AMT Mod Rod Review

[Dave Darby]

Well guys, I finally got some free time, and did a quicky review of the new AMT Mod Rod reissue, As a bonus, when you click on the link, you will find a another link to a history of the real car and the kit I had done for the now defunct Bonediggers site back in 2002, which also features a side by side comparison of the old and new tool Ala Kart kits. In the photos on my Fotki site, I added some shots of the original box art for all of the Ala Kart kits, and some of the later variations. Plus side by side comparisons of old and new kit content. I have added captions to explain parts, differences and historical tidbits as well.  Buckle up, it's gonna be a great ride. BTW, if you think you are in good shape because you have that 2002 Model A reissue, you are mistaken. There are a BUNCH of Ala Kart and vintage speed parts in the new issue that were not in the 2002 kit.  Link follows these two teaser photos...

 

AMT Mod Rod 2016

Edited September 6, 2024 by Dave Darby
missing/broken photo link

[keyser]

Thanks Dave, really nice comparison and summary. 

[randx0]

Thanks , nice review/history lesson . I like to find old parts lots I've always liked the grille  shell for the ala cart but it almost never shows up ,  the grille insert however turns up often . 

[slusher]

Thanks, for the review...

[russosborne]

Thanks for the review/pictures. Now I know exactly what is in it.

So close, Round 2, so close.

Russ

[unclescott58]

Thank you for the review Dave. I'm very happy with this kit. I've already got the Mod Rod version done. I built mine to look like the red one on the one side of the box. It turned out fairly nice. Now to go finish the other as the old fashion racer as shown on on the same box end. This kit is a box full of fun. I have art box version and I love it. I found it to be a great kit.

Edited November 16, 2016 by unclescott58

[Vince Nemanic]

I never had the original kit, and I have a question.  The original says that you can built the Ala Kart and the decals are even there, but how can that be without the side pipes and other mods to the body?

[Mark]

I never had the original kit, and I have a question.  The original says that you can built the Ala Kart and the decals are even there, but how can that be without the side pipes and other mods to the body?

The original Mod Rods (there were two boxes) were unchanged parts-wise from the original Ala Kart kit.  The Mod Rod was just an alternate version that was always in there.  They just emphasized that version over the Ala Kart which was no longer being shown.  The original Mod Rod boxes had a small Ala Kart illustration on one side panel.  The decal sheet had the Ala Kart scallops, but fewer of them.  The early issue kits boxed as the Ala Kart had scallops for the underside of the fenders as on the 1:1 car, the later issues boxed as the Mod Rod only had the topside scallops. 

The next issue after the Mod Rods was the Street Rod Series/25th Anniversary version.  That one had some different parts (custom wheels, rod version headlights) and most of the Ala Kart parts were blocked off and not included.  Some alterations were made to the Kart body and fenders also. 

The Round 2 Mod Rod has all of the available Kart parts.  Some of them don't exist anymore.  For example, the 25th Anniversary kit headlight units are in the spot on the chrome tree where the fuel injection pieces for the Kart used to be.  So those probably got removed or destroyed to fit the headlights in.  When those changes were made, there was probably no thought of ever bringing the Kart back.  AMT didn't own the 1:1 anymore, and for the most part it was forgotten.  The Round 2 box art illustration with the fendered (red) Mod Rod is altered a bit; the side exhaust pipes were removed because they are no longer in the kit.

[Vince Nemanic]

Thank you for the great explanation.  I wondered where the filled -in fender unit appeared, and I thought there was only one version of the Mod Rod.

[Dave Darby]

Thank you for the great explanation.  I wondered where the filled -in fender unit appeared, and I thought there was only one version of the Mod Rod.

HI Vince.

 

I actually covered that in the caption describing the difference between the two fender units. As Mark said, both of the original Mod Rod issues also built an Ala Kart. The changes came with the 1973 Street Rods issue. I would love to see Round2 restore this tool. It's totally doable.

