Best 63 Vette coupe offeringin 1/25?

[mademan]

Has anyone built any of the offered 63 Vette coupe kits? which is the best?

I have the newest release of the AMT, however its got a molded one piece interior with seats molded in. Is the MPC version better? if anyone has build any and could give a quick review would be much appreciated.

[pharoah]

The earlier MPC 64 to 67 Vette's were different than the AMT version. Some of the parts were compatible,some weren't. MPC had separate seats,working steering and front suspension, etc. Some of the later MPC versions couldn't be built stock either.  Where the AMT kits had a one-piece chassis ,and an interior bucket with the seats molded in as you stated. The bodies were slightly different,too.To me they're all good kits. I'm sure others will chime in here about this and the Revell snap kits,too.

[unclescott58]

Read the other recent '63 Corvette reviews here. It will give you a idea about how the 1/25th scale AMT and Revell compare to each other. As note above there was never a 1/25th scale MPC '63 Corvette. They a very nice 1/16th scale one though.

Edited January 16, 2016 by unclescott58

[Snake45]

I don't think MPC ever did a '63, I think that tool first appeared as a '64. It was updated through '67 and AFAIK never backdated as the AMT one was.

The Revell kit is a curbside--closed hood and one-piece chassis. IMHO its body is more accurate than AMT's and it builds up into a very nice shelf model.

The AMT kit dates back to 1963 tooling. The body isn't 100% accurate but it's not objectionably inaccurate as some kit bodies I could name are. (It's actually a little sleeker and a little "sharper" than a real Sting Ray, IMHO, but as I said it doesn't look bad.) There are a lot more parts in the box but it still has a one-piece chassis with a wire axle through the engine. If you want to do a full-detail Sting Ray, you'll have to buy a Revell '67 for the chassis, and then you'll still need to source a good small-block for a '63 (some of the AMT pieces like valve covers and FI unit would work well).

The MPC kit's body isn't in the same league with either the AMT or Revell bodies. (I've built all three.)

[Bob Ellis]

Of the annual AMT 1963-1967 Corvette kits, I believe the convertible kits had separate seats instead of a interior bucket with seats that the hartdtops had. It might be the opposite, but I'm sure not all had one piece seat/interior.

The MPC 1964-1967 Corvettes were much more intricate. They had steerable wheels and separate rear axle parts. I had the 1966 when new. I don't think the fidelity of the body shape was as good as the AMT.

[unclescott58]

Of the annual AMT 1963-1967 Corvette kits, I believe the convertible kits had separate seats instead of a interior bucket with seats that the hartdtops had. It might be the opposite, but I'm sure not all had one piece seat/interior.

The MPC 1964-1967 Corvettes were much more intricate. They had steerable wheels and separate rear axle parts. I had the 1966 when new. I don't think the fidelity of the body shape was as good as the AMT.

Both of AMT's 63's, the coupe and the convertible, have the seats molded into the interior bucket.

[Snake45]

Both of AMT's 63's, the coupe and the convertible, have the seats molded into the interior bucket.

They didn't always. At least some of the annual roadster kits had separate seats. And I think that Modelhaus offers Corvette seats from '63 to '67. (I'd have to check to make sure, though.)

[mademan]

Thanks for taking the time to comment guys! I am going to be starting on a replica of George Barris's Asteroid 63 Corvette. I am thinking however after going through my stash and only having the AMT 63, the Revell snap kit and the Revell 67, I may just use the 67; The body is close enough, the gills on the side of the front fenders and the window splitter will be cut away and thats the main distinguishing factor

Edited January 16, 2016 by mademan

[Dave Darby]

Thanks for taking the time to comment guys! I am going to be starting on a replica of George Barris's Asteroid 63 Corvette. I am thinking however after going through my stash and only having the AMT 63, the Revell snap kit and the Revell 67, I may just use the 67; The body is close enough, the gills on the side of the front fenders and the window splitter will be cut away and thats the main distinguishing factor

Weeelllll.... Not quite. The 63's had different A pillar trim, covering the entire pillar,including the door, sort of like a convertible windshield with a hardtop added on the back. 64-67 had thinner trim that left much of the A pillar body color. You can see it in your photo. That said, a little BareMetal Foil applied the right way will cover that detail. I think you are off to a very cool project! Love that car!

[Snake45]

Mike, I think the original annual AMT '64 roadster kit had those exhausts, or something very close to them. You might be able to scare up a set of those.

http://public.fotki.com/drasticplasticsmcc/mkiba-build-under-c/amt-instructions/automotive-cars--pi/chevrolet/1961-1970/amt_64_corvette/1964_corvette_conve-6.html

[unclescott58]

They didn't always. At least some of the annual roadster kits had separate seats. And I think that Modelhaus offers Corvette seats from '63 to '67. (I'd have to check to make sure, though.)

Sorry Snake, go to the Drastic Plastic web site and look at the instructions for AMT's '63 Corvettes. I can not find one with seperate seats. Now other years I don't know. But, we were talking about 1963, and from what I can see and have seen all of AMT's '63 Vettes have seats molded into the interior bucket.

[Bob Ellis]

Unclescott58, you are probably right about the 63s interiors. I know that I have some with separate seats. Maybe 64, 66, 66 and 67s?

[Snake45]

Sorry Snake, go to the Drastic Plastic web site and look at the instructions for AMT's '63 Corvettes. I can not find one with seperate seats. Now other years I don't know. But, we were talking about 1963, and from what I can see and have seen all of AMT's '63 Vettes have seats molded into the interior bucket.

