AMT Studebaker Avanti 3-1

[PatW]

Has anyone out there built one of these, if so are there any glaring problems I might come across please?

Edited February 15 by PatW

[Chris V]

It’s a well-engineered kit ahead of it’s time. It should build up well!

[JollySipper]

1 hour ago, Chris V said:

a well-engineered kit ahead of it’s time.

Kinda like the real car? LoL! I always liked the Avanti......

[Ace-Garageguy]

It'll probably take a little extra care to get the doors operating properly, and overall it's a nice kit.

Seems I recall the seats may be a little underscale.

Edited February 16 by Ace-Garageguy

[slusher]

One kit I really know nothing about and the car also. I am going to read about the car now..

[rattle can man]

It has been a long time since I built the Prestige release of it, but I think I need to agree about the seats being under-scale and the doors did sag when you opened them (I was, and still am. mostly an OTB builder). Otherwise, it was a great build.

[Exotics_Builder]

3 hours ago, Ace-Garageguy said:

It'll probably take a little extra care to get the doors operating properly, and overall it's a nice kit.

Seems I recall the seats may be a little underscale.

You've hit the two main weak points of the kit.  One other was the twin supercharged engine a little off on detail (if you wanted to use it)

[ewetwo]

I had trouble getting the super charger low enough for the hood to sit flat. Never really accomplished that fully.

[PatW]

Thanks guys. I'll get on with it!

[tim boyd]

Here's what the Bonneville version looked like when built.  And I also echo the advice about the doors and dual blower Bonneville engine.  And for those of you with a collection of Scale Auto back issues, I did a buildup article sometime back in the 2000s....  Good luck with your build! TB  

 

[PatW]

Cheers Tim, as an oldie I perhaps won't do the kit or others the right justice! Which was the Bonneville version please?

[rattle can man]

There are some 0ld WIP threads on the forum on builds of this kit. one has some good pics on how to make better hinges.

[PatW]

Cheers Harry I will hunt them down!

[Bill Anderson]

Wow, I recall seeing them when they came out at the Chicago auto show in the early '60s.  Next to a Vette, I thought it was the coolest!

[PatW]

Yes we here in the UK were impressed, but they didn't come!

[Bugatti Fan]

Lovely looking car and very futuristic looking when it was announced.

This should be a nice looking model when finished. Door drop and weak hinges can be a bit of a pain on models in this scale. Better hinges can be made and fitted, but I would probably take the lazy option and fit the doors permanently in the closed position.

[PatW]

Thanks Noel, yes it's all done with one door working!

 

[bobss396]

I built one as a kid, no issues I can recall.... of course if something was troublesome.. it was left in the box.

[PatW]

Thanks bobss396.

[Deathgoblin]

Built one, but never posted pictures.  Both doors work and held closed with magnets.  I'll post it soon.    Pretty good kit overall.

Thought I posted this...  I'll put it in under glass. 

Edited April 16 by Deathgoblin

[PatW]

Thanks Brian.

[The Junkman]

A few months ago my wife and I saw an Avanti while out on a drive.  She thought it was a current model car from some Italian car company.  I explained Studebaker before her eyes glazed over.  It is still a very attractive design.

[PatW]

Well done seeing one. We didn't get them here in the UK!