Anyone know what this toy concept-looking SUV might be?

[Russell C]

That's what this eBay seller is asking  https://www.ebay.com/itm/ANYONE-KNOW-WHAT-THIS-IS/124145998809  about what looks like a soft plastic toy car body on a 4x4 kit chassis.

Sometimes the toy manufacturers do a halfway decent job of replicating actual cars or car concepts. I have it stuck in my mind that the body is a 'sorta copy' of an AMC mid-70s SUV concept, but I can't spot anything like that in Google image searches, so I'm probably wrong about that …. it still looks familiar for some reason.

[ChrisR]

Old AMT kit based on a Jeep 4x4 chassis. No description on the box or instructions to the origin of the design.

[OldNYJim]

1/25 is “Big Scale”? ?

Guess it is compared to some other scales...

[Casey]

54 minutes ago, CabDriver said:

1/25 is “Big Scale”? ?

Guess it is compared to some other scales...

That was to differentiate it from the "normal" 1/32 scale snap together kits in AMT's then-current lineup.

[Russell C]

19 hours ago, ChrisR said:

Old AMT kit based on a Jeep 4x4 chassis. No description on the box or instructions to the origin of the design.

Wow - thanks!  Can't say that I remember seeing it as an AMT kit, but if I did 30+ years ago, maybe that's why "Jeep" was stuck in my mind.

[FredRPG]

My lucky day, I’ve been looking for one of these at a reasonable price. I hesitated for a little bit wondering if I was snatching it away from you, but figured I’m probably the only idiot who would think $20 was a good price for this thing.

[Russell C]

1 hour ago, FredRPG said:

My lucky day, I’ve been looking for one of these at a reasonable price. I hesitated for a little bit wondering if I was snatching it away from you, but figured I’m probably the only idiot who would think $20 was a good price for this thing.

Fabulous! Nope, no need for it myself, I just thought it might be interesting to tap the knowledge base here. Glad to know it is going to an appreciative home!

[Tom Geiger]

I have two of this kit and agree it does look like some sort of AMC concept vehicle but nobody could identify it when I asked same question years ago. Or MPC was just looking to put out a quick cheap snap kit without paying any royalties. I believe it was only issued once.

I bought it to be part of my Jeep / dune buggy collection and was looking at building a detailed model out of it with a better interior and engine bay. The engine bay is a one piece insert like on a cheap diecast, interior has big flat parts lacking any real definition, and if I remember correctly, no inside door panels. I was toying with the Jeepster kit as the donor.

The other thing that bothered me was the lack of rear window so I cut one into mine.

The rear treatment that just was odd to me.,

My fix.. the first thing I did to it!

Here’s an album I did with photos:

https://public.fotki.com/ModelCitizen/model_cars/amt-top-1/

 

Edited April 15, 2020 by Tom Geiger

[Deathgoblin]

The lines on the rear end remind me almost of a taller Subaru BRAT.  I'd consider removing that rear cover altogether if possible.

[stavanzer]

That second slot is for and upright spare tire/wheel. Kinda of odd look.

[Russell C]

Sorta like a cross between the Jeepster Commando and a Bronco, with Vette ZR1 square-ish taillights that were all the rage on aftermarket rear pan add-ons for pickup trucks in the late '80s ....

[Tom Geiger]

 

The kit B pillar reminds me more of my Geo Tracker than the Jeepster or Bronco since it’s fixed in place.

[unclescott58]

There is one I won't be begging for Round 2 to reissue. Sorry guys. Too toy like for me. And IMO not a good looking toy at that. 

[Russell C]

4 hours ago, unclescott58 said:

There is one I won't be begging for Round 2 to reissue. .....

That's very true. What got me wondering, unsightly as this thing is, is whether I saw a full size concept car version of this, or if I saw the kit itself 30 some years back and the memory warped into one where I thought I remembered it being full size. It just looks familiar for some reason, particularly in the taillight area.

[Oldcarfan27]

This kit was done at the time when AMT was hemorrhaging money and was nearing bankruptcy. 

With ideas like this, is it any wonder why?

[Tom Geiger]

 

Close! Found photo with little effort 

[Russell C]

14 hours ago, Tom Geiger said:

Close! Found photo with little effort 

Perhaps ... has me wondering if my memories didn't get fused together of seeing the kit so long ago and whatever that thing is .....

[misterNNL]

On 4/27/2020 at 10:41 AM, Tom Geiger said:

 

Close! Found photo with little effort 

Is there a word for worse than double-ugly? Maybe uglierest.

[Russell C]

 Just looked at a mega car styling links site courtesy of another MCM thread here, and its Concepts tab collection includes Jeeps, where this entry for "Jeepster II" http://www.carstyling.ru/en/car/1979_jeep_jeepster_ii/ had this drawing. I wonder if the AMT designers lifted most of the appearance from that concept drawing.

Edited April 30, 2020 by Russell C
typo

[OldNYJim]

On 4/29/2020 at 6:41 PM, misterNNL said:

Is there a word for worse than double-ugly? Maybe uglierest.

Dugly-er 

[lordairgtar]

I guess there is something uglier than the Aztek.

 

[stavanzer]

I dunno.... I really like it.

[Mike Young]

The '70's were the hey-day for kit car bodies. Could be based on one of, or an amalgamation of all, of those made for a jeep chassis.