AMT
'Jr. Trophy Series' '60 Chevy Wagon, kit no. 04-740-100
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Most of AMT's early kits were little more than dealer promotional models
in kit form but with added optional 'customizing' and 'racing' parts.
Those early kits could easily be assembled in their factory stock versions
without any glue so it was natural for AMT to market some of them as
'snap' kits to appeal to younger builders. This Chevy Nomad station wagon
was one of the Jr. Trophy Series kits released in 1960, a concept that
was continued with the later Craftsman and Motor City Stocker series.
Strangely enough, this was the only time the '60 wagon was available
in kit form. It was issued in a number of different colors but there
was no way to tell which one you were getting until you opened the box,
and for some reason the kit has inaccurate Impala-style triple taillights
while its promo cousin featured the correct twin lights. Luckily The
Modelhaus has the correct part available in plated resin and that's
what I'll use if this ever actually hits my workbench.
 Construction
really *will* be a snap! There's not much to the kit as it's strictly
a curbside model with a one-piece chassis, no engine, and a basic interior
bucket with separate dash and steering wheel. The glass is all one piece,
the front bumper and grille are also one piece with molded-in headlight
lenses, and the rear bumper and taillight panel are likewise one piece
with molded-in lenses. The kit also includes a nice set of vinyl thin-line
whitewall tires and one-piece wheelcovers and wheels, all to be mounted
on sturdy metal axles for maximum play value!
 Optional
parts include a pair of spotlights, an outside rearview mirror, and a
roof antenna but if these are left off their mounting holes will have
to be either ignored or filled in. There's even a cute stuffed animal
mascot to place anywhere in the voluminous interior but he'll have to
be glued in for safety's sake, and a trophy (natch!) to be displayed
with the completed car. There's also a decal sheet that oddly enough
is carried over from the '59 Junior Series - maybe AMT was using up excess
stock.
 This
is a highly-desired collectible kit but is readily available on eBay
providing one is willing to part with a significant amount of bucks.
Mine is in good shape, suffering only from a bad tire burn on the hood
which should be easy to repair since it's in a relatively flat area.
I'm toying with the idea of making a detailed model out of this by cannibalizing
an AMT '59 El Camino pickup - the chassis may not be 100% accurate for
a stock 1960 wagon but since I'd be building a modified street machine
anyway it wouldn't really matter. Because this is the only '60 Chevy
wagon kit likely to ever be made barring an unexpected reissue it would
be better to get this (or its promo cousin) sooner rather than later
if you want one, before prices go even higher...
Until next month, "Build what YOU like, the way YOU want to" (and
I don't want to build this one!), have fun, and be sure
to visit Al's
Place while you're surfing the 'Net!
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