The Kit

This review is for the AMT “Phantom” custom Ford van. The model is based on the Ford E-150 Econoline van. The kit comes packaged in a standard box with an artist rendering of the model on the top and sides. Inside you find the sprues molded in white and chrome, with a clear sprue and two sets of soft rubber tires. Also there are optional custom port windows molded in clear and a smoke tint.

The kit can be built as a stock service type van or a custom. For the stock version, you get chromed stock-looking wheel covers and narrow no-name tires. The custom option has wide Goodyear tires, Keystone ranger spoke wheels molded in white, custom bar grille with rectangular headlights, side mount exhaust, front spoiler, wheel flares, a mural of a graveyard at sunset, and three styles of custom port windows molded in clear and smoke tint. The port windows are teardrop, diamond, and kidney shaped.

The instruction sheet is illustrated well enough. The placement of some parts is vague. The instruction sheet is divided into eight sections; each section has a numbered assembly sequence. The parts are not numbered on the instruction sheet or on the parts trees. There are also no color suggestions for painting.

The Build

The assembly process begins with the motor. It represents a 351ci V8 and looks good once assembled. Spark plug wiring, hoses, etc. would make it more convincing, but really, once the model is assembled, you don’t see much of the motor anyway. Parts fit for the engine presented no problem and went together easily.

The build up of the chassis is next. The frame and floor pan are separate. You begin with the rear suspension. It is a conventional straight axle with leaf springs; you get optional axle blocks to raise the suspension for the custom version. The front suspension is stock and represents Ford’s twin I-Beam suspension. The custom wheels do not fit the tires; they are too small and will need to be modified. I chose to use a set from my spare parts box. The bumpers and side exhaust mount to the chassis and the spoiler mounts to the front bumper. The instruction sheet calls for adding these parts during final assembly but they can be added at this stage without interfering with final assembly.

The interior is sparse. The interior door panels, center console, and floor pan are molded as a single piece. The only seating options are high back captains chairs with optional armrest. The dash is nicely molded and will benefit from careful detail painting. You get the choice of a stock two-spoke or custom three-spoke steering wheel. The front portion of the interior floor pan has molded rubber mat detail. The back half has an empty cargo van look.

The body is nicely molded and the body lines and scale seem to match vans of the era. Watch for mold lines on the A pillars running from the roofline and all along the front fenders. My example had minimal flash. The wheel flares fit nicely and give the van a custom look. The clear glass pieces fit well and are mounted from the inside. The glass for the rear doors is a single piece that spans both windows. There are red-tinted pieces for the taillights, but the headlights are molded in the grille. I chose not to use the custom port windows or the roof vent.

The decal sheet is small; it includes the graveyard mural, the “Phantom” decal in large yellow letters, and three smaller versions in white, red, or purple. You also get two sets of license plates, for Michigan and California. The instruction sheet does not show the placement of the decals and the box art only show the graveyard mural. The decals went on without a hitch. They are thin, opaque and fit nicely.

Final Assembly

After the glass is installed, you have three sub-assemblies: the chassis, the floor pan/interior, and the body. Final assembly was a breeze. The floor pan mounts to the chassis with mounting pins and the body slipped over the entire assembly with ease. The kit builds into a fine looking model.

I would like to thank AMT/Round2 and IPMS for the opportunity to review this model.