The Best 1st Generation Ford Thunderbird Kit?

[W-409]

So what is the best kit of a First Generation Ford Thunderbird? I see Monogram has made a '56 Thunderbird and AMT has a '57. So which one is easier to build and if there are some problems, fit issues etc it would be nice to know them as well.

[Lunajammer]

The 1/25 AMT '57 Thunderbird is easy to build but that also means fewer parts. The chassis is platform style with wire axles, drive train and exhaust molded in. It's an old mould so there's a little flash. Proportions are nice and it's fun for customizing. Custom options have varied over the years but most kits I've seen retain a few basic custom parts like wheel choices, custom top and some trim options. Kit instructions here.

The 1/24 Monogram '56 Thunderbird has more parts, more detail and no customizing options. Kit instructions here. I'm not aware of any serious fit issues from either of these that someone of your experience would trouble over.

Edited June 7, 2014 by Lunajammer

[Mike Kucaba]

There is also the American Graffiti version, a '55 I believe By AMT/Ertl . Better chassis detail.

[MrObsessive]

Don't forget RC2's '56 T-Bird in the "American Graffiti" series. While not a bad kit, each one I've seen appears to sit too high-----or rather the frame rails seem to hang too low below the rockers.

That's not really seen on the 1:1.

I built Monogram's '56 years ago, but I converted it to a '55-------One model year T-Bird that's NEVER been done in 1/24-25 scale for whatever reason. Not a hard kit to build, and it's been around forever so they're easy to find.

Edited June 7, 2014 by MrObsessive

[MrObsessive]

I also wanted to add------I'm a just seeing things or is the AMT '57 T-Bird just a tad small for 1/25 scale? I ask because I have both the 1/25 '56 and '57, and the '57 seems to be on the small side. We could REALLY use an up to date kit of that one........along with a really nice '55.

One crazy idea I had in mind was to try to kitbash RC2's '56 with the '57 by mixing and matching the fenders and such. In 1:1, there were a lot of similarities..........save for the different rear fenders, grille and interior. Would be a lot of work, but I'm not counting on anyone to do a new tool '57 any time soon.

Edit: I want to rephrase my kitbashing idea.........my idea is to kitbash the 1/24 scale Monogram '56 T-Bird with the 1/25 AMT '57. True the scales don't match by I just want to swap fenders and grilles between the two, and leave the inner structure intact.

Crazy? Well witness my username!

Edited June 7, 2014 by MrObsessive

[Jon Haigwood]

Don't forget the AMT Vegas 57 T Bird. I have it (1979) and the newer AMT version (2009) kits the Vegas looks to be the same as the newer one except it has a stock roof rather than the custom fastback roof. The newer kit is still sealed and since I will selling it I do not want to open it and see how they compare but by the instruction sheets they look the same.

[Art Anderson]

There is also the American Graffiti version, a '55 I believe By AMT/Ertl . Better chassis detail.

The AMT/Ertl/RC2/Round2 Tbird you mention is a '56, and a very nicely done one at that.

No 1/24 or 1/25 scale '55 Thunderbird has ever been kitted.

Art

[Jon Haigwood]

there was a 55 kit (sort of)but I have no idea of what scale it was in

http://www.ebay.com/itm/AMT-1955-Ford-Thunderbird-Styling-Kit-promo-/111369681746?pt=Model_Kit_US&hash=item19ee267b52

[Tom Geiger]

Talk about low hanging fruit... a new tool 55-56-57 Thunderbird would be a great new kit! They could easily get all three years done, and a lot of racing versions!

[MrObsessive]

Talk about low hanging fruit... a new tool 55-56-57 Thunderbird would be a great new kit! They could easily get all three years done, and a lot of racing versions!

Are you listening (watching this) Moebius??

[unclescott58]

I still love the old AMT '57 Thunderbird kit. I've always found it easy to build, and looks good when it's done. I've build several over the years. First one back in the late 1960's. By the way Mr. Haihwood, the "Vegas" 57 is just AMT's old kit with a TV tie in box. Some minor changes have been made to the kit over the years. Some parts taken out. Some put back in, depending on the reissue.

I remember buying the first issue of the Monogram '56 in the mid to late 70's. This was the version with the metal body. A couple of years later, I believe by 1979, I bought the second issue. But now the body was plastic. Exact same kit. Just metal vs. plastic body. I like the plastic body better.

