Scale Auto – October 2019

AMT ’77 Ford Cruising Van

60 Scale Auto • OCTOBER 2019

Round 2 No. AMT1108/12

Molded Colors: Metallic silver,

chrome, clear, clear red, vinyl

Scale: 1/25

MSRP: $31.95

Pros: Decal options; overall look

and dimensions; newly tooled

wheels

Cons: Weak instruction sheet;

thick, stubborn decals; ride height

and wheel orientation

The customized van craze
that boomed in the late
1970s prompted U.S. auto
manufacturers to push out some of
their own factory-built custom vans.
Ford’s Cruising Van offered bright
graphics, swiveling captain’s chairs,
dark-tinted porthole windows, and a
slew of other popular options.
This AMT offering is a re-release of
the original 1977 kit with some new
parts and decals. While there aren’t
photos of a built-up model on the box,
you do get a look at the new pad-
printed Firestone tires with raised white
letters and the elaborate decal sheet.
Inside, the parts require little cleanup
considering the kit’s age. There is only
one option for wheels — newly tooled

five-spoke covers. Optional custom

parts include a CB radio, spare tire and

mount, choice of two antennas, and a

roof rack.

The decal sheet gets both high and

low marks. You get

options for two different

Cruising Van paint

schemes: one for a silver

finish like on the box top;

the other for a white

finish. The stripes are

vibrant and would shine

even on a darker colored

van. However, the stripes

are thick and didn’t want

to conform to the corners

of the body even with

helpings of decal setting

solution. I applaud the inclusion of

decals for the turn signals and scripts.

Under the hood, the battery, brake

booster, master cylinder, and coolant

overflow tank are all separate pieces,

making detail painting easier.

The instruction sheet

would benefit from an update.

Seemingly unchanged since

the original release,

connection points are vague

for the power steering pump

and shocks. And considering

the effort put into providing

decals for both cruising van

versions, I would have liked

to have seen better placement

instructions. My references

show the two versions were

only sold in metallic silver,

but a list of 31 exterior and

five interior factory colors is included.

If built 100% by the book, the ride

height and wheel orientation will need

some attention. I narrowed the rear axle

⅛ inch to fit the wheels under the

fenders. Up front, I lowered the springs

and omitted the brake rotors to get the

proper look.

Despite some difficulty, the final

appearance made it all worthwhile. I

chose Ford Wimbledon white, suitable

for cruising the beach or the strip.

Without too many hurdles during

assembly, I recommend this kit for all

builders. The stripe decals, however, are

for advanced builders only.

• Jeff Bloomhuff

OPTIONAL

CUSTOM PARTS

INCLUDE A CB

RADIO, SPARE

TIRE AND

MOUNT, CHOICE

OF TWO

ANTENNAS,

AND A ROOF

RACK.