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AMT Tee Vee Dune Buggy


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As a kid, I loved the old dune buggy and hot rod kits. I saw a few of them built by big brothers of my friends. But, alas, I was a kid and my mom bought me the smaller scaled Lindberg ones that were probably cheaper. I have fond memories of them.

 

I've grown as a modeler, but not a car modeler. I saw this kit advertised in a local closeout store called Ollie's for $7.99. I made a special trip up there to get it. Kits like this go for $25+ at the local Hobby Lobby. Even with the 40% coupon, it's not a price I want to pay for a 50+ year old kit.

 

It looks to be a simple kit. There is a "Katch the Kat" sticker on the front that says a special one molded in metallic blue is somewhere out there. I got the standard red one.

 

https://www.scalemates.com/kits/973876-amt-1907-tee-vee-dune-buggy

 

$_58.JPG

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I plan on building it and did start it yesterday. One odd thing is that the kit comes with four vinyl tires, but one set of super dune rear tires that are injection molded in red with the rest of the kit. I'll probably just use the vinyl tires.There isn't much to the kit once you eliminate optional unused parts. The chrome plating is really shiny and very thick. I haven't decided if I need to strip it or just go with it as is.

 

How is SXM after the hurricane? My cousin lives down there.

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That is going to be a very interesting build, Rob. I'll follow it with interest. Not too much paint either ;) For what I can see on the cover, the head lamps are old style, with chrome instead of transparent material. That is a reason I've gave away a Minicraft kit from my stash - a TR2. They really looked horrible!

 

As for Sint Maarten: it was bad: shortage of everything, looting, no electricity, no communications, no law, no medical care, no functional infrastructure. Some people turned to ravenous hyenas, others to angels; a few died. Now things start to return to normal: shops and gas stations are re-opening, electricity service re-established in some areas, ADSL internet running...

I was of the lucky ones with minimal damage to my house, but my man-cave is a cave for true now: no electricity until January, no internet, windows boarded up against looting. Fortunately my boss gave me a room by his villa and here I have all the comfort. The only thing I miss is my modelling desk.

From a modeler's point of view, I have enough photo footage for a lifetime of Stalingrad, Monte Casino and Dresden dioramas.

 

Gabriel

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I hope all is well and the looters don't get too much.

 

I am stripping chrome off the engine parts. I've seen modern car kits and the chrome plating is very thin. These sprues look like they were dipped in thick silver chrome paint. The first step of the instructions is to assemble the engine and firewall, but those are the parts being soaked for chrome removal.

 

I've moved to the floor pan and body. There are several body parts that are excess and not used in either of the three kit options. I believe these parts are for the Meyers "Manx" that was also reissued by Round 2.

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I've ran into thick chrome you're talking about on AMT kits. Unfortunately, the molds are old and and full of flash under the chrome. The only option is to remove the chrome, address the flash and re-chrome. Alclad is very good if applied correctly, but in my salty air has a tendency to dull out. Same goes for Model Master enamels. The only viable solution for me is BMF.

As for the newer kits you're correct: very thin chrome and superb metallic stickers. My last Hasegawa was a blast to build - the quality incredible and magical engineering.

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The head light blisters are chrome, but the headlights themselves are clear plastic on the same sprue as the windshield. There is also a duplicate clear sprue with a slight yellow tint to them that includes the headlights and windshield. The two tail light lenses are red clear but the fixtures they go into are chrome. Tail lights are optional.

 

Edit, the next time I build a car kit, it will be a more modern kit, not a nostalgia build. This car kit is primitive, but okay for the $8 I paid.

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  • 9 months later...
On ‎10‎/‎9‎/‎2017 at 11:44 AM, RGronovius said:

The head light blisters are chrome, but the headlights themselves are clear plastic on the same sprue as the windshield. There is also a duplicate clear sprue with a slight yellow tint to them that includes the headlights and windshield. The two tail light lenses are red clear but the fixtures they go into are chrome. Tail lights are optional.

 

Edit, the next time I build a car kit, it will be a more modern kit, not a nostalgia build. This car kit is primitive, but okay for the $8 I paid.

Any progress on this one Rob?

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Ough!

Same I did with my Triumph from Minicraft - I not even started it - I gave it away. Now I feel sorry. Not for the value -it was cheap - but because now I feel I have the skills to tackle it.

 

Gabriel

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