Early competitors ĪMT was the most successful company in the mid-1950s to mold accurate plastic models in 1:25 scale and sell them to auto manufacturer dealerships, but it was not the first promotional automobile model maker.ĪMT 1959 Mercury 3-in-1 kit. Continental Plastics in Fraser, Michigan, was one of the companies contracted to mold AMT's models. Model design was kept in-house, but molding was outsourced.
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In the early 1950s day-to-day operations of the company were turned over to George Toteff so that Gallogly could better attend to his law firm. The company's first commercial products were pre-assembled plastic promotional models, which were only available through automobile dealerships, Often, official factory paint colors were applied to the models. They had metal chassis and diecast metal chrome-plated bumpers, which were later replaced with chrome-plated plastic. These promos often had wind-up motors which could not be seen through the shiny silver-tinted windows. For example, AMT's 19 Ford and Plymouth sedans were its first plastic models, along with the 1950 Studebaker coupe. Different colors of plastic could now be used, so the company name was quietly changed to AMT, which deemphasized the word "aluminum". After the first Ford aluminum promotional model was offered, aluminum was abandoned.
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In 1949, injection plastic molding became available. After issuing successful Ford sedan models, the company set up shop on Eight Mile Road outside Detroit. Gallogly's first model was a 1947–1948 Ford Fordor sedan made of cast aluminum and painted with official Ford paint. Because Gallogly had solid connections with Ford Motor Company, he was able to place his first models exclusively in Ford dealerships, starting a long promotional relationship.