Has Anyone Built This Kit? Quality? MPC 1960 Corvette

[AC Norton]

Build this one when it was last issued with all the parts back in the box. I always liked the original box art and will most likely buy it again just for that! 

 

.......just noticed this after all this time,,,,great box art build, Jesse....looks so neat and inspires me to build mine...terrific piece,,, the Ace.....

[Daddyfink]

.......just noticed this after all this time,,,,great box art build, Jesse....looks so neat and inspires me to build mine...terrific piece,,, the Ace.....

Thank you, Sir! 

[MrObsessive]

I have this kit (the gold car box art), and in a lot of respects to my eyes it looks better than Revell's new tool '58-'59 kits. The only thing throwing things off is that side cove shape. IMO the front end of MPC's '60 looks better, especially the grille area. If I ever build this, I'd probably someway combine the two............use MPC's body, and kitbash it with Revell's new tool '58 running gear with the other bits and pieces. 

Revell's old '60 kit (or is it '59?..........I'm confused!), while not a bad kit with the multi-piece body appears to have too flat front fenders looking at the body from a side view. I've seen these built-up and they're quite nice though when built well.

Now THAT is a GREAT looking model!!   

[AC Norton]

Thank you, Sir! 

hey again, Jesse.....SIR was my dad,,,,but Ace is fine...lol.....maybe when I get my knighthood it will fly, but I haven't been called yet.....lol....anyhow, bought another 60 Vette today, my second, with a few other kits, and between wrestling my 68 Road Runner to submission, I've been playing and test fitting parts from the Vette.  this old gal just calls to some of us older guys that may have built one when the original was current, as I did. my aunt and uncle from Barstow Cal. were visiting up here in the summer of 69, and they brought it for me as one of my many gifts. I built it with the dual carb set up, open wheels, and hardtop after spraying it with AMT paint, color was a bronze metallic.....I loved it, and can't wait to dive into another one. again, thanks for sharing that photo, its one of my fondest car kit  memories ever........the Ace.....

Edited May 7, 2016 by AC Norton
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[Bob Ellis]

AS a kid in 1966 and 1970 or so. , the MPC COrvette kits were more picky in the assembly. The AMTs fit better. Maybe I would feel differently about those kits today

[gtx6970]

I have this kit (the gold car box art), and in a lot of respects to my eyes it looks better than Revell's new tool '58-'59 kits. The only thing throwing things off is that side cove shape. IMO the front end of MPC's '60 looks better, especially the grille area. If I ever build this, I'd probably someway combine the two............use MPC's body, and kitbash it with Revell's new tool '58 running gear with the other bits and pieces. 

Revell's old '60 kit (or is it '59?..........I'm confused!), while not a bad kit with the multi-piece body appears to have too flat front fenders looking at the body from a side view. I've seen these built-up and they're quite nice though when built well.

Now THAT is a GREAT looking model!!   

Ditto

[tim boyd]

Mine from this kit...box stock except for the wheels/tires (Revell '32 Ford 3W) and lowered front ride height....more pix.....TIM 

 

[Hemifan]

Though in my opinion the kit is not up to the level of the newer tool '58 and '59 R-M Vettes (not just from the cove aspect, but the overall side profile) the wealth of building options and nostalgia factor make it a winner for me. As usual, Tim makes it look sharp -- and the copper and white-coved beauty by Jesse above, is a gem -- to me, that type of build is the ultimate that could be achieved from this particular kit.

[Bob Ellis]

Though in my opinion the kit is not up to the level of the newer tool '58 and '59 R-M Vettes (not just from the cove aspect, but the overall side profile) the wealth of building options and nostalgia factor make it a winner for me. As usual, Tim makes it look sharp -- and the copper and white-coved beauty by Jesse above, is a gem -- to me, that type of build is the ultimate that could be achieved from this particular kit.

True the old kits gave more optional stuff!

