Revell/Monogram Aerovette

[89AKurt]

I picked this up at the Phoenix model swap meet.  I don't see that anyone has reviewed, much less built this kit (yes I did a search, two hits).  I looked on eBay *after* I bought it, does not appear to be a sought after collectible kit, so should I open it?

[Chris in Berwyn]

If you’re planning to build it, you’ll have to open the box first.  If you’re going to resell it, I’d keep the box sealed.  

[Classicgas]

Don't open it, send it to me.?

[89AKurt]

If I sold it, would not make enough to have paid for gas to Phoenix.  LOL  People aren't asking ridiculous prices on evilBay, unlike the '67-'72 Chevy pickup kits.  Was hoping somebody else has already opened theirs, so I can see how much it sucks.

[aurfalien]

Hi,

I have it and think it's a very cool kit.

Here is a review that will help your conundrum;

 

Edited March 25, 2018 by aurfalien

[Can-Con]

15 minutes ago, 89AKurt said:

If I sold it, would not make enough to have paid for gas to Phoenix.  LOL  People aren't asking ridiculous prices on evilBay, unlike the '67-'72 Chevy pickup kits.  Was hoping somebody else has already opened theirs, so I can see how much it sucks.

I have one, it's quite a nice, detailed kit. 

[Richard Bartrop]

I got one when it was on sale a couple of years back.  The body looks right, which is the most important thing.  It looks It will be a bit of a challenge to get the chassis on if you want to assemble the body fits, but it looks doable.

[Casey]

I bought one dirt cheap on eBay a few years ago, but didn't find anything inside worth using for parts. I was hoping the transaxle setup would be better than it was, and the SBC isn't anything special, either.

I think the best use is to build a Syd Mead style retro-futuristic vehicle with the body parts.

Edited March 26, 2018 by Casey

[Richard Bartrop]

I bought it because I'm a sucker for a pretty face, and I thought it was one of the best looking designs of GM's best period for styling.

[Jonathan]

I have one in the stash, and I hope to get around to building it.  Here is a nicely built up sample, found on Dave's Show Rod Rally:

http://www.showrods.com/gallery_pages/aerovette1.html

 

[89AKurt]

6 hours ago, aurfalien said:

Hi,

I have it and think it's a very cool kit.

Here is a review that will help your conundrum.

 

Thank you!  Great, loose tires and windows, not a good thing to see.  Is it AWD?  The jalousie windows would be fun to fabricate.  The steering wheel has sink mark?

[89AKurt]

35 minutes ago, Jonathan said:

....  Here is a nicely built up sample, found on Dave's Show Rod Rally:

Thank you!  The windshield sure is clear!  

[unclescott58]

I've built one. It was a pretty nice kit. I'll have to dig mine out and post some photos.

[Snake45]

12 hours ago, unclescott58 said:

I've built one. It was a pretty nice kit. I'll have to dig mine out and post some photos.

Speaking of which, Scott, did you ever build that Monogram 1/24 '65 Corvette? I always wondered how that come out for you.

[Jantrix]

I've always liked the car and I have the kit. Not sure how I'm going to build it.

[unclescott58]

52 minutes ago, Snake45 said:

Speaking of which, Scott, did you ever build that Monogram 1/24 '65 Corvette? I always wondered how that come out for you.

Yes I did. It came out very nice. Another one I should post photos of. 

[89AKurt]

Because the topic of keeping kits sealed came up as a new thread, I opened this, and found out the tires melted the back window.  This may be the last Revell and/or Monogram kit I will buy, ridiculous the windows aren't bagged.

[Jantrix]

7 hours ago, 89AKurt said:

Because the topic of keeping kits sealed came up as a new thread, I opened this, and found out the tires melted the back window.  This may be the last Revell and/or Monogram kit I will buy, ridiculous the windows aren't bagged.

How old is the kit? Most "modern" kits (the last decade or so), have the glass individually bagged. If yours isn't, you likely have an older kit. As for Revell, they consistantly put out an excellent product. Boycott if you wish, it just leaves more for the rest of us.

[tim boyd]

According to an authoritative source quoted in a book from the era, with just minimal tweaks, was to became the production 1980 Corvette.  You can read more on this in my new book ….. and I think that this "factoid" (if you choose to believe it) makes it more than worthwhile to own this kit.    TIM 

[Jantrix]

I think that the design is modern enough that with an engine and wheel change to something modern, it could still be something eye catching.

[horsepower]

On 6/15/2018 at 7:03 AM, tim boyd said:

According to an authoritative source quoted in a book from the era, with just minimal tweaks, was to became the production 1980 Corvette.  You can read more on this in my new book ….. and I think that this "factoid" (if you choose to believe it) makes it more than worthwhile to own this kit.    TIM 

With the mid engine Corvette finally scheduled for release to the public in the not so distant future it will be interesting to see if anything from this design exercise made it to the final production car.

[robertw]

Your kit is from the original release in 1998 and the kit was reissued for a short time in 2007 .  I would think the reason that you don't see it built often is that it was a one off show/concept car that did not lead to production and the shape does not lend itself to customizing. It builds up nicely and is quite accurate. The only work I did to it was to eliminate the joint lines on the sides of the body between the main body and the front & rear clips. To do this I had to cut the chassis in half and install both halves separately which were then easily reglued. I also replaced the modern Goodyear GSC tires from the kit with a set of more period correct rubber from my spares box. While we may never see the model reissued (with the Europeans now in control of the Rev/Mono molds) I doubt that the kit should be considered a collector item. It is interesting to think that had Zora Arkus Duntov gotten his way and not retired this mid engine Vette might have reached the market in the early '80's rather then next year, as is expected.

 

[espo]

This information has been very interesting. I received this kit as a door prize in June at the Heartland Show and have been thinking about what to do with it. First thought was to convert some other model to a Mid-Engine setup but now I'm thinking maybe as a Prototype instead.

[MrObsessive]

22 hours ago, robertw said:

Your kit is from the original release in 1998 and the kit was reissued for a short time in 2007 .  I would think the reason that you don't see it built often is that it was a one off show/concept car that did not lead to production and the shape does not lend itself to customizing. It builds up nicely and is quite accurate. The only work I did to it was to eliminate the joint lines on the sides of the body between the main body and the front & rear clips. To do this I had to cut the chassis in half and install both halves separately which were then easily reglued. I also replaced the modern Goodyear GSC tires from the kit with a set of more period correct rubber from my spares box. While we may never see the model reissued (with the Europeans now in control of the Rev/Mono molds) I doubt that the kit should be considered a collector item. It is interesting to think that had Zora Arkus Duntov gotten his way and not retired this mid engine Vette might have reached the market in the early '80's rather then next year, as is expected.

I had to think for a minute about a post years ago in how this kit was engineered, and then your comment made me remember why I hadn't built mine. Yes, there's a BIG difference (to me) in how the body panels are fitted in the kit as opposed to the 1:1. If I ever get the nerve, I'd like to build mine with the opening gullwing doors and all, but that would mean COMPLETELY reengineering the entire kit--------something I'm going to take a break from for a bit after I finish the Shelby.

Yes, I'm looking forward to the new mid engine 'Vette coming for '20. Word has it that it won't immediately replace the front engine 'Vette (purists will scream about that), but in a few model years hence, it indeed may be the only version sold.

[monza77]

And still no full detail C7 Z06 and I guess there never will be one.