tim boyd

I saw a few instances of original box art when I was doing work for AMT in the mid 1970's. They are at a whole 'nother level of impact when you look at them in person....TIM

SHARP!!! Tim

I don't have pix of my first three van projects....these were partially scratchbuilt modifications of the AMT 1975 1/2 "Vantom" Econoline kit, built to a set of AMT factory blueprints for three spinoffs of the original kit tool. These kits were marketed as the "Disco Van", "Cuckoo Nest", and the "Hyper Hut". I had a real good time (not) fabricating the grille and bumper unit for the Hyper Hut! AMT commissioned me to build the prototypes for their national sales rep annual meeting, as the meeting was scheduled to take place well before the tooling for the spinoff kits was ready for production. Other than some very poor, out of focus images I shot on top of my bed before I turned them over to the AMT product development team, sadly, I have no images of the finished models. The only other van I've built (at least, partially built), was this project I started sometime around 1977 or 1978, intended for the MPC National Customzing contest series. When that series was cancelled in early 1979, the model when in the box. Here are a few images I took a few years ago.... Some of the base parts of the body were source from the eventual production kits of the very same prototypes I had semi-scratchbuilt for AMT two years earlier.... One more comment....those of you with a a library of Model Cars mags should look up Steve Perry's 4x4 Econoline replica - it was a cover story around 2013 or 2014 if I remember correctly. It's an awesome piece of work....TIM

Steve....yep.....page 37, two images, too. Such recognition of your models in the mags is really well deserved in my opinion, one that is shared widely by those who frequent this forum if the comments on your projects are any indication. Again, my congratulations. TIM

The new (May 2021) issue of FSM has an eight page article explaining the build process behind this model. Might be worth checking out for those who are interested. Also, for those who were disappointed with the lack of comprehensive build photos and details earlier in this thread, hope this explains why that wasn't in the cards at that time....TIM

So true, so true! Often this is the difference between a great project that never gets finished, and an equally great one that makes it across the finish line. Speaking of which, exciting, Steve, to see the progress on your R/T. BTW, also congrats on the photo of your '67 Galaxie 500 R-Code 427 project the "Reader Gallery" of the latest issue of FSM.....TIM

Dennis....great to see the effort you have put into the subtle detail-painting of all the suspension and engine parts. A very choice body and powetrain color choice, too! Lookin' good!!! TIM

May issue of FSM is now out with an 8-page story on radical "Z-ing" of a hot rod chassis, and all the other adjustments you have to make when completing a "Z-ed" hot rod like this one....

Sorry 'bout that Rodney...both you guys build killer hot rod models, and I guess I got you both confused (in my apparent old age)/ Best...TIM '

I think the Nova wagon choice had considerable input from John G.; I know he was a heavy supporter of the idea. And FWIW, it was a project that was in the works for several years. TIM

It's been on their reissue consideration list for several years. Would be cool to see a reissue, and I bet this time the decals would do a better job of replicating the real car. No current insider info from me this one, guys, but personally I would give this rumor a higher degree of credibility than most we hear these days....TIM

Guys....listen to Steve. Look at the ACTUAL ejector pin marks underneath the new body vs. the old body. Look at my fotlki kit review showing the new vs. old in detail. Listen to the Round 2 personnel (at leas the ones I deal with) who have an excellent record of credibility and legitimacy. The new kit is new tooling. Not sure why there is remaining skepticism on this point, but these are the facts. TIM .

Carl, Chris, and Larry...thanks for taking the time to post your thoughts....Best...TIM

Thanks Rodney....and mega congrats on your apparent upcoming Model Cars mag cover story....can't wait to check that one out! Cheers....TIM

Thanks Alan.....yes....sometimes I think I drive myself crazy with trying to get a model "just right"....and wondering if anybody really cares or notices. Fortunately, many who read this forum actually do care, kt seems. Makes it worth all the extra effort after all. As for your comment on the Revell newish Model A kits....you are SO correct. Other than all the fly-specking details, the basic conversion is realytive easy and made so much more easy by basing so much on the Revell Model A kit gubbins.... Best....TIM

Thanks Jimmy.....I'm blushing (not really, but you know what I mean.) That's a wonderful compliment and very much appreciated....TIM

I'm not entirely sure what this refers too either, but it is my understanding that Round 2 has made some minor enhancements in the design of the new tooling to enhance assembly and add further detail on top of the excellent original Ertl...perhaps that is what the wording refers to??? ....TIM

