Inside the WB roof (left) has no detail, while the Jr. The WB's window has an inaccurate "tunneled" appearance. top's window shape is better compared to photo of the real car, with the sides tapering in at the top, though the distance between the bottom edge of the window and the bottom edge of the roof is more correct on the WB top. Here's a comparison of the rear of each top, with the WB top on the left and Jr. Note how narrow the Wonder Bird top (left) is at the front vs. Here you can see the difference across the front edges of the roof. The Wonder Bird top is an identical molding as that in the "Vegas" issue kit (the most recent one I have) and, I believe, most, if not all, reissues of the old Trophy kit since the '60s. It's shown here compared with a top from a later 1960s "Wonder Bird" issue of the Trophy Series 'Bird, which was also molded in red. The big difference is in the optional hardtop, which appears to be unique to this kit. One important detail difference for stock '57 T-bird and '57 Ford fans is that the center of the wheel covers (left) have "FORD" lettering, unlike those in the original Trophy Series kit (right). In this case they're too long, needing about 1/8" cut off to achieve a sensible track width. One feature I like, having foiled a few horn rings, is the cleanly molded, chrome plated steering wheel! Note that the screws common in most AMT kits of the period have been replaced by pins molded onto the chassis.Īxles are the thicker splined variety seen in other Junior and Craftsman series kits. Included in the "highly detailed basic parts" is the stuffed hound dog seen in a couple other early '60s AMT kits! kit, which has an unusually clean box design which appeals to those of us in the graphic arts! This model was also released as a Craftsman kit, molded in pale blue. After receiving it and taking a look, I thought the differences were at least interesting enough to share with you guys. After seeing a listing with better than average photos I decided to buy one and see if it might be a better way to go for the build I'd been thinking about. Not only that, but the top looked different as well. Looking at these kits closer it appeared that their molded-on windshield frame was more accurate in appearance in these simpler kits than that in the other kit. Searching for a good example of the kit on ebay occasionally turned up another '57 'Bird by AMT in the Craftsman series or the "Custom Jr." series. ![]() So, with an increasing desire to build a '57 T-bird, I started considering ways to improve the windshield frame and the top in the former Trophy Series kit. I've looked into adapting the better windshield from AMT's later '56 T-bird but it seems a bit too large (as does the kit overall, except for the engine, which seems too small.) Later issues, with increasing amounts of flash and a decidedly strange-looking optional hardtop haven't helped. While I fondly remember building AMT's Trophy Series '57 T-bird "Advanced Customizing Kit" with all those cool parts and the all-chrome engine when I was a kid, since I've grown up (using the term loosely) it's a kit that has bugged me with its clunky and oddly raked chrome windshield frame.
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