AMT T 380 QUARTER MASTERS FIREBIRD AND SPEEDBOAT KIT

[AC Norton]

...noticed one of these kits sold on ebay recently for around 510.00, and, in generally poor condition. box had spray paint on it, parts were loose , some broken as well. my point is, a truly rare and very exciting kit like this would certainly be a home run for the kats at AMT, I would think. do some of our esteemed forum members have any info as to that ever being on the maybe list of re issues....I don't recall the 68 firebird by AMT being out after this kit.....jump in any time, boys.......the ace......

Edited August 3, 2015 by AC Norton
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[Daddyfink]

What is it? Do you have a picture?

[chunkypeanutbutter]

Yeah, I couldn't find it, either.

[Draggon]

I'm not sure what happened to the Firebird, or if the 69 was an update to the 68

And this is the Quarter Masters for those who havent seen it, courtesy of Tim Boyd.

 

 

 

Edited August 3, 2015 by Draggon

[tim boyd]

For those not familiar with the subject...the actual build pictured in Glenn's post directly above differs from the Quarter Masters kits as follows:

1) Revell '68 Firebird tow vehicle built as restored stock except for wheels/tires/stance instead of the Quarter Masters kit AMT's original 1968 Firebird "custom"  - that kit could not be built as a factory stock model, only as a street custom.

2) Boat hull is correct to what is found in the Quarter Masters kit, but the engine in my model is the AMT Parts Pack Pontiac V8, while the boat kit has a SOHC 427 Ford engine.  

3) Boat kit trailer has parts box wheels/tires to match the Firebird two vehicle.  

BTW, my Quarter Masters kit purchase was a box top only, no way I could have afforded the actual kit, as noted by ACE above.  

TIM  

 

[disabled modeler]

That is cool...love the old box arts and kits from the golden years.

[pack rat]

I wouldn't rule out the possibility of Round2 resurrecting an old AMT double kit (or creating a new one in the spirit of the old drag team kits), as I know they have tossed some ideas around for quite awhile....but the Quarter Masters is highly unlikely.  The Firebird in that box was a re-pop of the AMT Firebird issued in '68; a woefully-inaccurate custom-only kit based on their '67 Camaro, not related at all to the promo-based MPC kit that was updated to the '69 in Glenn's post above.   

Sure, the original is rare, they sell for big bucks, and some of us would like to see it again (I know I would buy one)....but any money they would have to spend to bring it back would have to be weighed against the prospective sales (at a higher-than-normal price) and the complaints they would get from the folks who open the box not knowing what to expect in terms of accuracy.

 

     

[Daddyfink]

I don't think I have ever seen that kit. Very cool! 

[slusher]

I would love to at least see Round 2 bring the boats back but the combos would be great. Makes you wonder what happened to the tooling...

[High octane]

I wouldn't hold my breath on Round 2 re-issuing any boat kit in the near or distant future. While I'm lucky enough to have 'bout five boat kits in my stash, I still am lacking the motivation to build them. Altered States has a great lookin' 90's canopied hydro which would look really good built up. Altered States makes great products and has good service as well. If you do pick up this boat kit, be sure to do your research on it before you start building.

[Toner283]

I would love to at least see Round 2 bring the boats back but the combos would be great. Makes you wonder what happened to the tooling...

I think the tooling for the boat is still around. Isn't that basically the same boat as the one that was recently rereleased by the model king in a double kit with the 70(?) Pontiac Grand Prix?

Is the tooling from that boat (the MK version) a modified version of the original raysoncraft ski/drag boat from way back when or is that a completely different boat kit?

[slusher]

I would love to at least see Round 2 bring the boats back but the combos would be great. Makes you wonder what happened to the tooling...

 

I think the tooling for the boat is still around. Isn't that basically the same boat as the one that was recently rereleased by the model king in a double kit with the 70(?) Pontiac Grand Prix?

Is the tooling from that boat (the MK version) a modified version of the original raysoncraft ski/drag boat from way back when or is that a completely different boat kit?

Your right i never thought of that kit. They sold out pretty fast if i remember.

