AMT ‘59 Corvette

[JJ Deuce]

I bought this kit on a whim from an ebay seller. I was purchasing a couple others and this one was still sealed and cheap.  

I decided it would be a fun box-stock build to start the year.  Low parts count, not much detail, etc.

Engine assembly was my first red flag.  I’ve seen the cylinder heads molded with the intake before but never with part of the head molded to the block. I’ve puttied the seam a couple times, more photos later.  
 

the body proportions seem off to me but I don’t have the Revell ‘59 to compare it to.  It seems slabsided.  I knocked down mold seams and scribe panel lines. I had to work on the trunk lid because the panel line along the bottom of lid was nonexistent.  It’s a little crooked but I’m tired of fighting it

 

first color coats on the body, and I need to decide if I’m going to use wheels from the kit or swap something else instead.

i had to touch up a few places where the scriber got away from me, so it will get another coat of gold before I mask off the coves and lay down some more paint.  

[espo]

I knew of Revell did engines in this fashion, but don't recall AMT using that method. This is a later reissue of a kit that was first offered more than 50 years ago so you will have an opportunity to see just how far the kit makers have advanced their products and try your building skills at making them look like the kits we work with today.  

[Can-Con]

Even though this kit is marked as a '59, it's actually the '60 annual kit, one of the very first AMT annual kits with an actual engine instead of being a curbside kit. 

It's almost old enough to qualify for old age pension. ?

I have this same reissue, which is from the '70s. It is a bit clunky compared to modern kits but the body is accurate and still build up to a good looking model with some work. 

[JJ Deuce]

Got some more paint on the body today.  I’ll let it gas out and then start on the chrome.  
 

also decided to use this set of Arii wheels I had in the spare box.  I know they’re too big (1/24) but I liked the over the top look.  I stripped the chrome and painted them with Tamiya silver leaf

 

[Zippi]

Wowser....that paint just pops on the 59 Vette. Should shine up like a new penny.  

[doorsovdoon]

Looking good! I do that sometimes, buy a kit on a whim that I wouldn't usually go for and more often than not turns out to be a very enjoyable build.

[slusher]

wI really like your color choice..

[JJ Deuce]

16 minutes ago, slusher said:

wI really like your color choice..

Thanks!  It’s Tamiya Candy Lime.  I’ve had it for awhile but I wasn’t sure what I would use it for.

[Joe Nunes]

A head turner for sure!  ?

Joe

[TransAmMike]

Very sharp looking JJ, keep up the good work?

[thebavarian]

Interesting two color tone.

[JJ Deuce]

Engine almost ready to install.  I stripped the chrome from the FI unit and the valve covers, and painted both aluminum.  I stripped the chrome from the ignition shielding as well but painted it with the Gundam chrome as it better represents the stainless.  Best thing about building corvettes is you can get away without wiring the engine lol.