tim boyd

James...no it was purely copied after a second-tier 1969 Mustang Funny Car, featured in, I believe, in one of the East Coast drag racing mags back then. I saved most of my mags back then but this one has eluded me.... TIM

Steve....Yes...you caught my MC5 reference. Cool! I more or less grew up in Ann Arbor, and back then (late 1960's) the MC5 frequently performed at the Gallup Park Sunday afternoon concerts (or at least that's what I think I remember), along with SRC, The Rationals, Iggy and the Stooges, and maybe even The Frost although I think they were more Grande Ballroom in Detroit (I was a little too young then to travel that far!) TIM

Heh guys....thanks so much for your comments. Too be honest, as I was posting the pictures in my Fotki album, and then typing out the missive above along with its photos, I was really wondering whether anyone would find all this to be evenly remotely relevant in today's context. For many years, the widespread view of the model car community (at least the view held by the magazine editors at the time - we're talking 10-20 years ago here) was that modelers didn't care a whit about the past history of the hobby. I always thought that was a bit short sided, but the evidence at the time seemed to support their view. Thankfully, you guys (and many others) have ultimately proved them wrong on this subject. I suspect all modelers have stories of their early years not unlike mine above; I do thank my lucky stars that I was able to save some of my earliest modeling endeavors and finally get to a point where I was able to invest the time to return them to their original "glory days" status. It is really gratifying to hear that you guys share my sentiment for this part of our model car legacy....TIM

Roger....thanks for the comments. In response to your question, here's what I wrote under that picture at my Fotki album presentation on the model...."(As far as that future architecture career mentioned in the text, I worked in an Architect's office over the summer of my Junior [high school] year and quickly determined that wasn't what I wanted to do for a career. I ended up working 35 1/2 years in the auto industry in a number of executive level positions in marketing, strategy, and design, and thank my lucky stars to this day I went that route instead of architecture!)" Now about that stereo equipment....not long after that magazine appeared, I took out a loan (still as a 15 year old, with I think my father as a co-signer) at the Olsen Electronics Store in Ann Arbor and bought their AM/FM Stereo receiver and two Utah 3-way floor speakers with 12" bass cones. I still have both; the speakers positioned (along with two other smaller, more recent ones) in my basement rec room setup. Within a few months of starting work at Ford, my first big purchase newly enabled by my pay checks was two JBL 4311BX Studio Monitors; generally considered the best speakers in the world at that time, and notably used as the studio monitors in most professional studios where rock artists recorded and produced their albums (they were the commercial versions of the consumer oriented "JBL 100" speakers which included geometric cube foam speaker grilles - mine blessedly omitted that feature). These now 42 year old speakers are still rockin' in my first floor family room, and man do they still kick out the jams. It was a ridiculously expensive expenditure back in 1978, but has proven to be well worth it over the ensuing years. Then, starting the in mid 1980's and continuing through today, my stereo equipment has all been of the Kenwood brand, originally bought new and more recently, through acquisitions of used/renewed Kenwood components. I know, I know, way too much info but you asked! Thanks again for the question....TIM

