63 vette amt real junk

[NOBLNG]

10 hours ago, NOBLNG said:

Maybe the OP needs a different hobby??

On second thought…maybe just a bit more research before buying. The body on this kit is quite nice, but I’d sure be disappointed if I paid $40 for it.?

[Oldcarfan27]

4 hours ago, Bill Eh? said:

...which is more important to you, the journey, or the destination. For me it's the journey or the process of building. For others it is all about the destination or final product.

With the amount of my recently completed builds, I've been on the "journey" for a long time and have yet to reach a "destination".

But, I've been having a good drive in the mean time! ?

[ea0863]

I love interacting with the modeling community on this site first and foremost because of the support and camaraderie of its members. In this time of strife, I have found it a refreshing respite and a welcome escape. I'm only the littlest bit disheartened at the tone this thread has taken. Perhaps the model is not so much "junk" as it is "challenging to build", but in any event, it isn't as though anyone's firstborn was being criticized or anything. So, I for one do not hope johnfin finds a new hobby, but rather takes the good suggestions that were given to him and applies them to his next choice of builds. BTW johnfin; I am currently building an AMT Piranha Spy Car, and I definitely would NOT recommend that one as your next build either. It looked like an easy one, but looks certainly were deceiving!    

[TransAmMike]

14 hours ago, bobthehobbyguy said:

Nicely done. Shows what can be done with a little effort.  Definitely not a "junk" kit.

Thank you Bob.   I'm not in the catagory of a lot of guys on here that do extensive modifications but for a basic easy build it looks just fine.

[bobthehobbyguy]

First off you have to consider the target for these models. They were were built for kids to be built and played with. They were also used as sales aids for selling full size cars.

By the criterion here on the Corvette many of the Johan kits would be considered junk because of their simplified nature. That is far from the truth. Just look at Steven  Guthmiller's fabulous coronet which merged the body with suitable modern production parts. For the most part the older kits have fidelity to the original bodies that isn't always achieved in modern kits.

However there are kits that are junk. Palmer is one infamous case.

Modeling is an experience which varies for everyone. Chose that experience and research the models to fit that expectation. With the internet that information is widely availble.

[Tom Geiger]

Actually, this one is junk!

 

Edited May 31, 2022 by Tom Geiger

[SfanGoch]

It's winking at you, Tom.

[peteski]

A corvette with a rusty body - not something you would see in 1:1 world. 

[Can-Con]

True, sometimes the journey is bad and sometimes it is good. 

Does it matter if the journey leads to your mother-in-law's bedroom? ? 

[SfanGoch]

Depending on what she looks like, the destination could be worth the journey.

[Classicgas]

23 hours ago, Dpate said:

 

But classicgas you did do the kit justice and i respect that so hats off to ya.

Thanks. The biggest issue I had was the tail lights.

[Ace-Garageguy]

Before calling this old AMT dinosaur kit "real junk", folks who haven't already might like to take a look at what kind of effort it takes to get the exquisite (IMHO) Accurate Miniatures Corvette Grand Sport (also reboxed by Revell) to the point where it looks right.

It's a complex kit, heavy on detail, and "challenging" to say the least...but boy does it make one beautiful model if you take the time.     

 

[stavanzer]

Tom's famous 'Rusty" Vette! Always great to see pics of it!

[Oldcarfan27]

1 hour ago, stavanzer said:

Tom's famous 'Rusty" Vette! Always great to see pics of it!

Looks a bit dented too. Didn't know fiberglass dented - just breaks!

[Dave G.]

I think I was 13 when the original came out and well, I figured it out fine. One of the first cars I rattle canned. I never liked the finish but it built ok. I was used to metal axles and all though, just something back then AMT did. Sometimes the axle went right through the oil pan. I can't imagine it being too difficult to figure out where the engine sits.

