Which pick-up kit is the best?

[Jantrix]

I'm planning a surf rod pick-up and I want to know what pick-up kit is the best as far as the quality of the kit. The fitment, the chrome, etc. I'm pretty much interested in something from the 30's-60's. Feel free to name several if you some favorites, that will give me some options.

Thanks very much.

[Longbox55]

Well, if you're going for the quintessential Surf vehicle, the old Revell '31 Model A Woodie is very hard to beat, though it can be a little fiddly to put together. Same goes for their '29 Model A pickup, which it shares much of the tooling with.

[Jantrix]

Thanks, I have both of those, and have considered them, but frankly they are the usual suspects. I'd like some other options.

[Tom Geiger]

My favorites are the Monogram 1950 Ford pickup, AMT 1953 Ford pickup and the AMT 50, 55 and 57 Chevy pickups. I have at least a dozen of each! Quality wise and a bit different would be the AMT '60, '64 and '65 Chevy pickups. The '60 is cool 'cause it's got a six.

Edited May 16, 2013 by Tom Geiger

[Jantrix]

Thanks for the advice Tom. I have cannibalized one of the Revell '50 Fords, its is excellent. I have the MPC '53 Ford flip-nose. Is that the same as the AMT? I've heard such nasty things about it, I haven't even looked at it. The AMT '50 Chevy is the one Cranky is always building and I'm leaning towards that. Although the '55 and '57 Cameos look very cool. I've heard great things about the Revell '37 Ford as well.

[Brett Barrow]

Revell's 37 Ford is a great kit, the current issue even comes with a surfboard and surf-related decals. I could live without the '38-ish custom front end treatment, but the dropped suspension, '40 Ford wheels and hubcaps and the hotrod parts for the flathead are welcome additions.

Edited May 16, 2013 by Brett Barrow

[Ace-Garageguy]

I have the MPC '53 Ford flip-nose. Is that the same as the AMT? I've heard such nasty things about it, I haven't even looked at it.

The versions of the AMT kit that show 'stock' on the box art are NOT the flip-nose and build quite nicely.

And the Revell '41 Chevy 2in1 builds well, fits, and has optional goodies for the engine and a cab visor in addition to the big wheels. The suspension design is very easy to lower too.

[slammedi'am]

I like the 37 Ford alot....If you search my contenet and see the one I built for the revell contest

Here it is..It also come with bed stakes also and all the surf decals and board

http://www.modelcarsmag.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=73893&hl=

Edited May 16, 2013 by slammedi'am

[Tom Geiger]

The versions of the AMT kit that show 'stock' on the box art are NOT the flip-nose and build quite nicely.

And the Revell '41 Chevy 2in1 builds well, fits, and has optional goodies for the engine and a cab visor in addition to the big wheels. The suspension design is very easy to lower too.

Bill is right, this is the AMT '53 Ford, one of the great old kits from the 1960s. It still works well today! One of my favorite all time kits, as you can see from my avatar!

[Evilbenny]

All of the previous suggestions are great but I would advise you to avoid the Revell 56 Ford and the 53 Flip-nose kit's. They are sub-par, (trying to be nice) to the newer Revell and AMT kits.

[rmvw guy]

AMT or Lindberg '34 Ford, same kit, oldie but, goodie.

[Fabrux]

How about something a bit different? The AMT 59 El Camino would make a good surf rod. Maybe try and up the detail with a Revell 60 Impala?

[Wonderbread Kustomz]

I was even thinkin a Nomad would be a cool surf rod

[Art Anderson]

The versions of the AMT kit that show 'stock' on the box art are NOT the flip-nose and build quite nicely.

And the Revell '41 Chevy 2in1 builds well, fits, and has optional goodies for the engine and a cab visor in addition to the big wheels. The suspension design is very easy to lower too.

This is the ORIGINAL AMT '53 Ford F100, and often gets confused with the former MPC (now AMT) '53 "flip nose". There is really NO comparison whatsoever. The original AMT kit is as nice as nice gets for a 1964-vintage model kit, and in many ways still stands the test of time.

However, isn't the "favorite" or "best" pickup kit first and foremost a subject that fits one's imagination, desire?

Art

[MikeyB08]

I really like the 34' Ford Pickup 3 N' 1 from Lindberg. Be picking me up another soon for a shop truck.

[Jantrix]

However, isn't the "favorite" or "best" pickup kit first and foremost a subject that fits one's imagination, desire?

Art

Art, you are of course correct. I have an idea, a theme. The subject of this theme has often changed in my design process. My recent completion, the '69 Cougar with the Millenium Falcon theme was originally a pick-up in the design stage until I realized I had a beater Cougar already in the works. As long as my idea sees daylight, often times the subject is changeable. So in this case, I thought I'd have you guys throw up some ideas on good kits and I'd check them all out and see which one trips my trigger the most.

How about something a bit different? The AMT 59 El Camino would make a good surf rod. Maybe try and up the detail with a Revell 60 Impala?

Right now the '50 Chevy and the 55 Cameo are the front runners, but that is one heck of a cool idea. Another option I'm kicking around is an early 50's coupe cut after the B-pillar and a pick-up bed added.

Thanks to everyone for their input and imagination.

[Ace-Garageguy]

Right now the '50 Chevy and the 55 Cameo are the front runners, but that is one heck of a cool idea. Another option I'm kicking around is an early 50's coupe cut after the B-pillar and a pick-up bed added.

Maybe some crossbreeding ?

Edited May 16, 2013 by Ace-Garageguy

[Guest]

When I think of a surf rod, I automatically think wagon or woodie. After reading some of the comments and yours Rob (darn you again!), this is an idea I have and I'll probably build it sometime. What I'm thinking is take either the AMT '65 Chevelle wagon or the Revell '66 Chevelle wagon and cutting the top off right behind the rear doors and make like a crew cab Ute out of it. Or you could take any of the Nomad kits and convert them to an El Camino easily.

Edited May 18, 2013 by plowboy

[Jantrix]

Yep, me again.

Thanks Roger. All good ideas thanks very much. But I think I just found my surf rod in my own stash. The AMT '65 Lincoln has those optional wagon parts. Hmmm...........

[Ridge Rider]

I have a WIP where I took a Revell 48 Ford Woody and made a small extended cab pickup. The parts match well without sectioning but the bed needs fabricated and some work on the wood mold where rear door used to be. I also shaved the hood slightly to give it a drop at the nose. Mines half painted but if you want pics let me know. I think think it looks pretty cool.

[Jantrix]

Steve, I'd love for you to post some pics of that, it sounds like a cool idea.

[Guest G Holding]

57 Ford Ranchero wagon cut down as an elky

Edited May 18, 2013 by G Holding

[Ridge Rider]

Here you go Rob--the modifications are pretty straightforward and has a unique look.

[Tom Geiger]

Okay, someone said it should be a woody and a pickup... 1931 Citroen Normande from Heller. Actually a pretty decent kit. Body sits on the AMT 34 ford chassis like it was made for it!

[Crazy Ed]

Well Rob, given you've opened the options from Pickup. A '54 Chevy Panel Truck would fill the bill as what in the mid '60's'd be a Dream Vehicle! Inline 6 that would deliver 20+mpg, run forever and as long as there was Water in the Radiator it wouldn't overheat. Yep Gas was cheap back then (heck several times I filled up a 5 gallon "Jerry Can" for under a buck & got a free galss in the deal) , but you still had to pay for it! And the Panel had 3 additional advantges. 1 A secure place for the Board if not in use, 2 A changing room, 3 Somewhere to sleep you could afford.