AMT 68 El Camino

[Luc Janssens]

......wished you 'd have said......you have a valid point  regarding Walmart and luke warm kit's being dumped worldwide, and figured that you may be basing this on sale's in a small country.  regardless, the drag team set's  have been of great interest by many collector's and builder's for years, and many still feel they would be a great seller.....the Ace...

On the first paragraph, thought that was common knowledge and about Belgium that's how I read it, If I misunderstood, my apology.

Secundo if the collectors and builders you mention, represent serious buying power, it will be re-produced, I don't know of any company which isn't in it for the money, but think the track record of previous sets make the decision makers vote against, or at least gun shy., but that's my opinion and maybe next year a manufacturer will prove me wrong...

[Ron Hamilton]

Thanks Tim for the informative review and photos of the kit contents. I look forward to this one.

[AC Norton]

On the first paragraph, thought that was common knowledge  and about Belgium that's how I read it, If I misunderstood, my apology.

Secundo if the collectors and builders you mention, represent serious buying power, it will be re-produced, I don't know of any company which isn't in it for the money, but think the track record of previous sets make the decision makers vote against, or at least gun shy., but that's my opinion and maybe next year a manufacturer will prove me wrong...

.......let's hope they do.........the Ace....

[Brett Barrow]

yes, I'm aware that the limited edition line is just that...a line. I figured that a 5,000 run for set's like this would be the norm, and regular production of their other car kit's is considerably higher.  I suppose I look at it this way...let's say, for sake of argument, Round2 reissued the Cal Combo Falcon/ Galaxie set,,,,I bet they go thru them a lot quicker  if  done properly with lot's of the right goodie's inside, as apposed to reissued version's of the Trailer, Galaxie, and Falcon again.....that's a ton more product to flog than only one item that has never been out again, and hold's real excitement in close to original form, than the single's mentioned. let's face it, the saying I always still use from my car business career back years ago is, if all else fails,,,try price....if priced reasonably with the right stuff in the box, I think they would be a winner for Round2. all those cookie tin set's were a bad decision, IMO, and if they at one point make any of the early set's mentioned, they should retain their original format. as for the other comment  from the other member, you simply can't compare volume of product in Belgium to what North America can sell in ANY general term.......the Ace......

I guess the point I'm trying to make is that just because there might be a hundred guys willing to pay $200 for one on eBay doesn't mean there's thousands willing to pay $42.95.  They go for big bucks because they're rare, they're rare because they didn't make many, and they didn't make many because they didn't sell well.  Would one with all the typical Round 2 fixin's do better than, say, a Model King from 10 years ago? Sure, but we know how poorly it did then and we know how much of an effect the Round 2 treatment has now.  Now, maybe they'll do more like this Elky with small add-ons but I doubt they'll give the race teams another shot. 

[AC Norton]

I guess the point I'm trying to make is that just because there might be a hundred guys willing to pay $200 for one on eBay doesn't mean there's thousands willing to pay $42.95.  They go for big bucks because they're rare, they're rare because they didn't make many, and they didn't make many because they didn't sell well.  Would one with all the typical Round 2 fixin's do better than, say, a Model King from 10 years ago? Sure, but we know how poorly it did then and we know how much of an effect the Round 2 treatment has now.  Now, maybe they'll do more like this Elky with small add-ons but I doubt they'll give the race teams another shot. 

....you could be right, Brett, on all accounts here, as you are a major seller of kits and do see a side to all many do not. but I think there is something we all may want to keep in mind regarding many of these discussions on the forum about reissue's that people say they want.....if  the company's read a lot of these threads, and we know they do, and various idea's for reissue's are basically dead in the water because many of us say they are already, what incentive  do the company's have to consider such project's for the future,,,,I have alway's thought that  if idea's are given to let's say, Round2, with a positive spin on some kit's that can be  issued  using different art work and their new goodie's included, then all is possible.  I guess I'm just an optimist about thing's that are exciting to me and to some other collector's........all just  my opinion....the Ace...

[charlie8575]

What's the best way to get that vinyl top off without wrecking the roof? The only thing I can think of is 150-grit and a long evening of removal and re-polishing the plastic.

Charlie Larkin

[MrObsessive]

What's the best way to get that vinyl top off without wrecking the roof? The only thing I can think of is 150-grit and a long evening of removal and re-polishing the plastic.

