AMT reissues three old kits !

[Rob Hall]

4 minutes ago, dbostream said:

What does the original box art look like for the 56 Thunderbird?

It's had at least 4 different releases w/ different box art, I think this was the first one.

[Volzfan59]

I'll definitely be getting one of those vans, probably a T-bird too. I love the vans from the 70's.

[Mr. Metallic]

On 7/17/2024 at 2:56 PM, Can-Con said:

and a big FYI, for those who don't want the connie kit. The rear bumper from the Revell '53/'54 Chevys will fit perfectly and look great on it.

Thanks for the heads up on that bumper. I plan to build mine without the connie kit.

[slusher]

Why doesn’t Round 2 bring back a couple older vans like the cannonball run van or something in that era or older customized..

[Can-Con]

6 minutes ago, slusher said:

Why doesn’t Round 2 bring back a couple older vans like the cannonball run van or something in that era or older customized..

The cannonball van was just the same one that was last released as the Turtle Wax van with a wildly incorrect grille.

I don't think it would be too hard to backdate it though. New body, chrome and tail lights. IIRC they never updated the interior and the chassis and engine would be the same. 

[Stef]

13 hours ago, slusher said:

Why doesn’t Round 2 bring back a couple older vans...

Agreed. While I do like the AMT Econolines, I'm really looking forward to some/any of the old MPC Econolines.

They had some nice custom 2WD versions, though me personally, I'm really stoked to have either of the 4WD versions come back!

[Dave Darby]

On 7/17/2024 at 7:36 PM, Can-Con said:

I don't understand why there isn't more love for that Thunderbird kit. It was tooled up in the '90s when all those other hi detailed AMT kits were done line the '57 Chryslers, '66 Rivieras, '62 Thunderbird, etc.

The 56 wasn't really quite up to those standards. The engine is rather dodgy, and missing fuel pump detail. It suffered from being designed post - Mueller era. I built a very customized one for my wife, and sourced a lot of parts from the old 57, including the not so chunky windshield frame. It's not a bad kit. It just could have been better. It's certainly a lot better than the 58 Plymouth.

[Stef]

On 7/17/2024 at 8:36 PM, Can-Con said:

 

 

 

Thank you for posting the instructions; this kit totally flew under the radar for me.

At the time, I'd already built several of Monogram's 56, and had no interest in the AG tie-in.

Judging only by what I'm seeing here, there seems to be:

- no carburetor

- no rear shocks

- wheels appear to go together in a pretty non-typical way

- rear axle mounts to frame with what appears to be simplified coilovers/posts (not prototypically correct)

- does anyone know what parts 79 and 80 are for the interior's dash?

- do the headlights not include chromed bezels?

I do have a dead AMT 57 gluebomb in need of resurrection; I might pick one of these up to bring it back to life, thanks!

[lordairgtar]

On 7/17/2024 at 8:47 PM, 1972coronet said:

Ah ! I'm not up on the differences between the '55-'57 (let alone other generations) 'birds. 

Hard to believe that the '56 is now 25 years old ! Holy Toledo ! I still had hair back then !

The 55 had exhaust ports in the rear bumper, the 56 did not if I'm thinking right. Both those years had the fins upright, The 57 had canted fins, different grille and trim.

[stavanzer]

I'd really like to see this one Back!

[rattle can man]

without the kit in front of me and not being too familiar with the actual car, my educated guess is controls for the side vents or perhaps hood and brake releases.

[rattle can man]

that is parts 79 and 80

 

[Dave Darby]

5 hours ago, Stef said:

Thank you for posting the instructions; this kit totally flew under the radar for me.

At the time, I'd already built several of Monogram's 56, and had no interest in the AG tie-in.

Judging only by what I'm seeing here, there seems to be:

- no carburetor

- no rear shocks

- wheels appear to go together in a pretty non-typical way

- rear axle mounts to frame with what appears to be simplified coilovers/posts (not prototypically correct)

- does anyone know what parts 79 and 80 are for the interior's dash?

- do the headlights not include chromed bezels?

I do have a dead AMT 57 gluebomb in need of resurrection; I might pick one of these up to bring it back to life, thanks!

The headlights on the 56 do not have the chrome reflectors behind the lenses. The lenses have pins that go into holes in the body. I drilled mine out on both my 56 and my 57. The 57 got reflectors from a 56 Victoria, while my custom 56 T-bird got the Lucas Flamethrower headlamps from the 55 Nomad. I think chassis wise, the 56 would make a very good donor for the 57.

[Luc Janssens]

10 hours ago, stavanzer said:

I'd really like to see this one Back!

But with the earlier round headlights grille then, that way it differs some more, from the Amt offering, and with the retool they improve it by adding clear lenses.  

Could be a great BAJA racing or dirtbike service van.

Just my 2 cents

 

[Stef]

4 hours ago, Luc Janssens said:

But with the earlier round headlights grille then, that way it differs some more, from the Amt offering, and with the retool they improve it by adding clear lenses.  

Could be a great BAJA racing or dirtbike service van.

Just my 2 cents

 

Agreed, @Luc Janssens This kit is one of my grails, that I butchered as a kid, but I still loved it. Really looking forward to doing a better job this time.

I believe I heard it said here a few years ago, the Stunt Van's chrome sprue actually had the square headlight grille. Me personally, I can't remember which grille the kit had, though a few other dudes here agreed/confirmed it has the square headlights, making the box art wrong.

Square or round, I'll happily build this kit again, though yes, a backdated grille with clear headlights would be super awesome!

[Rocking Rodney Rat]

On 7/17/2024 at 12:30 PM, Mr mopar said:

That Van decal sheet will be wild !

They should have a 'Free Candy' decal for the van... -RRR

[redscampi]

14 minutes ago, Rocking Rodney Rat said:

They should have a 'Free Candy' decal for the van... -RRR

Your wish...is granted. Sort of.

[Tabbysdaddy]

40 minutes ago, redscampi said:

Your wish...is granted. Sort of.

Nice wiper placement.

[stavanzer]

59 minutes ago, Tabbysdaddy said:

Nice wiper placement.

I think all of the AMT Chevy Vans have those wipers!

and, IMHO that has to be one of the weakest looking of any of the 3 or 4 Custom Vans that AMT offered. Side Pipes, Mags, Wide Tires, and some really poor graphics even by the standards of the day. Oh, and a Porthole.....

But, we were talking about Old Kits, we'd like to see. On the Subject of Ford Vans, I am surprised no one has mentioned what I think of as the Crown Jewel of all van conversions. And, Its a Ford! Scalemates says it came out in 1978, which seems about right to me. It is on the downswing of the Van Era, but still a nice kit. Give It some other options from other kits, Mix & Match style and you could have a whole new kit.

I say the Matilda Van would be my Parts donor. That Hemisphere Moon Roof, and the Round Headlight Grille and those wheels would make a nice conversion.

WE know the Ford Van tooling is in use, last seen in Surf and Coke liveries. Why not offer the 6-by in 1975 Trim, Give us the Matilda Roooof / Parts, and throw in the Surf Boards and Motor Scooter and you'd have a Great Kit!

Matilda Van

[redscampi]

1 hour ago, Tabbysdaddy said:

Nice wiper placement.

Haha! I hadn't noticed that. Weird...