AMT '53 Corvette Snapper--A Delay In The Proceedings--07/06/2022

[Mark W]

Dan, I love everything you’ve done with this kit!

So many special techniques you have used, it’s more of a tutorial than a WIP.

Thanks for sharing your efforts.

[Straightliner59]

7 hours ago, Mark W said:

Dan, I love everything you’ve done with this kit!

So many special techniques you have used, it’s more of a tutorial than a WIP.

Thanks for sharing your efforts.

Always happy to share anything I've figured out! Thanks for your kind words, Mark!

[Straightliner59]

I white-glued the rear bumper on, just to see. I think I like that!

[Straightliner59]

The bumpers have all been formed and polished! The rear center section is glued too high, on the body, currently. I will, of course, be level with the end sections. I'm pretty happy with them, considering they started out as raw lengths of 9ga. dead soft aluminum wire! I'm very close to painting the dash, so it can be detailed. As always, feel free to comment, at your leisure.😀 Thanks for looking!

[Kenmojr]

Cool work...

[Straightliner59]

15 hours ago, Kenmojr said:

Cool work...

Thank you, sir!

[Straightliner59]

I made a crossbar for the grille, although it doesn't attach to the grille. Originally, I'd planned to bring it to the front, but, having white-glued it in, it's kind of growing on me, in the recessed state. If I don't use the "nerf" bumpers, I'm thinking of opening up the area where they mount, and going with a small chin spoiler. There's time for consideration!😄

[Straightliner59]

I've been working on the dash details. The light switch, cowl vent lever (under dash), and shifter are all pins whose heads were turned-down on the lathe. I added a key switch, a switch for main power (clear red), and one for the electronic fuel pump (clear yellow). Those were made with nichrome wire, with "knobs" made with UV cured resin, painted with clear red and yellow paints. I installed a panel to cover the removed radio. The dash, itself, is Humbrol HI 5 Grey, cut with lacquer thinner, and shot through my Badger 100G-IL. It will match the body color. I printed the speedometer on glossy photo paper, and cut it out using hole punches and scissors. The other gauges are ancient offerings from LTD Enterprises. I need to punch out the lenses, and add bezels. That should complete the dash. Your comments are always welcomed and appreciated. Thanks for looking!

[Straightliner59]

A little touchup, and, that's done! The spokes for the steering wheel are Detail Master. I found the wheel in a parts box. Turn signal stalk is a section of an insect pin with a knob made from UV-activated resin, painted Humbrol satin white. Since I took these, I added a cover plate for the old shifter opening. It don't guess it all looks too shabby! Thanks for looking!

[Straightliner59]

Work has been in progress,  on this project, but computer issues have kept me from posting. I take photos, but have no way to get them online, until I sort out my connectivity problems...

I decided to take a few with the phone, and see how that goes. This isn't primer,  it's the paint color, as can be seen on the dash panel. The interior is done, unless I decide to add one final idea. I like this Grey, with the wheels! It should look good with the polished aluminum bumpers, as well.

Because of the side-dump exhaust,  I have no need for the tailpipe outlets. I am converting those to B/U lamps using turned-down clear sprue (I don't have any clear rod--I will have to note that). I will make the front turn indicators, in the same manner,  using amber sprue. All four bezels will be of aluminum tube.

It's coming along! As always,  questions,  comments and critiques are welcomed. Thanks for looking!

[Straightliner59]

I had some trouble with the Humbrol paint I was using, and I wasn't happy with the results, so...I had a can of Rustoleum Winter Grey (I hate Rustoleum--it takes way too long to dry), so I shot it with that. Still, some work to do, but I like the color. Now, the waiting! Thanks for looking!

[Straightliner59]

During my recent, involuntary internet "hiatus", I decided that the wheelwells were entirely too wide-open. I cut some half "oval/elliptical" backs from .030" sheet, then used some old long-distance phone cards to cover them. It looks much better than before! Shot clear on the body, today. I'll give it a few days, then give it some light wet sanding and a polish. In the meantime, I can get the windshield bare-metaled. Thanks for looking!

[Straightliner59]

The body's polished out, excepting the left front corner--basically, the left side of the hood is all that's left. Then, I'll look for little missed spots, and fix those. 

I also have added .080" half-round, to the top and bottom interior of the windshield. Those'll get bare-metaled. I am close to installing the interior and chassis, into the body! From there, about all that will be left to install will be the bumpers and lights. Thanks for looking!

[Straightliner59]

I finished up the polishing, and added the bumpers, grill surround, grille bar and headlight assemblies. Looks to be getting close! Thanks for looking!

[Straightliner59]

A few further items done: The windshield is finally fitted and ready for paint and Bare-Metal. I cut the roll bars to the proper height. I also cemented in the bezels for the front turn signals, and installed the taillights. I still need to make and install the bezels for the B/U lamps (in the original exhaust openings). It's not too far out, now! Questions, critiques and comments are always welcomed. Thanks for looking!

Edited Sunday at 08:59 AM by Straightliner59

[Mark W]

What you did with this kit is fantastic.

The interior and exterior colors are a perfect choice and the wheels complement them.

The many details you’ve done, bumpers, bezels etc look great.

Nice job!

[Straightliner59]

48 minutes ago, Mark W said:

What you did with this kit is fantastic.

The interior and exterior colors are a perfect choice and the wheels complement them.

The many details you’ve done, bumpers, bezels etc look great.

Nice job!

Thank you, Mark! I appreciate that. It does feel like it's a cohesive design, to me. It has some elegance, but it's muscular, I guess, seems like a decent analogy. Thanks, again!

[Straightliner59]

Got a few more little things done. I painted the inside windshield trim. Just needs Bare-Metal, now. I got the B/U and turn signal lenses installed, and applied engine deignation decals. I may get my motivation motivated enough to Bare-Metal the windshield frame, before bed.😄Thanks for looking!

[Supernurd]

Dig those blue dots.  👍 

[Straightliner59]

5 hours ago, Supernurd said:

Dig those blue dots.  👍 

Thank you, sir!

[Spex84]

I'm enjoying the uniqueness of this build..with your various modifications and detailing choices the European-inspired styling is coming through, and with the grey color and awesome hand-made thin bumper and grille blades, it has taken on a bit of an Aston Martin DB5 flavor.

[Straightliner59]

On 7/9/2025 at 9:07 AM, Spex84 said:

I'm enjoying the uniqueness of this build..with your various modifications and detailing choices the European-inspired styling is coming through, and with the grey color and awesome hand-made thin bumper and grille blades, it has taken on a bit of an Aston Martin DB5 flavor.

Thank you, sir! I hadn't considered the DB5 similarity, but, I see it now. I got the windshield installed along with the side mirror.  It's getting very close! Thanks for your comments!