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MISSING STEEL • AMT’s 1970s Funny Car Series, Part 1
We get asked daily, “do you have the tooling for such and such kit?” Whether it’s a hardcore veteran modeler yearning for a long lost model from their past, or a consumer who believes there should be a scale replica of the 1979 Lada 1500 they once drove, there’s always lots of interest in what we’re “hiding.”
It’s generally not a good idea from a business standpoint to divulge what we do, or do not have the tooling for, with respect to kits that did once exist from the vintage brands we represent. But for this blog entry I am going to break the rules and share a little tidbit of info regarding AMT’s series of funny cars from the mid 1970s.
As many of you have seen from Ken’s recent post, we’re working on a reissue of the Larry Fullerton Trojan Horse Mustang II F/C. Prior to our upcoming, improved release, the most recent kit available from this tooling was the Chi-Town Hustler Dodge Charger 2+2. In the 1980s, a new body and a few other parts were created by Ertl to produce this, er… well there’s just no other way to say it: rather ugly, odd and bloated-looking rendition of the real car.
With regard to this particular series, my immediate thought was “which of the original kits could we do again?” The Mustang II proved a little surprising as the front and rear body cap inserts had gone AWOL at some point in the previous few decades. We’ve remedied that and think the Trojan Horse reissue will be more accurate for it.
That said, there were several other funnies all with different bodies in this series, but based on the same engine/chassis/wheel tooling. While I was researching the body slides and insert tooling for each one’s unique parts, along with the respective window molds, “one” of them was conspicuous by its absence. We have been unable to locate it! While it’s one of my personal favorites from the series, I’m not sure that it’d be worthwhile to try and retool its body. It’s really cool looking though, very unique and quite desirable. Can you guess which one it is? I will reveal the answer…
…in PART 2! See you in a few weeks!
Let me guess, could it be Peanut 1? Looking forward to the Trojan Horse and Wedge Dragster releases. I hope Round 2 plans to release more of the vintage AMT/MPC drag racing kits as well as maybe producing some new releases. Eagerly awaiting the release of a certain reptile themed top fueler.
We are really excited about the Flying Wedge kit – when you see the final product, you’ll know why!;)
Well, now I’m really excited to see what you have in store for the Flying Wedge Dragster. I’m assuming it’s something beyond just the release of the kit as it originally appeared. Maybe a new decal sheet? Anyway, I’m glad to see these classic drag kits making a return.
This is a tough one! 🙂 I had to think it about it a bit. I’m not really sure what the answer is. Guesses? The Mach Won Mustang, Mercury Cyclone, or Novacaine. Some kits are more of a hybrid, a mixture of stock parts and a funny car style chassis, something that’s been modified several times over the decades, and that doesn’t make it easy. LOL! A Pinto drag racer would be cool though, you guys did several versions of those. Looking forward to see what Kat you have in the bag!
All 3 kits you mention are from other funny car series, actually. The MIA funny uses the same chassis as the Trojan Horse.
I agree, a Pinto would be fun to do.
Your candid remarks are refreshing. And your tease at the end is…doing just what you intended!