Dave Darby

I have that baby blue one too. That would be the one I'm thinking of.

I do have a Craftsman/Trophy Jr T-Bird that has no skirts. Apparently they did it both ways at some point. If mine pops up on me (haven't seen it in a while), I'll post pics.

I spoke with John Mueller back in 2013 at a car show in Maquoketa Iowa. He told me that Round2 had brought him in to go through each and every mold/tool they had. While I am not at liberty to say just what they found, I can tell you that a few things that were thought to have been lost forever are still there, and we'll probably see them at some point. So Round2 does have a pretty good handle on what they have. And just in case you are tempted to PM me and ask, sorry, but I can't tell you. All I can say is just keep buying what they make, and you will see some pretty cool stuff come out of the next few years.

Actually, according to Collectormodel.com, the Reactor Wheels shown on the old box cover are being recreated. The kit will also come with red glass, both skinny and wide cheater slicks, a set of wide whitewall tires, and a set of Goodyear Polyglas GTs. http://www.collectormodel.com/category/round2-models/#sthash.71pbjl4L.dpbs I'll need a few of these for my stash!

The Flashback version had the addition of an incorrect injector manifold, as Mark correctly states, as well as an equally incorrect set of tube headers that would be more accurate on an FE (390, 427, etc) engine. They also added a set of unplated reversed wheels for the rear. I vaguely remember possibly some traction bars too, but I don't remember for sure. I would like to see Round2 tool up some accurate parts, but I really love to see them restore and or retool the styline parts.

Bumpers and guards are different too.

The Styline parts all disappeared with the Flashback issue. More of the custom parts went away during the 1993 refresh where they added the modern bucket seats, billet engine dress up parts and Budnik wheels. That said, I'll bet there are more than a couple of the old custom and Styline parts cavities still available to run. I'm also thinking whatever was done in 1993 can be undone by moving/swapping some inserts. But don't hold me to that. Some of those parts I am sure are gone for good, but this issue should be an interesting one.

HI Vince. I actually covered that in the caption describing the difference between the two fender units. As Mark said, both of the original Mod Rod issues also built an Ala Kart. The changes came with the 1973 Street Rods issue. I would love to see Round2 restore this tool. It's totally doable.

The 65 also has the vents on the B pillar. The 66 does not. In addition, the 66 uses the 1967 style egg crate grille. But it sounds like you already have that.

Well guys, I finally got some free time, and did a quicky review of the new AMT Mod Rod reissue, As a bonus, when you click on the link, you will find a another link to a history of the real car and the kit I had done for the now defunct Bonediggers site back in 2002, which also features a side by side comparison of the old and new tool Ala Kart kits. In the photos on my Fotki site, I added some shots of the original box art for all of the Ala Kart kits, and some of the later variations. Plus side by side comparisons of old and new kit content. I have added captions to explain parts, differences and historical tidbits as well. Buckle up, it's gonna be a great ride. BTW, if you think you are in good shape because you have that 2002 Model A reissue, you are mistaken. There are a BUNCH of Ala Kart and vintage speed parts in the new issue that were not in the 2002 kit. Link follows these two teaser photos... AMT Mod Rod 2016

If you are going to build a Revell 57 Ford into a gasser with no front bumper, do yourself a favor, and trim the bottom of the front fender (ahead of the front wheel) even with the bottom of the grille. That's where the fender ends on the real one. It'll look a LOT better. As for a 56 body on a 57 frame. No. Just... No. The 57 has a cowbelly frame, while the 56 is closer to the 1949 frame. It would be a nightmare of epic proportions to connect the two. And for what? A 9 in rear end that would practically be a bolt in swap on the 56? I highly doubt many, if any such swaps were ever done.

Exactly. Besides the grossly misshapen nose and cowl, the new tool engine is definitely under size. You don't believe me? 12 years ago, The guy who designed the new tool kit - John Mueller and I measured a real Dodge Red Ram Hemi. (BTW, even John was disappointed with the kit. Racing Champions/Ertl/AMT had finished the project after he'd been 'retired').

Years ago, when the new tool Ala Kart kit came out, I wrote a history of the car, the original kit, and a side by side comparison of the old and new tool Ala Kart kits. The new tool kit fared very poorly. You can read it at this link. BTW, Stay tuned, as I picked up the new Mod Rod kit, and will do a detailed "Tim Boyd-esque" style review of it very soon. It's a good 'un! Old Vs New Ala Kart kit Comparo

That is just plain uber nice!

I built this one back in 1976 when I was 15 years old. Won first place in my very first model contest with it. Has about a bajillion coats of candy red lacquer on it. All original, except for the paint on the hood, and some fresh chrome I robbed from a started kit I got off eBay. Still trying to hunt down the mags from the Skyhawk kit. And I want to restore the hood. It was body color, with the scoop and the racing number. And I still need to replace the side pipes.

I couldn't agree more. That's why I have several extras. Until the Pro Modeler/Revell 58-59 came out, I think it was the best solid axle Vette out there. Still is IMHO, as long as you don't flip it over, or open the hood.

Tulio, you never disappoint. Well done as usual!

Last I heard was it wasn't going to happen, at least not anytime soon. Shame.

I agree on some of the points, but I can see even from that half a photo that there are quite a bit more of the old AK parts back in the fold than there was previously. Plus some of those parts will be chrome again for the first time in decades That said, the original Ala Kart does really need to be restored, and I wouldn't be a bit heartbroken if they scrapped the crude and inaccurate new tool to help pay for it.

Or nah...? Nobody got any photos of this at NNL East?

Man, I sure like that box art better than the current art for that kit!

Round2 had a test shot on display at NNL East. Anybody get photos? I snagged this one off of that other message board, from Chuck Rehbergers post, but it's cropped a little high. Sure do like the box art graphics for the 57 Vette!

I'm not going to say never in the history of 'implement' tires have their ever been any, but those instances are pretty rare. So to my eyes, they look a little weird and overdone with them. And speaking of to my eyes, I probably came off a little harsh on the box art. First off, the builds are first rate. My issue, as it were is with the graphics. For the type of culture and era these two subjects represent (the 30 A Coupe and 57 gasser), the graphics should be be more of a retro flavor. The beveling and embossing (Making the lettering and rivets (what do we need rivets for anyway?) 3-D and metal looking) just smacks of Neo Retro to me. Like they plastered an erector set on the box. Don't get me wrong. I used a very complicated, layered version of the bevel and emboss/metallic technique quite a few years ago when I created this logo... (and cover) Obviously Model Cars Magazine has a new cover logo now, and quite frankly, I like it. In fact, it's closer to what Revell should be using for those boxes. Consider this vibe... (Still a bit overstated, but more retro) Or this (Very fitting)... So, not to pick on Revell/Monogram, but I just think the box graphics are overdone, and take away from the models, which should be the focus. But again, that is just my opinion, and it doesn't take away from the model kits in question. There will be multiples of each in my stash. But great box art DOES grab your heart strings, and thereby your purse strings. Would it make a difference in this case? Who knows? Anyway, that's just my take. There are a lot of guys out there who enjoy making faux box art, to varying degrees of... um quality. This pair made more than one person think it was one of those.

Old school silver painted trim. Mad props! I like it.

Probably not too well. The 57 Ford is wider than the 56. Why go to the trouble?