Dennis....I can think of no higher honor than to have a model builder of your stature be inspired by one of my articles to have created this fine, fine piece of work. And the fact that you used the article as inspiration, but then added all sorts of your own touches and mods makes it all the better. Never in a million years did I dream, when doing that article, that it would be revisited 31 years later in a forum like this. Life, and our hobby, are both amazing! Thanks for all your kind words above, and for how you have explained your build in such detail for it to inspire us all. Best....TIM

There were a number of other changes....4-speed manual replaced the "Jetaway" two-speed auto; air cleaner had dual snorkels, etc. TB

Correctamundo! Thanks Alan....TIM

Wow guys....some truly drool-worthy machinery in your posts! Two more names to add to the list.... Scale Auto publisher Gary Schmidt....he did build models occasionally (here I'm thinking of his very tasty Phantom 1936 Ford Pickup), and he had quite a collection of 1/1 scale cars, mostly old Fords, and most famously, his 1970 Boss 429 that he bought second-hand that same year (he traded his new Torino Cobra even with a southeast gentleman who may have been a bootlegger), which he still had and had recently returned to 100% factory stock before he passed away. Second was the long-time columnist for Scale Auto who did the semi-monthly racing column; his name escapes me at the moment, but he also had a 1/1 scale lakes modified T, in cream with burgundy scallops, that enjoyed several photos in street rod event coverage in a number of different mags. That car was a real looker.... TIM

Hmmm....I always had hear that the tools each contained two bike kits....e.g. one tool molded both the Triumph and BSA and the other molded the Harley and Honda. And not at all sure why the tools would have been destroyed when they were apparently still usable as late as the very late 1990's..... Not saying this isn't correct info, just not what I would have expected to hear.... TB

Thanks Dennis! The bed floor was not what was intended....the decal I used was very transparent and when applied over the black base, it came out much darker than I had planned. But I decided I liked the unintended result - good to know you do too. As for the black stakes again I had planned a much lighter, wood grained surface but I discovered that AMT's graining on the bed stakes was so faint that it would have disappeared under several coats of "wood grained" paint. As it was, by rubbing the flat black primer with a toothpick I was able to "raise the grain" just enough to look like wood stakes that had been painted black somewhere along the way. In the end, the whole bed finish gives a different vibe than what I had planned, but sometimes its OK to just "go with the flow" and I'm happy with how it turned out. I did indeed use the lower firewall area from the Revell '29 Roadster kit (intro above has been updated to reflect this). The floor carpet is a stretchy fabric dating back some 40 years....wanted to try something different than my usual flocking (or sometimes, embossing powder). Would probably have done the flocking instead if I had to do it over again. The headers are the Replicas and Miniatures pieces intended for the Revell 1932 Ford Five Window Coupe Early Hemi mill. The exhaust port spacing, of course, matched the Cleveland V8. I presume Norm patterned those off the Phantom Vicky parts, with the full exhaust bypass diverters removed. I used these instead of the kit pieces to leave off the remainder of the exhaust system as I've already done the full exhaust boogie on many of my other builds, and I like the idea of an "outlaw" Cleveland V8 pounding away through open headers. Norm's kit also comes with turn down tips but I left them off, as again, period wise I don't recall those being used by builders at that time. They were finished with Alclad Chrome over Testors Gloss Black enamel. One other mod - the model uses the '32 Ford grille shell and radiator from Revell's 1930 Model A Coupe. But I had to grind off the engraved electric fan - again, something that did not exist on rods back in the day - and insert a piece of brass screen painted black. Sounds simple but probably consumed a couple hours of modifying, painting, and fiddling. Then had to find a five-bladed, equally spaced fan to add to the engine (the aftermarket kit's fan did not match my 351C references). Stuff most people will never notice, but important to me that it be "right". Thx again for the comments and questions....TIM

I agree with Mark. Revell ran test shots of the tooling for all four bikes around 1999, but supposedly a lack of interest from distributors killed a reissue at that time (plus the reissued engine parts packs were not selling very well). There is quite a bit more interest in classic motorcycles today (particularly Triumph and BSA bikes) to the degree it supports several international magazines. I think that would be a good subject for Atlantis as they work their way through the Revell tooling bank they purchased.... TIM

The finished model is now in the "Under Glass" section at this link...again, thanks for your interest. TIM