[pharoah]

nice review, I just got mine the other day. And I found an original Ala Kart parts car. And a set of Fred Cady decals. Now I can build the Model A,The Mod Rod (Love the black one) and the Ala Kart.

[AC Norton]

Well guys, I finally got some free time, and did a quicky review of the new AMT Mod Rod reissue, As a bonus, when you click on the link, you will find a another link to a history of the real car and the kit I had done for the now defunct Bonediggers site back in 2002, which also features a side by side comparison of the old and new tool Ala Kart kits. In the photos on my Fotki site, I added some shots of the original box art for all of the Ala Kart kits, and some of the later variations. Plus side by side comparisons of old and new kit content. I have added captions to explain parts, differences and historical tidbits as well.  Buckle up, it's gonna be a great ride. BTW, if you think you are in good shape because you have that 2002 Model A reissue, you are mistaken. There are a BUNCH of Ala Kart and vintage speed parts in the new issue that were not in the 2002 kit.  Link follows these two teaser photos...

 

AMT Mod Rod 2016

......excellent kit review, Dave, very nice photos and your  text info is terrific......thank you for posting all of this...best, the Ace.....

[horsepower]

If you want to add injection, the optional ones from the '53 Ford pickup kit should fill the void pretty well, there's a bunch of different Hemi intake options in that kit.

[oldscool]

If you want to add injection, the optional ones from the '53 Ford pickup kit should fill the void pretty well, there's a bunch of different Hemi intake options in that kit.

There is a decent Hilborn injection setup in the Double Dragster kit as well.

[stavanzer]

The ones in the AMT 39/40 Ford Sedan, look like the ones in the Ala Kart as well.

[horsepower]

The ones in the '39-'40 sedan kit are for an Oldsmobile engine, and the port spacing is different on an Olds, it's closer to a Chevrolet type.

[Chuck Most]

Only thing I haven't enjoyed so far is the fit of the new-tool Mod Rod front axle to it's radius rods- that was quite a hair-puller for me. As installed on the chassis it's got quite a bit of positive caster, though that could decrease a bit depending on what tires I use and how much "rake" it ends up with. The Mod Rod version is not my thing at all, but I think I can work something out of it. I may use the blower parts from the last reissue (RC2 era) as they are chrome plated, while this version's blower parts are not. I like seeing the valve Red Ram valve covers and oil pan plated. The stock front axle, not so much, but it is what it is. 

The header for the vintage style hot rod still lacks the center ports and the carbs are just as unrealistic as ever, but know that you can adapt the vintage speed parts from either of the old Revell Model A kits to this engine. Better yet, swap in the entire Revell engine... it's easy to do with a little cutting and pasting. I'd actually keep the AMT transmission- not only should the locators on the frame and for the front wishbone still line up, I think it's somewhat more convincing looking than the Revell transmission, despite having fewer parts. 

If you look closely at the '32 grille insert, you'll notice that there's a bit of a "hunk" missing out of the grille bar engraving at the bottom left (driver's side) corner- that flaw was present on the RC2 reissue as well. Kind of a bummer when the rest of the insert is so nicely engraved. I'm going to have to dig around and see if an insert from an old AMT deuce will work in the Mod Rod shell. 

[carrucha]

Thanks for the review.  Very helpful.

[kopperkart]

It looks like a good parts kit. Thanks Dave!

[stavanzer]

As Russ, says above, "So Close, Round2"

The parts that Round2 chose to re-tool, are not the parts needed. The could have done the Ala-Kart missing parts, but chose not. I maintain that this kit would have sold far better, if the Ala-Kart parts had been added back in, with fresh tooling, even if they could not be mentioned on the box. When this kit was announced as coming back, I had the Time and Budget to buy a case of them. But, I got the kit home saw what was (or wasn't) in it, and got only the one.

 I always felt that nobody really wanted the Mod Rod, and that may have been despite the Hype 8 years ago, it sort of lingered for a bit and then vanished without a trace.

