What is an "annual" kit?

[unclescott58]

JoHan's 1973 Annual. 

Cadillac Eldorado 2-door Hardtop, kit #GC -2300 

 

[unclescott58]

MPC's 1964 Annual. 

Chevrolet Corvette Sting Ray 2-door Coupe, kit #1 

 

[unclescott58]

MPC's 1965 Annuals. 

Chevrolet Corvette Sting Ray 2-door Coupe, kit #2 

Dodge Monaco 2-door Hardtop, kit #3 

Dodge Custom 880 Convertible, kit #4 

 

[unclescott58]

MPC's 1966 Annuals. 

Chevrolet Corvette Sting Ray 2-door Coupe, kit #5 

Dodge Monaco 500 2-door Hardtop, kit #6 

Dodge Charger 2-door Fastback, kit #7 

Dodge Polara 500 Convertible, kit #8 

Ford Mustang 2+2 2-door Fastback 2-in-1, kit #13 

Pontiac Bonneville 2-door Hardtop, kit #9 

Pontiac Bonneville Convertible, kit #10 

Pontiac GTO 2-door Hardtop GeeTO Tiger, kit #11 

Pontiac GTO Convertible, kit #12 

 

Edited May 7, 2020 by unclescott58

[unclescott58]

MPC's 1967 Annuals. 

Chevrolet Corvette Sting Ray 2-door Coupe, kit #1-0567 

Dodge Charger 2-door Fastback, kit #1-0767 

Ford Mustang 2+2 2-door Fastback, kit #1-1367 

Oldsmobile Toronado 2-door Hardtop, kit #1-1467 

Pontiac Bonneville 2-door Hardtop, kit #1-0967 

Pontiac Bonneville Convertible, kit #1-1067 

Pontiac Firebird 2-door Hardtop, kit #1-1567 

Pontiac GTO 2-door Hardtop, kit #1-1167 

Pontiac GTO Convertible, kit #1-1267 

 

Edited May 7, 2020 by unclescott58

[SfanGoch]

4 hours ago, unclescott58 said:

It must not have been obvious to AMT, since they planned on offering a '70 Corvair model kit. I would have thought one could have seen the writing on the wall that Corvair was not to make it to 1970? Sales were such Chevrolet was offering vouchers towards discounts on future purchases of other Chevys if one bought a '69 Corvair. And in May Chevrolet assembled their last Corvair. How far ahead of the '70 model run did AMT print this flier? And who gave them or what information came from Chevrolet making them think there was going to be a 1970 Corvair? 

Quote

According to GM historian Dave Newell, Chevrolet had planned on ending Corvair production after the 1966 model year.Development and engineering changes were halted in 1966 on the year-old, redesigned second-generation cars with mainly federally mandated emissions and safety changes made thereafter. An increasing lack of interest from the company, especially from Chevrolet's General Manager John DeLorean, and a complete absence of Corvair advertising after 1967 reflected the company's priorities, including promotion of three redesigned models for 1968—the Corvette, Chevelle and Chevy II Nova. The Corvair was referred to as "the phantom" by Car Life magazine in their 1968 Monza road test, and by 1969 Chevrolet's Corvair four-page brochure was "by request only".

Chevrolet had proposed a third generation (1970-on) Corvair, essentially a re-skin of the 1965–69 model resembling the 1973 GM A Body intermediates, particularly the 1973 Pontiac Grand Am, retaining Corvair proportions. Having passed the point of full scale clay models, Chevrolet stopped developing the model in early 1968.

It was common knowledge since 1966 that the Corvair wasn't going to continue in the GM lineup much longer. AMT screwed the pooch on that listing. AMT should have received ample notice of the bold italicized portion from GM.

[unclescott58]

1 hour ago, SfanGoch said:

It was common knowledge since 1966 that the Corvair wasn't going to continue in the GM lineup much longer. AMT screwed the pooch on that listing. AMT should have received ample notice of the bold italicized portion from GM.

