'61 Corvette Conversion

[Snake45]

Let's say I want to build a '61 Corvette, just to use up one of those wretched too-small-headlights AMT '62 bodies (so please don't suggest I start with Revell's "new" '62). I think some here have built such a conversion. I have two questions:

1. What's the best kit, as far as fit and mating, to use for the front half of the car, the old MPC '60, or the Revell "California Wheels" '58? I have both on hand, already paid-for.

2. Is there any particular "best way" to do this, i.e., what's the best place to make the cut? The rear of the door line? A bit ahead of it, on the door but behind the cove? Somewhere behind the door?

[Mark]

I've seen one done with an old Revell multiple-piece-body '59.  As I recall, the AMT '62 rear half was pretty much cut so as to fit the Revell body minus its original rear section.  Between those two kits and a Model Car Garage photoetch set, you should be well on your way with the body.  After doing that much work, you'll probably want a better chassis though.

[Len Woodruff]

I would take the Revell 59 and graft the rear of the Revell 62 to it. 

[Snake45]

I would take the Revell 59 and graft the rear of the Revell 62 to it. 

That would defeat the whole purpose of the exercise, which is to use up an AMT '62 body.

[Len Woodruff]

Sorry I missed that.

[Snake45]

It's not that I'm a big fan of the '61, or really need one, it's just that I don't care for rear end of the '58-'60 Corvettes (the real car, not any particular kit) nor the front end of the AMT '62. I'm wondering if it's possible to combine the two to make a '61, which I like.

I know how to swap the front end onto a complete AMT '62 body to make a good '62, but with the nice new Revell kit, that's kind of a waste of time.

Maybe I'll swap a '57 front end onto the AMT '62 body to make a phantom single-headlight, Sting Ray-reared Vette. That might be interesting.

[pack rat]

Snake; have you considered modifying the trim on the '62 body instead of the cutting/splicing?

Here's one I did years ago.  It's an original-issue "Sock It To Me" '62 combined with a '61 promo interior bucket, and a trunklid and headlight bezels from an original 61/62 annual.

The only tedious part of the conversion was the removal of the vertical grille-like moldings in the coves the '62 body.  The rest of the conversion was basically adding evergreen strip styrene (although that extreme curve at the rear of the coves was tough).  

It's not a show piece, but I was sick of trying to find a decent '61 at the time, and had an abundance of '62's.        

[gtx6970]

Im not a corvette guy so dont laugh.

But whats the difference between a 61 and a 62 Vette

 

[Snake45]

Snake; have you considered modifying the trim on the '62 body instead of the cutting/splicing?

Here's one I did years ago.  It's an original-issue "Sock It To Me" '62 combined with a '61 promo interior bucket, and a trunklid and headlight bezels from an original 61/62 annual.

The only tedious part of the conversion was the removal of the vertical grille-like moldings in the coves the '62 body.  The rest of the conversion was basically adding evergreen strip styrene (although that extreme curve at the rear of the coves was tough).

It's not a show piece, but I was sick of trying to find a decent '61 at the time, and had an abundance of '62's.       

Very nice! You do nice work!

[Snake45]

Im not a corvette guy so dont laugh.

But whats the difference between a 61 and a 62 Vette

 

The major visual difference is in the coves. The '61 has the little chrome splitters coming out of the "vent," and the '62 has a big chrome vent piece there. And the '62 has chrome rocker panel trim, and the '61 doesn't.

Also, most (if not all) '61s have chrome trim around the cove, and the cove is a second color. Most (if not all) '62s don't have that chrome, and the body is all one color. (Two-tone with the trim might have been an option, I'll have to check that out.)

I just want to combine the decent AMT '61-'62 back end with a better front end of some kind. And since there's now a good '62 kit available (Revell), I thought I might as well go for a '61.

[Mark]

Two-tone wasn't available on a '62.  The '61 had the trim around the cove to facilitate two-tone paint jobs, '62 eliminated that trim.  I'm pretty sure, too, that the second color in a two-tone was limited to the coves (but not the hard top).

[Snake45]

Two-tone wasn't available on a '62.  The '61 had the trim around the cove to facilitate two-tone paint jobs, '62 eliminated that trim.  I'm pretty sure, too, that the second color in a two-tone was limited to the coves (but not the hard top).

I did some quick research after my last post and I believe you are correct on all points.

[Snake45]

Just scored an old AMT '59 very reasonably. I think it might be the best body to combine with the '62 to make a '61. More after I've had a better look at the two together.

[Ace-Garageguy]

Just scored an old AMT '59 very reasonably. I think it might be the best body to combine with the '62 to make a '61. More after I've had a better look at the two together.

I'm in the process of grafting an AMT '59 nose on to an AMT '62 as we speak.

Photos shortly.