AMT '63 Corvette kit

[Greg Myers]

I'm aware of the short comings of this kit, however I feel it still offers a great jumping off point for a quick fun build. I was just wondering what any of you have done with this kit.

[Snake45]

I built one stock about 25 years ago. Restored an original survivor from 1963 a couple years back. And have bought many copies of this kit, in several different boxes, for parts to restore a whole bunch of original annual '63-'67 AMT Vettes in my stash. The kit is an absolute parts mine--big and small block engines, Webers, 6-71 blower, American mags, slicks, etc. 

The Revell snapper has a more accurate shape, though. In fact, if you want to build a stocker (or don't want to change anything other than color and/or wheels/tires) and don't care about engine details, I'd recommend the Revell snapper over the AMT. 

[Exotics_Builder]

44 minutes ago, Snake45 said:

I built one stock about 25 years ago. Restored an original survivor from 1963 a couple years back. And have bought many copies of this kit, in several different boxes, for parts to restore a whole bunch of original annual '63-'67 AMT Vettes in my stash. The kit is an absolute parts mine--big and small block engines, Webers, 6-71 blower, American mags, slicks, etc. 

The Revell snapper has a more accurate shape, though. In fact, if you want to build a stocker (or don't want to change anything other than color and/or wheels/tires) and don't care about engine details, I'd recommend the Revell snapper over the AMT. 

As stated, the AMT kit is a parts bonanza.  I have the Revell Snap 63 to kitbash with their 67.  Need to drop the disc brakes for drums and a couple other things and you get a much more accurate model

 

[Renegade]

The first kit I got as a kid probably fifty years ago. Built one recently and still a great kit to me. I build straight out of the box and have enjoyed everyone I've built. I'm sure the kit has shortcomings but it looks great on my shelf.

[Mike Chernecki]

Take a look on the SAE forums for a build by an guy from Japan using the name CALKICHI1973. Amazing what he did with this kit.

[Ace-Garageguy]

If I remember correctly, the Webers are wrong. I believe they're side-drafts mounted standing up as down-drafts. All they'd do in reality is dump fuel all over the ground. As correct as mounting a Holley upside down. (Yes, I need to double check the kit to verify this statement.)

But some folks just don't care. Which is fine. For them.

Have a nice day.  

Edited December 21, 2018 by Ace-Garageguy

[Spex84]

I noticed the carb issue too--I think they're Weber DCOEs (sidedraft), which are featured in the correctly horizontal position in at least one other kit. But in the 'vette they're mounted vertically, as far as I know incorrectly. You'd want Weber IDAs for that.

//Other than that, I thought the kit was pretty sweet! Lots of extra optional parts, big block, Webers, mags, etc. I only have one though, and I'm doing some wacky stuff with it so far:

 

[dodgefever]

Aside from the Webers being wrong, the big block injection manifold has incorrect port spacing and the Hiborn blower hat (assuming that's what it was meant to represent) is way undersize too - shown here on the right, next to the one from the Revell parts pack 427 Ford.

That aside, it's a typical AMT annual but it looks fine when it's put together.  I'm building this one as a late '60s gasser, after M/SP got rolled into the gas class.

Edited December 21, 2018 by dodgefever

[Sport Suburban]

I like the kit. It is simple to build with lots of options. Looks great when finished. My only complaint is the stock knock off wheels. The wheels are fine but the knock off are horrible. As others have said its a gold mine for restoring annuals!

Edited December 21, 2018 by Sport Suburban

[Ace-Garageguy]

12 minutes ago, dodgefever said:

...That aside, it's a typical AMT annual but it looks fine when it's put together.  I'm building this one as a late '60s gasser, after M/SP got rolled into the gas class.

What you've got going looks great. I have always thought the body proportions and lines on this kit look very good at first glance, though I've never studied it carefully (and the one I have is slated to be built along lines similar to yours here).

[Snake45]

14 minutes ago, Ace-Garageguy said:

I have always thought the body proportions and lines on this kit look very good at first glance, though I've never studied it carefully 

It does look good at first glance, but a lot of that is because we've all been looking at it for 50 years and it's what we're used to seeing. It's actually a little bit sharper/sleeker than the real car. The Monogram 1/24 '65 is just the opposite, a little more bulbous or inflated looking than the real car. So is the front end of the Revell '67 roadster, but they got that under control with the '67 coupe, which has a very accurate body, as do their '63 coupe and roadster snappers. The MPC Sting Rays (most often encountered these days as the oft-reissued '67) are almost identical in body shape to the AMTs. 

[Oldcarfan27]

3 hours ago, Exotics_Builder said:

As stated, the AMT kit is a parts bonanza.  I have the Revell Snap 63 to kitbash with their 67.  Need to drop the disc brakes for drums and a couple other things and you get a much more accurate model

 

C2 Corvettes came with disc brakes, never had drums.

[Snake45]

15 minutes ago, Oldcarfan27 said:

C2 Corvettes came with disc brakes, never had drums.

Not so. I believe '65 was the first year the disks became standard, but even then they could be deleted in favor of drums for a credit (who would do that?). 

[mikemodeler]

24 minutes ago, Snake45 said:

Not so. I believe '65 was the first year the disks became standard, but even then they could be deleted in favor of drums for a credit (who would do that?). 

