Revell '66 Chevelle Wagon - California Wheels

[Steve Keck]

Final assembly reminded me that parts cannot be dry-fitted too many times.
The front bumper required shaving the outside of the positioning tabs or the fenders will splay out ruining the otherwise parallel panel lines along the hood. Even after this issue is resolved the fenders will not mate with the radiator core support. The positioning tabs on the support are too wide and need to be removed as well. Dry-fitting either the bumper or core support alone will not reveal this problem until final assembly.

The exhaust pipes do rest in the general vicinity of the exhaust manifolds.

The kit provides two brake master cylinders. The steering shaft locator hole in the firewall is incompatible with the power brake booster. I suggest the end of the shaft that mounts to the fire wall be cut off and the end left to hover under the booster.

The trim piece that mounts to the hood is not the same shape as the hood. The fit can be corrected by removing most of the forward , center portion of the trim piece until only the outboard ends touch the hood.

The top of the dash sits at a severe angle. The leading edge of the dash conflicts with the windshield. Furthermore, the locating tabs that mate with slots in the interior sides are molded at the wrong angle. Close examination of the box photos reveal the problem existed way back then and was never corrected.

I’m tired of this one and on to a better one.

[Chuck Most]

I built this kit when it first came out, and I do clearly remember the issue with the hood trim piece. I don't recall the steering shaft issue, but at that time, I wasn't really into the whole 'every last detail' thing, and I probably didn't have a problem with it because I never even installed it. I don't have the model now, but it was medium green metallic, with the custom wheels. It was a pretty enjoyable build for me (other than that hood trim thing). I didn't have the dash to glass interference problem on mine, but I do remember all four wheels did not want to touch the ground without a little finagling.

[Steve Keck]

You brought up a point I forgot to mention. I too had trouble getting all four wheels to touch down. I ended up enlarging the wheel mounting hole and forcing it down by wedging a strip of styrene between the tire and the top of the wheel well.