Look like the new AMT car kit series is a GO.

[LUKE'57]

Looks like the new AMT car kit series is a GO.

The inquiries and preorders that flooded in came as a complete, if very welcome, surprise to the "suits" at AMT whose eyes immediately filled with dollar signs and green lighted the project. Due to some work I had done back in the nineties for them and the work I had done getting Racing Collectibles Club of America (now Action Diecast) off the ground, it looks like I will be doing a lot of the developmental work on this series and maybe head the R&D Department.

I plan on getting dirty crawling around the tool storage areas for both AMT and the other kit manufacturers that have signed on to lease tools for the project. As I said, the first few releases will be straight reissues or modified tooling but don't be surprised if a totally new tool slips in from time to time.

I know that most movie tie in kits don't do that well but usually it is a matter of the kit being released so long after the movie buzz has died down and the "one trick pony" characteristics of most movie kits. Hopefully the next release in this series will bypass at least some of that. While most have already got the Lumina there will be others that might need one or two for a vintage project. Can you believe that I just mentioned "Lumina" and "Vintage" in the same sentence. LOL

But I think that the inclusion of a modfied reissue '64 Ford Holman Moody stock car may drive the sales of this kit enough to make it a mild success. The toolmakers are going to Darlington to crawl all over the Fireball Roberts car at the museum to get the measurements from the reskinned '64 to finally make an accurate depiction of the Holman Moody racing chassis. The kit will have new tires, wheels and all the subtle Ralph Moody "tweeks". This is a highly modified tool and the "Darksiders" will NOT be disappointed this time.

That's all I've got for now but look for BIG things on the horizon for race car modelers. One more thing, I forgot to mention the possibility of the Lumina being replaced with a blue and white '57 Chevy sedan with a #8 on the side and "Mitch Cooper" on the roof. Can you say "Thunder in Carolina", boys and girls? As before, kit series launch date is on or around April 1st 2009

[george 53]

Luke, I know this is just a joke, but some of the others may not, and Tom an John an the guys at the "new" amt/mpc are tryin really hard to get things goin right. It doesn't do their efforts any good when you print stuff like this, as some folks may believe it. They may look for your jokes on the shelf an when they're not there, may get the wrong idea, and not buy the REAL kits. John, is a friend of mine and he's bustin his a$$ to get the company off the ground. I think this does all his efforts an injustice.Your good at playin with pics, and they are believeable, maybe a little too much. Do the guys who are tryin to help US a favor by runnin a disclaimer at the end of your thread, so people don't go lookin for somethin that ISN'T gonna be there! It would be nice if it were, but unless they get a big letter campaign tellin them thats what we want, it AIN'T gonna happen! Don't mess with folks just to do it, it ain't right!

[LUKE'57]

You know, I might do that. If you can tell me why this one was "fun" and mine will be the downfall of ERTL.

http://www.modelcarsmag.com/forums/index.p...c=12185&hl=

I'll try to be more "honest" in the future.

[george 53]

Luke, Don't take it so personal. I never said it would be the "downfall of Ertl" I just said it might make some people think there were going to be releases from AMT that weren't gonna come. It was in a national magizine and I fell for it , hook line an sinker. Why wouldn't someone have believed it was true? But to deliberatly misslead folks, when you know that its an out an out lie, Why? I don't really care if you keep doin it, but like it's been said before, If you don't like it don't read it. So I won't, but it doesn't do anything for your credibility. You may not care what I think, but maybe just maybe OTHERS feel the same way too. Who knows?

[LUKE'57]

Never said I didn't care. I had a good working relationship with Ertl, along with Revell and Monogram among others, when I worked for a large hobby distributor and did some R&D for them. And if you missed the reference to April 1st in BOTH those posts then I've got something especially for you in the new one coming up.

[Harry P.]

Ok, I'm confused...

Somebody 'splain it to me... Is this "announcement" a hoax or a joke? If so, why?

[LUKE'57]

Didn't mean to confuse you Harry. It's a joke, it's a tribute to the glory days of AMT and it's an homage to the long gone days of imaginative kits and the men who brought them to us. Sorry for the confusion but maybe the new "disclaimer" will stop it in the future.

[Harry P.]

