Chuck Most Posted September 18, 2012 Posted September 18, 2012 I'm sure many of you are familiar with AMT's '65 Convertible, and its countless reissues. But that kit actually shares no parts with this one, as AMT updated its Lincoln annuals for 1966, to reflect the subtle but extensive changes made to the 1:1 car for that model year. This kit also shares a few parts with the '66-69 Promos offered by AMT- I test-fit a few parts from a dismantled '67 promo with parts from this kit and they fit perfectly. The box top- which displays the custom building verison. The side panel, which outlines some of the kit's features and the 'custom' engine- more on that in a minute... End panel, which shows off the factory stock building version- Overall, it's exactly what you'd expect from a typical annual kit of the period- chassis has all the underside detail molded in place, interior is a tub with faint but believable side panel engraving, and there are metal axles fore and aft. One thing the old annuals always got perfect (or at least very good) was the body proportions- other than a grille insert that's just a bit too short (mostly due to the way it installs- you slip it up into the bumper/grille from underneath) and headlamps that look just a touch underscale (not to mention molded to the chromed bezels), the kit most clearly looks right. About that 'custom' engine. Unlike the familiar '65, the MEL in this kit is stock-only, but completely chrome plated. This isn't the correct engine for a '69 Continental- the MEL began being phased out in early 1968 in favor of the new 385-series (429/460) big block. While some early '68 models did have the MEL, by 1969 the 385-series was the only available engine. So to be completely correct you'd need to rob the engine from a Revell '70 Torino and make a few minor detail changes, as well as graft the automatic from the Lincoln onto the 385, as Lincolns were not available with manual transmissions in 1969. That being said, the engine in this kit is a very good representation of a 462 MEL, and though it does have a hole in the block for the metal axle, it isn't the huge notch you're accustomed to seeing and is easily filled in. I believe at one point Missing Link sold a resin repop of this engine, which is a much better looking (and somwhat more detailed) engine than the one in the '65 reissues, and would be a good swap into one of those. Other highlights are the printed narrow whites, the decals (which still worked, 43 years later) which are printed on one big sheet of carrier film, so you'll need to trim around the decals otherwise you'll have a LOT of visible carrier film when you apply them, and I have to say I really dig that '69 vintage AMT box art! This was the last Lincoln kit produced by AMT (as an annual or otherwise), and I kind of wonder if the tooling for it still exists. The '65 tooling obviously survives- it was last reissued about five years ago. This kit, on the other hand, hasn't resurfaced since the year of its introduction. If it does I hope that Round 2 sees fit to bring it back- bonus points if they tool up a correct 385-series engine with automatic. EXTRA bonus points if they do that and still include the very nice MEL.
Chuck Most Posted September 18, 2012 Author Posted September 18, 2012 And here are a few shots of the finished model. NOTE- I lowered the car by re-drilling the axle holes, used the Kelsey-Hayes wheels from a '66 Park Lane, and dressed up the engine with a '66 Riv air cleaner and Lincoln valve covers from the Double T kit. Aside from that the kit is box stock. And just for fun, here it is with a '66 promo, which has been in the family since it was new. My great-uncle got it when he took delivery of his new 1:1 '66 Connie.
Dr. Cranky Posted September 18, 2012 Posted September 18, 2012 Great review, Chuck. I love it. I've never seen or had the kit.
Erik Smith Posted September 18, 2012 Posted September 18, 2012 I heart retro reviews. Those decals are cool - the "Jinricksha"? Hey, Michigan plates!
Rob Hall Posted September 18, 2012 Posted September 18, 2012 Neat kit...I have one of these in my stash, partially built, along w/ a '68, 2 '67s (one to convert to a convertible), and a '66.
thatz4u Posted September 18, 2012 Posted September 18, 2012 Chuck, you have redefined Hot Rod Lincoln, great work. Al
Chuck Most Posted September 18, 2012 Author Posted September 18, 2012 Hey, Michigan plates! Absotively! Remember- AMT was based in good old Troy, Michigan back then.
Draggon Posted September 18, 2012 Posted September 18, 2012 One of my favorite kits, but I've got a "thing" for one piece chassis and wire axles. Love your build Chuck, the color is great, and the Kelsey-Hayes look just right.
