Junkman Posted January 30, 2016 Posted January 30, 2016 As seen at the Nürnberg fair: Shan't we begin with wild speculations as to what is included in the kit?
Mr Stock Posted January 30, 2016 Posted January 30, 2016 Im sure Ive read that the Ala Kart parts wont be in the kit which is a shame, however that Dodge red ram engine in this kit is probably more accurate than the undersized effort in the "newer" Ala kart kit.
Speedfreak Posted January 30, 2016 Posted January 30, 2016 That looks pretty cool, weird looking spring set-up in the front. Is this coming to the U.S?
Exotics_Builder Posted January 30, 2016 Posted January 30, 2016 These are some photos from my unbuilt original in the basement stash:
oldcarfan Posted January 30, 2016 Posted January 30, 2016 I was going to get a couple anyway, to go with the stock one I built a while back. Now I can't wait!
Ace-Garageguy Posted January 30, 2016 Posted January 30, 2016 (edited) Shan't we begin with wild speculations as to what is included in the kit?Cool. The original release of this kit was mostly a re-boxing of the original Ala Kart / '29 Model-A double kit (as shown by the photos of the first version of THIS boxing shown above by Exotics Builder. It included a '32 grille, and a few other bits that weren't in the Ala Kart double kit.The actual Ala Kart tooling was modified later, but enough of it was retained so it should be possible to back-date it to the original configuration without reinventing anything. Round 2 has been great about restoring the original contents in some kits (like the recent '32 Victoria) so we can hope they'll do it here as well.Bits of the original Ala Kart, in modified form, have been in most of the re-releases of AMT's '29 Ford kit...including the frame and suspension, the body tub, hood, the fender unit (with the louvers removed), and the Red Ram engine...with a very good '39 Ford gearbox attached.... however that Dodge red ram engine in this kit is probably more accurate than the undersized effort in the "newer" Ala kart kit.You're right. The Red Ram in this kit is the one from the original Ala Kart. It IS accurate (I've measured real ones and posted the results here and on other forums), whereas the "new-tool" Ala Kart kit has a seriously underscale engine. People love to argue about this but the numbers don't lie.That looks pretty cool, weird looking spring set-up in the front. Is this coming to the U.S? That's a takeoff on the original Ala Kart suspension. It represents coil-springs over air-bags instead of the more common transverse leaf. Edited January 30, 2016 by Ace-Garageguy
stavanzer Posted January 30, 2016 Posted January 30, 2016 The Hood and Body/Cowl tub are still in the Kit. Get us the Grille Shell, and Pickup bed, Round2 and we'll do the rest.I'll not quibble over anything else that does not make it. As long as I have the sehll, and bed, I can come close enough. Thanks, Alan
pharoah Posted January 30, 2016 Posted January 30, 2016 I wonder if it will be the original or the new Ala Kart parts? Either way,I'd like to have it.
Ace-Garageguy Posted January 30, 2016 Posted January 30, 2016 The Hood and Body/Cowl tub are still in the Kit. Get us the Grille Shell, and Pickup bed, Round2 and we'll do the rest.I'll not quibble over anything else that does not make it. As long as I have the sehll, and bed, I can come close enough. Thanks, AlanYes yes yes.
Ace-Garageguy Posted January 30, 2016 Posted January 30, 2016 (edited) I wonder if it will be the original or the new Ala Kart parts? Either way,I'd like to have it.The more recent "new" Ala Kart is a great source of bits for kit-bashing, like wheels / tires, the frame and suspension, body, interior, and especially the "dropped-and-filled" front I-beam axle, which really can't be found anywhere else I know right off hand. And between the expensive original and the "new" one, it's possible to build an Ala Kart replica that's better by far than either OOB kit builds.I've paid serious money to get my grubbly hands on original, un-molested Ala Karts (purely a nostalgia thing, in my case) and I'd for sure buy some restored versions with the original grille-shell, bed, etc. I've been hesitant to cut up an original, but I'd really like to bash a good one from both kits...and a re-issued kit with the grille shell, bed, etc, would make it possible without hacking up an irreplaceable original. Edited January 30, 2016 by Ace-Garageguy
pack rat Posted January 30, 2016 Posted January 30, 2016 The actual Ala Kart tooling was modified later, but enough of it was retained so it should be possible to back-date it to the original configuration without reinventing anything. Round 2 has been great about restoring the original contents in some kits (like the recent '32 Victoria) so we can hope they'll do it here as well.Before everyone gets too excited re the original Ala Kart parts, to quote John Greczula:The kit will be "a handful of parts short of an Ala Kart" but we've opened up everything that remained in the tool for it, plus we retooled wheels and a few missing/modifiedparts to restore the Kart chassis to put under the Mod Rod.