We're both kinda right. Apparently separate seats started with the '65 annual roadster. I'm pretty sure both the '66 and '67 roadster kits had 'em, too. Apparently these went away with all the reissues.

http://public.fotki.com/drasticplasticsmcc/mkiba-build-under-c/amt-instructions/automotive-cars--pi/chevrolet/1961-1970/amt-65-corvette-con/test061.html#media

Turns out the OP is interested in doing a completely custom car, which I'm assuming had a custom interior too, so 1963 accuracy isn't all that important.

[unclescott58]

Just went back to the Drastic Plastic model instruction site myself. And looked at all of the 1963 - 1967 AMT Corvette kits they had instructions for. All of the '63 - '67 AMT Corvette kits, except one, had the buckets seats molded into the interior bucket. Including the '63 and '64 convertibles. The one with seperate seats? The '65 AMT Corvette convertible.

They do not have the instructions for the '66 or '67 convertible. But, I'm willing to bet that those more than likely have the seperate buckets seats too. Interesting that the coupes, from what I could see stayed with bucket seats molded into the interior bucket. I also find it interesting that when AMT brought back the '63 convertible, they went back to the interior with the seats molded in the interior bucket.

[Johnnycrash]

Hey all,

What would you say is the best 1963 Split Window Corvette kit in 1/24 or 1/25??

Edited August 23, 2017 by Johnnycrash

[Howard Cohen]

AMT did the only one I know of in 1/25th scale. The original issue from 1963 was well done by the standards of 1963. If you wanted to super detail a 1963, you could take and AMT 1963 and the Monogram 1967, which is very well done, change the front fenders, add the rear window split, hood and a few other details to make a really nice 1963. Just don't make it look better than the original 1:1 car  I see many 1:1 cars that are over done, too many coats of clear (didn't have factory clear in 1963), body panels too straight (factory panels has slight waviness), etc.  

 

This is my original 1963 coupe that I did about 25 years ago, simple white with foil. 

[Snake45]

Having built several of each, I can tell you that the Revell Snapper has a much more accurate body shape than the AMT. But it's curbside. If you want a full-detail one, you'll have to do some kitbashing (after you cut out the hood).

[Snake45]

Here's a pair of the Revell snappers, all-stock solid red and metallic red-orange with big wheels from the snapper '57 Chevy. Both are polished plastic, no paint (except details and trim).

[shoopdog]

Here's a pair of the Revell snappers, all-stock solid red and metallic red-orange with big wheels from the snapper '57 Chevy. Both are polished plastic, no paint (except details and trim).

 Your window trim is done with Sharpies? If so I have got to give it a try, foil and I just don't get along!

[Snake45]

 Your window trim is done with Sharpies? If so I have got to give it a try, foil and I just don't get along!

The window trim on both of those is Silver Sharpie. The hood inserts are kitchen foil with Micro Metal Foil Adhesive.

[Johnnycrash]

Thanks all. Some good info there.  I'm not a big details in the brain guy on the Corvettes... But from what I can tell, the main differences between a '63 and '67 are: 1) Split rear window, 2) Fender vents, 3) Vents on the hood, and 4) B pillar vents

 

The hood would be an easy fix, just cut some holes, add PE. The fender vents are simple to construct. The B pillar vents would be a little more trouble, but could be swapped out from another kit. I guess the window split could be done the same way.

[Exotics_Builder]

Thanks all. Some good info there.  I'm not a big details in the brain guy on the Corvettes... But from what I can tell, the main differences between a '63 and '67 are: 1) Split rear window, 2) Fender vents, 3) Vents on the hood, and 4) B pillar vents

 

The hood would be an easy fix, just cut some holes, add PE. The fender vents are simple to construct. The B pillar vents would be a little more trouble, but could be swapped out from another kit. I guess the window split could be done the same way.

Well, if detailing, the 63 had drum brakes and 67 discs on all fours.  And the 63 had only small block 327 engines, the Revell 67 is a BBC.  The master cylinder of the 67 is proportioning, the 63 is not.

[Zoom Zoom]

I had a blast building these from the Revell snap kit; if you don't need an engine it's a very nice kit. The stock one has a few modifications, the race version a few more. Both used VRM's decals, there were extra emblem decals (amazing...chrome base layer and you add color layers on top) for the stock version which I built after the race version.

[Snake45]

Thanks all. Some good info there.  I'm not a big details in the brain guy on the Corvettes... But from what I can tell, the main differences between a '63 and '67 are: 1) Split rear window, 2) Fender vents, 3) Vents on the hood, and 4) B pillar vents

 

The hood would be an easy fix, just cut some holes, add PE. The fender vents are simple to construct. The B pillar vents would be a little more trouble, but could be swapped out from another kit. I guess the window split could be done the same way.

Rockers are different. Nameplates are different. All emblems are different. Interior upholstery is different. Wheels are different. And then there are all the mechanical differences.

A nice full-detail '63 SW is definitely do-able. It's just a matter of how many other kits you want to sacrifice to do it.

[Ron Hamilton]

In my humble opinion Historic Racing Miniatures does a fantastic 63 Corvette Split Window transkit to be combined with the Revell 1967. It's not cheap, but it is far better than anything else out there. It has a correct set of KH Aluminum  Knockoff wheels, and a correct  Fuelie Intake. You are on your own for the chrome  and aluminum  plate. Combined with either the VRM Corvette decals, or the Model Car World Photoetch, and an accurate Factory color, and  a beautiful  replica can be  had.