AMT Euro-spec '83-ish Ford Escort Mk3 RS1600i

[JTalmage]

Here's another one from my built archives from several years ago. This kit is pretty overlooked now, and is pretty basic. But, can be made somewhat nice and I'm shocked that it never came with RS1600i decals before. I used Testors Revving Red, One coat lacquer clear, I had to make my own decals to replicate the Mk3 RS1600i. I saw one on the internet in red with some BBS style wheels and the black stripes and decided to replicate it. I bought an aftermarket Japanese BBS wheel/tire set off the internet, painted the spokes gold. I had to do a LOT of carving on the interior bucket and rear seats to get the wheels to fit. I had to shorten the axles too. But I eventually got them to fit. Used a piece of old rabbit ear antenna for the tailpipe tip. Not a show winner but I just wanted to do a quick build and replicate that car I saw on the internet a long time ago. I would like to add driving lights/fog lights to it once I ever find the right set to really give it that euro road car look. 

[afx]

Had an Escort GT back in the day-fun car.  Nice work.

[espo]

Great looking build. I don't recall ever seeing one of these before. 

[slusher]

wLooks great!

[Bugatti Fan]

Was the donor kit the Revell Ford Escort XR3?

[ChrisR]

NICE!

[PappyD340]

Looks great!

[JTalmage]

On 5/30/2022 at 3:37 AM, Bugatti Fan said:

Was the donor kit the Revell Ford Escort XR3?

No donor kit used. 

[Bugatti Fan]

Jesse, what I meant by donor kit was what kit is your model based on. The only Escort kit with that body style that I can think of is a Revell kit going back a number of years. I think they only issued it once that I can remember.

[stitchdup]

2 hours ago, Bugatti Fan said:

Jesse, what I meant by donor kit was what kit is your model based on. The only Escort kit with that body style that I can think of is a Revell kit going back a number of years. I think they only issued it once that I can remember.

There are at least 3 issues, the xr3 twice and datapost race car and i think there is also a turbo version or rs1600i

[Bugatti Fan]

Thanks for the feedback Les.

[JTalmage]

Sorry, I was out of town for a week. Yes this is the AMT kit mentioned above. An uncommon kit nowadays

[beeRS]

Wow. How great to see one of these built up. I’ve never seen anyone build an RS1600i version. It looks fantastic - especially on BBS wheels. 

I had this kit as a Matchbox branded re-issue, purchased for £4.99 in Toys-R-us  in the 90s. I think all versions of this kit are super rare now. 

[oldcarfan]

I have the AMT, the Revell, and an MPC EXP kit. I bought them when they were cheap with the idea of making an American Escort GT like I used to drive. Decided that my skills weren't up to it. Now, I'm thinking of building them up for fun. Are the AMT and Revell kits the same? Were they tooled by ESCI or someone else?

[beeRS]

Indeed - the AMT, Revell, Matchbox etc are all the same tool.