DEORA Show Car (Camper Version) 1:25 Scale Model AMT Kit #38437 Review

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DEORA Show Car (Camper Version) 1:25 Scale Model AMT Kit #38437 Review

 

 Review and Photos by James Yeager

As the new year of 2014 dawns it’s a great time to look back at visions of the future from the past. The Deora was a concept vehicle from the 60’s that by and large was eventually brought to life in real production vehicles. The Deora was built and entered into the 1967 Detroit Autorama and has won prestigious awards such as the Ripler Award in 1967. Here is a replica of the Deora, a 1965 Dodge A100 that was customized by Mike and Larry Alexander and this kit is from AMT. The Deora has been released in several versions by Hot Wheels and released multiple times by AMT.

For The Modeler: This is an AMT kit 38437, Deora Show Car. It is a 1:25 scale Skill Level 2 kit. These models are no longer in production but they are readily available at online auctions and garage sales. The pieces are molded in; chrome, yellow, grey, clear red, clear, black vinyl tires, and waterslide decals. The finished dimensions are; 7 1/4L X 3 1/8 W X 2 1/4 H without the camper and 7 ¼ L X 3 1/8 W X 3 H with the camper in place. The decals are very fragile and extreme care must be used when test fitting etc. or they can be easily damaged.

Overall:  I enjoyed building this kit and wish they would bring back the other versions of the Deora. I was able to discover that other versions featuring special options were offered in the 60’s and 70’s. There was a tonneau and a truck bed cap that mimicked the Deora’s rear end in the early releases that seemed to have vanished. There was also a couple of ways to make the Deora a convertible. I would love it if AMT brought these features back as extra options for the builder. The clam shell is wrong compared to the real Deora and has yet to be corrected some 4 decades later. As I previously stated it would be really great if AMT brought these features back for the younger generations to enjoy as well.

  

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