PONY CAR REVIVAL: 1:25 SCALE AMT 1966 FORD MUSTANG FROM ROUND 2

MAT IRVINE WEEKENDER:
This 1:25 scale kit reissue from Round 2 Models originates from the time when AMT was producing its range of ‘Annual’ car kits, matching the output of the ‘full-size’ Detroit car companies.


The kit is reasonably straightforward to assemble, as were most models of this era, the box containing just over 90 parts moulded in white plastic, plus transparent components for the window glass and custom front lamps, with clear red for the tail lights.

Steel or plastic?

It can be built in the one of the classic ‘3 in 1’ ways - stock, drag or as a mild custom. It is an ‘old style’ AMT kit as you have metal axles on which the wheels rotate. This is somewhat non-scale, as it involves a hole in the sump/oil pan to allow the front axle to pass through, but it does mean that you have much stronger axles. These were replaced with plastic versions in later kits, but in this Round 2 reissue, metal axles have been reintroduced, though the plastic ones are still the box.

Seats and engine
There is a simplified one-piece chassis, so no separate axles or driveshaft, and a ‘tub’ interior, with the sides moulded in one with the floor. However, the front seats are separate, and you get two sets - stock and buckets - and the engine can be hopped-up with twin carbs and straight-through drag headers.

Slicks or stock?
You get ten tyres in all - four stock and four ‘Polyglas GT’ in two sizes for the front and rear, plus a pair of rear slicks if you are going the racing route.

Destination: bits box
There are a number of components that cannot be used with the kit - they are for convertible and fastback versions - but such parts make good additions to the bits-and-pieces box.

When assembled, the Round 2 AMT 1966 Ford Mustang measures some 180mm (7in) long.

Round 2 AMT Mustangs available here.

1:25 SCALE AMT PHANTOM VAN KIT - OR IS IT A VANTOM?

KIT REVIEW BY MAT IRVINE
If any decade turned the van from commercial vehicle to a statement of cool, it was the 1970s. Until then, the humble panel truck was most likely seen carrying building materials, making store deliveries, or toting tools-of-the-trade. But in the 1970s, vans were tricked out with custom paint jobs, sound systems, maybe a kitchenette, even - if you were lucky - a double bed. And now in 2012, comes a Round 2 Models reissue of such a custom creation, the AMT 1:25 scale Ford Econoline Phantom van.

New name
Examine the box-tops to see an obvious change to the new kit, and that’s its name. The 1970s original was called the ‘Vantom’, a play on the words, ‘phantom’ and ‘van’ to impart a suitably spooky character. This time round, it’s called the Phantom, as apparently the name Vantom is being used by Mattel. But the rest of the kit is the same, with options to build it stock or as a mild custom, with spooky decals provided.

Custom options
Most kits of this era were reasonably simple in construction, and this is no different. It includes engine and chassis, interior and bodywork, with custom options really restricted to changes of wheels and seats, and mild treatments to the front grille. Three optional inset windows are supplied, named gemstone, teardrop and freestyle. Here, as with many Round 2 AMT/MPC reissues, windows are supplied in two tints, clear and dark smoke.

Graveyard green
I finished the review kit with most of the custom options, and finished it in a suitably dark ‘graveyard metallic green’, actually a Testors shade. The side panel decals feature a midnight graveyard decal. So it’s not difficult to end up with a variation on a theme of the Ghostbusters ECTO 1, Scooby Doo Mystery Machine, or the Munsters Koach.

In the box
Parts number around the 150 mark, with components moulded in white (a change from the usual light grey) and chrome, with black for the soft tyres. The finished 1:25 scale model measures some 185 mm (7.25 in) in length. Note (below) I sprayed the chassis in a suitable purple custom finish.

Story of the custom van
Early custom vans set the scene for style - the exterior would be painted in far more exotic colours than stock, and adorned with wild graphics. Add wide mag-alloy wheels, with tyres to match and the looks were complete. In the engine compartment, you could hot up the mill (engine) by 100 hp, and you were then in business with an archetypal day van of the ‘stylish seventies.’ In this kit, the engine compartment has been simplified somewhat, but the basics are all there.

Model companies catch the trend
Model companies were not slow to latch onto this and many kits appeared of the two best-known US vans, the Ford Econoline and the Chevrolet 20. GMC and Dodge also made vans, and kits of all these have been in and out of the model catalogues ever since the 1970s, though most AMT kits have featured Ford and Chevys. Many kits have supplied parts for stock, custom, and even occasionally a racing option. Four of the original US ‘Big Five’ kit companies - AMT, Monogram, MPC, Revell - produced vans in various formats, though oddly, Jo-Han never made one.

Summation
Neat reissue of a classic 1:25 scale kit - a must-build for all van enthusiasts.