I have a degree in Automotive History. My first major paper was on the history of the Chevrolet Corvair. Above information you've passed on is quite correct. Other the fact that John DeLorean didn't take over the reigns of Chevrolet until 1969. The die on Corvair's demise was well set before he took over the division. Once Camaro hit the market, taking over as Chevy's sporty compact, the Corvair was doomed. Compare the sales of Corvair in 1966, before Camaro, and in 1967, after the Camaro was on the Chevy show floors. I believe, if it wasn't the negative publicity generated by Nader and the lawsuits that resulted, there would not have been a Corvair after '67. There was no need for it.  

Most people knew by the late 1960's Corvair was not going to make it into the 70's. How the folks at AMT where not aware of this with their ties to the industry is the part that baffles me. As we know, it was not a big secret. I'm wondering if George Toteff leaving AMT to start MPC didn't have something to do with this? Some talented people went with him. As MPC rose, AMT seemed to decline. AMT lost the the two big GM divisions of the time, and in a fairly short time, to MPC. Losing both Pontiac's and Chevrolet's kit and promo business had to be a big deal. And look at the timing of the loss of Chevrolet. 1967, as the 1968 model year was being planned. I suspect they may have missed a lot of inside information on where Chevrolet was heading in the near future. Could this be why they thought Chevrolet was going to have a Corvair still for 1970? It makes one wonder? 

[unclescott58]

1 hour ago, SfanGoch said:

It was common knowledge since 1966 that the Corvair wasn't going to continue in the GM lineup much longer. AMT screwed the pooch on that listing. AMT should have received ample notice of the bold italicized portion from GM.

One other note, in the quote you used above, it says that Chevrolet stopped development work on the Corvair early in 1968. That is not correct. GM sent word to Chevrolet to stop all work on future Corvairs, other than what was needed to comply with government regulations, in April of 1965. GM was already planning on replacing the Corvair with the Panther, a.k.a. the Camaro. The Mustang had shown the direction that Chevrolet needed to go with its next sporty compact car. Again, it's my opinion that the publicity from Nader's book and the resulting law suits, caused GM to keep Corvair longer than it was really needed. If they dropped the Corvair in the middle of all the controversy, it may have looked to the public that GM also believed their car was as poorly engineered and designed as Mr. Nader claimed. GM felt it could not afford to lose face on this one.

[SfanGoch]

What I wrote was that Chevrolet stopped development of the third generation (1970 -on) Corvair in 1968, not the then in production second generation (1965-69) car.

7 hours ago, SfanGoch said:

Chevrolet had proposed a third generation (1970-on) Corvair, essentially a re-skin of the 1965–69 model resembling the 1973 GM A Body intermediates, particularly the 1973 Pontiac Grand Am, retaining Corvair proportions. Having passed the point of full scale clay models, Chevrolet stopped developing the model in early 1968.

 

[unclescott58]

MPC' 1968 Annuals. 

Chevrolet Camaro SS 396 2-door Hardtop, kit #1968 

Chevrolet Impala SS 427 2-door Hardtop with Trailer, kit #368

Chevrolet Impala SS 427 Convertible with Trailer, kit #468 

Chevrolet Corvette 2-Coupe, kit #568 

Chevrolet Corvette Convertible, kit #668 

Chevrolet Fleetside Pick-Up Stock or Tow Truck, kit #868 

Dodge Charger R/T 2-door Hardtop, kit #768 

Dodge Coronet 2-door Hardtop, kit #1768 

Dodge Coronet Convertible, kit #1868 

Ford Mustang 2+2 2-door Fastback, kit #1368 

Jeep Jeepster 2-door Convertible, kit #2068 

Oldsmobile Toronado 2-door Hardtop, kit #1468 

Plymouth Barracuda 2-door Fastback, kit #268 

Pontiac Bonneville 2-door Hardtop, kit #968 

Pontiac Bonneville Convertible, kit #1068 

Pontiac GTO 2-door Hardtop, kit #1168 

Pontiac GTO Convertible, kit #1268 

Pontiac Firebird 2-door Hardtop, kit #1568 

 

Edited May 7, 2020 by unclescott58

[unclescott58]

1 hour ago, SfanGoch said:

What I wrote was that Chevrolet stopped development of the third generation (1970 -on) Corvair in 1968, not the then in production second generation (1965-69) car.