I also have the American Graffiti version. I forgot that that was issued by Ertl? It reminded me a lot of the Monogram kit. So now I'm wondering what scale it is in? I do know the Ertl American Graffiti T-Bird is a '56, just like the real car in the movie.

As far as the '55 kit Mr. Haihwood put a link to. That is the old AMT promo offered in kit form back in the day. It was in 1/25th scale. The only '55 T-Bird I know of ever offered in that scale. I can only assume that back in the day, AMT upgraded the tooling for the car to a '56 for 1956. Then to the '57 for '57. It was a curbside model with no engine.

AMT also did both the '55 and '57 Thunderbirds in 1/16th scale back in the 70's. The '57 was basically nothing more than their 1/25 scale kit in a larger scale. Really no better detail, despite the larger scale. Though you did get opening doors and crude looking spark plug wires. Bought one once. I liked the 1/25 scale version better. Their 1/16 scale '55 was identical to the '57 other than it being a '55. One thing I do remember liking in that kit was the option of '55 Mercury station wagon taillights. Despite that, I built mine with the stock taillights.

AMT's and Monogram's T-Birds are both fine kits. They have satisfied my needs for a '56 and a '57 Thunderbird in those scales. The one I'd love to see done in 1/25th scale is the '55. I wasn't around in 1955 to buy the one offered then.

Scott

Edited June 8, 2014 by unclescott58

[ScaleDale]

The American Graffiti kits are good. I used one for a drag car and liked it so much that I hunted for a replacement to keep for a stock build. It's still on the shelf. There is a 1:24 on the market somewhere that is horrible.

Dale

[Mike Kucaba]

The AMT/Ertl/RC2/Round2 Tbird you mention is a '56, and a very nicely done one at that.

No 1/24 or 1/25 scale '55 Thunderbird has ever been kitted.

Art

Thanks Art. As I approach the ripe old age of 65 I had a senior moment.

[unclescott58]

The AMT/Ertl/RC2/Round2 Tbird you mention is a '56, and a very nicely done one at that.

No 1/24 or 1/25 scale '55 Thunderbird has ever been kitted.

Art

No 1/24 or 1/25 scale '55 Thunderbird Art? Am I wrong on the kit Jon Haihwood posted a link to? I thought that kit was 1/25th scale for sure. But your one of the few people out there that really knows his stuff. You and Tim Boyd. So Art, what can you tell us about the kit Jon has a link posted to?

Scott

Edited June 8, 2014 by unclescott58

[Ace-Garageguy]

No 1/24 or 1/25 scale '55 Thunderbird ? Am I wrong on the kit Jon Haihwood posted a link to? I thought that kit was 1/25th scale for sure...what can you tell us about the kit Jon has a link posted to?

Scott

One of the easiest ways to distinguish between a '55 and a '56 'Bird is the absence of the rectangular fresh-air vent flaps on the sides of the front fenders...on the '55.

Though we can't see the model body in the ebay photos, the instructions depict a fender without the flap, making the model seem to be a '55...not a '56.

portholeauthority.com lists the AMT first-gen 'Bird styling kit as a '55, in 1/25 scale.

http://www.portholeauthority.com/models/kits.html

Edited June 8, 2014 by Ace-Garageguy

[Jon Haigwood]

Fir 1956 they moved the spare tire to the bumper with a Continental Kit to gain more trunk space and added the Port hole to the hardtop.

The spare on the bumper caused handling issue do to more weight behind the wheels. In 1957 they made the trunk bigger and moved the spare back inside and kept the port hole. There were other changes made to the 57 as well.

I actually prefer the rear styling on he 57 over the 55 and 56

[W-409]

Thanks everyone for the information! I will buy the Monogram kit as they can be found quite easily and the chassis detail is better than AMT's. This won't be a super detail build as it will not stay on my shelf once it's done, but I'll try to do my best with it...

[Casey]

On 6/8/2014 at 1:38 PM, Ace-Garageguy said:

One of the easiest ways to distinguish between a '55 and a '56 'Bird is the absence of the rectangular fresh-air vent flaps on the sides of the front fenders...on the '55.

At least AMT got both of those details correct on their 1/16 scale AMT '55 Thunderbird kit:

[Bainford]

I built the 1/16 '55 Bird when I was younger. It was my first big scale kit and I was disappointed. It has the same detail level as a simplified 1/25 kit, including metal axels front and rear, the front going through the engine sump. It made a nice shelf model, but the build was simple and straight forward.