Has Anyone Built This Kit? Quality? MPC 1960 Corvette

[pack rat]

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

I stand corrected.  Funny thing is, I recently acquired a first-issue 56/57 kit and never bothered to check.  Sure enough, the wheel openings are identical to my Great Street Machines kit.  I also checked a 90's-issue flip nose '57; they're even bigger on that one.      

[louie]

.....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....

 thanks Ace. Look forward to the photos and comparison of the kits as this is a subject that I cannot get tired of.     Thank you.    Jeff 

[louie]

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.

Mark ,thanks for this information, never new about the exact history of this kit and I appreciate it.   Thank you.    Jeff 

[Snake45]

Here's a comparison of '57 Vette bodies to compare rear wheel openings. Top to bottom:

Flipnose gasser being worked on to get something usable out of it.

Out of box flipnose taped together to show how horrendous the "fit" is.

MPC stock body.

AMT '90s new kit.

The stock kit's WOs do seem to be a little bigger than the AMT's, but of course not as big as the hogged-out gasser's.

 

Edited May 21, 2016 by Snake45

[AC Norton]

Here's a comparison of '57 Vette bodies to compare rear wheel openings. Top to bottom:

Flipnose gasser being worked on to get something usable out of it.

Out of box flipnose taped together to show how horrendous the "fit" is.

MPC stock body.

AMT '90s new kit.

The stock kit's WOs do seem to be a little bigger than the AMT's, but of course not as big as the hogged-out gasser's.

 

......well, Richard, then here's the 64 thousand dollar question......the 90s issue body, and I think it has just again been reissued with a fresh wrapper, do you think most if not all of the race, salt flats, whatever goodies from the 60 vette MPC that's again current can be easily fitted to this, the so called newer piece....because that could make a perfect union if possible....I have the oldies 56/57 and the 60,,, but nothing 57 from the 90s issues to compare......thoughts,,,,the Ace....

[Snake45]

......well, Richard, then here's the 64 thousand dollar question......the 90s issue body, and I think it has just again been reissued with a fresh wrapper, do you think most if not all of the race, salt flats, whatever goodies from the 60 vette MPC that's again current can be easily fitted to this, the so called newer piece....because that could make a perfect union if possible....I have the oldies 56/57 and the 60,,, but nothing 57 from the 90s issues to compare......thoughts,,,,the Ace....

Not sure we're on the same page. The bottom body is the all-new AMT kit that was done in both stock and Pro Street versions. It has NOTHING in common with any version of the old MPC kit, and the MPC hard top (which neither version of the AMT ever had) will fit it, at least not without modifications (I've seen it done, so it CAN be, but it's a bit of a PITA).

Will any of the old MPC stuff fit the new AMT kit? Gonna be like any other kitbash/parts swap between two kits. I wouldn't assume things like windshield, hood, bumpers, etc. will be interchangeable. Engine parts and wheels/tires and goodies, like that, yeah, you should be able to adapt them one way or another.

[AC Norton]

Not sure we're on the same page. The bottom body is the all-new AMT kit that was done in both stock and Pro Street versions. It has NOTHING in common with any version of the old MPC kit, and the MPC hard top (which neither version of the AMT ever had) will fit it, at least not without modifications (I've seen it done, so it CAN be, but it's a bit of a PITA).

Will any of the old MPC stuff fit the new AMT kit? Gonna be like any other kitbash/parts swap between two kits. I wouldn't assume things like windshield, hood, bumpers, etc. will be interchangeable. Engine parts and wheels/tires and goodies, like that, yeah, you should be able to adapt them one way or another.

yeah, we're on the same page....obviously engines, wheels, tires, etc, can be made to fit.....what I wonder is things like the chopped race windshield, interior covers, hood scoop, and if some of the other pieces from the old kits would be easily useable here....but I think we are on the same page...thanks, the Ace....