Dave Darby

Classics! I love these two.

My... Gosh! Breathtaking.

I've seen some just pure "Wow!" builds on there. Since it appears AMT can play as well, here are a few of mine, along with a survivor. I started this one back in 1994-95 and really need to get back on it some day. It's a somewhat replica of the late Dave Southwick's Dutch Eshelman built 29 Highboy featured in a 1990 R&C. I'm sure you've seen this one. It's also in the need to get back on it queue. it was also started around the same time priod as the highboy, but went through some heavy changes. Finally, this survivor I bought off ebay a couple of decades ago.

How would you know the difference between a 260 and a 289, when the only difference between the two is .2" cylinder bore diameter? Outwardly the two look identical. If you are looking for a more accurate 289, there's always the one in the 67 Mustang. But be aware that the oil filler tubes on the 63s are located on the timing cover for both engines, just as AMT has it on the Cobra. (Not so accurate for the 66 Mustang!)

Hi James, I think your comments show just how easy it is to create a typographical error. These may or may not be obvious to another person, just as I don't carry around the history of Daimler Benz to know who took what out for a drive. Does a resemblence to a Curtiss P40 exhaust hinge on the number of pipes, or the shape of the pipes? I like accuracy as well, but I have seen just as bad of proofing mistakes in well funded mainstream media than I've seen in MCM. Scale Auto was often worse, when it came to factual accuracy. Speaking for myself, as a contributor to MCM, I don't make my living from writing for this magazine. I have a day job. I do this purely for the benefit of the hobby. I do my level best to make sure what I contribute is as accurate as possible, as I am sure the other contributors do as well. But, we are all only human. Have you considered contributing articles to the magazine? Perhaps you'd like to volunteer to proofread articles.

That's a beauty, Alan!

Nice to see the SR tonneau cover back in the mix. I assume the original one was still in the tool, or did you guys have to tool up a new one? The Sports Roadster wires are another nice touch, and a big improvement over the optional wheels in the previous issues. These additions will definitely sway those like myself who may already have a couple in the stash.

Very cool build Tim!

The Revell "60" (really a 1959) Corvette is the Rodney Dangerfield of Corvettes. While it does have a multi-piece body, it's miles ahead of the old SMP based AMT "59" (really a 1960) Corvette. The MPC 1960 Corvette isn't bad, but it's saddled with a 1957 interior tub. The only 58-60 Corvette that's better is the newer Pro-Modeler based Revell kit. Here's my build, from the Skip's Fiesta issue. This kit comes with non stock tires and chrome rims with baby moons, so mine wears MPC wheel covers in old AMT Trophy Series tires.

Green Hornet is all new tool.

AMT did a mass scrapping of tools in the early to mid 1970s. Add to that some shrinkage from several transfers of ownership. As I understand it, even some tools created during the Ertl years are MIA.

Very very nice! @gseedsyou have some competition!

I just can't help thinking about what a job it had to have been to engrave those.

The 64 actually is quite a bit different than the 65-67 annuals, in that it doesn't have the working coil spring front suspension. It also has the 1964 Interior, and no stock wheels or side pipes. While the 65-67 annuals have Fenton mags, the 64 has Americans. Only the 66 and 67 have stock wheels. Stay tuned for The Vintage Workbench column in issue 214 of Model Cars Magazine for a complete history of the MPC 64-67 Corvette kits.

My post last night must not have gone through. The Roth Outlaw has a Cragar labeled 4 carb manifold. The Parts pack 4 carb manifold is a bit different design, and has no labeling.

It's actually too high from the very front to past the back of the door.

Pretty certain that was an Airfix tool. Pretty cool kit tho...

Keeping in mind that my words were " in many areas" I'll go down the list. (And I should have specified the old tool AMT kit). Your top photo speaks for itself. That side trim is way off. The rest of the proportions are pretty good. Looking at the new tool AMT kit, it appears it has a subtle trace of the same problem. Now as far as the areas I am thinking of, I would put forth that the chassis and running gear are far superior. The engine and transmission are as well, when you get down to the nitty gritty. Jim Keeler's small block Chevy is one of the best ones ever tooled from from a scale and detail standpoint, rocker covers not withstanding. Then you have some really nice speed and deatil parts as well. Studying the the two box art cars, I'd say the red one is stock out of box, and had the builder set the ride height correctly, and added some whitewalls, it really doesn't look too awful bad. Definitely no MPC parts, as the the MPC kit doesn't have the separate upper grille trim piece, and has molded in headlight lenses. I'd be inclined to use the AMT front bumper and headlights on mine though. If you want my opinion on which 1/25th 57 tudor hardtop has the most accurate body, for me it would be the Revell Wheels of Fire Snap kit, followed by the new tool AMT. The worst, by light years is the Monogram 1/24th kit.

I never build a kit expecting to bust it out the way I want it using only the parts in the box. Window fit not withstanding, the Revell 57 is in many areas much more accurate than the ubiquitous AMT 57. Especially the wonky side trim on the AMT.

Me too. Even if they were to just tool up new bezels and lenses, with instructions to file the molded in ones flat.

My guess is that quite a few of the sedan parts inserts still reside in the Willys tool. I realize the pickup cab, interior, and bed parts take up some real estate, but that still doesn't equal a full kit. That could even be where the missing body is...

I think that alone would make them pretty special. Very nicely done survivors. I especially like the black one, but both are very, very cool.

As far as I know, Roger Sills still has it.

The original from 1962 has the green & white box. The second issue (1965) has the blue box. The third issue came out in 1968 with a red Mod Rod on the box top. The final issue with the original Ala Kart still intact was in 1970, with a yellow fenderless Mod Rod on the boxtop.