MPC '53 Ford Flipnose Opinions?

[hellonwheelz3]

i know this is the "new kit review" section, but I thought i'd throw this out anyway. Has anyone done the MPC '53 ford flipnose pickup? was it a good kit? I did one similar to this and had to pitch it because the kit, made by revell, was HORRIBLE. nothing fit right!

[randx0]

I think you are referring to the 56 ford with opening doors that didn't go together very well ,that one can be a chalenge .the 53 flip nose goes together ok it has basic detailing but a good place to start if you want to add more detail the only place that may be some what difficult would be the flip nose itself however I think a little careful building should give decent results . if you want something a little more stock or 60's custom the amt kit is the way to go.hope this helps.

[gman]

i know this is the "new kit review" section, but I thought i'd throw this out anyway. Has anyone done the MPC '53 ford flipnose pickup? was it a good kit? I did one similar to this and had to pitch it because the kit, made by revell, was HORRIBLE. nothing fit right!

I built the original in the 70's and put together a few of the modified re-issues as well...pretty basic kit with a simple interior tub, generic ladder frame. It shares many parts with the MPC '57 Chevy gasser and the Datsun wrecker from the same period. The built-up kit looks OK and the earlier version with the slicks has a better stance than the re-issue with the low profile BFGs and spoked mags.

[Eshaver]

The Model Products 53 Ford F-100 Flip- Nose was in its day a decent kit . given the tool making that we had then. I liked te factthat the grille given the Flipnose was a " Standard " cab edition grille and that it was molded " Open " the A M T grille on te otherhand as moled as a Deluxe- Cab version and actually should havebeen given the bullit surrounds on the hood next to the " F-100 " but wernt . Im a member of the Early Ford Club and I have worked on Fords from 1932-1953 for years. Both kits have their strong points and weaknesses . Just remember that it's easier to hot rod a stocker than to try and replicate a stocker out of a "Hot Rod " Thats where you might wish to decidewhere your priorities wiil go . If you want a more Stock truck , go with the A M T . If the Street excites ya , go the M P C - A M T route and buy te Flipmose . Ed Shaver

[blazefox]

I got one of these kits from the 80s. Lots of good bodie parts fantastic frame and engine drive train. The hood has,the fenders molded to it, and it opens like a vette hood. The intake scoop sticks,out of the, hood. And it has side pipes too. The interior is a little to be desired but stil very,nice.

All in all a good kit

[Edsel-Dan]

If you like customs.

I had a Red issue of the "Double Flip" version

Sold it off some time ago.

[Joker]

They turn out ok if you invest time on them.

This is my 53 ...section cab and hood.

Tuck and roll door panels and 53 Victoria bench.

James aka Joker

[blazefox]

I did some research and,amt still makes this kit

Very nice truck I like it alot

[JasonFL]

They turn out ok if you invest time on them.

This is my 53 ...section cab and hood.

Tuck and roll door panels and 53 Victoria bench.

James aka Joker

That is just plain sick! I absolutely love that setup, I might have to try building something like this one day. I would love to see the build page on that.

Edited June 9, 2012 by JasonFL

[Joker]

I don't have many before primer pixs...sorry

But here are some links...

http://www.modelcarsmag.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=55727&hl=

finished...http://www.modelcarsmag.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=57643&hl=

James aka Joker

[Fat Brian]

You have to be careful when talking about AMT/MPC 53 Ford trucks. The MPC truck the thread is about is the flipnose version with the big block Chevy engine and wire wheels. The AMT version has the Firedome Eight and oxyacetylene tanks in it. The AMT is far superior, it's really not even close.

[tooltas]

amt and mpc are the same and thats not a big block in the flipnose truck is a small block

[Fat Brian]

AMT and MPC were not the same when these kits were done and the engine doesn't have siamesed center exhaust ports, they are evenly spaced like a big block Chevy.

[59 Impala]

Back in the day AMT issued the 53 Ford pickup with the welding tanks and the optional Hemi engine in it. Later MPC came out with the flip nose and the frame and I think engine was the same as what came in the MPC 57 Chevy two dr sedan drag car. There was some stink about the truck and car suffered because of the shared frame. Which suffered I really don't know. I do have the AMT truck and the MPC flip nose. The bodies are almost if not exactly the same. I have mixed parts from both kits and they fit. Just my 2 cents guys. Dan

Maybe someone else can explain better than me.

[62rebel]

the MPC body parts fit very well with the AMT chassis with slight mods; the MPC kit has a non-stock chassis more appropriate for a gasser-type vehicle. i like to use the chrome bumpers and grille from the MPC version on the AMT kit. i've never had one of the '57 gasser kits, but the frames do look very similar in the instruction sheets i've seen. the MPC kit does have a killer BBC engine and a set of cool fenderwell headers. the "wire mag" wheels don't cut the mustard, though.... and the front axle is VERY fragile. i like the in-bed wheelwell extensions, but in reality they don't add much extra clearance for larger tires. widening the rear fenders works better, by using Revell '56 F100 rear fenders. using the '56 gives the opportunity to steal the "crest" type taillights as well.......

[Chuck Most]

The MPC Flip Nose interior tub will slot right into the AMT Trophy Series cab- great way to hide the weird way AMT did the inner door panels (molded inside the body shell), and will also do away with the gap at the firewall visible when you peek into one of the side windows. Of course that won't help if you want to build it factory stock, but reworking the MPC tub's inner door panels to look more like the stock Ford panels wouldn't be too hard.