NOBLNG Posted January 31, 2019 Posted January 31, 2019 I picked this one up at the flea market last Sunday. After reading some opinions on here about these AMT Corvettes, I decided to build it quick and not worry about getting too precise or detailed, since there is only so much you can do with a kit like this. I think the body is not too bad, except for the headlights. The chassis and engine are pretty horrible!
NOBLNG Posted January 31, 2019 Author Posted January 31, 2019 The stock wheels/tires/hubcaps look not too bad, but tiny. The custom slotted mags aren't bad, but the tires look like they belong on a truck! So I used the spare wheels, tires and disc brakes from the Revell '65 Chevy stepside.
Snake45 Posted January 31, 2019 Posted January 31, 2019 That's looking pretty good, for what it is! Drive on! BTW, I have that exact same kit in my stash. Bought it in the late '70s and was DARN glad to find it at the time!
espo Posted January 31, 2019 Posted January 31, 2019 As you pointed out there is a question as too some of the accuracy of the drive train and the interior, body, and most everything. But it can be a fun kit and remember this tooling was done over 50 years ago. So for the time this was about as good as it got. Just enjoy the build.
NOBLNG Posted January 31, 2019 Author Posted January 31, 2019 Well, I have an older Revell 1960 Corvette that I dug out last night. I figured I would build both of them since they are similar and I can compare them as I go. The AMT is actually better than the Revell. The R- '60 has a six piece body, which fits together fairly well by the looks of it. The heads, manifold, distributor and coil are all cast as 1 piece, yet the inner door panels on the R-'60 are very nicely detailed. The AMT door panels just have a very faint impression of the window cranks and other hardware.
Snake45 Posted January 31, 2019 Posted January 31, 2019 3 minutes ago, NOBLNG said: Well, I have an older Revell 1960 Corvette that I dug out last night. I figured I would build both of them since they are similar and I can compare them as I go. The AMT is actually better than the Revell. The R- '60 has a six piece body, which fits together fairly well by the looks of it. The heads, manifold, distributor and coil are all cast as 1 piece, yet the inner door panels on the R-'60 are very nicely detailed. The AMT door panels just have a very faint impression of the window cranks and other hardware. I have that one, and an AMT '59, and the "new" Revell '59, and the MPC '60. I'm planning to build them all and play "Who Wore It Better?" with them.
NOBLNG Posted February 1, 2019 Author Posted February 1, 2019 The headlights for this kit are horribly under-sized...and worse yet they are chrome! I have read some threads on here about Bondic and Laser-bond. I figured I would give casting some copies a try with the Bondic kit I bought yesterday. I just used silly putty for the mold. I think they turned out great for 30 seconds worth of work!
Ace-Garageguy Posted February 1, 2019 Posted February 1, 2019 ^^^ Well that's sure pretty cool. I need headlight lenses for all kinds of stuff. Thanks.
Belugawrx Posted February 1, 2019 Posted February 1, 2019 Great tip!! 8 hours ago, Ace-Garageguy said: ^^^ Well that's sure pretty cool. I need headlight lenses for all kinds of stuff. Thanks. X2
rickcaps55 Posted February 1, 2019 Posted February 1, 2019 I have been that UV bond for 2 years now and have never thought about using it to from small clear parts or even small parte in general thanks that's awesome it's back to Amazon to order more.!!!
NOBLNG Posted February 3, 2019 Author Posted February 3, 2019 I managed to get a couple of coats of paint on the body. This is Testors extreme laquer, Graphite Dust. I like how this stuff sprays right out of the can. I did have the can sitting in the dehydrator with some parts, so it was nice and warm!
NOBLNG Posted February 3, 2019 Author Posted February 3, 2019 I made up a little plate to fasten the back of the transmission. Otherwise the only mounting point is the oil pan glued directly to a front crossmember and the engine did not want to sit level. I also had to raise the radiator so the fan would be more or less centred in the shroud.
espo Posted February 3, 2019 Posted February 3, 2019 I also like the colors on the body and interior. The stance looks like it could be a little lower ?
NOBLNG Posted March 18, 2019 Author Posted March 18, 2019 I managed to screw up the paint job on this one too while trying to clean the paint off the foil. I have to fab a new windshield for this, as the kit piece is too thick
dino246gt Posted March 18, 2019 Posted March 18, 2019 It's looking very good, especially for an old tool, great what you did for the transmission mount and the colors look excellent together, also the rims and tires are cool. nice build!
Gramps46 Posted March 18, 2019 Posted March 18, 2019 Looking very good. Anxious to see how the headlights came out when mounted.
NOBLNG Posted March 19, 2019 Author Posted March 19, 2019 (edited) 6 hours ago, Gramps46 said: Looking very good. Anxious to see how the headlights came out when mounted. Ok, here they are. I put a small circle of silver duct tape in behind the cast headlights, since there was a large hole that I think would have been visible through the lens. Then glued them in with MM clear parts cement. Much better looking than the chrome ones I think. Edited March 19, 2019 by NOBLNG
Keesee17 Posted March 19, 2019 Posted March 19, 2019 On 1/31/2019 at 8:47 PM, NOBLNG said: The headlights for this kit are horribly under-sized...and worse yet they are chrome! I have read some threads on here about Bondic and Laser-bond. I figured I would give casting some copies a try with the Bondic kit I bought yesterday. I just used silly putty for the mold. I think they turned out great for 30 seconds worth of work! The first thing that popped into my small little mind was front turn signal lensrs for 1971-2 Chevelle....!!
Gramps46 Posted March 19, 2019 Posted March 19, 2019 8 hours ago, NOBLNG said: Ok, here they are. I put a small circle of silver duct tape in behind the cast headlights, since there was a large hole that I think would have been visible through the lens. Then glued them in with MM clear parts cement. Much better looking than the chrome ones I think. Thank for posting the headlamps. Such a great improvement that I ordered a Bondic kit.
NOBLNG Posted March 25, 2019 Author Posted March 25, 2019 (edited) The chrome on the front bumper and grill in this kit are terrible. Plus there are huge sink marks on the topside of the bumper. The bumper also requires a fair bit of sanding to fit properly, so stripping it was a no-brainer. After cleaning it up, filling the sinks and re-shaping the ends a bit, I will spray it with Krylon chrome. It may not be as nice as Alclad or Molotow, but good enough for this kit! The grill fits OK, but the chrome on it is poor also, so I've stripped it too. Edited March 25, 2019 by NOBLNG
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