Issue No. 13 April 1998
Issue No. 13 April 1998
by Geoff G. Rea
A.M.T. Ertl '32 Ford Phaeton
1/25th (Kit No 6899)
This kit was first tooled in the sixties, as a 3 in 1 Trophy series kit, and like so many of those original kits, it has been released many times over the years. However, unlike most kits, this one can be built as a stocker, or as a contemporary street rod, or anything in between.
The Body consists of the phaeton body tub that is very well done. The stock 3-piece bonnet is a one-piece item. The grille shell and insert definitely have the proper deuce look. There is a stock height windscreen frame, as well as a chopped, unplated one.
The Chassis incorporates the floor, but unlike the coupe and roadster kits, it doesn't have the rear end, exhaust and battery moulded on to the chassis/floor unit. You get a stock beam front axle, and a very ordinary dropped tube axle. At the rear you get the stock 32 assembly, and a rear-end that loosely resembles a 9 inch third member.
The Motor and Trans; with this kit you get 2 complete engines and trans. One being the stock side valve V8, and the other being an overhead V8 for the Hot Rod version.
The Interior consists of wide pleated stock seats. However, there is no door trim detail. You get a stock dash and steering wheel, as well as custom versions.
Wheels and Tyres; With this kit you get a real nice set of stock wire wheels, as well as 2 sets of custom wheels (one set of 5 slot mags and one set of Centerline Champ style wheels). The stock tyres are OK, but the custom tyres just don't cut it, so forget about them.
In Conclusion, this kit builds into a nice stocker, but requires a lot of work to the suspension to get a street rod version looking right.
However it is a kit worth persevering with, and the bonus is that you end up with a lot of parts for the parts box when you have completed the model version you choose to build.
Modelling Tip
My Three Exactos
Sometimes when model building you need a really sharp blade in your Exacto, and sometimes a blunt blade is ideal.What the real serious modeller should have is at least 3 Exactos on the go. One with a new blade, one with a slightly used blade and one with a blunt blade. Then you're always ready for any situation. To know which is which, colour code the Exacto handles; Say, red for sharp, blue for less sharp and white for blunt.
This resin kit is a 1/8th resin kit of the trusty flathead. Available from Bruce miller in the U.S.A.
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