AMT 57 Chevy Bel Air Review Needed

[Nate]

Don't forget the wonderful Boyd Coddington issue (Sarcasm intended). It still has a lot of the fun goodies, like the engine stand and alligator.

Edited February 8, 2013 by Nate

[CEKPETHO BCE]

^ what's wrong with the Boyd's version? I never heard of it until just now and after googling it, it looks like a regular version with big rims.

[Nate]

Because the only wheels included were the ridonkulous wheels. That being said, I did buy 2 of em, so I guess the joke's on me, LOL

By the way, that "Pepper Shaker" box art is killer! I would have bought it just for the art!

Edited February 8, 2013 by Nate

[57peppershaker]

I think this may be the original box?

Yup, thats the original from 1963. As for the Pepper Shaker version, it has a lot to answer for . . . it was the 1st 57 Chevy kit I got. Lead to a long obsession !!

Edited February 10, 2013 by 57peppershaker

[CEKPETHO BCE]

Because the only wheels included were the ridonkulous wheels. That being said, I did buy 2 of em, so I guess the joke's on me, LOL

Is Boyd's version an old tool or a new tool model? If old, did it include the Buick grill and some other goodies from the old tool kit?

[Nate]

It's the same tooling. I can't remember if it had the customizing parts, though. It does have the engine stand and S.C.o.T. Blower and side draft carbs which is a pretty unique looking set-up. I think it came with a small flat screen tv and play station like video game controllers. There was a tiny alligator in that kit too, and some other goodies that I can't remember.

Edited February 8, 2013 by Nate

[CEKPETHO BCE]

Thanks Nate. I'll look into getting one, but first I need to find out if they come with a Buick grill.

[57peppershaker]

Yes the Boyd issue does have the Buick grill. It also has lowered (dif A arms) front suspension, the rear axle is also different to sit lower. & a couple of Boyd licence plate decals.

The rest is the same as the yellow car box art contents.

[CEKPETHO BCE]

Thanks Steve.

[Casey]

Yes the Boyd issue does have the Buick grill. It also has lowered (dif A arms) front suspension, the rear axle is also different to sit lower.

I think I read somewhere the front and rear suspension pieces are fully chrome plated, too.

[57peppershaker]

Have to get back tomorrow about that Casey (kits are in the attic) but hazzard a guess they are as I think they are part of the normal chromed tree.

[CEKPETHO BCE]

How is the mold quality on the Boyd's version compared to the yellow box art version? I read somewhere that the molds were beaten to death by the time this kit came out and most parts are molded poorly. Is that true?

[scale trucker]

yes the suspension is chrome and the old custom parts are gone ..i have 10 of these all are the old style..

[Casey]

The instruction sheet from the AMT T1-757 Trophy Series kit is viewable HERE  I'm not sure if this is the original issue or not, but both the A and B stylizing options are shown.

The instruction sheet from the later, de-contented AMT 6563 issue of the same kit can be viewed HERE

I will try to get some images of the parts from both partial kits taken and posted in the near future.

[stavanzer]

The Boyd's kit, does have some sloppy molding in it, but it does not look THAT bad to me, anyways. The lowered rear suspension is fully chromed, and has displaced so other parts on the chrome tree. The kit I have was given to me in a Ziploc bag, missing decals Instruction and the Boyd's wheels., It is missing some other parts (I have never bothered to check exactly which ones) and is being built as a Gasser/Street Freak car, with a Blown Small Block.

[unclescott58]

The instruction sheet from the AMT T1-757 Trophy Series kit is viewable HERE  I'm not sure if this is the original issue or not, but both the A and B stylizing options are shown.

The instruction sheet from the later, de-contented AMT 6563 issue of the same kit can be viewed HERE

I will try to get some images of the parts from both partial kits taken and posted in the near future.

Those original T1-757 Trophy instructions are great. As a side note. One of my favorite things that came with this kit was the Tiki shift lever. What a gas!

[Snake45]

 

The the only thing bad about it is the trim on the side is a little off.

 

Huh. I've never noticed that. If it's "off," it's not off nearly as much as the spear on the otherwise nice MPC flip-front '57 gasser.

[Casey]

"Produced from the original molds" seems a bit ambiguous, but I guess we'll find out exactly what's included soon enough. 

Edited October 19, 2017 by Casey

[Mike999]

Does anybody else remember this?

When the new-tool, state-of-the-art AMT '57 Chevy came out (opening trunk etc.), I remember reading somewhere that AMT wanted to retire the original '57 kit forever and hoped everybody would forget about it.  So it's pretty funny that they're still re-issuing that old 1962-vintage '57 kit, here in 2017.  

[ChrisBcritter]

When I was at Model Empire's big sale last year, there were a lot of '57 Chevy Styline front and rear ends in the parts pile - maybe I should grab a few next time.

[High octane]

When I was at Model Empire's big sale last year, there were a lot of '57 Chevy Styline front and rear ends in the parts pile - maybe I should grab a few next time.

That place is a real zoo when they have their annual parts sale. I really don't need any more parts, kits, paint, etc. only more motivation.

[GMCMAN52]

does this kit have the chop top clear glass as the first release kit. You had to section the roof into 4 parts and then add them to the glass section for a complete chop top car

 

[ChrisBcritter]

It does mention - so it wouldn't surprise me. I have one of the chopped glass units from an old kit; has anyone ever been able to use it and make it look good?

[Dave Darby]

"Produced from the original molds" seems a bit ambiguous, but I guess we'll find out exactly what's included soon enough. 

Sadly doesn't sound like they opened the gates to the Stylizing parts that were welded off with the second Pepper Shaker issue.

[Dave Darby]

Huh. I've never noticed that. If it's "off," it's not off nearly as much as the spear on the otherwise nice MPC flip-front '57 gasser.

It's about 2 or 3 scale inches too high. Even the MPC kit isn't that far off.