 

Ah, yes your referring to GM prototype XP-849. The proposed Corvair II for the 1970's. And your right, it did go on after GM ordered development to be stop on the second generation Corvair. But, it's not 100% clear that XP-849 would retain Corvair's original rear engined powertrain, or go front wheel drive. Only two full size XP-849s proposals were done up. Neither one made it beyond a clay mock up stage. And only one had the nameplate "Corvair II" on it. There is also some question about whether XP-849 was a proposal for a car designed for one of GM's overseas divisions, rather than domestically. In my reasearch, I have the date of June 1967 as being the end of the XP-849 project. 

Looking at the XP849 models, I question if it really was being designed using the second generation Corvair chassis as some have speculated. The rear deck on both clays look awfully short to me. Yet one the clays, like the actual Corvair shows no opening in the front, indicating a prossable rear engine layout. The clay with actual "Corvair II" nameplates on it looks like it may have had opening in the front to accommodate a front engine set up. Again, these were nothing but proposals that got no farther than clay models. And one carried the nameplate "Corvair II". So was this a going to really be a 3rd generation Corvair for the 1970's? I'm not sure one way or the other? I still think in the end that Corvair was such a black eye for GM that the new car would not have come with that name on it. 

Edited May 7, 2020 by unclescott58

[SfanGoch]

The last Gen 3 Corvair prototype was XP892, which was photographed just two weeks before Ed Cole finally killed the program on JUne 29, 1968.

[unclescott58]

1 hour ago, SfanGoch said:

The last Gen 3 Corvair prototype was XP892, which was photographed just two weeks before Ed Cole finally killed the program on JUne 29, 1968.

I admit, I forgot about XP-892. Which confirms everything you've posted. Thank you. I've enjoyed the discussion on this subject. 

[Snake45]

On 5/5/2020 at 7:02 PM, unclescott58 said:

AMT's 1965 Annuals. 

Buick Riviera 2-door Hardtop 3-in-1, kit #6555

Buick Wildcat 2-door Hardtop 3-in-1, kit #6525 

Chevrolet Chevelle 2-door Hardtop Jr Trophy Craftsman Series, kit #4002 

Chevrolet Chevelle Station Wagon, kit #8745 

Chevrolet Corvair Corsa 2-door Hardtop 3-in-1, kit #5725-150 

Chevrolet Corvette Sting Ray Convertible with Optional Hardtop, kit #6915 

Chevrolet Corvette Sting Ray 2-door Coupe 3-in-1, kit #6925 

Chevrolet El Camino Pick-Up with Camper 3-in-1, kit #8735 

Chevrolet Impala SS Convertible 3-in-1, kit #6715 

Chevrolet Impala SS 2-door Hardtop 3-in-1, kit #6725 

Chevrolet Chevy II Nova SS 2-door Hardtop Jr Trophy Craftsman Series, kit #4003 

Chrysler Imperial Convertible 3-in-1, kit #6815 

Chrysler Imperial 2-door Hardtop 3-in-1, kit #6825-150 

Dodge Coronet 500 2-door Hardtop Hemi Charger 3-in-1, kit #6025 

Ford Fairlane 2-door Hardtop, kit #5165 

Ford Falcon Futura Convertible, kit #5115-150 

Ford Falcon Futura 2-door Hardtop, kit #5125 

Ford Galaxie 500/XL Convertible 3-in-1, kit #6115 

Ford Galaxie 500/XL 2-door Hardtop 3-in-1, kit #6125 

Ford Mustang 2+2 2-door Fastback, kit #6155 

Ford Thunderbird Convertible 3-in-1, kit #6215 

Ford Thunderbird 2-door Hardtop 3-in-1, kit #6225 

Lincoln Continental 4-door Convertible 3-in-1, kit #6415 

Lincoln Continental 4-door Sedan 3-in-1, kit #6425-150 

Mercury Park Lane 2-door Hardtop 3-in-1, kit #6325

Oldsmobile Dynamic 88 2-door Hardtop 3-in-1, kit #5025-150 

Plymouth Barracuda 2-door Fastback 3-in-1, kit #6855 

Plymouth Valiant 2-door Hardtop Craftsman Series, kit #4001 

Pontiac Bonneville 2-door Hardtop 3-in-1, kit #6625 

Pontiac Grand Prix 2-door Hardtop 3-in-1, kit #6655 

Pontiac Tempest GTO 2-door Hardtop/Convertible Trophy Series, kit #2600 

 

To this day, I'm baffled as to why AMT would do the '65 Chevelle Wagon and El Camino as full 3-in-1 kits, but the Malibu hardtop was only offered as a (curbside) Craftsman. No full Chevy II kit, either, and yet both of them became AMT's first generation AWB funny cars. 