Austin T Posted September 18, 2012 Posted September 18, 2012 I love suicide doors.Those 60's Lincolns look the best in Black,but green is a close second
Gluhead Posted September 19, 2012 Posted September 19, 2012 That looks great, Chuck...and nice review. I love these annuals. I wish I had a lot more than the couple in my stash. Long live one-piece chassis and metal axles!
'70 Grande Posted September 20, 2012 Posted September 20, 2012 Love this Retro-look back at a great, vintage kit! Thanks for posting it. Now, I'm the guy that actually "dislikes" the one-piece chassis, and I always replace/retro-fit them with a more detailed unit that has separate suspension pieces/exhausts/shocks etc. If I were to attempt a chassis-replacement on a 1965-69 Connie, what would be a good kit to get those chassis and suspension components from? AMT 1966 Ford Galaxie?
Rob Hall Posted September 20, 2012 Posted September 20, 2012 Love this Retro-look back at a great, vintage kit! Thanks for posting it. Now, I'm the guy that actually "dislikes" the one-piece chassis, and I always replace/retro-fit them with a more detailed unit that has separate suspension pieces/exhausts/shocks etc. If I were to attempt a chassis-replacement on a 1965-69 Connie, what would be a good kit to get those chassis and suspension components from? AMT 1966 Ford Galaxie? Nope...the Continentals were still unibody construction through '69. About the only thing close in modern tooling (and it would probably require tweaks) would be the AMT '62 Thunderbird convertible.
Chuck Most Posted September 21, 2012 Author Posted September 21, 2012 Love this Retro-look back at a great, vintage kit! Thanks for posting it. Now, I'm the guy that actually "dislikes" the one-piece chassis, and I always replace/retro-fit them with a more detailed unit that has separate suspension pieces/exhausts/shocks etc. If I were to attempt a chassis-replacement on a 1965-69 Connie, what would be a good kit to get those chassis and suspension components from? AMT 1966 Ford Galaxie? What Rob said. The chassis from the newer-tool (1990's-era) AMT '62 T-Bird would be the best choice for that. You'd need to stretch the wheelbase and find a suitable MEL engine (if you are using a '69 kit- as I said, early '68 and older Connies would have the MEL, use a 385-series for a most '68's and all '69's).
Ron Hamilton Posted September 21, 2012 Posted September 21, 2012 Chuck, your build is exquisite. My Dad had a White on Red '66 Sedan, which I am going to do a model of. I love those old Lincolns too. I have all of them, except for the '68 Sedan, and the '64 Convertible, which I sold off. I did build a couple though. Let's cruise, Chuck.1967 1961
Erik Smith Posted September 21, 2012 Posted September 21, 2012 So...it seems there are a few Continental fans here. I am not familiar with the intricacies of the 60s Lincolns (I do have two AMT kits, 62 and 65). What is the difference in the models - specifically the 61-66s? Are there major differences?
Chuck Most Posted September 22, 2012 Author Posted September 22, 2012 Ron and Steve- feel free to take part in the cruise- though we might need a small business loan in order to foot the gas bill if we go on a full-blown road trip! They were more or less the same basic design from 1961 to 1969, but that 'generation' is split into the '61-65 and '66-69 series because in 1966 the car was restyled. It became a bit more 'square rigged' than the earlier models (not that the Connies of this style were ever swoopy-looking or anything ). The 'dirty parts' pretty much remained the same throughout the run, though there were a few tweaks and redesigns here and there as the years wore on. Lincoln Continental was the only available four-door convertible model produced by an American manufacturer in the 1960's. The 1966 redesign also brought a two-door model, previously in the decade the only two-door Lincoln was the Continental Mark- the standard Continental was only available as a four-door sedan or convertible.
Junkman Posted September 22, 2012 Posted September 22, 2012 I love how they used the Belgian flag for Germany on the decal sheet.
Chuck Most Posted September 25, 2012 Author Posted September 25, 2012 It does have a simulated vinyl roof. It's just defined enough to look convincing under a few coats of paint, but just faint enough to be easily sanded away if you want a plain steel top- which many of these cars did have.
FordGuy1984 Posted September 29, 2012 Posted September 29, 2012 I didn't know this kit existed. Saw this post and decided I needed one and I was shocked to see how much they go for... Ouch!
Chuck Most Posted October 23, 2012 Author Posted October 23, 2012 Got mine for a pretty good price, unbuilt and completely intact. I'd really love to see it reissued. I really want to do a replica of Marilyn Manson's Tainted Love-
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