AMT 1/32 Citgo Thunderbird, previewed by Scott Van Aken

AMT 1/32 Citgo Thunderbird

KIT #:	8721
PRICE:	$8.00 from a vendor
DECALS:	One option
REVIEWER:	Scott Van Aken
NOTES:	1993 release

Morgan M. Shepherd (born October 12, 1941) is an American semi-retired professional stock car racing driver and current team owner. He last competed part-time in the NASCAR Xfinity Series, driving the No. 89 Chevrolet Camaro for Shepherd Racing Ventures. He currently owns Shepherd Racing Ventures and has Landon Cassill as a full time driver. He competed in NASCAR for over 50 years, having one of the longest careers in the sport. Shepherd became the second-oldest race winner (after Harry Gant) in 1993, when he won the spring race at Atlanta at the age of 51 years, 4 months, and 27 days. He holds the record for oldest driver to start a race in a Sprint Cup race at the 2014 Camping World RV Sales 301 at age 72.

Despite his long association with NASCAR Shepherd was not the most successful in terms of wins, scoring just 4 wins in 517 starts in the Cup series. He was more successful in the secondary series, now call Xfinity series with 15 wins in 453 starts. From 1992-1995 Shepherd drove for the Wood Brothers in their #21 car and while he ran fairly well, only had a single victory, his last, in 1993.

This kit is of Shepherd's 1993 ride when he won the Atlanta 500. It is a snap kit so the so the mounting surfaces are fairly large and the detailing isn't the same as a standard glue kit. It is also in 1/32 scale rather than 1/24th or 1/25th. However, the kit is not a curbside. There is a 12 piece engine and nicely molded suspension. Vinyl tires attach to chrome wheels and are pressed in place of suspension axle stubs.

These suspension bits and then attached to the chassis pan along with the engine. and exhaust. On the upper portion of the chassis one builds the interior which includes a seat, stick, roll cage instrument pane and steering. There is a decal for the instrument. Once the chassis/interior is completed, the body is attached. The kit has a separate hood and rear bumper along with clear bits for the windows. In order to have this kit look good when done, there is quite a bit of painting that needs to happen. Biggest is the body which has a red interior and white exterior so get plenty of masking material for this.

Instruction sheet is large and provides not only color info in generic terms, but also several tips on construction. The decal sheet is nicely done and includes all the different color trim. The sheet is glossy and a bit thick, but past experience with AMT sheets shows that it will work just fine, especially if one uses hot water.

I have to admit that I purchased this kit from the seller (along with a few others), because I wanted the body for a slot car. However, it does look like it will build into a nice model and I may well forego the robbing of it for the body and build it as intended. It does look like it will be a pleasant experience.