52 replies to this topic

[Casey]

Here's what's inside of the 1/25 MPC '77 Chevy Chevette kit, billed as a two-in-one kit with either a Stock or Rally version possible.




The parts:




The chrome plated parts:



Decal sheet:




Body shell, hood, interior tub, chassis, and glass:




This kit includes two mechanic type figures and some other extra parts including a folding chair, card table, tent, clipboard, tool box, and checkpoint sign, to be used when building the Rally version:





One of the figures looks like a cross between Teddy Roosevelt and Waldorf from the Muppet Show:




This is a pretty typical late '70s MPC kit, which means it has more parts and an opening hood compared to its sibling promotional model, soild metal axles at both ends, and a nicely detailed body. I'm not sure if the OHC 4-cylinder is supposed to represent the 1.4L or 1.6L powerplant, but there aren't many full detail 4-cylinders available in American bi-scale car kits from the '70s, so it's unique in that respect. There are also some two-piece styrene tires (seriously) included for use with the 13" stock full hubcaps. MPC did provide some vinyl Goodyear Polyglas GT tires for use on the Rally version, and some 10-spoke, 5-lug wheels to fit inside the tires. Yes, a CB radio is included (sorry, no whip antenna nor scale tennis ball to prevent the antenna from scratching the side of the car), but the "side pipes" touted on the side panel of the box didn't seem to make the final parts cut.

[PatRedmond]

Didn't know it was coming back. Nice.

[Rob Hall]

Neat...I built that kit as a kid back in the day..still have it, in it's brushpainted glue bomb form as I built it at age 8...

[mikemodeler]

Sure would love to get one of these kits, not sure why but they have always had a soft spot in my heart.

[mspeanut]

The Driver or Mechanic looks like the dictator from North Korea

[Harry P.]

Looks like a neat little kit (if you're into Chevettes, that is... ). The extra diorama parts and figures are cool.

[Harry P.]

[midnightprowler]

Definatly want one, I've owned 2 Chevettes, a 77 and a 76.

[TooOld]

It looks like a nice kit , but why ? Did MPC sell a lot of these or did they end up on the "sale" tables ?
I'll apologize now since I'm sure I'll get blasted for that comment .
BOB .

[Michigan Madman]

It looks like a nice kit , but why ? Did MPC sell a lot of these or did they end up on the "sale" tables ?
I'll apologize now since I'm sure I'll get blasted for that comment .
BOB .

BLAST!!!!

[Ron Hamilton]

When I first started selling cars in 1978, the very first car I sold was a new Light Blue Metallic 1978 Chevette. I have one in my display case which was a built up I bought on Ebay. I would like to get two of these kits somehow to do the car right, as the one I sold was a 4-door, and MPC' Model was a two door.

[mikemodeler]

It looks like a nice kit , but why ? Did MPC sell a lot of these or did they end up on the "sale" tables ?
I'll apologize now since I'm sure I'll get blasted for that comment .
BOB .

Bob,

Those were the days of annual kits and for some strange reason, I always thought the Chevette was a neat little car. My best friend from the neighborhood had a couple of different ones and they were simple little cars to drive and maintain, if they were not abused.

I wish the couple I had back in the late 70's didn't get tossed when my Dad decided to clean the basement out one weekend but there were some other more valuable kits he tossed too! I guess it was payback for the missing tools from my bicycle building days!

[Frank]

The 1:1 was a re-badged Isuzu Gemini, they sold in Australia as a Holden Gemini

[1972coronet]

Thanks for the retro-review , Casey !

I've built a number of these when I was young (back when these annuals were new) , and , yes , they were typically in the bargain bins at the fledgling department stores ( Penney's , et al. ) .

I'd like to have one of these now a days ! I'd build it as a fictitious Baldwin-Motion Phase III !

[Joe Handley]

The 1:1 was a re-badged Isuzu Gemini, they sold in Australia as a Holden Gemini

I seem to remember seeing a variation of the Chevette on one of the earlier modern Dr. Who shows (the Dr. was being played by the villn from the second "Gone in 60 Seconds") and I thought those were sold by Opel too.

[midnightprowler]

There was a Pontiac version called the Pontiac T-1000 for at least a couple of years.

[Casey]

The 1:1 was a re-badged Isuzu Gemini, they sold in Australia as a Holden Gemini

There was a Pontiac version called the Pontiac T-1000 for at least a couple of years.

http://cars.about.co...et-Chevette.htm

"The Chevette was one of General Motors' early examples of global platform sharing. The "T-car" was developed concurrently as the Chevrolet Chevette in North America and Brazil, the Pontiac T1000 in the US and Canada, the Vauxhall Chevette in England, the Opel Kadett in continental Europe, the Isuzu Gemini in Asia and the Holden Gemini in Australia. Each model had styling and powertrains suited to each particular market. The Chevette was a success, as was the concept of global platform sharing."

[mikemodeler]

http://cars.about.co...et-Chevette.htm

"The Chevette was one of General Motors' early examples of global platform sharing. The "T-car" was developed concurrently as the Chevrolet Chevette in North America and Brazil, the Pontiac T1000 in the US and Canada, the Vauxhall Chevette in England, the Opel Kadett in continental Europe, the Isuzu Gemini in Asia and the Holden Gemini in Australia. Each model had styling and powertrains suited to each particular market. The Chevette was a success, as was the concept of global platform sharing."

And all this was a precursor to the "J" body cars that debuted in 1982 which ultimately led to the demise of the "T" car. Who could forget the wonderful FWD Cavalier from Chevy and of course the luxury version Cadillac Cimarron?!?!?!

[Casey]

And all this was a precursor to the "J" body cars that debuted in 1982 which ultimately led to the demise of the "T" car. Who could forget the wonderful FWD Cavalier from Chevy and of course the luxury version Cadillac Cimarron?!?!?!

I would say the GM H-body cars (Vega/Astre/Monza/Sunbird/Firenza/Skyhawk) were the J-body's predecessors.

[peekay]

I tend to buy more old kits than new so I'm grateful for retro reviews.
This was my first opportunity to look inside this kit and I appreciate the clear photography and text.