AMT Ford Econoline vans?

[Aaronw]

AMT did several 80s Ford Econoline vans, but not all could be built stock, and some were really out there. I want to get one of these as they seem to get harder to find each year, but I want to make sure I can build a stock van from the kit. A list of those kits that include the parts for a stock van would be appreciated.

Thanks

[Junkman]

I had several of them, but none of those could be built stock.

[Kris Morgan]

From what I know, all but the 4x4 versions of the MPC Ford vans can be built stock. None of the AMT kits can be built stock.

[ZIL 111V]

In fact AMT introduced the Ford Econoline kit back in 1976, the first edition was made as a "custom factory" option model available back then at Ford Dealers: 2 tone paint job with graphics, sporty wheel caps, porthole side windows, captain seats, etc. No "finished" interior like the MPC Ford 1/20 or Revell Chevy 1/25th 1/16 Custom vans kits of the day.

In the "VAN Craze" of the 70's the same kit was reboxed in "Custom Van" editions with custom parts: "Vantom" "Disco Van" "6 Wheeler" & "Matilda" versions were made thru the 70's until 1981-2 under Matchbox, since 1983 all AMT Ford vans gone.

MPC also made the same Generation Ford Econoline Van in "Custom Van" form, in the same time line: "Sorcerer" "Sunrunner" & the very, very, neat 4X4 "Off-Road Van". Later versions where tooled with factory stock "square hedlights" grill, kept thru the 80's. Again the MPC Ford Econoline vanished in the mid 80's never to come back.(MPC 1970 1/20th Ford Econoline Van kits were also great kits...also long gone)

[Chuck Most]

I'd love to have that six wheel version! Yeah, I know it's kind of tacky, but I like it.

[Aaronw]

I forgot MPC did one too, were any of theirs 1/24-1/25 or only 1/20?

I actually want it to build an ambulance so I'm not to worried about the interior except up front. I do need a basically stock body / grill though. Some of the kits had wierd custom grills.

The 4x4 actually sounds kind of neat, I remember seeing a Chevy camper van, but don't remember seeing any 4x4 van kits of any make.

Edited November 19, 2010 by Aaronw

[Junkman]

I forgot MPC did one too, were any of theirs 1/24-1/25 or only 1/20?

Yes, most of MPC's van kits were 1/25 scale. I say most, because there was also an array of 1/32 scale vans. Only the ca 1970 Ford van and its custom derivatives were 1/20. And what cool tow vehicles for the Rupp snow dragster they make...

The only other 1/20 scale American vans I know are those from Revell, which are the later type Econoline. There were interesting variants, such as the NFL Series, a police and a swat version and lots more, iirc.

[Mark]

The first AMT Ford Econoline kit was the "Vantom" which was issued in 1976. It includes stock parts. There was no 1976 annual kit. The only annual was the '77 Cruising Van which can only be built as the stock "factory customized" Ford van. The Cruising Van does not include stock wheel covers. The later Six-Wheel and "Matilda" (movie tie-in) issues include all of the stock parts except for tires, though the parts aren't used in those issues and aren't shown on the instruction sheets. The kits that don't include stock exterior trim parts are the Disco Van, Cuckoo Nest, and Hyper Hut. The stock grille, bumpers, and wheels for the Econoline kits were on the plated tree. With custom parts substituted, there was nothing left on the stock plated tree that was needed to build the custom vans so that tree was left out. The AMT Chevy vans had a number of engine parts on the plated tree (unlike the Fords). The tree with the engine parts had to be left in the custom Chevy kits, so all of the Chevies had stock bumpers and wheels. (As an aside, that tree was left unplated in the first issue A-Team van kit.)

As for the MPC Fords, the 4 x 4 was issued first and can only be built as a 4 x 4 as illustrated on the box. Those were molded in red and white, I have one of each color. There were several two wheel drive MPC issues. All of those have stock parts, but most have pre-cut custom porthole window openings on the quarter panels. MPC #1-0439 "Juke Box" (molded in black) issued in 1980 is the only 2wd issue I know of that does not have the portholes. There is also a "Sorcerer" (molded in white) and "Sunrunner" (molded in yellow), and there may be others.

[Eshaver]

A M T Needs to re-issue one of these van kits simply to satisfy my urges to re create my custom Van accessories I manufactured in Houston 1975-83.............. Sadly , Vanning had to die an agonizing death. It's fighting back though . Check out Vannin.com

Ed Shaver

[Joe Handley]

I'd love to see more van kits in general, hopefully Round 2 see fit to clean up the tooling for the GM G-Van before long, the drip rails needed it bad on the last few I bought

Edited November 21, 2010 by Joe Handley