The much-anticipated AMT 1/25 scale 1960 Ford F-100 pickup plastic model kit is here! An all-new tooling based on the original kit, the main difference in parts breakdown from the original is the two-piece cab and bed, separate front grille, and bumper with a gravel shield. Subtle differences include eliminating holes for the side emblems on the hood and a correct license plate opening under the tailgate. You’ll find additional parts for stock, a service truck, or custom builds.
The engine consists of only nine parts, with the chrome intake manifold and heads molded as a single piece, as are the triple Stromberg-style carburetors and air filters. The water hose is shown in this step, but it is easier to add once the engine is in the bay.
The eight-part interior provides an optional tachometer and a choice of column or floor shifter. Other optional parts include a fire extinguisher, under-dash gauges, and a dash-mounted rear-view mirror. The clutch, brake, and accelerator are molded to the floor. Separate door panels would have been nice for easier detailing, rather than molded as part of the tub. Unlike the original kit, this new one provides a separate bench seat.
With only nine parts, I found the chassis basic and toylike. The front and rear suspension, mufflers, and pipes are all molded on. You have two wheel options, one of them chrome plated. For the stock wheel, I cut off the huge flanges designed to fit inside the tires. It was extremely difficult to insert the wheels into the tires, but fortunately, the fit is still very good after cutting the flanges off. (Ed. Round 2 informs us that soaking the tires in hot water first eases inserting the wheels into the tires.)
Moving to the cab, the engineering for the front and rear glass was terrific. Pins molded into the roof not only make the attachment for the glass strong, but hidden, too. Convenient locator pins secure the firewall to the engine bay and the radiator to the front body panel. The horn and battery are separate parts, as is the chrome gas cap.
The interior tub fits into a slot on the cab body and firewall making installation a breeze. The cab and interior mount to two posts on the chassis. Notches on the fender walls allow the bed to fit firmly onto the chassis.
You get four clear lenses for the headlights, and the chrome emblems are nicely detailed. The rear lights are molded in clear red, so there is no need to paint them. Remove the chrome from the tabs on the sideview mirrors for secure installation.
The trailer consists of 25 parts, not counting the tires. No problems building it!
The decal sheet provides dash gauges, interior badging, and cool, custom graphics. It also provides markings for the service version, license plates, and small odds and ends.
Should you want to customize your F-100, the kit provides lake pipes, fender skirts, spotlights, antennas, hood louvers, custom grille bar, custom taillights, and a tonneau cover for the bed (I used the latter for my stock build). There are plenty of other ancillary parts for the service truck, like a toolbox, gas can, and wrenches.
I had a ton of fun building the AMT 1/25 scale 1960 Ford F-100 pickup plastic model kit. There are a few differences from the original kit that make this one a little better, and it builds magnificently. If you love making truck models, I guarantee this pickup will hit the mark for you.