Visit AMT at Round 2 models here. Thanks to Round 2 LLC for the review kit.

Plenty of AMT kits here, including a 1:25 scale ECTO-1 from Ghostbusters.

IT’S A SMALL WORLD - THE INCREDIBLE SHRINKING MODEL KIT

TINY VIEW BY MAT IRVINE

You may have noticed some of Round 2’s AMT and MPC kit releases that also include a miniature version of the kit's own 'big box.' A new idea? Not exactly, as AMT/MPC’s previous owner, RC-2, had produced a range of small diecast cars in its Johnny Lightning ‘Classic Plastic’ series.

Unique mini-models

These mini-models were probably unique in the annals of diecasts, as they were miniature versions of what were already miniatures - plus you got a mini-reproduction of the kit box as well. The only difference is that the Classic Plastic mini-boxes came ready-assembled, the recent versions come flat, and you have to cut them out and make them up yourself. 

Anniversary Corvette

There were several Classic Plastic series, and I keep an eye out for the odd ones I’m missing. Although I have only a passing interest in anything ‘ready-built’, the interest is of course to get all the ones I have kits of - or alternatively, to find the kits for the ones already in diecast form. One of my recent finds was a 1978 Corvette, as issued in a 25th Anniversary box by MPC. I’ve had the MPC kit for years, but only recently found the Classic Plastic version. 

Mystery releases

Exactly how many there are of these is a slight mystery. There has been no set pattern to the releases - some have appeared as part of a set of four, some in six, and at least one series as a set of nine. To date, I have details of about two dozen. Most feature AMT or MPC car kits, but there a couple of Jo-Han items, and at least one each of Aurora and Pyro subjects. 

AMT Royal Rail 

Here is an example of the current style ‘miniature kit box’, demonstrated with AMT’s reissue of its Royal Rail show rod. The box is shown as you find it in the kit - flat - plus a completed example.

Mini-AMT Blazer

The AMT Chevy Blazer follows the same format as the 25th Anniversary Chevrolet Corvette, and comes complete with its Classic Plastic equivalent. 

AMT Surf Rod - or is it a Woody?

Here I show a builtup AMT Surf Woody, compared with the Surf Rod box and Classic Plastic version. The Surf Rod was a reissue of the original Surf Woody kit, that you could build either as in Woody form, or as the ‘Surf Hearse’. The Classic Plastic version combined elements of both designs.

MPC kits available here.

AMT kits here.

NEW FOR 2012 - ‘MAN IN SPACE’ ROCKET FAMILY FROM AMT

Mat Irvine reports:

AMT originally became the best-known producer of model car kits, but in the mid-1960s, the company was also known for issuing the first Star Trek kits. And, as an adjunct to the science-fiction, AMT also moved to science fact, producing the first - and to date the only - kit of all five US manned space launchers prior to the Space Shuttle. And now, here they are back again.

Small scale

In chronological order, the first five launchers were the Mercury-Redstone, Mercury-Atlas, Gemini-Titan II, Saturn 1B and Saturn V. Although the 1:200 scale chosen by AMT was smaller than the classic 1:144 Saturn kits from Airfix and Monogram, AMT made up for this in the first issue with a spectacular cardboard diorama setting that not only featured the sweep of the Kennedy Space Center, but also the launch tower assembly for the Saturn V.

AMT Pro Shop range

First released in 1969, the kit was reissued in 1999 in AMT’s short-lived Pro Shop range, but was missing one vital element - that excellent card diorama was not included. Instead, the five rockets sat on a fairly bland rectangular moulding that had started life as the base for AMT model car display cases!

Stronger box

But now space modellers can breath a sigh of relief, as Round 2 LLC - AMT’s new owner - has reissued the kit as it was way back in 1969, and in some ways, it’s even better than the original. For a start, the box is a lot stronger, and there is a printed sheet for the base, which gives more details. The decals have been improved, and of course the splendid card diorama has returned - and even seems to have been printed on slightly heavier card stock. 

Service Module error

One slight problem for purists is that the two Saturn rockets still have incorrect Apollo Service Modules, depicting the unmanned Block I version. However, this has been a problem with all kits of the Saturn V, and still remains with most, although Airfix recently updated its kit correctly. But in 1:200 scale the markings are not that noticeable, and you can always paint on the correct pattern.

Summation

Overall you get almost 150 parts, moulded in white, and when assembled, the whole structure approaches a height of some 500 mm (20 in). This is an excellent return of the original that’s even better than before.

Thanks to Tony James at Comet Miniatures for the sample kit.

AMT sci-fi stuff here.

IN STORES NOW - HOT-ROD ‘DARK SHADOWS’ VAMPIRE VAN FROM ROUND 2

SMN update from David Jefferis:

Oops, this Vampire Van has been in the ‘passed us by’ department for a while. It’s a fun kit that was released a couple of months ago by Round 2 under the MPC name, and is now generally available. The Vampire Van is well worth a look, not least because it paves the way for the upcoming vampire movie Dark Shadows, starring the excellent Johnny Depp and bodacious Michelle Pfeiffer.