[NOBLNG]

All Right! Since I wanted to assure myself that this kit I bought, was in fact an OK kit…..I built it just now.? I have to say that for the most part,  I agree with John’s (the OP) assessment. The body is VERY NICE,  in my opinion, but the rest of the kit is sub-par. Here is my experience with it:

The small block engine fits nicely. I never tried the big block option, but I can’t see it fitting nicely.? Everything else was going well until I got to the tail lights. They don’t fit period! The center to center spacing is off, and even when cut apart, they will NOT fit in the holes! Paint thickness is not the reason.? So I turned down some 3/16” Evergreen to fit the holes in the body , and then drilled them to accept the kit lenses. The instructions show the firewall attached to the body, but there are ZERO locating points for it. I glued it to the floor pan eventually.

I wouldn’t call it “junk”……just a very basic kit, lacking in detail. It really is not worthy of a re-issue unless they redid everything except the body. If I paid retail price for this in a hobby shop…I’d be REAL disappointed!

Now, that said, it could be kit-bashed with something else, or re-worked to make something real nice, but as it is, it makes a nice curbside shelf model. It does have some nice extra parts, and a great kit for experimenting on!?

I stripped the chrome off the FI unit and painted it flat aluminum.

I foiled the script before paint. The Testors DeJa Blue is a lacquer, so I didn’t even bother with primer.

I used the custom wheels from the kit, and accented them with Tamiya clear blue.

Home made bezels with the kit supplied tail lights.

These kit pieces simply did not fit!?

NO locating points for the firewall at all.

I added an armrest on the center console.

Edited June 3, 2022 by NOBLNG

[TransAmMike]

Well Greg as far as the taillight issue, you got them in so its certainly doable. I too cut them apart to get them in and also drilled out the holes to get the bezels in. As you can see' I also made dual tailpipes each side.

[bobthehobbyguy]

Nicely done. With a reasonable amount of effort you got a nice shelf model

[NOBLNG]

I kind of built this like I would have when I was a kid. Two heavy wet coats with Testors DeJa Blue from a spray bomb, and after foil, I followed it with Mr Hobby UV cut clear.  The only thing I airbrushed is the Tamiya clear orange over the Tamiya TS-68 wooden deck tan. I was trying for a leather look and should have used a darker brown as a base.? The Tamiya flat clear I used to cut down the gloss kind of washed out the orange clear.? I also used the BMF that is supposed to be no good. It went on pretty well I think.?

Edited June 3, 2022 by NOBLNG

[Ace-Garageguy]

47 minutes ago, NOBLNG said:

I kind of built this like I would have when I was a kid...

And it looks good. 

The body lines and proportions look pretty much like they're supposed to, and the stance is fine, apparently OOB. That right there is more than we can say about some newer, more complex and expensive kits.

A simple shelf model is all it was ever intended to be, a mildly upgraded promo with an opening hood and an engine, typical for 1973. And hey, it's a split-window. 

Far as the price goes, I imagine it's close to being in line with what other stuff cost in '73 as opposed to now...and a 40%-off coupon, or an Ollie's price, makes it a decent deal today.

I bought one shortly after it was re-released, with a 40% discount, and wasn't at all disappointed because I knew exactly what to expect...which anyone can find out with a little time spent online.

Tell ya the truth...yours looks so good as a simple build that I'm going to buy another one just to have an extra decent split-window body to do something crazy with.   

Edited June 3, 2022 by Ace-Garageguy

[NOBLNG]

7 minutes ago, Ace-Garageguy said:

Tell ya the truth...yours looks so good as a simple build that I'm going to buy another one just to have an extra decent split-window body to do something crazy with.

Thanks…..Something like this?

[Ace-Garageguy]

2 minutes ago, NOBLNG said:

Thanks…..Something like this?

Oh man...I HAVE to build that. Campesi is a genius.  

[cobraman]

Now I think I may buy one.

[Classicgas]

Nicely done. I seperated the tail light and enlarged the holes in the body too. Can't remember about the firewall.

[NOBLNG]

HaHa…I never even noticed till I re-read my post that the wing window glass sticks way past the frame.? Oh well, that’s what I get for rushing!?

Edited June 3, 2022 by NOBLNG