You are correct, 1965 was the first year for disc brakes on the Corvette; 1963 & 64 models had drum brakes on all 4 corners.

[unclescott58]

24 minutes ago, Snake45 said:

Not so. I believe '65 was the first year the disks became standard, but even then they could be deleted in favor of drums for a credit (who would do that?). 

You are correct Snake. 1965 was the first year for disc brakes on Corvette. They were standard. With the delete option of the same drums as used on the 64's. So few 65's were ordered with the drums, they not offered again from '66 on. 

There is a lot of talk about what's wrong with AMT's old '63 Vette. And there maybe there is a lot wrong with it. But, it still one of my favorite kits. I've built several over years. I love the way they look when they are done. They may not be as correct as Revell's 63's. Another kit I love. But, the Revell Vette represents a Powerglide car with air conditioning and standard wheel covers. And it's a curbside. AMT's, represents a four-speed, fuelie with aluminum wheels. Both are cool. And it's though for me to pick one over the other. Powerglide and air. I like it. But, fuel injection and nostalgia work in favor of the old AMT. It's a toss up for me. 

I'm '63 Corvette crazy. I was very happy when Round 2 reissued AMT's old 1/32 scale '63 Vette. That leaves a bit to be desired. Now I'm waiting for Round 2 to reissue the old MPC 1/16 scale '63 Corvette. Which is my opinion another very nice kit of the '63.

 

[Exotics_Builder]

2 hours ago, unclescott58 said:

You are correct Snake. 1965 was the first year for disc brakes on Corvette. They were standard. With the delete option of the same drums as used on the 64's. So few 65's were ordered with the drums, they not offered again from '66 on. 

There is a lot of talk about what's wrong with AMT's old '63 Vette. And there maybe there is a lot wrong with it. But, it still one of my favorite kits. I've built several over years. I love the way they look when they are done. They may not be as correct as Revell's 63's. Another kit I love. But, the Revell Vette represents a Powerglide car with air conditioning and standard wheel covers. And it's a curbside. AMT's, represents a four-speed, fuelie with aluminum wheels. Both are cool. And it's though for me to pick one over the other. Powerglide and air. I like it. But, fuel injection and nostalgia work in favor of the old AMT. It's a toss up for me. 

I'm '63 Corvette crazy. I was very happy when Round 2 reissued AMT's old 1/32 scale '63 Vette. That leaves a bit to be desired. Now I'm waiting for Round 2 to reissue the old MPC 1/16 scale '63 Corvette. Which is my opinion another very nice kit of the '63.

 

In my case, I am planning a full detail by opening the hood and kit bashing with the 67. 

[1930fordpickup]

5 hours ago, Spex84 said:

I noticed the carb issue too--I think they're Weber DCOEs (sidedraft), which are featured in the correctly horizontal position in at least one other kit. But in the 'vette they're mounted vertically, as far as I know incorrectly. You'd want Weber IDAs for that.

//Other than that, I thought the kit was pretty sweet! Lots of extra optional parts, big block, Webers, mags, etc. I only have one though, and I'm doing some wacky stuff with it so far:

 

This is cool Chris. 

[Lizard Racing]

I've been building AMT '63 Vettes since '63.  I agree the older releases are a bit primitive by today's standards and the newer ones are parts bonanzas.

Here are a couple of survivors:

Doug Hooper won the Riverside 3 hour race in late 1962 for the Stingray's first win.

  

Mickey Thompson put the '63 Mystery Motor in a Vette for the American Challenge race at Daytona.

Primitive as they are, a lot can be done with them.

[Tom Geiger]

I enjoyed the simplicity of the snapper.  I did this one for a club same kit contest.

[Gramps46]

This is my original AMT 1963 Split Window survivor.  I never thought the wheels were very authentic and the knockoffs as mentioned earlier are pretty bad. I just noticed the exhaust manifolds and alternator are missing, will have to fix that.  Fourteen years later I restored a 1:1

Edited December 22, 2018 by Gramps46
miss placed text

[gtx6970]

Nice builds fellas. Im not a vette guy persay, but when I see them built makes  me thinking about building some of my own

[Snake45]

18 hours ago, unclescott58 said:

Now I'm waiting for Round 2 to reissue the old MPC 1/16 scale '63 Corvette. Which is my opinion another very nice kit of the '63.

There's a guy selling one on the Hyperscale board. No price given but you can email him and ask: 

https://www.tapatalk.com/groups/hyperscale/ft-fs-cars-truck-motorcycle-in-various-scale-t501006.html

[unclescott58]

5 hours ago, Snake45 said:

There's a guy selling one on the Hyperscale board. No price given but you can email him and ask: 

https://www.tapatalk.com/groups/hyperscale/ft-fs-cars-truck-motorcycle-in-various-scale-t501006.html

Heck of a list. But I'm in no rush for this one now. The Monogram Cessna 180 floatplane is higher on my list at this time. 

[Whosurdaddy209]

On 12/21/2018 at 11:24 PM, Exotics_Builder said:

In my case, I am planning a full detail by opening the hood and kit bashing with the 67. 

It works very well but you might have to trim the rear frame and firewall side a bit. I also had to move the front wheels forward about 3mm and trim the top of the dash to clear the windshield.

[Sledsel]

I like the kit. Built it as a kid and when it came out with the same box art I built it again.

It has its short comings and some fit issues but with patience builds up to a good looking kit