louie Posted January 30, 2016 Posted January 30, 2016 Really good thread. Also, Ace - Garageguy Thank you for your information on this as this is how I learn more about stuff that I love. Thank you. Jeff
Ace-Garageguy Posted January 30, 2016 Posted January 30, 2016 Before everyone gets too excited re the original Ala Kart parts, to quote John Greczula: Just that is pretty exciting. I'll definitely be looking forward to this one, and whatever is in the box, that's fine by me.
Snake45 Posted January 31, 2016 Posted January 31, 2016 Not being particularly a '29 or A fan (except the pickups), I've never owned any version of this kit. Recently I got a case of Revell '29 Fever, and bought one. With that excellent kit now available, can someone tell me what's special about the old AMT kit now? (i.e., why should I buy one?)
Mark Posted January 31, 2016 Posted January 31, 2016 Well, the stock '29 roadster has a 100% stock body (no raised wheel openings like the Revell body). It's got a couple of issues (reinforcing ribs on quarter panel inner wheel well are recessed, should be raised) but overall it's very good. Not a lot of parts, but what is there goes together easily and looks like a stock '29 roadster once it's assembled. The original kit built two complete cars, and if that's not enough, there were extras for each. The stock roadster could be built as a vintage hot rod with a Riley cylinder head (simplified compared to the Revell '29 pickup, but not bad) and had a few other small accessories. The Ala-Kart had a few optional parts like the Deuce grille shell, cylindrical fuel tank, and dual quad setup for the Dodge engine. The original Mod Rods (there were two different boxes) had the same parts as the original Ala-Kart issues, but the optional parts were emphasized over the Kart. These later issues had fewer decals for the Ala-Kart (scallops for the undersides of the fenders were eliminated). The second Mod Rod issue (the one Round 2 is copying) was the last go-round for the Ala-Kart parts in their original form. The next issue, the Street Rods Series/25th Anniversary issue, had some changes (wheels, fenders, elimination of some Ala-Kart parts), and was the last issue of this kit with two complete cars in it.Neither the new Ala-Kart kit nor the original is perfect. The original has all four tires and wheels the same size (1:1 has a pronounced rake, and wider/deeper rear wheels). It also has a "pinched" area where the hood side panels transition to the headlamp pods on the grille shell when viewed from above. The new kit corrects the tire/wheel size differential and the hood/nose transition, but its engine is too small and the upper hood and cowl are too "squared off". The decals in the new one aren't right either; if I remember right the scallops are too yellow. Between the two kits, though, it would be possible to build a really good one. I'd probably take the new one, splice in the upper hood/cowl from the original, tweak the grille shell (new one is "too stiff"), drop in the engine from the original kit (looks like it will fit without much effort), and make up a new set of wheels for it. The Rodders' Journal article on the restored Kart should be sufficient reference material.