[Toner283]

I have bought a couple of them just for the boat. And then sold or traded away the Grand Prix because IMO that is a pretty ugly car and I know what I would never build it. I have enough cool subject matter that I may not get to to keep the ones I know I will never build.

Edited August 3, 2015 by Toner283
spelling

[Draggon]

Thanks for the corrections Tim, I didn't realize that your Firebird wasnt the AMT kit. 

[Snake45]

I've got a couple eBay gluebombs of that AMT '68 Firebird kit and it's pretty sad. The top is a separate piece, and pretty much the whole rear end of the thing is hosed--completely non-stock. About the coolest thing about it is there are no headlights in the grille, so if the mood strikes you, you can build a phantom "rally sport" hidden headlight Firebird. Which I'm actually planning to. I hope to scavenge enough from both my gluebombs to build one model. 

That back end is going to be a problem. I could steal the parts from a Revell Firebird, but it would make WAY more sense to just build the Revell kit in the first place. I might see if I can cobble up a rear bumper out of an MPC '69 Camaro rear bumper, which I have a spare of. Hey, it's gonna be a phantom anyway, right? 

[Roadrunner]

And this is the Quarter Masters for those who havent seen it, courtesy of Tim Boyd.

I really like that boat. I could live without the car, but that boat is very cool!

[tim boyd]

Those of you with past issues of Model Cars magazine, I did an extensive 1/25th scale Drag and Ski Boat Kit History article about 8 or 9 years ago.  It answers a lot of questions above, and is worth digging out for more on this subject.  Sorry, I don't have the specific issue number at hand...

If you want to see other versions of the AMT Hull Raiser kit (used in the Quarter Masters, Aqua Rod, and Model King combo '70 Bonneville convert), including one built box stock, plus photos of the AMT Trophy Series Rayson Craft kit that preceded it, plus about 12 or so other drag and ski boat models, check out my Fotki album at   http://public.fotki.com/funman1712/tim-boyds-124th--12/boyd-model-boats/boyd-boats-/

Cheers...TIM 

[AC Norton]

...glad everyone has commented about this thread, and as always, thank you Tim, for hammering out the facts on this most interesting subject. so, my question is this, everyone........even though the 68 AMT FIREBIRD was a custom, non stock piece,,,, and yes, some would complain, as we all do half the time about many kits,,, regardless,,,could the Firebird be retooled and produced again, to accompany the HULL RAISER boat that the MODEL KING used back in the 90s,,,,,,,and, if so, is this a set that we should  lobby  AMT to consider ...I think it would sell, due the box art and nostalgia of all of it alone. just my thoughts,,,i feel many of us would like to own one, but the prices originals command is out of the question for most of us....the ace...

[Toner283]

 ...I think it would sell, due the box art and nostalgia of all of it alone. just my thoughts,,,i feel many of us would like to own one, but the prices originals command is out of the question for most of us....the ace...

Plus it would let the builders get ahold of one for a reasonable price and let the collectors fight over the originals and spend stupid money on them.

[pack rat]

...glad everyone has commented about this thread, and as always, thank you Tim, for hammering out the facts on this most interesting subject. so, my question is this, everyone........even though the 68 AMT FIREBIRD was a custom, non stock piece,,,, and yes, some would complain, as we all do half the time about many kits,,, regardless,,,could the Firebird be retooled and produced again, to accompany the HULL RAISER boat that the MODEL KING used back in the 90s,,,,,,,and, if so, is this a set that we should  lobby  AMT to consider ...I think it would sell, due the box art and nostalgia of all of it alone. just my thoughts,,,i feel many of us would like to own one, but the prices originals command is out of the question for most of us....the ace...

Even if Round2 had the tooling intact for the Firebird, seeing it again would be a real long shot.  Yes, many of "us" would like to own one, but "we" (who know what to expect and want one for nostalgia reasons) aren't a big enough group to justify the expense.

If you want to lobby for something, consider the Hull Raiser with a different vehicle (maybe a 59 or 68 ElCamino?) in the spirit of the original 

[AC Norton]

.......my thoughts exactly, Chris.  it would be super exciting to just own one, even if never built.....so, charge 70 or 80 bucks for one....that's a far cry from the money even a poor, beat up original usually costs..........the ace.......