[AC Norton]

.......while some paint and such is drying on my 68 Road Runner that I am presently building, I have been eyeballing and messing around with my new issue MPC 60 Vette, and an MPC 56/57 Vette original I just got in. they are up next after I complete this 'bird , and even though I have owned these 2 kits over the years, and built the 60 vette in 1969 when current, these still give me that buzz they did then. the options alone, not to mention the creative possibilities with either of these are amazing.... my builds will be of a 60s era drag team pair, classed in NHRA  Sports Production classes, one with injectors or maybe the blower and low windscreen,,,the other a hardtop with dual carbs and open wheels and the like....can't wait to jump in to them, maybe the newer issue Vette kits are supposedly better, but i'll have more of these , please...lol....the Ace.................

[Snake45]

 these still give me that buzz they did then. the options alone, not to mention the creative possibilities with either of these are amazing.... .the Ace.................

I feel ya, my brother, I feel the same way about these kits. Been rounding up original '57 pieces and plan to do a very cool street cruiser with that. Not a huge fan of the '60 Vette but the kit is cool and I'm thinking of bashing it together with an AMT '62 to make a '61, which I do like....

[AC Norton]

I feel ya, my brother, I feel the same way about these kits. Been rounding up original '57 pieces and plan to do a very cool street cruiser with that. Not a huge fan of the '60 Vette but the kit is cool and I'm thinking of bashing it together with an AMT '62 to make a '61, which I do like....

I was just working on my 68 'runner a few minutes ago, and at the same time once again playing with both the 60 and 57 MPC vettes between work stints.....boy, do I love these two, always have....taping one partially together with the rag top, wide whites up front, and MH biters on the rear, accompanied with the steel open wheels in both kits, you can just see the flagman jumping up to start a pair of mod sports  down the quarter, slicks putting down a haze of gray smoke as the fans gawk from the fence .....they are next, once my bench gets a clean up, Richard....the Ace...

[Robberbaron]

OK guys, maybe it was mentioned and I missed it, or maybe some of you guys know because you experienced these kits when they were first released.  I keep seeing discussion that the '60 Vette is heavily based on a '56/'57 version that was released first.  Did that '57 body get butchered to make the gasser version, and therefore that factory stock version is gone forever?  I don't remember ever seeing a factory stock MPC '57 Vette reissued.

Seems like the kind of thing MPC would have done. (I suppose it's not as big of a deal since AMT/Ertl released their new tool '57 back in the '90s)

[pack rat]

OK guys, maybe it was mentioned and I missed it, or maybe some of you guys know because you experienced these kits when they were first released.  I keep seeing discussion that the '60 Vette is heavily based on a '56/'57 version that was released first.  Did that '57 body get butchered to make the gasser version, and therefore that factory stock version is gone forever?  I don't remember ever seeing a factory stock MPC '57 Vette reissued.

Seems like the kind of thing MPC would have done. (I suppose it's not as big of a deal since AMT/Ertl released their new tool '57 back in the '90s)

AMT/Ertl reissued a stock version of the MPC '57 in the 80's/90's as part of a set.  My memory is a little hazy, but I believe the only deviation from the original was the too-large rear wheel openings that had been opened up for slicks back in the gasser days and never corrected.

         

[AC Norton]

OK guys, maybe it was mentioned and I missed it, or maybe some of you guys know because you experienced these kits when they were first released.  I keep seeing discussion that the '60 Vette is heavily based on a '56/'57 version that was released first.  Did that '57 body get butchered to make the gasser version, and therefore that factory stock version is gone forever?  I don't remember ever seeing a factory stock MPC '57 Vette reissued.

Seems like the kind of thing MPC would have done. (I suppose it's not as big of a deal since AMT/Ertl released their new tool '57 back in the '90s)

Robert, to the best of my knowledge the 56/57 vette MPC  came out again in the early 80s by MPC as the Velvet Vette issue, molded in silver, and containing most, but not all of the stock items from the original. it did not have stock wheel covers or stock tires, but did have the hard top and conv. top options. the hood was also gasser style, cut out for for the ram tubes, and I don't think the stock hood or basic intake and carb was in there either. now, even though I have the original 56/57, I don't have other issues to compare. as for the many flip nose 57 Vettes and 60 Vettes, , I think they were a different mold altogether. I also will mention that the current MPC 60 Vette  that was released a few months back has all its original parts, not to mention some of the 56/57 pieces on the trees as well...........hope all this may help.....the Ace....

