MPC and Modern Tooling?

[fseva]

Did MPC ever start using "modern tooling", like AMT did in the late '80s?

[mike 51]

I don't think you understand the term "new tooling"....

[Casey]

Did MPC ever start using "modern tooling", like AMT did in the late '80s?

No, at least not with the qualifier/comparison to '90s "Mueller era" AMT kits added. MPC effectively ended as an independent company in 1988 or so, when the company was purchased by Ertl, which also owned AMT. I believe the final new, from-scratch kit was the 1/25 '69 Olds Cutlass kit, both in 442 and Hurst/Olds versions. Any MPC-branded kit released after 1988 is a reissue of an older kit.

Edited November 20, 2015 by Casey

[Fat Brian]

Due to MPC being out of business for almost 30 years, no, they never made a kit with modern tooling methods. But, they did make some good kits that stand up well today, the 69 Olds Casey mentioned being among them. It has a multi piece suspension front and rear with separate exhaust so it's close to newer kits. Their heavy truck kits like the DM600 and DM800 are noticeably crisper than their AMT counterparts as well. It's best to try to find a parts breakdown to see if it's something you would be interested in.

[fseva]

Due to MPC being out of business for almost 30 years, no, they never made a kit with modern tooling methods. But, they did make some good kits that stand up well today, the 69 Olds Casey mentioned being among them. It has a multi piece suspension front and rear with separate exhaust so it's close to newer kits. Their heavy truck kits like the DM600 and DM800 are noticeably crisper than their AMT counterparts as well. It's best to try to find a parts breakdown to see if it's something you would be interested in.

Thanks for the info, Brian!

[Rob Hall]

No, at least not with the qualifier/comparison to '90s "Mueller era" AMT kits added. MPC effectively ended as an independent company in 1988 or so, when the company was purchased by Ertl, which also owned AMT. I believe the final new, from-scratch kit was the 1/25 '69 Olds Cutlass kit, both in 442 and Hurst/Olds versions. Any MPC-branded kit released after 1988 is a reissue of an older kit.

Annuals like '88 Silverado, Beretta, Mustang GT, Camaro IROC-Z, etc were also labeled as MPC.   The Silverado and Beretta were all new tools for '88...for '89, all the annuals were boxed as AMT.

Edited November 23, 2015 by Rob Hall