Mark

Those are from an MPC Vega kit. All of the annual kits (1971-77) had them. MPC offered the kit as a "Chevy Hatchback" (Monza S) for 1978; I'd bet that one has those wheels too. --Mark

The Torino was updated and sold as a 1969 model (along with the other AMT 1969 model kits). It was issued as the Cobra "coupe". But the roof was a separate glue-on piece with vinyl roof texture, and the convertible boot was still included. --Mark

what i find interesting and a bit amusing is how the rear window is the largest one in the whole car Dave The rear window is so large because it's stock size. The curved rear glass couldn't be cut, so the glass and its opening were cut free and fitted back to the body intact. As for the chop itself, the side window openings look "funny", the door windows in particular. The openings seem to rise at the top going from front to back, reaching a high point at the B-pillar, then drop off again towards the rear. I'm not sure whether to re-chop the top or to just cut the window opening areas out, fix them, and graft them back in. --Mark

Never heard of this one! My guess is that it was a handout item at one of the World's Fairs in the Sixties. One year (I believe it was '62) the handout was (or included) some unique decals. I've got a couple sets of the decals, but I've never heard of, or seen, the key. I couldn't guess at the time frame, but if I had to, I'd say it was done after Budd Anderson left AMT in mid-'64. After his departure AMT did run some comic book ads with a cartoon "Kat from AMT" that resembled the key. But there were little figures included in AMT kits that resembled the "kat" before that, so who knows. Nice find!

John: Only the issue with the metallic blue Impala on the box is 100% stock. The current "Rides" issue looks like it is based on the stock version, but it will not have stock wheels. If you can scrounge stock Rally wheels (or resin wheel covers from the annual kits) a stock SS looks do-able. --Mark