New kits

[rickcaps55]

AMT 1957 Chevy going stock.Man did they make one big mistake.The 57 Chevy has been one of a group of kits that modelers look to for all the custom and drag parts.Now there gone.When I asked what happend I was told that kids today look at the kit and do not know how to bild it.BS again BS. kids today are bourn with computers up there rear end.This look like just one more company going for the fast buck and the hell with the people that have been buying these kits for years.

[charlie8575]

AMT 1957 Chevy going stock.Man did they make one big mistake.The 57 Chevy has been one of a group of kits that modelers look to for all the custom and drag parts.Now there gone.When I asked what happend I was told that kids today look at the kit and do not know how to bild it.BS again BS. kids today are bourn with computers up there rear end.This look like just one more company going for the fast buck and the hell with the people that have been buying these kits for years.

Sadly, I can believe this. There has been quite a bit of research that's been showing that today's youth are unable to follow anything more than very simple instructions or make a large quantity of decisions, particularly if they have to follow instructions of any more than very simplistic.

In the classroom, I've seen a decreasing ability in many students' ability to follow and understand simple directions, nevermind complex ones, and very great difficulties in making choices and decisions.

That said, I can also remember to being younger and I used to get intimidated by large parts counts, too. I think the idea behind a decontented issue is a good one, just simply to introduce the hobby to youth, but I do wish they'd do separate versions for the other parts.

Charlie Larkin

[Dave Darby]

When I was young, the more parts a kit had, the better. I am still that way.

I agree. If they really wanted to do a "one in one" version, they should have used the new tool '57. The old tool 57 is so worn out (and inaccurate) that about all it's good for is the spare parts. Ooooohhh those sweet extra goodies. One heck of a nice pair of Chrome reversed wheels, the 409, Vette grille, and a nice set of Keystone Klassics for starters. If I were in charge, I'd be opening every gate on that thing, and hunting up the old box art. I do have to give Mike W. props for making that old war horse look as good as it does on the new box. When I built it in 1995 for the Chevrolet Classics set, it was kind of a PITA to build.

[Chuck Most]

I agree. If they really wanted to do a "one in one" version, they should have used the new tool '57.

Dave... that's a great idea! As far as I know, that kit was only issued once- I'm sure plenty of people are chomping at the bit to get one! (I'd wait for the Big Block version to be repopped, though. )

[pack rat]

[ I do have to give Mike W. props for making that old war horse look as good as it does on the new box. When I built it in 1995 for the Chevrolet Classics set, it was kind of a PITA to build.

Edited January 21, 2010 by pack rat

[Chuck Most]

Just read the box a bit more carefully next time you see an 'old favorite' from Round 2. I believe it says 'this kit builds the stock version' or something to that effect. If you see no mention of the custom or drag parts, scan the online auction sites for an older issue, which you can probably buy for less than the new, decontented version anywho!

[Junkman]

Marketing strategy, my bottom. They all know so darn well what 'the clients' (which is US!!) want, that they go bust every other year. Job well done!

They should possible start throwing their money at a think tank. A think tank does basically nothing besides costing an obscene amount of money and in the end coming up with a concept like 'good kits are better than bad kits' or sum such wisdom nobody was able to figure out for himself. Man, what has this world come to?

[horsepower]

Maybe we should just wait a little while, we may see some of these kits reissued with all of the good parts at a later date, I understand that they are currently planning just such a release of the '55 Nomad, I'm sure more will follow, as existing modelers, we should welcome chance to get some newbies into the hobby, without them, there will be no one making any kits period.

[Jon Cole]

Actually, what you're looking at is a kit from a new Round 2 line that's intended to appeal to kids and entry-level modelers. I'm assuming it was also molded in color, correct? Some of the kits in the series, like the '57 Chevy and the '55 Nomad, have been de-contented, to a certain degree, to allow them to compete with Revell's "Basic Builder" series in terms of pricing.

I'm not saying one way or the other how I feel about this this marketing strategy; I'm just passing along facts. This subject has been brought up in several other threads here.

The thing is, too, is that if you check the box bottom, there's a diagram there that shows you exactly what's inside the box, so you can't accuse Round 2 of trying to full a fast one. Plus, if you want an AMT '57 Chevy kit with all the goodies, they're readily available and dirt cheap.

I transport special needs kids, one in particular who loves model cars. The staff at the facility ordered him two model cars to build; a 1970 Chevelle, and the '57 Chevy; both "snap" kits from Revell.

He loved them! He was absolutely ecstatic!

It's not the end of the world for the adult builder... I'm sure more adult friendly '57 Chevys will come our way. And the kids love these easy build kits.