Need some info on AMT '53 Corvette

[Hi-Po]

I  recently purchased some kits from an estate sale that included this '53 Corvette.  The kit number is T310 and the kit is complete and still sealed inside.  Nothing has been started or painted.  The tires are the two piece plastic ones.  My question is when was this kit produced/issued?  Is this an original issue kit?  I have looked the kit over from one end to the other and cannot find any date of issue.  Another thing that I noticed is that there is no UPC or bar code on the box.

I did check the instruction sheet for a date and noticed on the bottom of the last page that the address was listed as Lesney AMT Corporation.  Also, on the back on the decal sheet, I noticed a code stating T-310-701 5/78.  Does this mean the kit was issued in May of 1978?

As you can see from the photos, this kit is in excellent - make that MINT -  condition with virtually no shelf wear.  It is like the previous owner purchased the kit, took it home and inspected it, then put it away in a safe place and forgot about it.  This is as new as the day it was issued.

Any help in determining the age of the kit and current value will be appreciated. 

Thank you.

[magicmustang]

The decal sheet is the key. It was packed in May of 1978.

[espo]

I also have a couple of these. I can't remember when they were first issued, but from the catalog number this has to be one of the very early ones. This is a great find and it does build into a very nice model.  

[Mark]

First issued in 1976.  The T number kit would be an original issue, but later production as Lesney took over some time in '78.  Go ahead and build it, it is not a particularly rare or valuable kit.

[Lunajammer]

That was issued when there was much buzz about Corvette celebrating its 25th anniversary. That's when I bought mine, along with the special edition MPC '78. I was 17 and planned to make book ends. Never happened but I still have the kits.

 

[BigTallDad]

Is there a copyright date on the instructions?

[StevenGuthmiller]

It might be worth something to a collector that collects original issue kits, but as a rule, they want them sealed and un-opened.

 

To builders like most of us here, it's probably not worth much as this kit has been re-issued several times.

 

There is a "new in box, complete" T-310 '53 Vette kit being offered on ebay right now from "Model Car Mountain" with a buy it now price of $8.88.

With the $11.75 shipping, that makes it $20.63.

Not really worth hanging onto as a collectors item.

 

 

 

Steve

[NOBLNG]

I have the same kit, but mine says "ERTL Stock No. 6552. supercedes AMT Stock No. T310".  I bought it at a flea market for $20.00 Cdn.

Edited March 6, 2020 by NOBLNG

[1972coronet]

I seem to remember this kit from c.1978-c.1979  ; I remember buying more than one at the GEMCO in Downey when they were new . 

Other than the garbage tyres , it's an easy and straight-forward build which yields a prideful piece ( if a 10 year old like me can assemble it with no issues , then it's got to be good ! Haha ) ,

[Hi-Po]

Thanks everyone for the info.  I now have a better idea of what I will do with the kit.  Thanks again.

[robertw]

The stock number of T310 would indicate that it was AMT's first release of a glue kit of the '53. The date I have for that kit is 1976.  It has of course been reissued several times since the last being in 2015 when it was numbered  as AMT910. The most recent release is significant because they tried to recreate the original artwork although the background blue is a little darker. It might have some value to a collector but the contents are basically similar to the other AMT releases of the '53. Your box is in beautiful shape.

[Mike999]

On 3/6/2020 at 5:50 PM, StevenGuthmiller said:

There is a "new in box, complete" T-310 '53 Vette kit being offered on ebay right now from "Model Car Mountain" with a buy it now price of $8.88...

Sellers like Model Car Mountain are a good benchmark for what a kit is really worth.  MCM is an old-kit vendor who has been on eBay a long time.  I often check their prices when I'm putting up eBay sales.

Overall the prices seem fairly reasonable and they don't gouge the buyer on shipping.  I've never bought from them but would, if the right deal came along.