AIRBOX alert; AMT '68 GT500 kit

[62rebel]

I picked up this kit today with a 40% off coupon just for the interior tub to finish my '66 Fastback conversion, and just picking up the box I could tell there was something wrong with this venerable kit... Round 2 decontented this kit back to "stock only", removing dozens of optional parts, especially the excellent SOHC 427 parts... HL prices this kit at $18.99, which isn't gosh awful with a 40% coupon but kind of harsh at full price. Heck, even the TIRES have had the lettering removed. The basic FE engine assembly is still there, and I raided my parts box for a good set of SOHC parts to build one up just for kicks. The rest of the kit is really showing it's age, and except for the engine and body shell, is really falling by the wayside.  The "Lime Gold" styrene is a poor attempt at best to approximate the box art color, as well.

[62rebel]

I should add, that the box usually has a pictogram on the bottom showing the parts trees; this kit as well as the original version '57 Chevy do NOT; the Chevy kit is also heavily decontented I am sure. Veteran builders looking to find those optional parts and buying THESE particular editions will be badly caught out.

[niteowl7710]

That kit was one of the first reissues from Round2 over 8 years ago when they were still just leasing the tooling from Racing Champions. Wasn't much they could do to "re-content" it when they were just renting the thing. Surprised if the inserts exist that it hasn't been brought back, but clearly the thing isn't very hard to find, so it might not justify a re - reissue yet.

[fomocomav]

Thanks for the tip!  I almost bought one for just the parts you mention are missing, and would have been very disappointed!

[louie]

X2 on the tip. I didn't know this. Thank you. 

Jeff 

[Can-Con]

That issue is one of the serise of simplier kits Round 2 did back in 2009 aimed at younger builders. Molded in color and less parts count. 

also in that serise were the ,,

'55 Nomad

'57 Chevy

'55 Chevy Cameo pickup

'70 Camaro Z-28

'66 Pro-Street Nova 

'33 Willys gasser

'06 Camaro concept car

It's pretty easy to tell them from other kits by the artwork. Just a pic of the model on the box with "speed lines" n the bascground fading to light grey under the model.

[DaveM]

Are the molds for the Nomad, the '66 Nova, the Cameo and the '70 Camaro still intact?  I know the Willys was reissued as the Maalco car recently and the stock '66 Nova was done as Grumpy's Toy.  Were the other tools ruined.  Is the old tool '57 Chevy still alive?  the Cameo, Camaro and Nomad are staples for us older builders, and the Nova is essential if you are wanting to make a pro street out of anything.

[pack rat]

Are the molds for the Nomad, the '66 Nova, the Cameo and the '70 Camaro still intact?  I know the Willys was reissued as the Maalco car recently and the stock '66 Nova was done as Grumpy's Toy.  Were the other tools ruined.  Is the old tool '57 Chevy still alive?  the Cameo, Camaro and Nomad are staples for us older builders, and the Nova is essential if you are wanting to make a pro street out of anything.

All of the tooling you mention still exists, although some of the older ones are getting tired.  The '57 Chev in particular is still alive, but barely.     

[Bob Ellis]

1. These kits are very stripped to BASIC

[Bob Ellis]

I picked up this kit today with a 40% off coupon just for the interior tub to finish my '66 Fastback conversion, and just picking up the box I could tell there was something wrong with this venerable kit... Round 2 decontented this kit back to "stock only", removing dozens of optional parts, especially the excellent SOHC 427 parts... HL prices this kit at $18.99, which isn't gosh awful with a 40% coupon but kind of harsh at full price. Heck, even the TIRES have had the lettering removed. The basic FE engine assembly is still there, and I raided my parts box for a good set of SOHC parts to build one up just for kicks. The rest of the kit is really showing it's age, and except for the engine and body shell, is really falling by the wayside.  The "Lime Gold" styrene is a poor attempt at best to approximate the box art color, as well.

WHat's thepoint of buying their new kit from them if you need to add your parts to finish it?

[62rebel]

I bought it solely for the interior tub; building the SOHC was secondary. Having the extra parts and no basic block to start from gave me a reason. Actually, I only used a THIRD of the tub, grafted onto two-thirds of the original '66 tub...

[ChrisBcritter]

Curt, could you post a photo of the SOHC's exhaust manifolds or headers? The one I got recently didn't have any so I need to know what they look like. Thanks!