...glad everyone has commented about this thread, and as always, thank you Tim, for hammering out the facts on this most interesting subject. so, my question is this, everyone........even though the 68 AMT FIREBIRD was a custom, non stock piece,,,, and yes, some would complain, as we all do half the time about many kits,,, regardless,,,could the Firebird be retooled and produced again, to accompany the HULL RAISER boat that the MODEL KING used back in the 90s,,,,,,,and, if so, is this a set that we should  lobby  AMT to consider ...I think it would sell, due the box art and nostalgia of all of it alone. just my thoughts,,,i feel many of us would like to own one, but the prices originals command is out of the question for most of us....the ace...

Even if Round2 had the tooling intact for the Firebird, seeing it again would be a real long shot.  Yes, many of "us" would like to own one, but "we" (who know what to expect and want one for nostalgia reasons) aren't a big enough group to justify the expense.

If you want to lobby for something, consider the Hull Raiser with a different vehicle (maybe a 59 or 68 ElCamino?) in the spirit of the original 

I hear you, but a substitute vehicle and different box art is just not the same.....I think most potential buyers for this kit are the type that realize what they would be getting off the hop, that meaning they want this for just what it is, and what is once was. lets face it, even the novice builder and newbie to the hobby can still build both boat and trailer, and even a custom Firebird and have a ball doing so, with a fun and exciting set in front of them when finished. if AMT ever does consider this reissue, their new tires, some tinted glass, and certainly new designs of decals for the boat, and custom and drag decals for the 'bird would sell it and sell it quick........... all this is just my opinion, of course..............the ace...........

Edited August 3, 2015 by AC Norton
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[AC Norton]

something happened when I posted.....

[Mark]

Whether or not something still exists plays a part in deciding what will be reissued!  That said, the box for the stand-alone Firebird kit reads "AMT for '68".  The Firebird, Camaro, and "Chevrolet SS 427" were "for '68" kits that couldn't be built stock.  I think the Corvair was a "for '68" deal also, but can't remember off the top of my head.  The "for '68" kits were something I avoided like the plague in years past, but recently I've picked up the Camaro, Firebird, and Chevrolet.  The "Chevrolet SS 427" is a real hoot; picture if you will a '67 Impala assembled as the custom version, with all exterior trim (script) removed and the rear window completely filled in.  I'm looking at sticking that one together as pictured on the box, just have to check and see if the decals are usable...   

[AC Norton]

yup, Mark, those cars are not the plastic lovers dream, compared to others, however if AMT has the molds and such to pop this out again, I still think the kit, revamped with some new goodies as mentioned prior, box and all, would still be killer to own. the Firebird would be welcome by the custom building crowd, and I hope this could become something for all of us interested to be considered by the Kats....you know, a lot of folks would use the boat, and Firebird in an unrelated fashion,,,so the kit does have that double whammy appeal too....no law says they must be mated or displayed together...just a thought........the ace.......

[pack rat]

Whether or not something still exists plays a part in deciding what will be reissued!  That said, the box for the stand-alone Firebird kit reads "AMT for '68".  The Firebird, Camaro, and "Chevrolet SS 427" were "for '68" kits that couldn't be built stock.  I think the Corvair was a "for '68" deal also, but can't remember off the top of my head.  The "for '68" kits were something I avoided like the plague in years past, but recently I've picked up the Camaro, Firebird, and Chevrolet.  The "Chevrolet SS 427" is a real hoot; picture if you will a '67 Impala assembled as the custom version, with all exterior trim (script) removed and the rear window completely filled in.  I'm looking at sticking that one together as pictured on the box, just have to check and see if the decals are usable...   

As flawed as they are, I'm a fan of the infamous "for 68" kits....I have the Firebird and Camaro from my childhood, and picked up an Impala a couple of years ago.  That Impala looks pretty strange as-is, so I dug out the custom vinyl-look rear window/trunk overlay from a '66 Riviera.....pretty close fit!