Charlie Larkin

Charlie, I'd try 220 grit sandpaper (it might take awhile), then 400 grit, and then work my way up to 600. After everything's sanded, I'd go over the whole works with some liquid glue (or MEK) to bring the detail back to the surface. After everything's all nice and dry, sand everything down again as you're now erasing the memory of the plastic, and there won't be any surprises when it comes time to paint.

It's time intensive, but it's the only way I know of to get rid of the vinyl roof, and get the nice seamless look of smooth "metal" in your bodywork. BTW, this technique works also for getting rid of pesky trim that always wants to reappear after you've sanded it away, and paint the surface.

[tim boyd]

Bill....in response to one of your earlier comments in this thread, when it gets down to it, I agree with you that on an Elky, a vinyl roof seems a bit over the top.  Interestingly, when I did a Google Image Search on '68 Elky's a few days ago, I was surprised at the number of images that included a vinyl top.  So you and I may be the exception rather than the rule on this one.....but then again, any results based on a Google Image search have to be viewed with a great deal of, well, I was gonna say skepticism, but let's just adjust that to "caution".  

Secondly, that is a really, really interesting approach using liquid glue or MEK to bring that "memory"back to the surface in lieu of a beautifully applied lacquer paint job inadvertently doing the same thing.  Using a paint sealer like that from MCW Automotive Finishes has also worked for me, but I always hesitate to add another layer of paint, particularly when dealing with heavily engraved bodies of 1960's/70 restored stock kits.  I'll definitely be giving this a try.  

Thanks....TIM 

  

[MrObsessive]

Tim, I have to give credit for that tip to Ted "Chopper" Lear. Years ago (I believe it might have been the Toledo NNL in the early '00's) he mentioned that as one of the techniques he used when he did his bodywork. Anyone that knows Chopper and the kind of bodywork he does, knows that he's one of the best!

I showed this technique on a thread I did on basic model building years ago ('49 Mercury) that works well also for those pesky mold/parting lines, and how to keep them from reappearing after you've sanded them away.

Yeah, I'm not sure if it's the vinyl roof itself on the El Camino, or the way it's shaped. I never liked that "kickup" at the trailing edge of the roofline, and unfortunately GM adopted this styling annoyance for a lot of their cars' vinyl roofs in the late '70's into the '80's. Thankfully, vinyl tops have faded into obscurity and would look woefully out of place on cars today with their styling.

Edited November 20, 2016 by MrObsessive

[AC Norton]

What's the best way to get that vinyl top off without wrecking the roof? The only thing I can think of is 150-grit and a long evening of removal and re-polishing the plastic.

Charlie Larkin

it's just time and work, sanding, more sanding, wet sanding.....I did that once about 30 years ago with a beater body just to see what would happen....work's fine if you put the time into it.....the Ace....

[Brett Barrow]

Prime it first then sand until all the primer disappears. That way you know you've gotten all the texture. Sometimes it's easier to sand off the drip rails and replace with Evergreen than it is to work around them. 

[Brett Barrow]

Bill....in response to one of your earlier comments in this thread, when it gets down to it, I agree with you that on an Elky, a vinyl roof seems a bit over the top.  Interestingly, when I did a Google Image Search on '68 Elky's a few days ago, I was surprised at the number of images that included a vinyl top.  So you and I may be the exception rather than the rule on this one.....but then again, any results based on a Google Image search have to be viewed with a great deal of, well, I was gonna say skepticism, but let's just adjust that to "caution".  

Secondly, that is a really, really interesting approach using liquid glue or MEK to bring that "memory"back to the surface in lieu of a beautifully applied lacquer paint job inadvertently doing the same thing.  Using a paint sealer like that from MCW Automotive Finishes has also worked for me, but I always hesitate to add another layer of paint, particularly when dealing with heavily engraved bodies of 1960's/70 restored stock kits.  I'll definitely be giving this a try.  

Thanks....TIM 

  

My dad's 69 Elco had a vinyl top (Red with white top when new but had been redone black/black by the time I came along) I think it plays up the "car" aspect of the El Camino and kinda classes it up a little. 

[Snake45]

IIRC, my old Aurora HO Thunderjet had a vinyl top, or at least the chrome moldings for one. I painted mine a nice metallic yellow-gold and painted the top black. Wish I could find it to show you a pic.

I think there was at least one Elky in the '69 showroom brochure with vinyl top, too. Hafta find that.

Here's a stock Aurora Elky.

http://www.punkjob.com/TjetCollection/large/a429yw.jpg

[unclescott58]

In general, I dislike vinyl roofs. But, since this El Camino has one, I'll keep it. It was a popular option on a lot cars at the time. For some reason not a lot of models kits came with a vinyl roof at the same time? So I have very few cars in my collection that have them. And for that, overall I'm glad. At the same time the El Camino does not look terrible with a vinyl roof. In fact I the yellow with the black roof shown on the new kits box art. I may just go with that.