Creepy Classic kit

The kit is for anyone with a thing for the undead or for retro-style subject matter, and is themed on the Dark Shadows TV series that ran from 1965-71, then again in re-imagined format in 1991. The MPC kit we’re looking at here is a 1:25 scale MPC Creepy Classic, featuring a Vampire Van that might have been used by the series protagonist, Barnabas Collins.

Excellent details

The model is basically a hot rod-style hearse that’s been customized with heaps of suitably vampirish details. It’s got curtained windows, old-style carriage lamps, an ornate roof rack, and positively drips with chrome details. The main feature though is the U-Haul trailer, revealed as a plush-lined coffin when you take off the wood-effect lid. And what do you see inside? Barnabas the Vampire having a snooze, of course! All in all, quite a cute kit, and one that will look even better with careful painting, especially to the vampire figure.

Brief stats:

* Scale: 1:25

* Skill Level: 3 suitable for 12 years and up

* Cement and paint required

* Components supplied in white, clear, and chrome, with vinyl/rubber slicks

* Includes 1:25 scale Barnabas figure, lying in the coffin trailer

* Oversize rear drag slicks with pad-printed lettering

* Original box art packaging

Simply produced, but comprehensive assembly instructions.

Summation

An interesting star-car kit to a standard scale. Well worth having if you’re into retro TV or fantasy.

There’s more

The Dark Shadows remake is coming to the cinema this summer, and the good news is that it looks like being an entertaining way to pass a couple of hours. I’m a huge fan of both Johnny Depp and Michelle Pfeiffer, and also the movie’s fantasy-meister director, Tim Burton, who always manages an original take on his subject matter. There is no sign of the Vampire Van in the trailer (below), though the human family does run a Chevy! Looks like a laugh-and-a-half. Enjoy.

Note from Mat irvine, aka ‘The Knowledge’

We should point out that this Barnabus Vampire Van actually has nothing to do with 'Dark Shadows’, the original TV series, or - as far as we are aware - the up-and-coming movie. It just 'borrows' the name. 

When MPC first issued this kit in 1969, it had a license for the then-current Dark Shadows TV series, and also made kits of the Werewolf and Vampire figures, much along the lines of the old Aurora monster figure kits. The Vampire Van was added under the same name - maybe MPC thought it was like the George Barris-built Munster Koach from 'The Munsters', which certainly did exist, and was used on-screen. However, the Vampire Van was a product of the MPC designers' imagination, created using some tooling from MPC’s 1932 Chevy kit, the modelling world's first - and to date, only - ’9-in-1’ kit. This though, was much to the annoyance of purists, as the panel van section was re-tooled, consequently losing the ability to reissue the Chevy in stock form.

The MPC Vampire Van kit was first issued in 1969, and reissued under the AMT name in 2002, with different box-art. This current issue returns to the original box design.  

Buy the MPC Barnabas Vampire Van kit here.

Visit Round 2 here.

INCOMING - CARTOON COUPE AND STRANGE TIME MACHINE FROM ROUND 2

SMN Report:

Round 2 Models, owners of the AMT, MPC and Polar Lights brands, are well into a busy 2012. R2M has just signed a licensing deal to release models of the cars raced by drag racing champ ‘Ohio George’ Montgomery, otherwise known to his fans as ‘King of the Gassers’. This quarter-mile legend ran some of the best-known supercharged AA/Gas coupes ever, including the potent 1933 Malco Willys, which ran a best high eight-second time down the strip, topping out at 257 km/h (160 mph).

Easy assembly

Other Ohio George cars in the pipeline from Round 2 include the Malco Gasser Mustang, and Mr Gasket Mustang, and they’ll be following on from the Willys, which is a ’toon version of the real thing, a 'Snap Draggins' kit, modelled in a leaping cat pose - dream on Jaguar, the Gasser’s gotcha! Authentic markings will be in the box, together with components in light blue, black and chrome, plus clear and optional dark-blue tinted windows. It’s a snap-kit, so paint and cement are not strictly necessary, though as always with Snaps, you may well want to use both for more permanence in the build, and a better finish for display.

Base included

Aimed at younger model fans (and this older one) the Willys could make a good start into auto models, and a nostalgic one for fans of the drag strip’s glory days. Also included is an earth-textured base that keeps the model in a leaping pose. The kit should be available shortly.

Vintage kits

If you like the world of drag racing, it’s worth looking at vintage AMT kits. This beautifully assembled Willys dates back more than 30 years and like the original machine, looks just great in baby blue finish. Pictured above courtesy Scale Auto Magazine, where there are several more pix - definitely worth a look, and the site address is at the bottom.