[unclescott58]

MPC's 1969 Annuals. 

Chevrolet Camaro SS 396 2-door Hardtop, kit #1969 

Chevrolet Corvette Stingray 2-door Coupe,  kit #0569 

Chevrolet Corvette Stingray Convertible, kit #0669 

Chevrolet Impala 2-door Hardtop, kit #0369 

Chevrolet Impala Convertible, kit #0469 

Chevrolet Fleetside Pick-Up "Fire Truck", kit #0869 

Dodge Charger 2-door Hardtop, kit #0769 

Dodge Coronet 2-door Hardtop, kit #1769 

Dodge Coronet Convertible "Mission Impossible", kit #615-200 

Ford Mustang GT 2-door Fastback, kit #1369 

Jeep Jeepster 2-door, kit #2069 

Plymouth Barracuda 2-door Fastback, kit #0269 

Pontiac Bonneville 2-door Hardtop, kit #0969 

Pontiac Bonneville Convertible, kit #1069 

Pontiac Firebird 2-door Hardtop, kit #1569 

Pontiac GTO 2-door Hardtop, kit #1169 

Pontiac GTO Convertible, kit #1269 

Pontiac Grand Prix 2-door Hardtop, kit #2169 

 

 

Edited May 7, 2020 by unclescott58

[unclescott58]

MPC's 1970 Annuals. 

Chevrolet Camaro 2-door Coupe, kit #1970 

Chevrolet Corvette Stingray 2-door Coupe, kit #570 

Chevrolet Corvette Stingray Convertible, kit #670 

Chevrolet Impala 2-door Hardtop, kit #370 

Chevrolet Impala Convertible, kit #470 

Chevrolet Fleetside Pick-Up, kit #870 

Dodge Coronet Super Bee 2-door Hardtop, kit #1770 

Dodge Coronet Convertible, kit #1870 

Dodge Charger R/T 2-door Hardtop, kit #770 

Dodge Challenger 2-door Hardtop, kit #1470 

Ford Mustang 2-door Fastback, kit #1370 

Jeep Jeepster Safari Version, kit #2070 

Mercury Cougar 2-door Hardtop, kit #2270 

Mercury Cougar Convertible, kit #2370 

Mercury Cyclone 2-door Hardtop, kit #2470 

Plymouth Barracuda 2-door Hardtop, kit #270 

Pontiac Bonneville 2-door Hardtop, kit #970 

Pontiac Bonneville Convertible, kit #1070 

Pontiac Firebird 2-door Coupe, kit #1570 

Pontiac Grand Prix 2-door Hardtoo, kit #2170 

Pontiac GTO 2-door Hardtop, kit #1170 

Pontiac GTO Convertible, kit #1270 

 

[Rodent]

34 minutes ago, unclescott58 said:

Pontiac GTO Convertible, kit #1270 

I really don't remember ever seeing one of these.

[unclescott58]

MPC's 1971 Annuals. 

