CLICK->
An early 1967 GTO model kit by MPC. It was called The Great One. MPC was later bought out by Ertl.
This side of the box shows the custom parts you can put on your 1967 GTO model. There are different
seats, wheel covers, a funny car engine, and even a driver figurine.
There have been a lot of mergers in the plastic kit industry, mostly in the 1980's.
Who bought whom...1948 - AMT begins production of promo models for
auto manufacturer Ford Motor Company. At that time,
the promo models were made from aluminum. In fact, the
name of the company "AMT" stood for Aluminum Model
Toys! By 1949, AMT started making their models out
of injection molded plastic.
1981 - The Dyersville, Iowa company called "Ertl"
bought plastic kit manufacturer AMT and adopted the
new brand name AMT/Ertl, which they still use today
for some of their plastic kits. The Ertl company
started out as a maker of diecast farm toys back in
1945.
See the Airfix GTO on this page. This is the same year
that Palitoy, a division of the General Mills toy group,
bought Airfix of London. They then moved the Airfix
production line to France.
1984 or so - Ertl bought MPC from General Mills, but
is still issuing kits under the MPC brand name. Ertl
is a subsidiary of Kidde, Inc. The Ertl name appears
in fine print on the side of the boxes and on the
instruction sheets.
1985 - This year Ertl stops using the MPC brand name.
1986 - Revell merged with Monogram. They begin
using the brand name Revell/Monogram for their
plastic kits.
1994 - Revell bought by parent companies Binney &
Smith (the Crayola Crayon guys) and by Hallmark Cards.
They continue using the brand name Revell/Monogram.
1999 - The popular diecast maker Racing Champions
acquired the AMT/ERTL company. The name for the
company is now Racing Champions Ertl. Plastic kits
are still being released under the brand name AMT
Ertl.
1999 - The Lindberg model company was purchased by
Brynwood Partners III.
Please correct me if I'm wrong on any of those mergers. I researched the above
from the various company's web sites. CLICK->
1967 GTO model kit made by MPC. This one was molded
in blue plastic. 1/25 scale. This kit included many optional accessories
such as a supercharger for the engine, two types of wheels, customized
stripe decals, rollbar, deep racing seats, and two choices of hoods. This is
one of the few GTO models I actually own. As a kid, my interests ran
toward mostly Trans Am and Firebird models. In the second shot, you can see the
side of the box. While shopping for models, I always studied the side of the
box most carefully. The details and options are what interested me. Those
custom wheels are pretty cool. The side of the box says to look for
other exciting AMT/ERTL AND MPC/ERTL kits. CLICK->
This is the newer version of the 1967 AMT/ERTL GTO model kit.
This one is displayed stock on the box. CLICK->
In 2006 AMT/Ertl came out with this "Muscle" version. #31764.
The side of the box showing a detailed interior and 4 bbl carb on top the engine
or top o' the engine,
or topping off the engine,
or sitting on top of the engine,
or we wish there was Bill Bolin's girl sitting on top of the engine.
CLICK->
AMT/Ertl also has this Plus Packs version which comes with paints and glue. CLICK->
And a gold version! This one is displayed with the funky wheels from the first version. GTO model cars SHOPPING at eBay with this one click!
CLICK->
1967 GTO funnycar model kit manufactured by MPC. CLICK->
This is another 1967 GTO funnycar made by MPC. Neither of the first
two pictures are that great. I'm hoping someone will email me a better scan of the
box lid. CLICK->
This kit was called "Mr. Unswitchable" and featured Dick Jesse of Royal Pontiac fame.
This is the first page of the instruction manual. The real car was a dragstrip terror and
ran 8.400 sec at 165.70 MPH. CLICK->
Here is a photo of Dick Jesse along with some chrome engine parts and the plastic
version of Dick Jesse that came with the kit. CLICK->
How about a Canadian-issue GTO? This plastic kit is
made by Paramount of Montreal, Canada. It is an unusual 1/30 scale. The
unbuilt kit is motorized. It was for sale online at a place called eBay. CLICK->
This is an old Airfix GTO kit #827. As near as I can tell, Airfix usually made
motorized cars or slot cars. Airfix began in 1939 in London as a manufacturer
of rubber toys that were filled with air. Airfix was manufacturing promotional
toys, trains, and kits through the 1950's, 60's, and 70's. Then they went
bankrupt in 1981 and were bought out by a division of General Mills. This scan
was sent in by Luc Janssens in Belgium. This is a beautiful large scan of the
top of the box. I wish all the boxes on this shelf were such good quality! Mark
Nagel wrote in to say, "This kit has got to be one of the rarest GTO kits
ever. If you look at the artwork, compare it to the 1966 GTO sales brochure.
It is obviously a retouched photo of the burgundy Sports Coupe on page 3 of
that brochure." CLICK->
Here's some view of the ends and sides. One end says it is "Printed in England".
With so many building options, this plastic model kit really captures the
imagination. It can be fun to build your own race car, if only in 1/24th scale. CLICK->
This is the (folded) instruction sheet, and the decal sheet showing
all the artwork and racing logos. They include Hurst, Champion,
Valvoline, STP, Royal Pontiac, Line/Loc, Headers by Doug, Thom McAn
shoes, Drag News magazine, Bendix, NHRA, and Car Craft. CLICK->
Luc Janssens sent in these pictures of the contents of the box. CLICK->
Here is a magazine advertisement for a 1967 GTO snap together 1/43rd scale model from AMT.
They called them Mini Trophies. CLICK->
This one is a nicely detailed diecast version of a 1967
GTO. It is a Hot Wheels car. The scale is 1/64th. CLICK->
This 1967 promo model comes from Mark Nagel. It is Signet Gold in color.
This promo is interesting in that it is equipped with 8-lug wheels, which were
not available on the GTO promos (or real cars). Normally these wheels came only
on the Bonneville promos, but MPC was known to goof up once in awhile.
Contact Mark if you want to buy or trade promo cars. CLICK->
Tyrol Blue 1967 GTO convertible promo models. The first one is from Mark Nagel.
The second one is from John Witzke. CLICK->
Here is another 1967 promo model. This one is in Regimental Red.
John Witzke from Iowa points out that this model is in near
mint condition and has its original box and tissue. According to John,
the current value is $400. CLICK->
1967 GTO promo model in ultra-rare Gulf Turquoise according to John Witzke. CLICK->
This 1967 promo model is black. These were originally made by MPC back in
1967. The license plate says "1967." The bottom chassis is attached with four screws. That's not all! Why not check out
Shelf #5 ?
Here's a comment from a recent visitor...
Says Jacques Troussard (Peugeot4jacques.@yahoo.com) - "Awesome site. Helped me decide and verify my 1st GTO purchase."