[AC Norton]

AMT/Ertl reissued a stock version of the MPC '57 in the 80's/90's as part of a set.  My memory is a little hazy, but I believe the only deviation from the original was the too-large rear wheel openings that had been opened up for slicks back in the gasser days and never corrected.

         

good point,Mike, I forgot about that issue, and did not know about the wheel openings being cut.....I was responding to Roberts question when you were making this point....best, the Ace..........

[Snake45]

AMT/Ertl reissued a stock version of the MPC '57 in the 80's/90's as part of a set.  My memory is a little hazy, but I believe the only deviation from the original was the too-large rear wheel openings that had been opened up for slicks back in the gasser days and never corrected.

         

I have one of those sets but have never opened it. Will have to see if  can dig it out and confirm about the wheel openings.

[Don Sikora II]

AMT/Ertl reissued a stock version of the MPC '57 in the 80's/90's as part of a set.  My memory is a little hazy, but I believe the only deviation from the original was the too-large rear wheel openings that had been opened up for slicks back in the gasser days and never corrected.

         

MPC issued the stock '57 as part of the Corvette Collector Series set with the '75 convertible and '85 coupe. This was pre-Ertl, but the set carried on into the Ertl era. Don't think this issue of the '57 had all the original's custom parts, but I do remember it having stock hub caps and think you're right about the rear wheel openings. I have one squirreled away someplace, but haven't looked at it in a long time. This issue came maybe two or three years after the Velvet Vette that Ace mentioned.

[Junkman]

You can slag me as much as you want, but IMO that Revell multipiece thing of yore can still hold its own, when it comes to shape and porportions.

[Dave Darby]

You can slag me as much as you want, but IMO that Revell multipiece thing of yore can still hold its own, when it comes to shape and porportions.

I couldn't agree more. That's why I have several extras. Until the Pro Modeler/Revell 58-59 came out, I think it was the best solid axle Vette out there. Still is IMHO, as long as you don't flip it over, or open the hood.

[stavanzer]

I've never had the older Revell '60 Vette. I may have to get one, based on what has been said here.

I do know the the engine is junk, however. I got one in a box of parts years ago, and the only worthwhile parts were the valve covers.

Edited May 21, 2016 by alexis
spelling errors

[Mark]

AMT/Ertl reissued a stock version of the MPC '57 in the 80's/90's as part of a set.  My memory is a little hazy, but I believe the only deviation from the original was the too-large rear wheel openings that had been opened up for slicks back in the gasser days and never corrected.

         

All MPC '57 Corvette kits, including the first issue, have the radiused rear wheel openings.

[louie]

Just wondering if anyone could answer a couple of questions about the MPC 57 corvette. What kit was the first issue and what year and has it always been based on a gasser or Drag car. I know that in 85 in the collecter 3 car kit.  The 57 was stock but besides that I was wondering if it was stock in the begining. I remember (a little bit ) reading about these corvettes in a Tim Boyd article but cannot seem to recall the whole story. Thank you.    Jeff 

[Mark]

The first issue of MPC's '57 Corvette was in 1966.  Molded in white/off-white, seven versions (many of them using the same optional parts as the '60, first issued two years later).  A stock version was included, but the rear wheel openings on the body have been radiused from day one.  The first issue was called a "1956/57".  MPC included unplated headlight buckets (main visual difference on a '56) in addition to the plated ones.

[AC Norton]

Just wondering if anyone could answer a couple of questions about the MPC 57 corvette. What kit was the first issue and what year and has it always been based on a gasser or Drag car. I know that in 85 in the collecter 3 car kit.  The 57 was stock but besides that I was wondering if it was stock in the begining. I remember (a little bit ) reading about these corvettes in a Tim Boyd article but cannot seem to recall the whole story. Thank you.    Jeff 

.....all what Mark mentioned, loaded with parts as the 60 MPC Corvette is as well, great piece for building a Bonneville salts car, or an early sports/ production drag car of various types. most of the goodies are the same from the 60 vette, but there are a few differences. I just got the original 56/57 last week, but have owned a couple thru the years. once I get a camera, I will photo all of the kit, compare it with the new/ old 60 vette to open yet more discussion...lol....best, the Ace....