Way back - in fact, 50 years ago this month, I won "Best Detail" at the 1970 Detroit Cobo Autorama MPC Model Car Contest...an event later hyped in Car Model Magazine (August, 1970) cover story as the "Biggest Model Car Contest Ever Held". It was actually a dual award - my first winning model was a 1969 Charger Funny Car with a working drivetrain (turn the real tires, the driveline worked and rotated the engine's blower drive belt and pulleys). It had won "1st Senior" at the MPC Flint Michigna contest a month earlier, and would later on go to win "Best of Show" at the 1970 MPC Indianapolis Contest. It still exists in my showcase, having undergone a reconstruction after the model was returned in many pieces after competing as a mail-in entry in the MPC National Finals (but not winning) later in 1970. My other winning model was newly created just for the Detroit contest. It was a 1970 'cuda funny car, paired with a unique working "Hydra-Slide" chassis inspired by a real 1969 Mustang funny car that had a chassis that moved the engine/tranny forward or rearward on the frame, to address varying traction and strip conditions at match races across the country. While the frame and powertrain were very robust and have stood the test of five decades intact (and still operates to this day - as seen in the photos at the link below), the 1970 'cuda body was a "hurry up" build that was hastily constructed from the just-introduced, new MPC annual kit. I was finished just in time for the Detroit contest. The bodywork was rushed, and as a result had already started to deteriorate by the time of the Detroit show. (Some well placed, last minute decals along the edge of the hood partially obscured the flaws.) After the show, I repainted the 'cuda body, hoping that would address the issue. The repainted body, now Candy Blue with the Revell Anglia kit's "Skippers Critter" livery, was entered with the rest of the model at the aforementioned Indy MPC Contest and won "1st Senior' at that show. After the Indy show, the body, particularly the hood area (where I had replaced the kit's "shaker" hood scoop with a flat panel) showed profound distortion and wavy surfacing. The A pillars supporting the drooped roof - never entirely correct from the beginning - broke apart at the beltline. Frustrated to put it mildly, I stuck it all in a box ... ....and built an entirely new body for the chassis - a much modified Mustang based on the MPC 1969 version of the Ohio George Gasser. That Mustang body has remained with the chassis all these years, while the original 'cuda body resided in a forlorn box for the next 49(!) years; with the optimistic label "1970 'cuda funny car resto" printed on the box end. Finally, in 2019 during my restoration of the "Dominator" funny car model that won 4th nationwide in the Dodge/MPC/Car Model magazine contest, I was inspired to dig out that old box and at least try to strip the 'cuda body of the paint and see what the potential was to restore it to the original 1970 Detroit MPC appearance. Photos and captions at the link below cover the many challenges I faced in trying to restore the old 'cuda body. Here are just a few of those images.... It took until January 30, 2020 to complete the restoration, and some issues remain. After two restoration attempts, there are still some minor undulations in the hood surface and one small surface crack. I had to use 50 year old MPC decals to replicate the original appearance, and they proved to be very problematic during applications. Finally, I had to accept that in restoring any 50 year old model, there will be flaws that would be unacceptable in a newly-build model today. But finally, the model that shared the "Best Detail" award at what was then the World's Largest Model Car Contest - has now been returned to its original appearance. You can see full details of each step of the restoration of the concept, along with more photos of the completed resto and images and details of the chassis/engine, including images showing the actual operation (still works today!) of the Hydra-Slide chassis, at this link.... Whew! Thanks for looking, and thanks for your interest....TIM

Guys....all of you who have received the offer from TEN for digital subscriptions for the remaining portions of your subscriptions to Hot Rod DeLuxe, Street Rodder, Muscle Car Review, and the like....please be aware that you have ANOTHER option which they cleverly failed to convey to you. Call the number at the bottom of the notice for customer service and DEMAND a full refund check for the value of your remaining subscription period that you paid for. This id the clearest way of saying to TEN and the new owners of the now-discontinued titles that you strongly disapprove of their decision to drop this titles (which were, I am told by insiders, still profitable), and that (if you are like me) you have no used for digital subscriptions in their place. Best....TIM

A really impressive conversion/kit bash, and great pictures, too. Congrats....TIM

Hope I am understanding your question correctly.....so here goes... No....the 1965 Coronet pre-paints were originally from Polar Lights tooling, now owned by Round 2. The were also factory stock model cars, not the AWB Coronets suggested above. The (again) presumption implied above is that Moebius/Model King eventually would do a second Coronet body to fit on their Golden Commandos AWB tooling that is just becoming available now. To my eye the Polar Lights Coronet bodies were never quite correct. If Moebius/Model King ever did one in the future, I suspect the body would be much more true to the real car..... Again, I apologize in advance if I've misinterpreted your question.... TIM

What Mr. Mopar said...!!!! TIM

I did a complete two-part build on a C-800/AMT Race Car Transporter (with an extra tow-behind trailer) in Model Cars mag circa 2014 or so. Use the kit version with the Delivery box as Ralph mentioned above (the Stake and Tractor kits have short and shorter wheelbased, respecitvely) It's not a 100% unmodified parts swap special, but can be completed with some mild kitbashing. In those articles there were also a few hints on avoiding longtime inherent assembly issues with the AMT C800, and adding the factory cab-back sleeper upgrade. The current issue of Classic Truck Modeler magazine also has the assembly issues covered (using similar but not the same photography as in the Model Cars two-parter). If you can get a hold of the two Model Cars back issues, it would give you a good head start for the project.... Best Regards....TIM PS - here's a shot of the completed C800 chassis and cab before the transporter body install....