Ok, so it's some sort of "inside joke" regarding AMT.

I was on the outside looking in and didn't get it.

I'm all better now...

[LUKE'57]

Not really a joke but a unique form of modeling so to speak. I do photo manipulations of my models sort of like the custom guys exchange grilles and chop tops. I also like to do a fictional back story of my projects to add a little color.

I am pretty well known (notorious. LOL) for doing this and just figure that everyone is either in on it or will let the newbies know what's going on.

Never meant to mislead or defraud anyone. I figure if I ain't selling it and it ain't costing yoy anything to look at it then it's up to you to research or figure it out if I'm that good, which I don't think I am BTW.

[Harry P.]

Well, I'm far from a newbie, but I had no clue what was going on. I guess not quite everyone knows the story yet.

Anyway, thanks for the explanation. Consider me "in the know" now...

[Rob Hall]

Well, I'm far from a newbie, but I had no clue what was going on. I guess not quite everyone knows the story yet.

Anyway, thanks for the explanation. Consider me "in the know" now...

I knew what was going on, because I've seen him pull this stunt on other forums..

[Aaronw]

Luke 57 aka Mitchem has a very unique way of showing off his builds. Not quite sure why it sets some people off, except for some who are disappointed when they find out it isn't real. I wouldn't call it a hoax or a joke, more wishful thinking and a creative way to show off a build.

Not really sure how this is that much different from real vs model posts, but it never fails someone takes one of his posts as somebody trying to pull something. I'm not even into racing but I always enjoy seeing his latest work.

[Harry P.]

Luke 57 aka Mitchem has a very unique way of showing off his builds. Not quite sure why it sets some people off, except for some who are disappointed when they find out it isn't real. I wouldn't call it a hoax or a joke, more wishful thinking and a creative way to show off a build.

Not really sure how this is that much different from real vs model posts, but it never fails someone takes one of his posts as somebody trying to pull something. I'm not even into racing but I always enjoy seeing his latest work.

I'm sure that seeing his latest work is fine, but the way the post is presented, if you don't know who he is and what he's doing, it sure looks like a legitimate announcement. I suspect a lot of people don't think it's so "funny" if they thought it was the real thing, only to find out later that it was just a joke.

Personally I wasn't bothered by it... not at all. But after reading George's comments, I just wanted to know what the deal is, that's all. God knows I've posted my fair share of goofy stuff here, so I'm not trying to take away anyone's fun...heck, I like fun! I was just wondering what the story was, that's all. From George's comments it sounded like he was some sort of scammer. I had no idea that Luke posts his builds this way.

Sorry about being clueless... but now I know better.

[LUKE'57]

I knew what was going on, because I've seen him pull this stunt on other forums..

STUNT! Did you say stunt? Way cool! That means I get hazard pay AND a stuntman buckle because it seems I pulled it off this time And thanks Aaron, you explained it very well and I hope no one has any hard feelings. I'm just trying to fit in without the chops to build contest winning models or dioramas. My little niche is model photography and before you get so down on me take a minute and think of how many model car magazines you would have bought without pictures. There's only two- the head of one of them hates me but Gregg lets me hang out here and stir the pot and I am truly grateful for his indulgence.

[rollinoldskoo]

nice.... but maybe this should be kept in the 'under glass' section next time

[LUKE'57]

From George's comments it sounded like he was some sort of scammer. I had no idea that Luke posts his builds this way.

Sorry about being clueless... but now I know better.

Oh, you've only seen the tip of the iceberg.

[Guest zebm1]

ROCK ON LUKE......

[James Flowers]

Nice photo skills . I see why folks could think they are real. I would like to see more pictures of the models myself .

[Harry P.]

oh, so I see you're also into publishing!

What a coincidence... I am too!

[RodBurNeR]

Harry, i laughed my buttocks away when i saw that mODELS &Cars

[E St. Kruiser50]

oh, so I see you're also into publishing!

What a coincidence... I am too!

Harry - I think you missed your calling :lol: My sides hurt so bad from laughing

[lordairgtar]

Luke, I always liked your posts with the old race cars on made up kit boxes. I've always known they were spoofs, but that because I are smart, and not a whiney weenie nanny.