R. Scott Aho

 

[unclescott58]

In general, I dislike vinyl roofs. But, since this El Camino has one, I'll keep it. It was a popular option on a lot cars at the time. For some reason not a lot of models kits came with a vinyl roof at the same time? So I have very few cars in my collection that have them. And for that, overall I'm glad. At the same time the El Camino does not look terrible with a vinyl roof. In fact I the yellow with the black roof shown on the new kits box art. I may just go with that.

R. Scott Aho

 

[Snake45]

 For some reason not a lot of models kits came with a vinyl roof at the same time? So I have very few cars in my collection that have them.

R. Scott Aho

 

The only ones I can think of offhand were the optional hardtops on the AMT '65 GTO and '66 Mustang HT/convertible kits. Oh, and the original annual AMT 70/12 Camaro. I'm sure there were others, though.

[Luc Janssens]

The only ones I can think of offhand were the optional hardtops on the AMT '65 GTO and '66 Mustang HT/convertible kits. Oh, and the original annual AMT 70/12 Camaro. I'm sure there were others, though.

I'll add the ones I remember, amt '64 Grand Prix, and the original issue '65 too, then there is the mpc '69 Poncho G/P

Edited November 20, 2016 by Luc Janssens

[unclescott58]

I believe the MPC '71, '72, and '73 Cougar XR-7s had a vinyl roofs too.

R. Scott Aho

 

[Chris in Berwyn]

. After everything's sanded, I'd go over the whole works with some liquid glue (or MEK) to bring the detail back to the surface. After everything's all nice and dry, sand everything down again as you're now erasing the memory of the plastic, and there won't be any surprises when it comes time to paint.

 

OK, so how do I apply the MEK - sounds like a brush??  I have used Zinsser Bin Shellac Base Primer to block this sort of thing, but per Tim's point, that is getting more paint on the body, so I would like to try this approach.  Thx.  Chris

[mangodart]

Here is "my" version of the El Camino 68 built years ago, a very good and detailed kit, I've kept the vinyl roof as I like them and it goes well with the black painted fender bottom...

[tim boyd]

Here is "my" version of the El Camino 68 built years ago, a very good and detailed kit, I've kept the vinyl roof as I like them and it goes well with the black painted fender bottom...

Emmanuel....that is one sharp Elky model....one that captures very well the potential of this kit.  Really like the pictures with the garage and gas pump as well.....TIM  

[bbowser]

Emmanuel....that is one sharp Elky model....one that captures very well the potential of this kit.  Really like the pictures with the garage and gas pump as well.....TIM  

X2, great model!  As far as vinyl tops, they went the way of Landau bars and side lamps as styling cues meant to evoke the 20s-30s cloth top phaetons and roadsters, I say good riddance.

[MrObsessive]

X2, great model!  As far as vinyl tops, they went the way of Landau bars and side lamps as styling cues meant to evoke the 20s-30s cloth top phaetons and roadsters, I say good riddance.

I cringe though when I see a newer car (2000's and up) with a vinyl roof! Obviously the car didn't come that way as I haven't seen that option for years. It's a "day two" add on that more than likely is driven by an older person (not making fun, just an observance), and they may think that "dresses up" the car when it just looks like a major afterthought to me.

[Snake45]

Vinyl tops don't look weird (on era-appropriate cars) if you grew up with them, as I did. Certainly no weirder than '50s tail fins and rococo chrome trim, or more modern "smiling" grilles and enormous "wagon wheels" with rubber-band tires.

I kinda like a black vinyl top on some cars with light or bright paint. Not so much the white ones, though.

I think vinyl tops got their start in the early '60s, when the roofs on certain GM models had lateral "ribs" that looked sorta like convertible tops. The vinyl completed the image. They eventually showed up on almost everything, including fastbacks.

[MrObsessive]

I've seen late '50's Cadillacs ('57-'58 Eldorado Sevilles come to mind) with vinyl roofs and they looked quite nice with 'em. Today's cars with their seamless lines and such, vinyl roofs would just look out of place and a bit overdone.

Having said that, one of my favorite cars out of the '70's happens to be the Buick/Olds '76-'77 Colonnade hardtop cars (Regal, Century, Cutlass) with their half vinyl "landau tops". I thought those were VERY sharp looking!