated that it started out as a 250 GT that was converted mid-design

Aurora put a lot of effort into being first to market with a particular kit. Accuracy often suffered because of that. In the case of the Ferrari, the kit started out as a model of one Ferrari, then changed to another that was introduced while Aurora was developing the kit. Aurora's Avanti was out way before AMT's kit, and likewise isn't as good as AMT's. From what I can determine, AMT's kit came out in late '64 or early '65. Studebaker stopped building Avantis in late '63 when they quit assembling cars in South Bend. (They built engines there for cars assembled in Canada to finish up the '64 model year.) I don't think Newman and Altman had started building them yet; if they had, AMT would probably have changed the engine and introduced the kit as an Avanti II...

[Mark]

Are the Firestone Gum Dipped tires included in the Avanti kit something new from Round2?:




The whitewall Firestones are newly tooled. The newest tire pack has two sets of these: one with thin whitewalls like those pictured, the other set has wide white sidewalls. This latest version of the tire has accurate tread; prior to these, the tread was simply concentric straight lines like an implement tire. The sidewall detail is a bit more accurate too. Over the years, that tire (usually thought of as the "Trophy Series" tire) has been tooled numerous times.


And the second included set, Goodyear Blue Streak Stock Car Special tires :

These aren't new, though at some point they may have been retooled also since they were used in so many kits. The two different sizes of this tire might be due to retooling, or perhaps different materials being used, with some tires shrinking and others not.