AMT 64 Mercury Marauder question

[cobraman]

I just started working on this kit and discovered that the id of the tires is larger than the od of the wheels and wheel backs . They just go right through. Anyone else notice this ? 

[blizzy63]

3 hours ago, cobraman said:

I just started working on this kit and discovered that the id of the tires is larger than the od of the wheels and wheel backs . They just go right through. Anyone else notice this ? 

Yes. It has been noticed by me and some others... even the 'hpiguys Workshop' guy on YouTube.

Round2 recently (c. 2020) redesigned the old AMT Firestone Supreme tires that were in many AMT car kits since about 1964.

The new tires are skinnier, which may be more accurate for some vintage subjects, but the I.D. are noticeably larger than the originals. The old originals were a little notorious for being a bit tight to fit wheels into, especially if the vinyl had hardened.

I've recently used a set of these new tires with a set of AMT Hurst mag wheels and I had to add a strip of masking tape around the wheels to make a snugger fit into the tires.

Below: New (left) and old (right) design -

Edited March 7, 2023 by blizzy63

[cobraman]

Thanks Robert, never thought of wrapping the wheels.