Casey

I'm sure the irony of some (potential) Aurora molds returning to Long Island wasn't lost on you. This is from 2016, but worth the read anyway: http://www.atlantis-models.com/about-us.aspx "Next on the list was the licensed Zorro figure on his horse Tornado. We had always enjoyed figure building and tracked down the original tooling. After some freshening up and securing the original box-art with Mort Kunstler it hit the shelves. Thru our new relationship with Revell-Monogram on the Zorro project, we had the chance to re-issue the Giant T-Rex kit from the Prehistoric Scenes Series. This series was a big hit for the Aurora Model Co. back in the 70s and the T-rex had been re-issued several times in the past (under the Monogram label). Thru an arrangement with Dencomm Productions, we were able to use the Prehistoric Scenes name. "

Yes, as well as some Monogram and Revell molds which were only sporadically (1/24 Datsun 4x4 pickup, Dodge Ramcharger, etc.) or never re-issued. Sounds like they purchased whatever wasn't already at the molding facility in China and (maybe?) whatever Blitz picked out and kept, if anything.

Must've been this?: http://culttvman.com/main/breaking-news-atlantis-buys-revell-toolings/

I thought the above pictured version of the AMT '57 (as well as the '71 Charger, '66 GTO, and '55 Chevy Stepside?) were stock only, without the/any optional parts? IIRC these were among the first round (pun intended) of kits Round2 released in 2006 or so.

Still working on it. The Revell Monogram 1/25 '55 Chevy Bel Air convertible kit had a separate X-frame, so that would be another cheap potential donor, too, if one chooses to go down that rabbit hole.

Maybe someone has a copy of the September 1988 issue of HOT ROD they could look through for you?: Maybe you'll see it here?

The article doesn't state where or from what the rear window was sourced, unfortunately:

I had not heard the name Wheat's Nostalgia in many years, but their website turned up during a search. If you're into promos, you should bookmark it: http://www.wheatsnostalgia.com/index.php

To build this: Start with this: Plus the Cragar S/S wheels from this (and only this version of the '37 coupe):

I used the Revell '55 Bel Air HT's chassis, but it should be 99% the same. The two fit together very well, but some fitting and sanding were needed at the front and rear of the frame, as the AMT and Revell '55 bodies are different in those areas: The hood-to-body fit isn't great on the AMT '55 Sedan kit, either, and the interior is tub style, which, also isn't great if we're being honest.

Wonderful creativity.

Does she have a sister? Nice score, especially the MF tractor, which isn't likely to ever be reissued.

Yes, there is. You just have to resist adding options, trim packages, etc. $28,295.00 in 2018 had the same buying power as $4,074.54 in 1969 Annual inflation over this period was about 4.03%

Very clean, indeed. Nicely done.

Exact same model from 2015, save for the figure?:

Yes, there were chrome parts among the 'old' parts (valve covers, etc.) which would still be needed to build the van, so additional parts were added, giving the builder two grilles-- the original '71-'3(?) style grille, and the GMC version with the bumper and air dam all molded as one. Yes, Brad touched upon that in this topic, too:

Might be a good time to bump this reply. Here are the unplated parts from the '83 issue of the A-Team van, for reference: And the same parts, now plated, from the '02 RC2 reissue:

Not sure at this point to be honest, but for comparison, the '02 RC2 AMT/Ertl reissue's body shell, on which you can clearly make out that '76(?)+ bobdyside rib which stops at the rear edge of the passenger door, and the Vantasy reissue, totally missing that same rib (another Joe H image): It might just be an illusion or hard to tell from these two pics, but the lowest trim piece, which runs between the wheel arches, appears to be more prominent on the A-Team body shell, too. *edit* Just found this shot Joe H. posted a link to earlier in this topic, and it sure looks like the roof section is a separate mold section/inset on both bodies, at least judging by the slight misalignment (I think) I see:

Yes, the Police, Rescue, Open Road, and Strip 'N' Surf issues still had the side panel inserts, but all had smooth roofs. That sounds correct. I went through the '74-'78 AMT catalogs I have and added the release month and year to the above list, and the Police van wasn't a 'new' release in '74, so it must've been a '73 release. I doesn't make sense to me that the roof would be smooth from the start, then Ertl added the roof ribs in '83 for the A-Team version, then, when Round2 released the 'Vantasy' kit in 2012 they smoothed the roof back out.

I'm not so sure about that. Looking at the 1983 AMT/Ertl reissue and the 2002 RC2-era AMT/Ertl reissue, the roof ribs are still present. Here are all the AMT kits containing the 1/25 Chevy (and the lone A-Team GMC) Van I could find. I can't say for sure if the kits were issued in chronological order by kit number or not, though: http://modelkitreviews.proboards.com/thread/885/25-amt-chevy-van-retrospective

^This. Sadly, the correct ribbed roof seems to be long gone as well. This is one of those cases where buying a vintage, original kit is not only the best option, but the only option if you want a correct roof and side windows. was never there to begin with.

No, the chassis/floorpan is stock, not tubbed: Lots of pics of the Millennium reissue here: http://modelkitreviews.proboards.com/thread/849/amt-1955-chevy-bel-sedan The '90s era 'new' 1/25 AMT '57 Chevy Bel Air Street Machine, which has a separate frame and floorpan, does have mini-tubs and is 'back-halfed', like so:

No, the roofs on the real vans have raised ribs. At some point, the AMT Chevy Van kit's roof ribs were removed, leaving the roof smooth: