AMT 68 El Camino

[Allen Wrench]

Looks good. Very glad the sink mark problem has been dealt with. My only nit would be that it would have been nice if Round 2 would have included the engine accessories from the stree machine version of this kit, but that's not a deal-breaker.

[Ron Hamilton]

I have a few of the '68 El Camino kits in my stash, and I plan to get this one for the  Soap Box Derby Car. In my mind, I plan to remove the vinyl roof and mouldings, and re-do it as a '69, as I have a '68 already done.

[Toner283]

 

Now there is a new chapter in that kit history, and all is revealed with 31 images and captions at this link.... and make sure to read the captions for some interesting tidbits along the way, too!  

Thanks for the review Tim. One slight correction to the text in your Fotki article. The original 1969 Elcamino kit was issued at least twice. Once with the soap box derby artwork and car and once with very similar box art to the "RATMAN" 1969 Chevelle. The Elcamino was shown with the custom headlights (cibie maybe?), custom grille and nerf bumpers. Photobucket is being difficult again so I cannot post a pic but if you google image "AMT 1969 el camino", several pictures of the box art pop up. 

[Mr mopar]

COOL ! thx Tim for the review .............now I must get one .

[tim boyd]

 

 

Thanks for the review Tim. One slight correction to the text in your Fotki article. The original 1969 Elcamino kit was issued at least twice. Once with the soap box derby artwork and car and once with very similar box art to the "RATMAN" 1969 Chevelle. The Elcamino was shown with the custom headlights (cibie maybe?), custom grille and nerf bumpers. Photobucket is being difficult again so I cannot post a pic but if you google image "AMT 1969 el camino", several pictures of the box art pop up. 

Chris, you are, of course, correct in that there were two issues of the basic '69 El Camino kit.  The original issue (without the Derby car) was the "annual" kit version...I need to check my stash but I believe that is the same as the one you are referring to.  I thought I made this clear in the Fotki post but I better go back and check!  Thanks for the heads-up.....TIM 

[tim boyd]

Looks good. Very glad the sink mark problem has been dealt with. My only nit would be that it would have been nice if Round 2 would have included the engine accessories from the stree machine version of this kit, but that's not a deal-breaker.

Allen....I too would have preferred that the street machine engine accessories be in there, but for those that are not aware, there's more to the street machine version than just that  supercharged (B&M? - I can't quite remember the aftermarket manufacturer it was patterned after although I have it somewhere in my notes....).  The street machine version also included a revised pickup floor bed, and pickup box side panels with mini-tubs, not to mention the entirely different wheel and tire treatments and probably a few other tweaks that I can't recall right now.  I presume the street machine engine parts were intertwined with the other street machine parts in the tool, making just the engine parts alone not feasible as an add for this kit release.  Of course, Round 2 has added the entire trees from both versions of AMT-Ertl era kits in past releases ('60 Starliner, '62 T-Bird, '62 Catalina), so who knows what might be in store for the future.  

Several of the model magazine guys tell me that El Caminos and Rancheros do not generate much interest from readers,; whether that carries over to purchases of  El Camino and Ranchero model kits I do not know.  But I haven't had any success over the years in getting Revell to do a '70 Ranchero GT with the 429 Ram Air spinoff of their excellent '70 Torino Cobra/GT tool, and we still haven't seen a Ranchero spinoff from the '57 Ford Custom/Del Rio too, so that may tell us something   If this is indeed the case, this AMT 68 Elky may end up being the last kit of its kind....which is kinda sad.  Still, it's a really good kit in and of itself....

TIM 

[Snake45]

Chris, you are, of course, correct in that there were two issues of the basic '69 El Camino kit.  The original issue (without the Derby car) was the "annual" kit version...I need to check my stash but I believe that is the same as the one you are referring to.  I thought I made this clear in the Fotki post but I better go back and check!  Thanks for the heads-up.....TIM 

You had that in there. I read it last night.

[stavanzer]

Well, the whole Elky this has me watching the 'Bay for Street Machine Version. Now that I've seen what's in it, I want one. Man that '90's boxart did not do that kit any favors. Just using Round2's New "Vintage Style" boxart and updated decal sheet would have doubled sales. One will turn up at a price I can swing eventually. I look forward to building it. Heck, It might even carry a Soap Box Derby Car.  

[paul alflen]

JOHN G AT ROUND 2: LOOK AT THE INDY  DRAG RACE TEAM COMBO BOX. IN THE UPPER LEFT CORNER IS  A 55 CHEVY P/U WITH A 1940 WILLYS , ON A TRAILER. HOW ABOUT THAT DRAG RACE COMBO? EASY ONE TO DO !!!!!!!!!!!!

[Casey]

They actually COULD do it with the '65 Chevelle wagon. Or '65 El Camino.

I thought about the Westcraft boat combined with the AMT '65 El Camino, considering the boat was orginally included with AMT's '64 El Camino, and I don't recall Round2 reissuing the '65 El Camino...yet. Reading Tim's quote again:

..."we came up with yet another future old tooling/new tooling combo kit idea."

That would seem to eliminate an old/old combination, and it really depends upon which accessory piece is being considered (or has already been chosen) for inclusion, but a motorcycle or go-kart could stand alone alongside any vehicle, needing nothing "extra" to support it.

[randyc]

I haven't even built the FIRST version yet (in the stash).  And now we're on Round 2...lol.  I crack me up.   

[Brett Barrow]

Would have been nice to get the factory SS stripes and maybe a bit less putrid yellow on the bot top but I guess that's keeping with the spirit of the original. 

The original yellow from '68, Butternut Yellow (with stripe):

[AC Norton]

JOHN G AT ROUND 2: LOOK AT THE INDY  DRAG RACE TEAM COMBO BOX. IN THE UPPER LEFT CORNER IS  A 55 CHEVY P/U WITH A 1940 WILLYS , ON A TRAILER. HOW ABOUT THAT DRAG RACE COMBO? EASY ONE TO DO !!!!!!!!!!!!

well, Paul, I've been saying the same for years....sooooo, think about the easy combo's they could reissue....the 68 Shelby drag team is easily done with a bit of tweaking,,,,the Cal Combo 65 Falcon/ Galaxie set is a given,,,,and  this Indy awb Chevy set  can easily be done using a 65 El Camino, or 65 Chevelle wagon.....the 65 El Camino  hasn't been around in awhile, so Round2 could do the drag team set with the smaller rear cap cover, then later reissue the kit with the full camper in it's original box art....it's a win-win for everybody....a 66 Nova wagon would be outstanding, but I'd settle for anything mentioned above......NOTE...JOHN G. AT ROUND2...READ PAUL'S COMMENT AND THIS TOO, PLEASE.....the Ace....

[Brett Barrow]

Combo kits don't sell very well, at least not in the 15 years I've been in the business. 

[AC Norton]

Combo kits don't sell very well, at least not in the 15 years I've been in the business. 

good point, Brett,  however keep in mind that if some of these were again on the shelves at your LHS, they would be at a price point that most could afford, unlike the insane money that even junky, started early example's bring on ebay. I really think newly issued combo's would sell like mad if priced correctly, merchandised correctly, and included ton's of goodie's. for example, have matching tinted glass for both tow car and race car, all the new tire's, etc, and a giant decal sheet including original art, but also lot's of new design's and drag name's, shop's, etc.....think they would be killer......the Ace....

[stavanzer]

For me, the real selling point on most of the Round2 Retro Delux kits is the expanded Decal Sheets and the Pad Printed Tires. I have almost every one of the kits that they have released, with the exception of the "Long Lost Tool" stuff. (The Pacers,ect)   What makes the purchase decision easy is Fresh Plastic, Decals & Tires. It has sold me on a new kit, when I already have 4 on the shelf. That said, I agree with the Ace. Huge Decal Sheets, A plethora of tire options, tinted glass, and some extra 'goodies' like the newly tooled chrome steelies or the 5 spokes that have appeared as separate small sprues by them selves, would be all it takes to push me into pulling the trigger on a purchase. Re-creating long lost combos especially with tooling that has not been seen in 15/20 years just seals the deal.  If I were marketing them, I'd even lean on the 'Limited Edition/ Reserve One Now' tactic that has been used on the Space 1999 and Streetle Beetle kits. (Assuming that has worked, of course)  I'd like to see if there could be a Tie in to the March Meets too. That might just be worth the trouble.

[AC Norton]

For me, the real selling point on most of the Round2 Retro Delux kits is the expanded Decal Sheets and the Pad Printed Tires. I have almost every one of the kits that they have released, with the exception of the "Long Lost Tool" stuff. (The Pacers,ect)   What makes the purchase decision easy is Fresh Plastic, Decals & Tires. It has sold me on a new kit, when I already have 4 on the shelf. That said, I agree with the Ace. Huge Decal Sheets, A plethora of tire options, tinted glass, and some extra 'goodies' like the newly tooled chrome steelies or the 5 spokes that have appeared as separate small sprues by them selves, would be all it takes to push me into pulling the trigger on a purchase. Re-creating long lost combos especially with tooling that has not been seen in 15/20 years just seals the deal.  If I were marketing them, I'd even lean on the 'Limited Edition/ Reserve One Now' tactic that has been used on the Space 1999 and Streetle Beetle kits. (Assuming that has worked, of course)  I'd like to see if there could be a Tie in to the March Meets too. That might just be worth the trouble.

Alan, you make a terrific point that I forgot to mention. re pop the drag team set's that can be made, and truly keep them a limited edition....pre order's and fairly low numbers produced.....the price point may sting a bit, but nothing like an original. I realize that not everyone in car kit land will want one, but I'll bet those who do will order the maximum allowed per customer.....the only drawback to all this on limited release is that Round2 has to profit from all said, so volume sale's on a bigger run may be the only way they accomplish that....either way, I'm in for 3 of each of the Shelby, Falcon, and Chevy  drag team set's if it ever becomes reality .....the Ace....

