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1962 Corvair Monza GT concept by Entex 1:25 scale


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I'm a big Corvette history buff, but did not quite realize until I started building concept models that the Corvair shares much in common with the development of the Corvette. Thus, the topic of my latest build; the 1962 Chevrolet Corvair Monza GT. 

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Since there are not a lot of choices for kits, I went with an Entex kit in 1:25 scale (they also offered the same vehicle in 1:20 scale). The good part of the kit was that the main three parts comprising the front and rear body, along with the chassis tub all fit together very nicely and were pretty much correct in proportions. On the other hand, slightly disappointing was the rudimentary "engine" and interior which more closely resembled a motorized toy than a scale model.

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While it is possible to add a Corvair engine to this model, as was wonderfully demonstrated by our own @Joe Lange, I chose to concentrate on working over the body and interior to get as close to the Monza GT as possible in curbside form. To that end, some work was needed to create inner fenders all around, and the addition of wide door sills and engine cover to the interior.

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Closer examination of the body revealed it was a conglomeration of the Corvair Monza GT, and its sister concept Corvair Monza SS. To that end, the following changes were made:

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And thus we have my best effort at the Corvair Monza GT by Entex.

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Next up will be the same Entex kit done up as the 1962 Corvair Monza SS. Stay tuned... :) 

 

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38 minutes ago, Ace-Garageguy said:

Nice job, nice mods.

I bought one of these, but never really looked at it closely.

I didn't realize the general lines and proportions of the body were as good as yours seem to be.

I'll have to take a better look.  

Thank you Bill. In the hands of someone as skilled as you, it would be a very presentable model I'm sure.

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Really nice job Emre! 

I just found another one of these kits, (sealed!), at a garage sale this past weekend and could not pass it up for $20.  Have no idea what I'll do with it since I've got more future projects than time!  

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11 hours ago, Rich Chernosky said:


Emre...congratulations on turning what was basically a toy of a kit into a very decent model. All your work paid off.

Thank you Rich, I appreciate that.

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6 hours ago, Joe Lange said:

Really nice job Emre! 

I just found another one of these kits, (sealed!), at a garage sale this past weekend and could not pass it up for $20.  Have no idea what I'll do with it since I've got more future projects than time!  

Great deal, congratulations Joe! I think you should go for the sister build yourself as I am doing - the Corvair Monza SS. Mine is going to be the earlier version without rollbar or exposed headlights. There is also the later version with both:

Early version:

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Later version:

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1 hour ago, oldscool said:

Nice model! Never knew this car or kit existed.

Thank you Gerald. The 1:20 scale version by Entex is actually a bit better, and certainly more detailed, but I chose to stick with my usual scale so it fits with the rest of my Corvette and Corvair concepts.

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42 minutes ago, karbuildr said:

Excellent. Lots of work to produce a fine rendition in scale of a unique concept. The work was well worth it as your build is very well done

Thank you for the kind words. It always looks better in person than when I take photos. On the screen, each of my mistakes shows up at 4x magnification! :) 

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5 minutes ago, Yeah Nah said:

Wow! NICE build!

I'm the same as Gerald: wasn't aware of the full size or model.

Thanks Gary. The body, chassis, and window fit is actually excellent on this quasi model / toy. Thus, for those willing to add the rest of the guts to it, I'm thinking it would come out a showstopper. I just don't have the eyes or dexterity any more for such detailed work.

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Hi Emre!

Very nice. I built this car when I was 9 (60 years ago), and I can't tell if it was the same kit, buit it looks like it. My younger brother destroyed it while trying to "play" with it in the driveway. 

Thanks for the memories, and bravo for the build!

CT 

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3 hours ago, Claude Thibodeau said:

Hi Emre!

Very nice. I built this car when I was 9 (60 years ago), and I can't tell if it was the same kit, buit it looks like it. My younger brother destroyed it while trying to "play" with it in the driveway. 

Thanks for the memories, and bravo for the build!

CT 

Thank you Claude. And if I were to guess, your build as a 9 year old was probably still better than mine at 61! :) 

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