Has anyone tried modifying the Revell '63 'Vette snap kit into a full detail model?

[Monty]

From what I've read, the Revell '63 Vette has a more accurate body (and possibly interior) than the AMT '63, but I'd like to use a better chassis (MPC?) to make it a full-detail build with engine and engine bay details. 

If you've done this conversion, tell me what I'm up against.  

[Snake45]

The body's more accurate. I haven't compared the interiors but wouldn't be surprised if the Rev snapper's better. You'll have to cut out the hood, of course. 

I wouldn't recommend the MPC chassis. The tooling dates back to 1964, and it might have been state of the art then, but that was a long time ago, and the molds aren't in great shape anymore. 

A great full-detail chassis can be found in Revell's '67 Corvette kits, coupe or roadster. BUT these kits come with a big block engine, which of course wasn't available until 1965, so you'll have to swap in a small-block from somewhere. 

There will now follow several different opinions on which would be the best small-block Chev engine for a '63 Corvette. HIT IT, fellas! 

[Monty]

I kinda like the MPC C3 chassis because they have poseable front wheels, independent rotating half-shafts and fairly good hard line engraving. 

Whichever small block engine I end up using will get the fuel injection setup from the AMT kit unless there's a better one out there for the '63s (seems like the FI units changed slightly year to year).   

[Force]

8 hours ago, Snake45 said:

The body's more accurate. I haven't compared the interiors but wouldn't be surprised if the Rev snapper's better. You'll have to cut out the hood, of course. 

I wouldn't recommend the MPC chassis. The tooling dates back to 1964, and it might have been state of the art then, but that was a long time ago, and the molds aren't in great shape anymore. 

A great full-detail chassis can be found in Revell's '67 Corvette kits, coupe or roadster. BUT these kits come with a big block engine, which of course wasn't available until 1965, so you'll have to swap in a small-block from somewhere. 

There will now follow several different opinions on which would be the best small-block Chev engine for a '63 Corvette. HIT IT, fellas! 

Even if the MPC tooling dates back to 1964 the chassis is a lot better and more detailed than the AMT 1963 or Revell 1963 snap chassis, and the MPC kits has a small block.

[Brutalform]

Talk about weird... I was just viewing this last night. Pretty good video. 
 

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=vTveysSFW-k

[64Comet404]

If you are looking for a detailed chassis with steerable wheels, you may want to check out the AMT 1970/72 Corvettes. There is no real difference between a C2 and C3 chassis, and it will give you the exhaust system that recent issues of the MPC Vette lack.

[Snake45]

1 hour ago, Brutalform said:

Talk about weird... I was just viewing this last night. Pretty good video. 
 

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=vTveysSFW-k

Interesting build, but he didn't "full detail" it, it's still curbside with the one-piece chassis. And I wonder why he ground the rear bumper mounts off the body. They're on the real car; you can clearly see them on road racing Vettes with the bumpers removed. (I'm actually trying to add them to an AMT body.) 

3 minutes ago, 64Comet404 said:

If you are looking for a detailed chassis with steerable wheels, you may want to check out the AMT 1970/72 Corvettes. There is no real difference between a C2 and C3 chassis, and it will give you the exhaust system that recent issues of the MPC Vette lack.

Good suggestion, and it comes with a SBC, though you'd probably have to replace most of its accessories and brightbits to retrodate it to a '63 engine. 

[64Comet404]

1 minute ago, Snake45 said:

Good suggestion, and it comes with a SBC, though you'd probably have to replace most of its accessories and brightbits to retrodate it to a '63 engine. 

Fairly easy to do, as long as you're not lusting after a Fuelie. You can find the majority of the bits for a carbureted '63 (250/300hp) in the Revell '64 Impala kit, though you will need to find an air cleaner (AMT '63 Vette?)

[Casey]