[Luc Janssens]

Combo kits don't sell very well, at least not in the 15 years I've been in the business. 

That is what I hear too, people want this or that model, but not both at the same time, mostly because of the price.

The only combo that does well, is wrapping 4 different kits together and selling them at Walmart "we sell for less" prices.

Good for Christmas promotions maybe, but not to get in enough funding for all these great subjects which have been released in this post wallyworld era

Edited November 19, 2016 by Luc Janssens

[Brett Barrow]

That is what I hear too, people want this or that model, but not both at the same time, mostly because of the price.

The only combo that does well, is wrapping 4 different kits together and selling them at Walmart "we sell for less" prices.

Good for Christmas promotions maybe, but not to get in enough funding for all these great subjects which have been released in this post wallyworld era

Yep, 100% correct.  Those Walmart combos were the kind of stuff wives and grandmothers bought for Christmas presents and I'd just about guarantee they were made up from existing (old) stock.

Alan, you make a terrific point that I forgot to mention. re pop the drag team set's that can be made, and truly keep them a limited edition....pre order's and fairly low numbers produced.....the price point may sting a bit, but nothing like an original. I realize that not everyone in car kit land will want one, but I'll bet those who do will order the maximum allowed per customer.....the only drawback to all this on limited release is that Round2 has to profit from all said, so volume sale's on a bigger run may be the only way they accomplish that....either way, I'm in for 3 of each of the Shelby, Falcon, and Chevy  drag team set's if it ever becomes reality .....the Ace....

I'm going to let you in on an industry secret -- there's no such thing as a limited edition.  They make just as many of a "limited" edition as they do the regular stuff, 5,000 pieces a run is pretty much the norm now. Selling 5,000 of each component is hard enough these days and finding 5,000 people that want all 3 (tow vehicle, racecar, trailer) in one box is nearly impossible. 

Edited November 19, 2016 by Brett Barrow

[AC Norton]

Yep, 100% correct.  Those Walmart combos were the kind of stuff wives and grandmothers bought for Christmas presents and I'd just about guarantee they were made up from existing (old) stock.

I'm going to let you in on an industry secret -- there's no such thing as a limited edition.  They make just as many of a "limited" edition as they do the regular stuff, 5,000 pieces a run is pretty much the norm now. Selling 5,000 of each component is hard enough these days and finding 5,000 people that want all 3 (tow vehicle, racecar, trailer) in one box is nearly impossible. 

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......

[Casey]

Keep in mind they'd need to set up and run the injection molding machine three separate times to create the parts for such a "combo" kit, and even IF Round2 was crazy enough to try it, consider the retail price on what is essentially two-and-a-half kits all stuffed into the same box. 

A better idea would be to issue one of the trailers (prolly the same as the Blueprinter issue) as a parts pack, stand alone deal, then issue both vehicles separately, and drop a not so subtle hint on the bottom of the box such as "Combine this kit with PP17 (Four Axle Trailer) and AMT 1012 ('63 Chevy AWB) for even more fun!!!" Less risk, more profit, and far easier to fit into those spots on the shelves at your LHS/mass hobby retailer.

[Luc Janssens]

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......

Here that other member, I wasn't talking about Belgium, Belgium means nothing volume wise, except in numbers of politicians per capita.

 

[Luc Janssens]

Keep in mind they'd need to set up and run the injection molding machine three separate times to create the parts for such a "combo" kit, and even IF Round2 was crazy enough to try it, consider the retail price on what is essentially two-and-a-half kits all stuffed into the same box. 

A better idea would be to issue one of the trailers (prolly the same as the Blueprinter issue) as a parts pack, stand alone deal, then issue both vehicles separately, and drop a not so subtle hint on the bottom of the box such as "Combine this kit with PP17 (Four Axle Trailer) and AMT 1012 ('63 Chevy AWB) for even more fun!!!" Less risk, more profit, and far easier to fit into those spots on the shelves at your LHS/mass hobby retailer.

 

IMHO such part pack set should be sold via their customer service department, cuz when going retail, beefs up the price due to extra hands the product passes through and the fancy package it needs to attract attention and size to make it less vulnerable to shop lifting.

The company's website, FB and other social media can be used to promote the product, which can be pre-ordered, to determine volume, and when the product comes into the warehouse, have some temps mail it all out to the customers...

[AC Norton]

Here that other member, I wasn't talking about Belgium, Belgium means nothing volume wise, except in numbers of politicians per capita.

 

......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...

[MrObsessive]

Great review Tim!

I have the original release of the '68 which I've never touched, but I'll probably get this one too as I LOVE that box art! I wasn't fazed by the sink marks in the original as I would've built mine without the vinyl roof.

I dunno---------IMO there's something heretical about a truck with a vinyl top!  Elky's to me always looked better without it.

Nevertheless, I really like the extra goodies that come with the re-release. Those pad printed tired are an extra plus for me.