Original 1/25 AMT Cobra - A Retrospective

[Gramps46]

With the release of a Cobra kit by Revell Germany and and others loosely based upon the AMT I thought it was worthwhile looking back at the original AMT.

The first AMT was of the 260 V8 series.  This shown with Herb Deeks wire wheels and off set gas cap to look like CSX 2000.  This model was the cover car of the Feb/March 2002 Model Cars.

The first factory racing Cobra was the #98 with Deeks wheels and Cady Decals.

The #33 depicts the 289 Cobra as raced by Bob Johnson with the kit Halibrands with some beefier tires.  Note the tires are still within the fenders.

The Dragon Snake was a 289 supported by Shelby American with a Jaguar XKE hardtop and drag wheels and tires.  The fender side vents have been added.  The decals were from Fred Cady.

The #4 Cobra shows a 1963 Le Mans entry with a vacuum formed hardtop and side vents.  The wheels were self-made resin copies from somewhere.

The #29 is an AMT kit back dated to an AC ACE as raced at Le Mans.  The front grille area was modified and the AMT fender flares were removed.

Please add your comments and photos of your early AMT kit Cobras.
 

[Misha]

What a great collection of builds Gary, all of them historically valuable versions. To my eye the first leaf sprung Cobras are the prettiest while the coil overs were beasts (in a good way). 
Cheers Misha

[Snake45]

Very cool collection, Gramps! Well done! 

Your yellow one reminds me a lot of my own, built in late 1966 or early '67. It's one of my oldest surviving builds as-is, and my oldest surviving original paint job. I gave it a good cleaning and repaired a couple things in 2016. 

 

[afx]

Cobra first race win, an evolution of the first competition Cobra Gary posted.

Edited July 16, 2020 by afx

[afx]

Sebring Roadster

[afx]

Dragon Snake "El Cid" in it's original Hell's Belle color.

Edited July 16, 2020 by afx

[afx]

'64 Le Mans in progress:

 

[afx]

AC Ace Bristol - in progress

Edited July 15, 2020 by afx

[Gramps46]

2 hours ago, Snake45 said:

 

Your yellow one reminds me a lot of my own, built in late 1966 or early '67. It's one of my oldest surviving builds as-is, and my oldest surviving original paint job. I gave it a good cleaning and repaired a couple things in 2016. 

 

 

 

 

I really like your survivor.  Those were original kit outside spoke wire wheels and AMT/ERTL/who ever should have kept them as they were the most accurate and they really look good the way you treated them way back then.

[randyc]

You guys are great.   Love seeing all these builds and versions.   Thanks for everyone sharing.

[cobraman]

Here are some pics of the original kit . 

[Gramps46]

Thanks for posting of the original kit Ray.  Look at those wheels!  Two great selections.

[65slotcar]

nice group of Cobra's   Gary

[vamach1]

I will chime in later with some pictures of some of the HRM kits (unbuilt) and whatever else I dig up I forgot I have later today.  I am so fortunate to have seen JC and Gary’s collections in person.

Edited July 16, 2020 by vamach1

[Dave B]

Nice builds Gary and others. I have a couple of AMT 289's which I will post later, sorry but the race one is ficticious!!

Dave B

 

[Dave B]

Hi Gary, I am unable to pm you. Would you mind sending me a pm, it is in regards to my resin flip top Cobra.

Dave B

[Ralph Henderson]

Awesome stuff!!  I been collecting AMT Cobra's for about 40 years, finally, in my retirement getting around to building a few, and a hauler to haul em with.  You all are VERY inspirational. Hope to have some stuff to show soon.. 

I NEED those hardtops!!  lol,     and an original set of decals...  I snag any Cady decals I find, (That I don't already have) and early parts kits for the wheels. I never noticed how different the wires were between the early kits and newer ones.. Heck, I've even bought a few builtups.  Wish the early AMT Mustangs had some more realistic Shelby parts.  Oh well..

I'm kind of a sucker for all things Shelby, met him for about a minute years ago at a car event in Northern CA.  Quite a character.

[ChrisR]

AWESOME!!

[Gramps46]

7 hours ago, Dave B said:

Hi Gary, I am unable to pm you. Would you mind sending me a pm, it is in regards to my resin flip top Cobra.

Dave B

Dave,

I just emptied my in box so it should be ok now.

[afx]

The Sunny/Academy/Mincraft kit (along with the new Revell re-issue) is the AMT kit with a 427 style body.  Here is a picture from the Revell website of the kit parts.  I will post pictures of the Sunny kit when I get a chance unless someone else can post them.

Edited July 16, 2020 by afx

[Rich Chernosky]

Gary...great collection of builds. I built this kit when it first came out so its like a trip down memory lane. And thanks to others who added to this post. There is a wealth of information here...you guys are great. 

[Gramps46]

Everyone thanks for your comments but please share pictures of your old, or new, build ups of the AMT Cobra kits and include a backstory too.

[cobraman]

4 hours ago, Ralph Henderson said:

Awesome stuff!!  I been collecting AMT Cobra's for about 40 years, finally, in my retirement getting around to building a few, and a hauler to haul em with.  You all are VERY inspirational. Hope to have some stuff to show soon.. 

I NEED those hardtops!!  lol,     and an original set of decals...  I snag any Cady decals I find, (That I don't already have) and early parts kits for the wheels. I never noticed how different the wires were between the early kits and newer ones.. Heck, I've even bought a few builtups.  Wish the early AMT Mustangs had some more realistic Shelby parts.  Oh well..

I'm kind of a sucker for all things Shelby, met him for about a minute years ago at a car event in Northern CA.  Quite a character.

Ralph, if you need the top from the AMT cobra kit I believe I can help you out. PM me and I will check what I have.

[cobraman]

The AMT ones are probably not the ones you are wanting but the offer stands. ?

[Brudda]

23 hours ago, Gramps46 said:

With the release of a Cobra kit by Revell Germany and and others loosely based upon the AMT I thought it was worthwhile looking back at the original AMT.

The first AMT was of the 260 V8 series.  This shown with Herb Deeks wire wheels and off set gas cap to look like CSX 2000.  This model was the cover car of the Feb/March 2002 Model Cars.

The first factory racing Cobra was the #98 with Deeks wheels and Cady Decals.

The #33 depicts the 289 Cobra as raced by Bob Johnson with the kit Halibrands with some beefier tires.  Note the tires are still within the fenders.

The Dragon Snake was a 289 supported by Shelby American with a Jaguar XKE hardtop and drag wheels and tires.  The fender side vents have been added.  The decals were from Fred Cady.

The #4 Cobra shows a 1963 Le Mans entry with a vacuum formed hardtop and side vents.  The wheels were self-made resin copies from somewhere.

The #29 is an AMT kit back dated to an AC ACE as raced at Le Mans.  The front grille area was modified and the AMT fender flares were removed.

Please add your comments and photos of your early AMT kit Cobras.
 

Love it!!! When I was a kid I saw a completed model of the amt cobra in a display window at a hobby shop. Was the best thing I ever saw!  Every time I see a amt cobra I will try to buy it because of the great memories as a kid. Your collection brought that out again! Thank you for reopening the great memories!!!!!! Awesome builds!