Snake45 Posted January 14, 2017 Posted January 14, 2017 (edited) AMT '70 Corvette snapper—basically, an unassembled promo. I don't remember when or where I bought it, but the box, with some crush damage, is marked “$7 AS IS—NO RETURN.” A minor flood in my basement in 2010 further damaged the box, instructions, and decals. But when I finally got the urge to build the thing, I found all the parts were present and the only damage was a small crack in the body above the left side of the front bumper. I fixed this as best I could with liquid cement, and didn't have to resort to touching it up with a dab of paint. If you look closely, you MIGHT be able to see it in these pics. This is another one for my Polished Plastic collection. The nice red styrene was polished out with Walmart Trim nail sticks and Wright's Silver Cream. I went with tan interior to keep a black headliner from showing through and darkening the red in the roof area. I was able to use the water-damaged kit license plate decals by just cutting them out and white-gluing them on, backing paper and all. (I often do this even with non-damaged license plate decals.) Rocker panel trim is kitchen foil and Micro Metal Foil Adhesive. Window trim is my beloved Silver Sharpie. Small trim is Testor Chrome Silver. The biggest pain in this build was the chrome trim on the taillights. If I were to do it again, I would just foil the entire lens and then flow Model Master Clear Red Acryl into where the red should be. BTW, the backup lights and front parking lights are Testor White Lightning pearl decanted and brushed over Testor Flat White—an experiment. Edited January 14, 2017 by Snake45
Snake45 Posted January 14, 2017 Author Posted January 14, 2017 It came out pretty well for the modest investment and a little effort. Heck, I think the unpainted $7 Wonder can even hold its own sitting next to a $100+ Franklin Mint '68, more or less—don't you?
bbowser Posted January 14, 2017 Posted January 14, 2017 Great looking "coke bottle", one of my favorite years as well.
espo Posted January 14, 2017 Posted January 14, 2017 Great looking build, excellent detail on the trim.
JerseyRed Posted January 15, 2017 Posted January 15, 2017 Given my choice I think I'd take the RED one. Nice job!
Robberbaron Posted January 15, 2017 Posted January 15, 2017 I also like the snapper better! Nice job.I think Round 2 is missing the bus by not reissuing some of those Snap Fast Plus kits that they did in the '90s. Supposedly, the Revell snappers are money making machines for them.Round 2 could follow the same page using these Vettes, the snap '66 Fairlane, etc. Might even get more of their stuff on the shelves at places like Meijer (ones around here currently carry Revell almost exclusively, except the Polar Lights Ecto 1).
Snake45 Posted January 15, 2017 Author Posted January 15, 2017 Thanks for all the kind words, everyone!I forgot to mention one other major PITA with this model: Final assembly. The thing is extremely well engineered for fit. You have to get everything in exactly the right place, and then it all fits perfectly and snaps right into place. But it might take you five or six attempts to get that chassis into the body (with interior) before you hit on the right combination. It kind of reminded me of trying to put a Ruger .22 automatic pistol together after you've taken it apart--there are a couple dozen wrong ways to do it, but only one right way, and sometimes you just have to keep at it till you get it right.It made me feel sad for the poor Chinese workers who had to build the promos. Imagine trying to accomplish that feat dozens if not hundreds of times a day. I guess if you did enough of them, you'd get to where you could hit the sweet spot first time, every time.
Plastic_Passion Posted January 15, 2017 Posted January 15, 2017 Snake, your vette came out really nice. Hard to believe that's just polished and not painted. Your trim detail is great also. I've been wanting to experiment with foil and had read about using the kitchen foil with spray adhesive. I just haven't been daring enough. This definitely holds it own against the Franklin vette. I actually like it more than that 68. Very nice build! By the way thanks for the pointers on the trim clean up!
Snake45 Posted January 15, 2017 Author Posted January 15, 2017 I've been wanting to experiment with foil and had read about using the kitchen foil with spray adhesive. I just haven't been daring enough. This definitely holds it own against the Franklin vette. I actually like it more than that 68. Very nice build! By the way thanks for the pointers on the trim clean up!I haven't yet found a spray adhesive that doesn't spray on with a texture that will show through the finished job. I use the Micro product and just smear it on the foil with a fingertip--nothing to clean up but my finger! Oh, BTW, it helps to rough up the backside of the foil with 0000 steel wool or Scotchbrite, or else the Micro adhesive will bead up and leave bare spots.
geetee66 Posted January 15, 2017 Posted January 15, 2017 Excellent job on a snap kit. The finish is really good and looks every bit as good as the diecast.
D. Battista Posted January 15, 2017 Posted January 15, 2017 Very nice job on the Vette..! Looks good..!
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