Dave Darby

OK, here is the history of the current 66 Mustang kit and its connection to the Mach1/Autolite Special/Superstang/Iron Horse kit according to Mark B, who has to be the all time king of model kit history. For the original post, just do a search for " AMT Iron Horse." This explains when the dual exhaust happened (Iron Horse). And now that I have seen all of the parts to the Sonny & Cher kit, I know the Rader Space Age Wire Look mags (Mark refers to them as Appliance Wire Mags) date back to the S&C kit as well. From Mark (Talking about the Iron Horse, but also peripherally about the 1966 Mustang): There were four issues of the custom fastback: Mach I concept: issued 1967 (though the box art resembles the '68 annual kits). The chassis and engine are from the Sonny & Cher Mustang kit, a custom-only '66 convertible itself made from the annual kit. (There were two AMT '66 Mustang annual kits: the fastback, and a convertible with separate glue-on roof with vinyl texture.) The chassis was altered to add dual exhaust (up until then, it had a single exhaust setup molded in). The Mach I body was new tooling, the interior probably altered from the '66 fastback annual (the body from that kit went to the altered-wheelbase funny car kit). The Mach I was molded in red. Autolite Hi-Per Special: issued 1968. changes included different wheels (Appliance "Wire Mag" replacing the Mach I's Apache wheels). I believe the cut line for the "roadster" option was added to the body at this time also. Molded in metallic (not flake) blue. Superstang Gasser: issued 1969. This issue had a full-length plated parts tree (Mach I and Hi-Per had half-length trees). This issue included a drag version. The Appliance Wire Mag wheels are replaced by the "baby moon/chrome reversed wheels" that AMT put into a lot of kits over the years. The drag version had slotted wheels, slicks, and 13" tires for the front. Molded in yellow. Iron Horse: issued 1975 (possibly '74). This issue went is much the same as the Hi-Per Special; the drag version parts are removed. The Appliance Wire Mags are back, the chrome reversed/baby moons are out (though they are on the car in the catalog illustration). Molded in white. The chassis/engine and half of the plated tree from the Iron Horse were later united with the '66 Mustang coupe promotional model tool (issued once in kit form, in 1969 (*Peony Pony) to create the oft-reissued '66 Mustang coupe kit that we know today. Remember, the '66 annual was not a coupe but a convertible with separate hardtop roof.

Peony Pony and the Countdown Series (and all subsequent issues are derived from the Promo body, with the hood opened up). The best of my knowledge the tool with the removable hardtop is still in the Sonny & Cher configuration. It would take a GREAT deal of rework to make that stock again. The new issue also has a bunch of previously welded off parts from the Superstang Gasser variant of the Mach 1, Autolite Special/ Iron Horse kit. Before it got those rather poor Shelby wheels, it had the Rader Wire Mags left over from the Iron Horse kit that supplies the running gear and a slew of custom parts to this kit. I believe it was Tim Boyd, who did a Mustang history in SAE back in the 1980s. I have or have had many of these kits in my collection, and it all jibes with my parts layouts, etc. Note that although they refer to it as a 1965 Mustang, the model inside is a 1966. Note the one piece promo style body and chassis. I stand behind my statement that all AMT 1966 Mustangs from the Peony Pony on, are based off of the promo tool that originated in 1964.

That is actually a somewhat inaccurate and borderline cynical statement. Witness the 1967 Shelby, 68 Road Runner, and Hurst Olds kits for example. They are marked Retro Deluxe, but are from relatively recent tools with more than adequate detail. The model kit industry is not vary lucrative, so I doubt the guys at Round2 are trying to skim us out of our dollars. There are plenty of better get rich rich quick schemes.

