AMT 1953 Corvette

[NOBLNG]

I don’t know if this kit is worth a build thread…but what the heck? From what I have read on here, the Revell kit is a better kit, but I don’t have one…so I will make do with what I have.? The instructions are really vague and minimal on this one, so a lot of trial fitting will be needed.? The engine seems to be pretty nice except for the intake manifold and carbs which has some deep ejector pin holes in it. I re-worked it a bit along with the oil breather tube. I filed the fan down to about 1/3 it’s original thickness and re-shaped the ignition shield a bit too.? I screwed up when scribing the split on it and may try to re do it yet if I can pry it off.?

The body seems to be fairly nice, except for the little fins above the tail lights. They are hugely thick, so I glued them in and filed them off and made some from . 015” styrene. There is also a crease on the doors that needs to be filled and smoothed.

That’s about it for now.? The chrome bumpers are in the pond right now. I hope to add mounting pins to them and give the Revell chrome spray another try. All comments or advice appreciated and welcome.

Greg.

Edit: There…I fixed it.?

 

 

 

Edited October 12, 2023 by NOBLNG

[NOBLNG]

I managed to get the parts cleaned up and drilled and pin’s installed. I glued the lower rear bumper sections on since they are too tiny to pin and they will be easy to foil anyway.

 

[Slotto]

You're off to a great start

[Jonathan]

Nice to see one of these being worked on; it seems like you don't see the early Corvettes too often.

 

[bobss396]

These old kits are a pile of work for sure. Few other than us appreciate the HOURS that go into making a single piece look right.

[dino246gt]

Wow, you're doing all the right stuff to this old kit!

I think the one I built was the AMT '55, looks mostly the same, I highly modified mine anyway.

Wish I'd have done some of the things you've already done to this.

Cheers!

 

[espo]

Like how you are fitting the chrome grill and bumpers. That should add a great deal to the overall appearance of your build. 

[NOBLNG]

15 hours ago, Slotto said:

You're off to a great start

 

4 hours ago, Jonathan said:

Nice to see one of these being worked on; it seems like you don't see the early Corvettes too often.

 

 

2 hours ago, bobss396 said:

These old kits are a pile of work for sure. Few other than us appreciate the HOURS that go into making a single piece look right.

 

2 hours ago, dino246gt said:

Wow, you're doing all the right stuff to this old kit!

I think the one I built was the AMT '55, looks mostly the same, I highly modified mine anyway.

Wish I'd have done some of the things you've already done to this.

Cheers!

 

Hi Dennis. Do you have a thread on it here by chance?

23 minutes ago, espo said:

Like how you are fitting the chrome grill and bumpers. That should add a great deal to the overall appearance of your build. 

Thanks everyone. I guess I will have to strip the grill and headlight surrounds so the finish will match. I plan to try the Revell spray chrome again, but will have to let it dry a lot longer than my last attempt.? I also wonder about blacking out the recesses afterwards.?

[mustang1989]

Some good work already going on with a tough kit. Looking forward to what's next Greg.

[NOBLNG]

Thanks Joe…here you go.? The front bumperettes and LP mount needed a bit of reworking to fit in a decently stable manner.

I added some top latches and did the panel liner.

A bit more putty work on those little fins to get them looking more subtle.

Edited October 4, 2023 by NOBLNG

[mustang1989]

Looks great so far. I'm looking forward to seeing how that panel liner is going to do it's magic later on.

[NOBLNG]

The windshield in this kit is horribly thick….1-5/8” in 1:1 scale. So I decided to make one from .010” clear sheet, and foil the windshield frame instead of using the Revell chrome spray on it.

I also scribed in a recess for the rear window which I will also make from clear sheet.

 

Edited October 4, 2023 by NOBLNG

[mustang1989]

Great work on getting rid of the bulletbroof window paneling. That clear sheet fits in there like it was made for it.

[NOBLNG]

7 minutes ago, mustang1989 said:

Great work on getting rid of the bulletbroof window paneling. That clear sheet fits in there like it was made for it.

Thanks Joe.? It worked out better than I expected. The foil job isn’t the best, but I can live with it.? I hope the panel liner doesn’t stand out too much after final paint.?‍♂️

Edited October 4, 2023 by NOBLNG

[mustang1989]

You could always re-do the foil work if you choose. Especially for as much work as you're putting into this build. Looking good buddy.

[NOBLNG]

I glued some blocks under the seats and then mounted them on posts. Then I trimmed the seats so that they are not sitting on the floor.

I don’t like the oversized shift lever or the location, which is too far forward on the transmission hump, so I scratch built one from evergreen and a stick pin.

That’s all for now. Thanks for lookin.?

Edited October 5, 2023 by NOBLNG

[Zippi]

Your 53 Vette is looking pretty nice there Greg.

[NOBLNG]

19 minutes ago, Zippi said:

Your 53 Vette is looking pretty nice there Greg.

Thanks Bob!?

[NOBLNG]

I spent a few minutes and reworked the lump of a master cylinder.

 

Edited October 5, 2023 by NOBLNG

[mustang1989]

Great calls on the seats and again on the shifter. I almost NEVER use an OOB shifter anyway just for the reasons that you have here. Too clunky and oversized. Really shaping up nicely Greg.

[MeatMan]

Definitely worth a build thread! Keep it up.

[Yeah Nah]

Lot of fiddly but worthwhile work here Greg.

From what I can see the 53 (aside from engine) is essentially the same kit as the 55 and one really obvious fault with that is it sits too high when completed- especially at the front.

When you get to chassis/wheels you'll see what I mean and will also find it's fairly easy to rectify so your plan to trial/dry fit is a wise one. I did the 55 a while back and need to  go back and re-do it. It'll make a big difference. 

 

Edited October 6, 2023 by Yeah Nah

[beeRS]

You’re doing a great job on this kit. I especially like the fix on the fins and the windshield replacement looks 100 times better. 

[NOBLNG]

7 hours ago, beeRS said:

You’re doing a great job on this kit. I especially like the fix on the fins and the windshield replacement looks 100 times better. 

Thanks Sonny.?

8 hours ago, Yeah Nah said:

Lot of fiddly but worthwhile work here Greg.

From what I can see the 53 (aside from engine) is essentially the same kit as the 55 and one really obvious fault with that is it sits too high when completed- especially at the front.

When you get to chassis/wheels you'll see what I mean and will also find it's fairly easy to rectify so your plan to trial/dry fit is a wise one. I did the 55 a while back and need to  go back and re-do it. It'll make a big difference. 

 

Thanks for the heads up Garry!? It is definitely way too high.

12 hours ago, MeatMan said:

Definitely worth a build thread! Keep it up.

Glad you’re enjoying it.?

12 hours ago, mustang1989 said:

Great calls on the seats and again on the shifter. I almost NEVER use an OOB shifter anyway just for the reasons that you have here. Too clunky and oversized. Really shaping up nicely Greg.

Thanks.? That is one of my pet peeves…shifters, signal levers, horn rings, etc.?

[mustang1989]

Just now, NOBLNG said:

Thanks.? That is one of my pet peeves…shifters, signal levers, horn rings, etc.?

Yup....mine too. There aint nuthin worse than getting a build all finished up and seeing a baseball bat with a ball on top for a shifter and a baton for a turn signal lever. Nice thoughts to include them in the kit but hey.......they look like what they look like. 

Looking forward to more bud.