blizzy63

I had this 1989 MPC/Ertl kit in my stash for decades...because I always liked GTOs. Never built it because...MPC. It looked like a dog's breakfast with its mixed '72 GTO parts and flash. The kit looked like an orphan from a prouder era. Even as a kid in the '70s, I avoided MPC kits because of their comparative crudeness and excess flash. About 3 years ago, I wanted to experiment using Rust-oleum 2X spray paints for bodies and interiors, along with Pledge (Future) floor gloss for the clear finish. This kit became the guinea pig for my trials. Turned out OK for a quick build despite proportion issues. (Paint: Rust-oleum 2X Gloss Colonial Red, Satin Heirloom White interior)

Yes. I noticed that on this and other re-issues of the Modified Stocker kits of recent years where the sprues are generously re-opened. For me, I appreciate the vintage stock car racing parts that are useful on other oval track car projects. For example, the parts on the ‘64 Galaxie Modified Stocker are useful on the AMT ‘64 Mercury Marauder kit for a vintage NASCAR racer.

Since this thread is still alive, I'll throw my 2 cents in... Round2: First, a straight re-issue of the AMT '64 Ford (Galaxie) Modified Stocker kit (last re-issued by RC2 in 2007, #21858P). Then, using your new magic cloning powers, recreate a stock annual '64 Galaxie hardtop body with opening hood and appropriate wheels, and create a contemporary version of the old AMT '64 Galaxie Daytona Sportsman kit. The old Daytona Sportsman kit (T221) was essentially a 1969 repackaging of the 1964 3-in-1 annual kit, but I'd be happy to have just a vintage NASCAR/1960's stock car racer.

I’ve been using Dupli-color primers (grey, red, black) happily for years, except for in the last year or so the black primer sprays too watery and requires multiple coats. I’ve experimented recently with Rust-oleum 2X and some other non-hobby sprays for particular colors for interiors and racing car bodies that don’t require car show finishes. I get varying results depending on brand, color and luster. Below: Rust-oleum 2X Apple Red (gloss)... acceptable... Bottom: Rust-oleum 2X Seaside (satin) is glossier than I was hoping...

If it’s going to be the ‘57 Bel Air 2-door post kit, then I’m in… Revell should keep the new-tool ‘55-56-57 Chevy kits in constant release rotation.

Thanks for the blog article, Peter. Speaking of door artworks, I wonder if we'll ever again see the impressive Monkeemobile door decal from Speedway Decals...?

I've loved this concept since I first saw Daniel Johnson's build on Dave's Show Rod Rally years ago: http://www.showrods.com/gallery_pages/monkeemobile2.html It's still filed in my mind for a future attempt...

I, too, purchased the new MPC-996 Monkeemobile kit...particularly for the new tires. Upon examination, mine are definately big and littles. Wondering if your same-size set are an error? The model in the background is the Ertl Blueprinter issue of 1989 that I built in 1990. Note the original-style MPC Goodyear (Sports Car Special) tire, which came in big and little sizes. It's too bad those old MPC Goodyears couldn't be dressed up with the current tampo printing.

Next month (February), according to ‘SteveG’. They’re apparently on a ship right now… One hobby supplier says mid-March.

The AMT 1963-65 Corvette Stingray annuals had SB 327 engines. The 1966 kits had the SB 327 and added a "Custom 396" (separate BB). For 1967, the SB 327 was dropped and only came with a BB 427. It remained this way through three '67 re-issues (T238, 6777, T-201) and the 'Street Rods' back-dated '63 coupe (A163). Ertl put a SB 327 back in the kit along with the BB 427 in 1986 (6520). (No "cheating", fortunately...although, a "427" only in a '63 might be fudging it if we pretend it's a 'Mystery Motor'.)

Yes, please. Stock wheel covers and I'll be in for the '63 Corvette convertible.

Complex looking, yes. But only six kit parts... Obviously, they were influenced by the '63 Corvette Grand Sport race car engines of the times. The AMT 1965 and '66 annual Corvette Stingray fastback (coupe) kits (#6925, #6926) had this intake option as well.

Here's a long-shot... For the upcoming '65 GTO hardtop kit: How about including some optional speed equipment from the original AMT 1964-65 Tempest/GTO kits. I'd love to have the Weber cross-ram intake system option back! Add a roll bar and a seat belt harness and you'll make one fun kit!

The AMT ‘69 Ford Falcon Modified Stocker kit has this air cleaner (velocity horn) for its 351 Ford engine.

Stumpy trans...but for a reason. Typical engine-chassis arrangement on AMT annual kits of this period (including the steel axle through the engine block).

Starlift: For NASCAR purposes only... obviously...

It’s all interesting trivia but for me, I wouldn’t be interested in a convertible car kit, even if it had a separate roof. I would definitely buy a hardtop.

Rare, yes. A Starlift top on a '62 Galaxie Sunliner won't give you a stock '62 Galaxie hardtop. '62 Ford Galaxie hardtops were all Thunderbird-styled squarebacks.

The chassis may have been different from the standard platform chassis but I thought we prefered a separate-parts chassis (separate exhaust, suspension, etc.)... To me, it looked fine when assembled. (The clear roll cage was different...)

I don't think any past kit had this top so someone would have to create one from scratch.

'I'd buy that for a dollar...!'

Two early AMT 'Trophy Series' Ford FE engines from 1962 and '63: Left: 1961-62 Ford FE390 from the AMT (and Lindberg) '34 Ford Pickup kits. It was an all-chrome engine in the kits but I stripped and painted this one in stock colors for fun. Right: 1962-63 Ford FE406 hot rod mill from the AMT '32 Ford Victoria kits. The original kit called it a "427" which was new in 1963 and... why not. It's still an FE. (I would agree that the Ford FE352 in the AMT (Ertl) '60 Ford Starliner kit is the best 1/25 scale FE engine. The engine in the AMT (Ertl) '62 Thunderbird kits is a 390. The AMT (Ertl) '66 Fairlane 427 and '67 Comet Cyclone GT 390 FEs are good mentions too.)

thepartsbox resin louvres are very good. They each measure 7mm x 18mm. I'm seeking louvres that are 9mm wide. On the right is a resin louvre unit from my parts box. It measures 25mm wide x 20.5mm. I don't know where it came from (!)...

I've noticed that of backup lights for years. Back when I was a car nut in high school, the old pre-1967 cars that we liked and could afford were usually "low-price" models that did not come equipped with OPTIONAL backup lights. Our family car was a 1961 Pontiac Laurentian with blank-outs in the rear bumper where the optional backup light would be. Yet the '53-56 Chevy taillights were always the same: They included the clear backup lens even if the car wasn't equipped with them.