I wouldn't equate parts count and detail to quality. If you want a great example of a kit with a high parts count and level of detail, simply look at the Trumpetor 1964 Falcon kits. They exhibit considerably more detail than does the AMT 1966 Mustang, but nearly every aspect of this kit only vaguely resembles the prototype. As far as Gen 1 Mustangs go, this AMT kit is (as far as the body goes) king of the hill. Better even than the more detailed Monogram kit in my opinion. Also, like the previous posts state, this kit is steeped in history (as are many of the kits from all manufacturers out there - not just Round2). It has its origins in the 1964 Mustang Promo model, which actually came pre-assembled. A glue kit (from its own tool) of a convertible that would also build a coupe (separate hardtop) soon followed, along with a fastback. The fastback kit morphed into an altered wheelbase gasser, while the convertible/hardtop kit ended up as the Sonny & Cher his and hers kits after the 1966 run. Some portion of these tools were used to create the Autolite Mustang showcar from Ford, which ultimately became the Iron Horse. The Promo tool, which was updated to a 1966 was reissued around 1968-9(?) as the "Peony Pony" basically an unassemble promo, part of the Flower Power series. In the mid 70's, AMT opened up the hood, and combined the body and interior tub with the chassis and running gear from the Iron Horse to create essentially the kit you have now. As stated before, this kit is very much state of the art for its time. Many of on the board are in our 40s through 70s, and grew up on these kits. We take it for granted when we see the 66 Mustang, that it will be just like the last time we built it, maybe in our teens. The Model kit industry had been around for a long time, and because of this, and the high cost of creating a new kit (probably just south of half a million these days) and low production numbers compared to the heyday of kits, you will see many, many re-issued older kits on the shelves. Reissues are rarely cheaper than the new ones, quite simply because it still costs a good chunk of change to run production. New box art, instructions, decals, labor, packaging and shipping all enter into the equation. Anyway, long and short, don't beat up on Round2 too hard, they have a staff of well under a dozen, and they have to be able to keep the lights on. They are providing a great service, by restoring and preserving these historic kits for future enjoyment. And like Mark said, just look at the bottom of the box if you want something with more detail.

Looking good. Always love seeing your work, Tulio. Now I can see how early you mastered the craft. I wish I had more of my oldies from my teen years.

I wish I did, but that was after my time. If I had to hazard a guess, I'd say Steve Goldman.

I never liked or used Stoplight red for that very reason. One of my favorites (besides the oh so easy and quick red Sharpie is Testors 1104 (1204 Spray) Dark Red (often I spray paint into a cap to brush on for detailing.). Perfect translucency for one coat, and looks JUST like a red lens. BTW, I miss the Johan stuff too.

I don't it gets much better than this. Superb concept and execution.

Hi Tulio, actually, Terry Jessee did the red and black 57 Ford, along with the purple custom on the side panel. I did the box top car (mint green and white) that was also used on the three car set with a 63 Galaxie and a 57 T Bird. You do beautiful work.

The 32 Grille shell was in every release from the original, up through the Street Rods issue. The Street Rods issue lost the Ala Kart nose,deck and chrome reversed wheels, along with modifications I'll mention later. The bulk of the remaining Ala Kart stuff (cab, fenders, frame, interior tub, etc) was removed from the 1976-77 A-Venger issue, except for the Red Ram Hemi, and some rear suspension parts. When AMT/Ertl was toying with re-issuing the Ala Kart back around 1999-2000 or so) they opened up many of the gates on the tool, only to discover that the fender and cab units had been much modified. Instead of restoring the tool, (which I would love to see Round2 do), they elected to create the new tool Ala Kart, which is good for two things. Under carriage parts, and for driving the prices of the originals down (they were going for 2 Benjamins prior to this release.) Look a little left of dead center, underneath the Ala Kart frame, and left of the windshield frame, and you will see that 32 grille shell. Up to this point, in 1970, there had been zero modifications to the tool. You could have built that yellow car on the box art even way back in 1962. I've owned every issue of 1929 Model A kit, and wrote an Ala Kart (real car and model) history that appeared on the now defunct Bonediggers Styrene page, and in Model Cars Magazine when the new tool Kart came out. http://public.fotki.com/DWDarby/ala_kart/?show=all http://public.fotki.com/DWDarby/model_cars/vintage_model_kits/amt_ala_kart_instru/

Seeing Tulio's gorgeous 56 Vicky made me want to post mine. This is actually the build that got me started doing bx art models, as the box this came out of had the hideous red and white build up on the box with the front 12 spoke Halibrands on one side and the chrome reverse rear wheels on the other. Gaaaack! Anyway, this is painted with plain ol' Testors enamels out of a rattle can, and is my very first ever Bare Metal Foil job. Underneath that foil is some pretty nice silver painted trim, but.... There are some added details on this kit, including plug wires, (at one time it also had heater hoses, too. I also made rear window trim and visors from Evergreen plastic. The fender skirts are cut down from the AMT 49 Merc. Enough Yak. here it is... Not too bad for a 26 year old survivor?

