Monogram 1936 Ford

[Aaronw]

Started to head a bit off track in the AMT 1936 Ford thread, so starting this one on the Monogram kit. If anyone wants to add in information on other issues of the Monogram 1936 Ford, please feel free to do so.

Going by the instruction sheet this issue of the kit was offered in 1974, a convertible only version of an older 6 in 1 kit that builds a custom 1936 Ford. It does not come with stock wheels or engine. Replacing those items would appear to allow a factory stock car to be built from the kit.

The instructions say the kit engine is a 1948 Mercury with a 3 carburetor set up.

It can be built top up, or top down. The rumble seat appears to be designed to be movable allowing it to open and close.

The Monogram and AMT kits build different convertible top vehicles. The Monogram kit builds a convertible or cabriolet, the AMT kit can be built as a roadster. The convertible was a higher end vehicle with roll up side windows for better protection from the elements. The Roadster has no side windows and uses a different windshield which includes wind deflectors on either side.

The kit

[Casey]

Save for the rolling stock, this kit hasn't changed a whole lot since it was first released. This was the last reissue, with the LaSalle style grille, streamlined headlight buckets, and the undersized 1/25 scale whitewall tires being the most notable changes:

 

Edited March 25, 2023 by Casey

[unclescott58]

I built the most recent reissue of the coupe/convertible, seen in Casey's post above with the LaSalle grille. I built mine as close to a "stock" convertible as could be built out of the kit. At the same time I built AMT's '36 as a "stock" 3-window coupe. I liked both kits. I like of AMT one a little better, but had no real complaints about Revell/Monogram kit. It's a good kit, and builds very nicely. And the latest issue comes with some fun options for building different variations. And, so does the AMT kit. Pluses? For an open car, the Revell/monogram kit builds as a true convertible. AMT's a roadster. By 1936, I like the convertible better than the roadster. Minus? AMT's kit can be built "stock." Revell/Monogram's recent reissues. Custom only. Though it can be built to look close to stock. Scale is of course the other issue. Being an old Monogram kit, the Revell/Monogram version is in 1/24th scale. The AMT kit, 1/25th.

Scott

[Casey]

Edited March 25, 2023 by Casey

[peekay]

I have fond memories of building the first version in 1963 when I was 13. (I built it as the white custom.) I managed to find this very nice complete kit about 10 years ago for $26. I've decided it has more nostalgia-value for me if I don't build it.

[Casey]

That early Monogram box art is great. "No Painting Required", then showing six variations, each in a different color...?

 

[Phirewriter]

I've never seen the original '36 in any other color than tan, yet the PC89 original issue '58 T-Bird was molded in a number of colors. I've got black, cream, yellow, and red plus I believe there were other colors as well. The cream and yellow have the color listed on the box end seal.

Edited September 18, 2020 by Phirewriter

[Mark]

2 hours ago, Casey said:

That early Monogram box art is great. "No Painting Required", then showing six variations, each in a different color...?

 

Well, no painting required provided you could live with the tan color the body is molded in.  Or, as was printed in the old Auto World catalogs, "molded in color, so you don't have to paint it if you don't feel like"...

[Rodent]

The tan wasn't so bad if you were planning on building it stock. Any other way, not so much.

I had an original T-Bird in black and a 55 Chevy in red. It was amazing how shiny and swirl-free their molding was back then.

[ChrisBcritter]

Got one around '71 and built it stock; I remember it went together very well, and I always thought it captured the "look" of the car better than the AMT kit did. Good rubber tires, too. Wouldn't mind building another someday...

[Casey]

1965 reissue, stock only, with tan colored body parts:

[Sledsel]

Love that kit from 74.. Would like to get my hands on one

[Dave Van]

A little retooling and we can get this back...........I have one 

 

[stavanzer]

Yeah, Dave, I'm with you on that one! I'd love to see that one and the '34 Ford kit returned to their original roots.

Edited December 15, 2020 by alexis

[Richard Bartrop]

Though if they could find a way to include the Lasalle grille and custom headlights from the last version, I would not be unhappy.

[Dave Darby]

I've been playing with the 1985 issue, myself. The plastic polishes up insanely nice.

Rolling stock is from Monogram Custom 58 Tbird/ Skips Fiesta 59 Skyliner. 

[Casey]

I guess you had to buy the slot car version if you wanted yours molded in a color other than tan:

[Dave Darby]

On 4/30/2015 at 1:50 PM, Casey said:

Save for the rolling stock, this kit hasn't changed a whole lot since it was first released. This was the last reissue, with the LaSalle style grille, streamlined headlight buckets, and the undersized 1/25 scale whitewall tires being the most notable changes:

 

Actually, this particular issue has a ton of changes. The interior door panels and seat have changed, along with new front and rear axles, and bumpers. I totally agree with you about those undersized wheels. Not at all sure what they were thinking there. This one in my pic was built from a mid 1980s issue. Steering wheel is AMT 50 Ford. Rolling stock from either Revell Skips Fiesta 59 Skyliner or Monogram 58 Thunderbird. Both have these same wheels.