AMT 59 Corvette Dilemma... sorta

[Sledsel]

Well, I bought this 59 (60...) off ebay at a low price. Built one as a kid and liked the box art and as a kid it came out good from my recollection. Knowing that I was getting an old kit and the simplicity of it was nt a shock, I knew what it was. Also, I am and was pretty sure it is a later release in an older box since it was molded in red, no biggie, it was cheap and complete in the cool box.

Well, received it and started on it from the bottom up, then came the issue. I never noticed by the ebay pics that someone cut most of the rockers off. Now what? 

Easy enough to repair and get looking like the way the kit was because the rockers were squared off and did not roll under like they should. Now this adds to my dilemma, choices being:

Replace body and build

Repair and build

Repair and correct it a bit and build

I am sure I can get the plentiful 55 Corvette body and cut the rockers off to make it more correct. They actually roll under as they should.

Edited November 30, 2021 by Sledsel

[Sledsel]

When I opened the kit, it sure brought back memories. I completely forgot about the old flathead small block Chevy!!! I will update this on my build.

[Mark]

I'd like to slap some of those clowns who stick later issue kits in older boxes, especially when the parts don't match from issue to issue.

About the body...why cut one up?  The body sides on the '60 don't roll under as they should...why not build up the lower edge with sheet plastic, and trace/cut the shape from another body?  The kit is what it is, an artifact from another era.  If you fix one aspect of it, the rest won't look "right".

[Sledsel]

1 hour ago, Mark said:

I'd like to slap some of those clowns who stick later issue kits in older boxes, especially when the parts don't match from issue to issue.

About the body...why cut one up?  The body sides on the '60 don't roll under as they should...why not build up the lower edge with sheet plastic, and trace/cut the shape from another body?  The kit is what it is, an artifact from another era.  If you fix one aspect of it, the rest won't look "right".

Definitely a thought to ponder

[BlackSheep214]

Yeah... I have the same exact kit except mine is original and molded in white, not red. Looks to me they inserted the “new” mold in the original box. 

 

[Can-Con]

2 hours ago, BlackSheep214 said:

Yeah... I have the same exact kit except mine is original and molded in white, not red. Looks to me they inserted the “new” mold in the original box. 

 

Same here. Mine's also white.

 

[Bills72sj]

I vote you fix the rockers to your satisfaction with sheet or tube stock. Be careful about the dreaded "red bleed" in your paint process.

[Daddyfink]

Maybe he was trying to convert it to a Revell Kit and make it a multi piece body! LOL! 

Oddly enough, that horrible little kit is also one of my favorites and luckily I still have one in the stash. I think the box art did it for me. 

[Sledsel]

Well, I thought I was going to just fix this body after reading all the opinions because if I had a donor 55 I'd probably start swapping the chassis and anything else better and that defeats the purpose of building something similar to what I did as a kid. 

All that is out the window. Whomever had this trimmed the rear and front valances. and nothing fits. If the valance is on the front, the grill opening is too small and if the rear is flush under the trunk, it needs almost an eighth filler at the wheel well. Both valances are even with the trimmed rocker so I think they were trying a psuedo channel job on it.

Well, going to take a chance and watch ebay for a body and pieces. So much for my cheap quick reminicent build. UGH

Thanks for the input.

Edited December 1, 2021 by Sledsel

[1930fordpickup]

Andy you have a PM headed your way.