Looks pretty good to me, and I'm a Ford guy.

The only thing I would change is the zip code of the shelf it's sitting on. It would look pretty good at 52722. Where I live. Nice job!

Here are the contents of the most recent iteration of the 1929 Model A Kit, circa 2002. As compared to... (Boy I wish I had this one back! This was my first Ala Kart model. My first Model A kit was the Street Rods issue back in 1973, when I was in 6th grade.

Hi Tim, actually, I did a little research on the cowl thing. That portion that Revell has molded to body isn't really molded one piece with the body. So Revell isn't totally accurate either. That windshield and cowl section is actually several pieces. If your windshield posts are the same color as the car, the AMT kit is perfect as is. If you want a chrome windshield, then you might want to do some masking of the center section. BTW, you're my friend, too, Tim. I've met John in person several times over the years. I hope day our paths will cross as well. The roadster cowl below will break down into about 7 pieces. The cowl top doubles as the gas tank. (One piece). I actually dragged one of those home from an abandoned farm when I was a teen. And it further breaks down like this... So I wouldn't go molding that center part to the gas tank/cowl top. AMT and Revell are both generally correct. They are just broken down differently.

Bill, I'm loving this (what looks like) old build you posted. Did you build it, or is it an acquisition? We have Facebook page called Scale Survivors, where we share new and vintage photos of old builds. I'd like to share it there. Anyone else here who is interested, feel free to check it out. https://www.facebook.com/groups/scalesurvivors/

Besides the other points mentioned, and I hope my good friends Tim Boyd and John Mueller will forgive me for this, but I think the AMT 29 A body has it all over the Revell version. It is closer to stock, much more graceful, and doesn't have that clunky made in China look about it. It has finesse. Look at the post above mine for an example. Don't get me wrong, there is a lot to like about the new Revell kit (I have one), but If I'm building a 29 A, that body will be coming from the AMT kit. I'm looking forward to seeing what's in that new issue. For anyone wanting somewhat of a preview, the 2002 and later issues of the Model A have many of the Ala Kart parts back in, minus plating, front axle, and wheels. The original AMT A kit also came with a bunch of vintage 4 cylinder speed parts. Gonna be another good year.

Someone on a another board said, "Nice Save". The model you started with was pretty nice in its own right. What I would say is that you performed a pretty magnificent upgrade. The only thing I would change on that build is the zip code it resides at. Nice work!

Caution: Above comment is not necessarily the opinion of most posters on this forum. I, for one am ecstatic at what Round 2 has been doing with AMT/MPC's long neglected assets. While some new stuff might be neat, if they keep restoring the old Trophy Series kits back to their original splendor, that will keep me plenty happy til I'm horizontal. I am a big proponent of constructive criticism, but the above comment is just so much tactless and ignorant bashing.

I think it depends on which Revell kit. I LOVE the old 1960 (really a 59) Multi-Piece body kit. Other than engine detail and optional parts, I think body and interior wise it beats the MPC kit in every way.

Sounds like rather than fixing the spindles, they just put the solid plastic springs of the later issues back in. I don't have one in my hot little hands to tell for sure tho.

Weeelllll.... Not quite. The 63's had different A pillar trim, covering the entire pillar,including the door, sort of like a convertible windshield with a hardtop added on the back. 64-67 had thinner trim that left much of the A pillar body color. You can see it in your photo. That said, a little BareMetal Foil applied the right way will cover that detail. I think you are off to a very cool project! Love that car!

It was turned into the Scorpion, a mid engined dragster

Looks great. You did your friend proud.

Like I said in my earlier post, the current 2015 (actually came out in 2014) kit is the one to get. Nice white plastic, miss-shapen front fender issues corrected, both engines, and nice decals. Only way to do better (shy of a bunch of kit bashing) is to spend the bucks for an annual.