DaveM Posted January 31, 2016 Posted January 31, 2016 The AMT kit is a great old tool that lets you build a stock '29 roadster. It has fenders, hood, hood sides and therefore can be used to make a street rod that retains more of the stock body parts. It is an older tool, but with a bit of care, it can make a pretty nice model. It also has stock running gear and suspension, although it's simplified. If you are doing a period correct '50s, or '60s Model A rod, you might want some of the AMT suspension and driveline parts. The body is also much closer to stock than the Revell one. The Revell '29 replicates aftermarket bodies that have raised wheel arches to clear big tires while being lowered a bit more. The AMT kit has the stock wheel cutouts, and is better for a traditional rod than the Revell. On one of the old threads, people talked about mashing the two kits. I did some mocking up and figured I could build two pretty nice models from the two kits by mixing and matching some parts. My basic idea was to build a highboy from the Revell kit, and then take the channeled chassis and mash it under the AMT body. The Red Ram has already been mentioned, and is excellent. The AMT kit has even more parts than the Revell kit if you can believe it. A really crafty modeler could probably build three cars with the two kits if they had a spare (or resin) body laying around.
Ace-Garageguy Posted January 31, 2016 Posted January 31, 2016 This is the original issue of the kit under discussion. Besides everything said above, it lets you build a traditional full-fendered hot-rod, with some work, which is off course impossible with the recent Revell kit. I was kinda hoping Round2 would jump on the renewed interest in '29 Fords due to Revell's new kit, and do something like the impending, semi-restored release.
Dave Darby Posted January 31, 2016 Posted January 31, 2016 (edited) Besides the other points mentioned, and I hope my good friends Tim Boyd and John Mueller will forgive me for this, but I think the AMT 29 A body has it all over the Revell version. It is closer to stock, much more graceful, and doesn't have that clunky made in China look about it. It has finesse. Look at the post above mine for an example. Don't get me wrong, there is a lot to like about the new Revell kit (I have one), but If I'm building a 29 A, that body will be coming from the AMT kit. I'm looking forward to seeing what's in that new issue. For anyone wanting somewhat of a preview, the 2002 and later issues of the Model A have many of the Ala Kart parts back in, minus plating, front axle, and wheels. The original AMT A kit also came with a bunch of vintage 4 cylinder speed parts. Gonna be another good year. Edited February 24, 2016 by Dave Darby
Snake45 Posted January 31, 2016 Posted January 31, 2016 Thanks for all the excellent answers, gang. Exactly the information I was looking for. I have no interest in building either a stock or full-fendered '29, but some of the other parts in the kit sound interesting. I might buy one just to see what I can use. Thanks again!
ChrisBcritter Posted January 31, 2016 Posted January 31, 2016 Just for fun, here's a very rare shot of the original car, in an ad from the 1959 Bullard High School yearbook from Fresno, CA: (The Ala Kart's owner, Richard Peters, was from Fresno.)
unclescott58 Posted January 31, 2016 Posted January 31, 2016 (edited) Boy, the high school ad above is pretty neat. Nothing like that in my yearbooks. Back to the kit. I understand you can build two full cars from this kit. So I can build two full fender cars? The Mod Rod, and a stock roadster to display together?Everybody else is excited about the Ala Kart pieces. I could care less about that vehicle. I've always thought it looked too busy. I like the cleaner looking (IMO) Mod Rod much better. I really like the '32 grille shell with with vertical, stacked headlamps along side. An odd, but cool look.By the way, despite my lack of interest in the Ala Kart. The more of it restored, the better. The more options and original parts back the better.Now, I wish they'd restore and/or bring back the '32 Ford 2-door sedan that came with the '40 Willys. I don't need another '40 Willys, but I would really like that '32. Edited February 23, 2016 by unclescott58
Dave Darby Posted January 31, 2016 Posted January 31, 2016 This is the original issue of the kit under discussion. Besides everything said above, it lets you build a traditional full-fendered hot-rod, with some work, which is off course impossible with the recent Revell kit. I was kinda hoping Round2 would jump on the renewed interest in '29 Fords due to Revell's new kit, and do something like the impending, semi-restored release. Bill, I'm loving this (what looks like) old build you posted. Did you build it, or is it an acquisition? We have Facebook page called Scale Survivors, where we share new and vintage photos of old builds. I'd like to share it there. Anyone else here who is interested, feel free to check it out. https://www.facebook.com/groups/scalesurvivors/
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