Chevrolet Camaro RS 2-door Coupe, kit #1-7119 

Chevrolet Chevelle 454 2-door Hardtop, kit #1-7128 

Chevrolet Corvette Stingray 2-door Coupe, kit #1-7105 

Chevrolet Corvette Stingray Convertible, kit #1-7106 

Chevrolet Impala 2-door Hardtop, kit #1-7127 

Chevrolet Vega 3-door Hatchback, kit #1-7103 

Chevrolet Pick-Up "The Racers Wedge", kit #1-7108 

Dodge Demon 2-door Coupe, kit #1-0450

Dodge Charger 2-door Hardtop Factory Painted, kit #7107 

Dodge Challenger 2-door Hardtoo, kit #1-7114 

Dodge Sportsman Van, kit #1-7129 

Ford Mustang 2-door Fastback, kit #1-7113 

Jeep Jeepster 2-door, kit #7120 

Mercury Cougar XR-7 2-door Hardtop Factory Painted, kit #1-7122 

Mercury Cyclone 2-door Hardtop, kit #1-7124 

Plymouth GTX 2-door Hardtop, kit #1-0452 

Plymouth Barracuda 2-door Hardtop, kit #1-7102 

Plymouth Roadrunner 2-door Hardtop, kit #1-7125 

Plymouth Duster 2-door Coupe, kit #1-7126 

Pontiac Firebird Trans Am 2-door Coupe, kit #1-0451 

Pontiac Firebird 400 2-door Coupe, kit #1-7115 

Pontiac GTO 2-door Hardtop, kit #1-7111 

Pontiac Grand Prix 2-door Hardtop, kit #1-7121 

 

 

[unclescott58]

51 minutes ago, Rodent said:

I really don't remember ever seeing one of these.

Yea, I've never seen the kit myself. The listing for kit comes from Bill Coulter and Bob Shelton's The Directory of Model Car Kits, mentioned early on when I started doing this list. This kit does not show up in my Auto World 1970 Summer catalog. It is vaguely commented by Tim Boyd's book Collecting Muscle Car Model Kits. But, the way he mentions it, I'm not sure if he's indicating the kit was offered or not? Paul Bender's book, Model Car Promotional and Kit Guide also indicates the kit was offered. So was it? 2 1/2 sources I'm using give me the impression that the kit was offered. So, until I hear differently, I'm going with yes. 

By the way, the same problem arises with the '70 Dodge Coronet convertible. I get no clue from Boyd's book. No mention of it in the Auto World catalog. Yet the two other guides I mention above indicate it was offered. 

Edited May 7, 2020 by unclescott58

[Bucky]

Interesting. I've also never seen a 1970 Coronet Convertible kit.

[unclescott58]

MPC's 1972 Annuals. 

Chevrolet Camaro 2-door Coupe, kit #1-7219 

Chevrolet Chevelle SS 454 2-door Hardtop, kit #1-7228 

Chevrolet Corvette Stingray 2-door Coupe, kit #1-7205 

Chevrolet Corvette Stingray Convertible, kit #1-7206 

Chevrolet Impala 2-door Hardtop, kit #1-7203 

Chevrolet Vega 3-door Hatchback, kit #1-7227 

Chevrolet Fleetside Pick-Up Tow Truck, kit #1-7208 

Dodge Charger 2-door Hardtop, kit #1-7207 

Dodge Challenger 2-door Hardtop, kit #1-7214 

Dodge Pick-Up 4X4 "Baja Brute", kit #1-0485 

Dodge Window Van Stock, Police or Twin Engine Drag, kit #1-7229 

Ford Mustang 2-door Fastback, kit #1-7213 

Jeep Jeepster 2-door, kit #1-7220 

Mercury Cougar XR-7 2-door Hardtop, kit #1-7222

Plymouth Barracuda 2-door Hardtop, kit #1-7202 

Plymouth Roadrunner 2-door Hardtop, kit #1-7225 

Plymouth Duster 2-door Coupe, kit #1-7226 

Pontiac GTO 2-door Hardtop, kit #1-7211 

Pontiac Firebird Formula 400 2-door Coupe, kit #1-7215 

Pontiac Grand Prix 2-door Hardtop, kit #1-7221 

 

Edited May 7, 2020 by unclescott58

[unclescott58]

MPC's 1973 Annuals. 

Chevrolet Caprice 2-door Hardtop with Trailer, kit #1-7304 

Chevrolet Camaro Z28 2-door Coupe, kit #1-7319 

Chevrolet Corvette Stingray 2-door Coupe, kit #1-7305 

Chevrolet Corvette Stingray Convertible, kit #1-7306 

Chevrolet Vega 3-door Hatchback, kit #1-7327 

Dodge Charger 2-door Hardtop, kit #1-7307 

Dodge Challenger 2-door Hardtop, kit #1-7314 

Dodge Pick-Up Truck Stock or Emergency, kit #1-7309 

Ford Mustang 2-door Fastback, kit #1-7313 

Mercury Cougar XR-7 2-door Hardtop, kit #1-7322 

Plymouth Barracuda 2-door Hardtop, kit #1-7302 

Plymouth Roadrunner 2-door Hardtop, kit #1-7325 

Plymouth Duster 2-door Coupe, kit #1-7326 

Pontiac Firebird Formula 400 2-door Coupe, kit #1-7315 

 

[unclescott58]

MPC's 1974 Annuals. 

