AMT 58 Impala

[migace]

Everytime I saw this kit and instructions I saw that there was the old plastic pins to hold the front wheels on and they are posable. I went to local hobby shop to see if any new kits came in saw the re issue of the Impala, saw on the box contents that now it has two metal axles. Do you think they changed the parts? 

 

[pharoah]

Hmmm.  It always had a metal axle for the rear wheels .Plastic pins on the front. Maybe they got some complaints about breaking the pins. I didn't know it had been reissued. When I was much younger-way back,I had the original version that had the soft actual rubber tires. I guess that didn't work because as far as I know they never did it again.

[pharoah]

You're right Luca. I went to Ebay and found a good picture of the bottom of the box that shows the parts. I don't know if someone goofed or what,because it shows the the front spindles and those parts too.  Why would you need 2 axles?  Nice printed tires though.

[ss2000]

Anybody pick up a gold version yet? Curious how they molded it.

Edited December 14, 2015 by ss2000

[pack rat]

I had the original version that had the soft actual rubber tires. I guess that didn't work because as far as I know they never did it again.

The original issue had the so-called "Darlington" rubber tires that were also used on the Turnpike cars.

I still have the set from my original kit.  They didn't age well over the years; they're ozone-cracked and brittle, although I recently got another original kit in a collection with like-new tires (?).    

[pharoah]

I just saw an original hit on Evilbay that had a set of those Darlingtons (couldn't remember the name).

They look OK,but they're about 50 years old...

[Deathgoblin]

I just finished one of these.  Hopefully they didn't switch the front end to a solid axle, it would defeat the poseable front steering.  It's a good kit.  Definitely gives you some practice with foil if you hadn't had any before.  

[Mark]

The inclusion of two wire axles in the Impala is an error; you have to use the pins in front because there is no hole in the engine for the axle to pass through.  Only the '57 Ford had such an arrangement (steerable front end with optional wire axle that eliminated the steering feature).  Ertl deleted that option in the Ford about twenty years ago, filling the holes in the engine block halves and oil pan.

[migace]

Thank you all for the info!

[Sledsel]

The inclusion of two wire axles in the Impala is an error; you have to use the pins in front because there is no hole in the engine for the axle to pass through.  Only the '57 Ford had such an arrangement (steerable front end with optional wire axle that eliminated the steering feature).  Ertl deleted that option in the Ford about twenty years ago, filling the holes in the engine block halves and oil pan.

I never had a 57 with that option for an axle.... and mine go back to the "Flashback" release

[Edsel-Dan]

I thought that option was still in the Blue ertl issue I converted to a Convertible Way Back when.

I Do remember it

I had a Early issue that still had the Styline style parts, Display spotlights, etc

.That one definitely had the wire axle for the front if you did not want to make the working steering

 

I have a few of those Rubber Firestone Darlington Gum Dipped tires

I am using 6 on the 65 Chevy Stepside kit I am using the Model King Mini Motor Home body on.

I only had 1 show cracking. a couple were sanded to Bald/Slick status, and NOT usable for the pickup!!

I got the first of those on a Built Original issue of the second tool 58 Impala.

I think the Original issue of their 53 F-100 had them too

Not sure what other kits of that time had them

[espo]

I have not been able to look inside the box, but what I noticed  was they were showing that they were including some new style Wide Whites and some new Blue Streaks.  That should solve any tire issues.

[Junkman]

It's not the first issue that comes with two metal axles.
You can either build it with those two axles, or optionally with poseable front wheels using the plastic pins.

[Bob Ellis]

As far as I remember, only the AMT '57 Ford had an option of steerable wheels, or solid rod through the engine hole. I don't remember the '58 Chevy having a hole through the engine.

[Junkman]

No, you had to drill the hole roughly where usually the conrods stick out of a 348.

[Fat Brian]

I had a 90s issue of this kit and I don't think it has a hole in the engine, I swear mine had a crankshaft that went in between the block halves and oil pan.

 

 

Edit: here is a picture of the instructions showing no hole in the block.

http://images34.fotki.com/v1606/photos/4/844424/13744977/AMT1958Impala002-vi.jpg

[Junkman]

Yes, there is a crankshaft and even a rod and piston assy.
You need to leave the crankshaft out if you want to drill a hole for the metal axle.

[gtx6970]

is this issue any different then , this one. Other than box art ???

 

 

[Harry Joy]

I'm building a GTO that came with no wire for the rear axle. I was terribly tempted to drill a hole through the engine to use some of the wire I bought, but chickened out.

[Bob Ellis]

Except for tires and boxart / instructions, this '58 Impala kit is one of the few kits that exist unmodified in 50+ years. Even the custom wheel covers are exactly the same.

[migace]

hope someone will post the new box contents soon now I am intrigued! never thought of AMT letting you choose axle or pins.

[unclescott58]

It would again be nice if someone could show photos. By the way, I have never seen this kit with the option of a wire front axle. I'd also like to see pictures of that.

[SfanGoch]

It would again be nice if someone could show photos. By the way, I have never seen this kit with the option of a wire front axle. I'd also like to see pictures of that.

No release of this kit had the option of a wire front axle. You can check out four sets of instructions covering as many releases and they only show poseable steering 

 

[unclescott58]

That's what I thought.

[Bob Ellis]

I just checked on the Drastic Plastic site and my thoughts were confirmed; The original AMT 1957 Ford Fairlane had the option of using a plastic pin with steerable wheels, or running a steel axle through the holes from one side to the other .Not sure if the latest had that option. The AMT 1958 Impala (2nd issue) did not.