Aluminum Model Toys - AMT Today

AMT Today

In 1978, British Lesney, makers of Matchbox bought AMT and moved the company to Baltimore, closing the Maple Road facility in Troy, Michigan (just outside Detroit). (Cawthon 2002). By this time, prices of plastics had increased, and Detroit was squeezed by government regulations of safety, emissions, and fuel economy. Detroit sponsored fewer and fewer promotionals, and model companies depended more on kits – but the building hobby declined as well. Also, AMT had an incredible display of models and documentary history at its headquarters that was scattered at that time (Anderson 2003).

In 1983, AMT was purchased by Ertl from Lesney, and renamed AMT/Ertl. AMT/Ertl then had a 24 year relationship until AMT was sold in 2007. For a time, AMT kits were reissued by independent companies such as Stevens International and Model King, before AMT came solidly into the stable of Round 2 LLC of South Bend, Indiana. In an ironic turn that parallels other large companies owning several brands that were previously competitors (read Mattel owning Matchbox), AMT now co-exists in the same organization alongside a revived MPC and Polar Lights. Ertl is still in the Round 2 LLC stable as "Ertl Collectibles".

In the early 1990s, AMT released brand new kits with new tooling for some of their old favorites, such as the 1955 Chevrolet Bel Air, 1966 Ford Fairlane GT, 1958 Edsel Pacer, 1960 Ford Starliner, and 1957 Chrysler 300. These kits sold fairly well and can still be found on auction sites such as eBay at reasonable prices. The details in these kits far exceeded any from the 1960s, but these were molded in a lower-quality grey styrene plastic, and did not feature whitewall tires. In the late 1990s, AMT released pre-assembled and painted versions of these kits. These assembled models were sold in the Masterpiece series, were nicely packaged in foam (not unlike heavier diecast metal Franklin Mint models) and each had a Certificate of Authenticity enclosed as well. These models were beautifully finished and featured whitewall tires along with very detailed and authentically painted engines, suspensions, and interiors, much more detailed than any promotional ever was. They were flawlessly painted in authentic factory colors as well. Models in this series included the 1960 Ford Starliner, the 1962 Chevrolet Impala SS convertible, 1962 Pontiac Cataline SD421, and the 1966 Buick Riviera along with several others. These jewel-like models can still be had for less than $30.00 today on eBay and are one of the best bargains around. As assembled kits they were factory-glued together, but the glue used appears to be of high quality and when cared for properly, they can be kept in good condition for years.

Today, Round 2 is making a determined effort to recreate some of the 1960s glory of the model car business. Reissued classics such as the 1962 Buick Electra 225 and the 1961 Ford Galaxie Skyline kits are now available with many of the original features, including whitewall tires, metal axles, chassis screws, and molded-in suspension detail. Prices for these re-issues run around $20.00, which is not unreasonable based on the value of the dollar today, versus the early 1960s.

A few 1950s and 1960s models were reproduced and sold as promotionals featuring the sturdiness of the original 1960s promos in the late 1990s and early 2000s. These included the 1966 Ford Fairlaine GT/A (based on the new tool), the 1964 Ford Galaxie 500/XL hardtop (based on the original tool), and the 1953 and 1954 Corvettes.

Today, certain AMT kits and promotionals, especially models from the 1960s, command premium prices on the collector market. Typically, original muscle car promos such as Mustangs, Pontiac GTOs, Camaros and Chevelles command prices in the hundreds of dollars in mint, boxed original condition. Even full-size models of GM cars such as Chevrolet Impalas and Pontiac Bonnevilles and Grand Prixs also garner high prices. Such models, like the reissued kits, are easily obtainable through Internet auction sites such as Ebay.