Heh Casey....the info has more to do with the leadership/management of AMT as a corporation....and I kinda think this is not the best forum for that type of business-related info. Appreciate the suggestion, though...will consider it. TIM

Heh Eric....your Trike model looks very, very cool. Thx for sharing! TIM

I've subsequently learned some more on this subject from others at AMT during this period. Hopefully I or one of my writing buddies will get to share it some day, when the proper opportunity arises ...TIM

Jim...glad you found it of use. Typically in the past when Round 2 has sent out sample kits, they show up at the stores and websites about 4-6 weeks later....I actually got these before the holidays but just got around to deciding to post the images last week, so I would guess the "ready" clock is already well running down on these two....TIM

Here's the full story on the first two reissues of the MPC Trikes which are coming very soon......TIM

Alan - a smile and a good point about "Tiny"!!! TB

Many of us sure hope so!!! Not so sure I would call it a safe bet, though.....TIM

There is only one set of tools, parts of it are used for both kits and parts of it are unique to the roadster and coupe versions....TIM

For more on the kit itself... Round 2's reissue of the AMT 1966 Buick Wildcat annual kit has a few new tricks up its sleeve. These include new box art that revisits the original 1966 annual kit appearance, a newly tooled set of four plated solid (no windows) Halibrand type mag wheels that replicate those found in the original annual kit, and a decal sheet that was inspired in part by the original annual kit decals, but features all-new artwork and considerably expanded content. Check out the photos for more details. Thanks for looking...TIM

Most of AMT's "Modified Stockers" kits were little more than their original annual kits, with revised bodies featuring large wheel openings, gutted stocker interiors, the original kit engines and chassis plates, some additional exterior bumpers and bars, AMT drag slick tires, and a new decal sheet. This kit, however, is entirely different. Can you say mostly all new frame (except for the engraved front suspension), Halibrand Quick Change differential suspended by parallel leafs and coil overs on their own crossmember, no interior bucket but instead a detail roll cage assembly that extends into the front engine compartment and under the trunk, and a few parts (such as the Moon tank) adapted from AMT's prior 1965 Chevelle funny car? New parts include a piece of clear acetate (I think) with a tampo-printed screen overlay, and tampo printed tires. Per Model Car Kit authority and historian Mark Budniewski comparing this kit with the AMT 1965 Chevelle funny car kit tooling: "Front bumper/grille is the same save for elimination of a mounting pin on the back. Rear bumper has backup light detail eliminated for the Modified Stocker but is otherwise the same. Moon tank and valve covers are unchanged, as is the shift lever! The recent reissue kit has an "unblocked" chrome tree. The '64 rear trim piece is there, as is the front cover for the funny car's supercharger." It's a really fascinating kit...and (in the context of the 1970 introduction date and AMT's other Modified Stocker kits) a very well detailed offering, other than the early 1960's promo-type front suspension that is molded to the frame. I've always had a bad attitude about AMT's Modified Stocker kits (primarily because of how they destroyed original issue tooling), but this one is different. Almost begs a build! Check it out in the 16 images at this link and form your own opinion....TIM

Weird...mine still works. Plus there is conversation /discussion. at the end of the online-article....31 responses as of this evening. Interesting comments....most do seem to "get it". TB

Thx Mark for filling in the details! TIM

What Tony said - Steve P. has the best overall collection of car magazines and car books that I've seen anywhere in SE Michigan. If you are looking for kits, best to check out the Model Cave in downtown Ypsilanti, Michigan which is about 15 miles or so due west of Detroit Metro airport and about 2-3 minutes off I-94 expressway. Amazing selection of kits and also incredible choice of modeling supplies. John and Melissa are great hosts/owners....TIM

Entire article at the above link loads for me. Sounds like it works completely for some, not for others. I accessed on Chrome. Recommend everyone try the link at least. Or you could go to the store today and buy a copy of the newspaper itself....TIM

Interesting....the box art on this kit calls the engine a 454....and I recently learned (from Mark B. who had just reviewed the text of a future Boyd project for accuracy and omissions) that this Modified Stocker kit was actually derived from the 1965 Chevelle Funny Car AWB kit, which itself included a typical AMT Chevy Big Block/Rat Motor. As I originally recall the kit first being introduced somewhere between 1970 and 72, and the real 454 broke cover for the 1970 model year, that means the kit's engine should be a reasonable facsimile of a real 454. I plan to post pictures of the kit content of the kit in the several few days and then you can form your own judgment rather than relying on my interpretation... Best...TIM