[Exotics_Builder]

3 minutes ago, stavanzer said:

As Russ, says above, "So Close, Round2"

The parts that Round2 chose to re-tool, are not the parts needed. The could have done the Ala-Kart missing parts, but chose not. I maintain that this kit would have sold far better, if the Ala-Kart parts had been added back in, with fresh tooling, even if they could not be mentioned on the box. When this kit was announced as coming back, I had the Time and Budget to buy a case of them. But, I got the kit home saw what was (or wasn't) in it, and got only the one.

 I always felt that nobody really wanted the Mod Rod, and that may have been despite the Hype 8 years ago, it sort of lingered for a bit and then vanished without a trace.

Since you reopened this, I too looked at it when it came out.  But I am lucky enough to have an original (with all the parts) still unbuilt today.  Sad thing is even the reissue box art was the same.  Pic is of the orignial

 

 

[stavanzer]

I have about a Dozen of this kit in various versions. From a pair of the OG Ala-Kart kits to the Mod Rod you have to the Avenger Kit, to the Checkerboard Box Model A kit from Walmart. And the 1970's 25th Anniversary Kit in the Yellow box.

The Walmart Version had 90% of the Ala-Kart in the box. Missing only two or three (significant) parts. Namely the Grille Shell and A Body Part. (Bed or Body Tub)  All Round2 had to do was retool the parts. Not impossible because they managed to Freshly re-tool an axle and some wheels, that were not really wanted. I remember asking a question about this on the Old Round2 blog, in 2015(or so) when this Mod Rod kit was announced. I wondered then exactly 'who' determined that those parts were what Modelers were asking for on that kit. I never got answer. Maybe it was a Legal thing and Round2 did not want to bring it up.

Oh Well, maybe when it comes time to bring this kit back, they will get the Ala-Kart Licensing, so they can re-tool the parts needed for that, or Kill the Mod Rod foolishness and just go back to a 2'n'1 Model A Roadster kit.

Lastly if they do ever restore the rest of the Ala-Kart parts, then they can scrap the 1990's abortion, never to return. Golly that kit is awful!

[Mark]

The retooled parts were included to get back two complete cars.  The RC2 unblocked issue came close, but the Ala Kart front axle apparently vanished over the years.  Round 2 got the kit back to two cars, and does build the Mod Rod version.  With different wheels (not included) it will also build the Street Rod issue car which was the last complete double kit issue prior to the Round 2 one.

Both Ala Karts have their issues.  The 1:1 car has a pronounced "rubber rake" which is not present in the original kit.  The hood sides don't flow into the headlamp pods on the grille shell as they should.  The engine is also a bit oversized.

The new one has a too-small engine, and issues with the cowl and hood.  Neither kit has 100% accurate wheels.

I'd suspect it's too late to correct either kit now, it's likely that everyone who remembers the Ala Kart and wants a model of one already has one or both kits, or the 1/24 scale diecast.

 

 

[Exotics_Builder]

4 hours ago, Mark said:

The retooled parts were included to get back two complete cars.  The RC2 unblocked issue came close, but the Ala Kart front axle apparently vanished over the years.  Round 2 got the kit back to two cars, and does build the Mod Rod version.  With different wheels (not included) it will also build the Street Rod issue car which was the last complete double kit issue prior to the Round 2 one.

Both Ala Karts have their issues.  The 1:1 car has a pronounced "rubber rake" which is not present in the original kit.  The hood sides don't flow into the headlamp pods on the grille shell as they should.  The engine is also a bit oversized.

The new one has a too-small engine, and issues with the cowl and hood.  Neither kit has 100% accurate wheels.

I'd suspect it's too late to correct either kit now, it's likely that everyone who remembers the Ala Kart and wants a model of one already has one or both kits, or the 1/24 scale diecast.

 

 

Got the diecast as well.  Which is why the Mod Rod remains unbuilt in the stash.  The diecast is pretty good.

[stavanzer]

7 hours ago, Mark said:

I'd suspect it's too late to correct either kit now, it's likely that everyone who remembers the Ala Kart and wants a model of one already has one or both kits, or the 1/24 scale diecast.

I suspect that you are correct, Mark. I had not thought of that angle.