AMT 1957 Thunderbird

[Duddly01]

My wife asked me to build a 1957 Thunderbird next. I opened the box and I have to say I am really not happy with what I have to start with. I knew the top wasn’t good so I already purchased a resin top from Drag City Castings, but the chassis is not something I would be happy with. Anyone know of a donor chassis I might look for? I was thinking maybe the 1956 AMT Thunderbird? Those I don’t think are as easy to find. Maybe I will find a rebuilder or junker at the So Cal Open show this weekend. 

As always it will get as much detailing I can stand for the quality of the kit and LED lighting. I am going with Willow Green with a colonial white top. Something like the last image.

Edited April 29, 2024 by Duddly01

[Can-Con]

The AMT '56 would be the perfect donor if you can find one. I think the Revell/Monogram one would be too big. 

If you want the wire wheels and wide whites, AMT did a parts pack of exactly those recently so shouldn't be hard to find. They seem a bit pricey for a wheel/tire pack though.

[TarheelRick]

Just did some checking through my stash and it appears the chassis in the AMT 67 Mustang kit could be made to work with a small amount of adjustment. Also, the chassis in the 88 Mustang kit and the chassis in the later model Revell Mustangs ('07 and up) could make nice donors.  The later model Mustangs would provide a lot more detail and the updated chassis would make it a killer T-Bird.  All those will require some floor pan adjustments or changes. Hope this helps.

[Duddly01]

7 hours ago, Can-Con said:

The AMT '56 would be the perfect donor if you can find one. I think the Revell/Monogram one would be too big. 

If you want the wire wheels and wide whites, AMT did a parts pack of exactly those recently so shouldn't be hard to find. They seem a bit pricey for a wheel/tire pack though.

the kit came with some wide white pad printed tires and I have a bunch in my parts stash. I will likely go with the standard wheel covers. I am not sure why the Kelsey Hayes wires are so popular on the birds. They weren't available till 1962 from what I understand.

I am hoping I can find a rebuilder of the AMT 56 Thunderbird. I can't imagine using a nice 56 kit for this thing. I actually prefer the 56 myself as it is and would rather build it if I found a new kit. The mold lines are heavy and the panel lines are so shallow. I am thinking this mold is on it's last legs.

[Duddly01]

6 hours ago, TarheelRick said:

Just did some checking through my stash and it appears the chassis in the AMT 67 Mustang kit could be made to work with a small amount of adjustment. Also, the chassis in the 88 Mustang kit and the chassis in the later model Revell Mustangs ('07 and up) could make nice donors.  The later model Mustangs would provide a lot more detail and the updated chassis would make it a killer T-Bird.  All those will require some floor pan adjustments or changes. Hope this helps.

Too funny. I have used the 67 AMT Mustang kit for my 66 & 67 Mustang builds. It is a great kit but it doesn't have a frame, etc. like the t-bird. I buy extras of it when I see it on sale just because it makes such a great donor for any mustang build though.

[Duddly01]

Cleaned up the mold lines and started etching the doors and trunk lid. Eventually I will cut open the trunk. Drilled the headlight area for eventual LED headlights. The door and trunk gaps were so shallow it was hard not messing up too bad. It is still going to take some filling and putty to get them looking really good. I still have to get the vent a gas door gaps.  It really doesn’t concern me about the emblems, those will be getting shaved for photo-etch anyway. It really is time for this body to get a retooling. It’s age is really showing.

Edited April 30, 2024 by Duddly01

[MeatMan]

8 hours ago, Duddly01 said:

Cleaned up the mold lines and started etching the doors and trunk lid. Eventually I will cut open the trunk. Drilled the headlight area for eventual LED headlights. The door and trunk gaps were so shallow it was hard not messing up too bad. It is still going to take some filling and putty to get them looking really good. I still have to get the vent a gas door gaps.  It really doesn’t concern me about the emblems, those will be getting shaved for photo-etch anyway. It really is time for this body to get a retooling. It’s age is really showing.

Great project!

[David G.]

Dang, that things flashy! And not in a good way.

I'm interested in seeing what you can do with this sad old bird. 

I wish you all the luck with it! 

David G.

[LennyB]

I tried to build one of these back in the day, parts were molded in black if that tells you the vintage. Paint job went south so I gave it a soak in brake fluid and the body swelled up in the trunk area and split in numerous placed.  It was less 'flashy' then this one because the molds were fresher but something just wasn't right with the styrene. ?

