AMT Retro Deluxe '53 Studebaker Customizing Kit

[Bob Ellis]

On 11/15/2015 at 6:48 PM, ChrisBcritter said:

I got one recently, and it's as good as I remember it from the late '60s. (I've already said my piece about the tires. )

One thing I'd forgotten was that nice set of brake drums - might want to cast up a few extra sets before building it.

One difference of note - the original kit had depressions in the taillight bezels to accept the red lenses, but at some point lenses were engraved into the bezels, so those will have to be carved out carefully for the red ones to be inserted.

Red tail lights deleted during AMT cost cutting days of the 1970s

[Casey]

[kentak]

Several Studebakers raced in NASCAR, although two of these were not Starliners. The Starliner appears to be from the Carrera Panamericana.

Edited November 2, 2020 by kentak

[Casey]

 

[Misha]

53 Studebaker Starliner

Past week I picked up the tin box edition of the 53 Stude  that was irresistible even though I have a couple in the stash and a long stalled WIP project. The main reason was the stamp illustration, a fine piece of work and a tribute to Raymond Lowey. The other reason sharing the same birth date, 1953 it was also what turned me onto cars at about the age of five when one of Dad’s draughtsmen drove up in one, a shape that was distinctive in the 50s with its flowing aero curves and clean, unadorned with little chrome... that was it for me, a gearhead for ever.

Perhaps the biggest surprise in the new re-release is the great decal sheet. As a kid I built a couple of these, one using the Mr. Speed decals. I mourned the absence of those in the future releases until AMT came out with the “ vintage” release, including the original decal sheet markings! With the latest release the side coves feature a checkerboard pattern instead.

I had already begun my Bonnie’ Stude build employing a  NASCAR chassis with the chopped top modified to a B post model. Yet with the mods especially around the front fender side air inlets, the Mr. Speed decals didn’t really fit. Bingo! The new sheet is perfect for what I have I have in mind. In addition, what at first appeared to be a somewhat botched paint job will now be kept with the additional “Saltan of Speed” graphic matching the paint finish. This latest update is just what was needed to get the Bonnie’ back on the workbench!

Cheers Misha

Edited March 3, 2021 by Misha
Spellin’