Chevrolet Caprice 2-door Coupe with Trailer, kit #1-7404 

Chevrolet Corvette Stingray 2-door Coupe, kit #1-7405 

Chevrolet Corvette Stingray Convertible, kit #1-7406 

Chevrolet Camaro 2-door Coupe, kit #1-7419 

Chevrolet Vega 3-door Hatchback, kit #1-7427 

Dodge Charger 2-door Hardtop, kit #1-7407 

Dodge Challenger 2-door Hardtop, kit #1-7414 

Dodge Pick-Up with Yamaha Dirt Bike, kit #1-7409 

Dodge Van with Yamaha Dirt Bike, kit #1-7422 

Ford Pinto 2-door Sedan, kit #1-7412 

Ford Mustang II 3-door Fastback, kit #1-7413 

Plymouth Barracuda 2-door Hardtop, kit #1-7402 

Plymouth Roadrunner 2-door Hardtop, kit #1-7425 

Plymouth Duster 2-door Coupe, kit #1-7426 

Pontiac Firebird Formula 400 2-door Coupe, kit #1-7415 

 

Edited May 8, 2020 by unclescott58

[unclescott58]

MPC's 1975 Annuals. 

Chevrolet Caprice 2-door Coupe with Trailer, kit #1-7504 

Chevrolet Corvette Stingray 2-door Coupe, kit #1-7505 

Chevrolet Corvette Stingray Convertible, kit #1-7506 

Chevrolet Monza 2+2 3-door Hatchback, kit #1-7516 

Chevrolet Vega 3-door Hatchback, kit #1-7527 

Dodge Dart Sport 2-door Coupe, kit #1-7510 

Dodge Adventurer Pick-Up with Yamaha Dirt Bike, #1-7509 

Dodge Van with Work Shop & Yamaha Dirt Bike, kit #1-7522 

Ford Pinto 2-door Sedan, kit #1-7512 

Ford Mustang II Mach I 3-door Fastback, kit #1-7513 

Plymouth Roadrunner 2-door Coupe, kit #1-7525 

Plymouth Duster 360 2-door Coupe, kit #1-7526 

Pontiac Ventura 3-door Hatchback, kit #1-7503 

Pontiac Firebird Formula 400 2-door Coupe, kit #1-7515 

 

Edited May 8, 2020 by unclescott58

[unclescott58]

MPC's 1976 Annuals. 

AMC Pacer X 2-door Sedan, kit #1-7601 

Chevrolet Caprice 2-door Coupe, kit #1-7604 

Chevrolet Corvette Stingray 2-door Coupe, kit #1-7605 

Chevrolet Corvette Stingray Convertible, kit #1-7606 * 

Chevrolet Camaro 2-door Coupe, kit #1-7619 

Chevrolet Monza 2+2 3-door Hatchback, kit #1-7616 

Chevrolet Vega 3-door Hatchback, kit #1-7627 

Dodge Dart Sport 2-door Coupe, kit #1-7610 

Dodge Pick-Up with Suzuki and Yamaha Dirt Bikes, kit #1-7609 

Dodge Van, kit #1-7622 

Ford Pinto 2-door Sedan (Incorrect Grille), kit #1-7612 

Ford Mustang II Mach I 3-door Fastback, kit #1-7613 

Ford Mustang II Corba II 3-door Fastback, kit #1-0773 

Plymouth Roadrunner 2-door Coupe, kit #1-7625 ** 

Pontiac Ventura 3-door Hatchback, kit #1-7603 

Pontiac Firebird Formula 2-door Coupe, #1-7615 

 

* Chevrolet stopped building Corvette convertibles after the 1975 model year. Despite MPC still offered a kit. 

** This is the famous Roadrunner Plymouth never offered in '76. The Roadrunner was still available in '76. But it was now based on the Volare platform, not the Fury like the 75's were. Yet MPC's '76 Roadrunner kit is still based on the Fury. 

Edited May 8, 2020 by unclescott58