 

I'll be keeping an eye on your build, maybe it will inspire me to try again.?

[Duddly01]

6 hours ago, MeatMan said:

Great project!

Going to be a lot of work, but most of my projects lately have been.

 

[Duddly01]

5 hours ago, David G. said:

Dang, that things flashy! And not in a good way.

I'm interested in seeing what you can do with this sad old bird. 

I wish you all the luck with it! 

David G.

Thanks. Thankfully AMT older kits proportions are usually dead on so with some work it will turn out ok. For at least the body anyway. The mold has definitely had better days.

[Duddly01]

52 minutes ago, LennyB said:

I tried to build one of these back in the day, parts were molded in black if that tells you the vintage. Paint job went south so I gave it a soak in brake fluid and the body swelled up in the trunk area and split in numerous placed.  It was less 'flashy' then this one because the molds were fresher but something just wasn't right with the styrene. ?

 

I'll be keeping an eye on your build, maybe it will inspire me to try again.?

Yikes, sorry to hear how that went. I am sure I can make something of the body and interior, just not the chassis. Hopefully at the So Cal Open model car show this weekend I can find a donor 56 rebuilder or something. Being as hard as they are to find I wouldn't want to take one from a new unused 1956... Plus I would be tempted to build it instead. I personally prefer the 1956.

[Duddly01]

Cleaned up the body pretty well, etched the doors, vents and gas doors deeper. Added etched taillight buckets and added headlight doors. As soon as I have the photo-etch set in hand I will be removing the emblems. Trial fit the body, interior existing chassis and windshield. The windshield frame will be stripped, and molded wipers removed. I prefer photo-etch wipers.

[David G.]

Looking good!

David G.

[Duddly01]

12 hours ago, David G. said:

Looking good!

David G.

thank you.

[Duddly01]

I am starting to update the interior and will be drilling out the gauges for LEDs. Does anyone know what color the dash lights are for a 1957 Thunderbird?

[slusher]

Very nice start and look forward to your build!

[Dann Tier]

I think its gonna be great!

[LennyB]

As an alternative to finding a '56 bird for the chassis I was thinking (and this might be a stretch, 'er technically just the opposite) but what about using the chassis from the AMT '57 Fairlane. It would have to be shortened about 3/4" and I would do it by removing a 1/4" at the front of the rear springs and another 1/2" by the mufflers. Would have to tweak the frame rails a bit. But from what I recall the two cars have similar chassis designs. So it would give you a period correct chassis.

[Can-Con]

46 minutes ago, LennyB said:

As an alternative to finding a '56 bird for the chassis I was thinking (and this might be a stretch, 'er technically just the opposite) but what about using the chassis from the AMT '57 Fairlane. It would have to be shortened about 3/4" and I would do it by removing a 1/4" at the front of the rear springs and another 1/2" by the mufflers. Would have to tweak the frame rails a bit. But from what I recall the two cars have similar chassis designs. So it would give you a period correct chassis.

If you wanted to go that way, the '56 would be even closer.

[LennyB]

13 minutes ago, Can-Con said:

If you wanted to go that way, the '56 would be even closer.

Actually you are right, and probably easier. I don't have a 56 handy right now and 57's coming out my ears.?

[Duddly01]

18 hours ago, slusher said:

Very nice start and look forward to your build!

Thank you. 

15 hours ago, Dann Tier said:

I think its gonna be great!

I hope so, thanks.

[Duddly01]

5 hours ago, Can-Con said:

If you wanted to go that way, the '56 would be even closer.

 

5 hours ago, LennyB said:

Actually you are right, and probably easier. I don't have a 56 handy right now and 57's coming out my ears.?

I will have to look out for that option too, thanks.

[Duddly01]

Etched the missing interior door jambs, drilled out the gauges for LEDs.

why did the chrome the entire engine? Soaked the engine components and windshield to remove the chrome. Removed the cast in wipers, the will be replaced with photo-etch wipers.

Removed the emblems from the body. Waiting for the photo-etch kit to decide on the door handles and fake chrome side vents.

[David G.]

A lighted instrument panel? ? 

I can't wait to see that!

When I first saw the chassis plate I thought it looked familiar....

 

I just finished up my '57 Hardtop, I've been staring at that chassis for months!

David G.