Time Machine from MPC

From the heyday of the drag races to the heyday of Victorian inventors, with this clever little kit, also due for release in April. It’s the ‘Strange Change’ Time Machine, returning to production after a gap of 40 years. It’s a new one to us that uses rubber band power to rotate the time travelling hero - based loosely on the HG Wells original - from his home in Victorian times to a trio of beasts from the age of dinosaurs. 

Paint and cement

It’s a terrific looking little kit, just 165 mm (6.5 in) across that we’re just itching to build. Unlike the Gasser Willys, this kit needs cement and paint. But the detail and fun-factor will make these easy chores to perform, and it’ll make a neat extra display in the SMN Hall of Sci-Fi Stuff - anything with a box that splashes the immortal words: “Watch it change, it’s strange” has surely earned its place alongside the oh-so-serious Star Trek lineup!

  

Visit Round 2 here.

Heaps of bio info plus pix and other tasty stuff at George’s Speed Shop here.

Scale Auto Magazine Willys kit build pix here.

NEW KITS AND ‘KATCH THE KAT’ FROM ROUND 2 MODELS

Mat Irvine reports:

Since its inception, Round 2 has reissued kits that haven’t seen the light of day for many years. But they aren’t all straight down-the-line reissues. Many of the new kits supply more parts than originally, often by combining parts from several versions that you didn’t get first time around. Also, some parts are supplied in varied colours - for example, plain transparent parts in the early kits are now supplied with three other transparent shades, so you can mix and match if you wish.

Dune Buggy diorama

One such up-and-coming reissue is the classic Mayers Manx Dune Buggy, which features a return of the original cardboard diorama background - Wiktor Hamburgers - that hasn’t been seen since the first issue. There will also be body options available in transparent metalflake plastic, though you’ll be lucky to get one, as the model is part of the ‘Katch the Kat’ scheme. 

Katch the Kat

‘Katch the Kat’ is a collector-chase idea in which one of every dozen kits will be moulded in a special colour. The ‘Katch’ is that the box gives no clue as to what’s inside. AMT Brand Manager, John Greczula, explains: “The only way to know you've found a ‘Kat Kit’ is by opening the box! This gives everyone a fair chance to find one of the special Kat Kit models.”

Drag-U-La

The first Katch the Kat model will be Grandpa Munster’s Drag-U-La, from the iconic 1960s TV show ‘The Munsters.’ Standard production shade for the coffin-shaped hot rod will be black, but the special Kat version will be in a: “dazzling translucent metallic gold plastic.” The Meyers Manx dune buggy will follow on, in brilliant metallic red, instead of plain white.

Caring for collectors

However, Round 2 are going to look after the serious collector, by releasing a premium-priced limited run of Kat models via the online Auto World store, with boxes clearly stickered to say what’s inside. Incidentally, the ‘Kat’ name and logo is based on one of AMT’s first custom advisors, Budd ‘The Kat’ Anderson, who died a few years ago.

Card dioramas return

The card dioramas in kits that AMT pioneered,  were a spin-off to the card shop displays popular in the 1960s (themselves very collectible) and have now been applied to kits that never had them in the first place. Card displays have now been added to the Drag-U-La and Munster Koach kits. Even better, the two bases can be butted together to create a larger scene.

AMTronic future car

One of the most famous AMT kits was the AMTronic, the company’s own design for a futuristic car. It was two cars in one - a high-speed intercity transport, able to cruise the Interstates using magnetic levitation. Then, when reaching a city, the front section could split away to become a three-wheeled runabout. Technically, that’s four wheels, but the front pair were close-coupled. The kit did get reissued in AMT Millennium series, but much to everyone’s dismay, it came without the card diorama back. The latest issue restores this - and also the original box-art.  

Reproduction box art

Another new approach for Round 2 is in supplying reproduction original box artwork. It’s supplied flat, so the box is much larger than standard. The first of these will be the 1976 American Motors Gremlin.

Chevrolet Vantasy

And there’s more. The name ‘Vantasy’ reappears, but this time there's a twist, as it's on a different vehicle. Initially, it was a camper version of the Dodge Deora custom pickup (SMN link below). Now the name has been applied to a Chevrolet 20 van that will come with a multitude of graphic decals to create your own ‘fantasy vantasy’.

I’ll be looking at the Round 2 science-fiction line very soon - so keep an eye on SMN for that!

SMN Dodge Deora article here.

Munsters Koach and Drag-U-La are also available in a different edition, coming as a double-kit, packed in a handsome collector's tin, but without the diorama display here.

More AMT stuff here.

Visit Auto World here.

Last but not least, here's a corner of Round-2’s stand at October's Chicago iHobby Expo, showing the classic AMT and MPC logos.