Atlantis 57 Chevy Nomad... Nothing to lose

[disconovaman]

Taking a turn, I figure anything goes with the car just because of it's bad rep for being boarderline un-buildable. I used about 10 hrs to get it to this current situation. I'm having fun... just the simple fact that I have no expectations of the car.

[johnyrotten]

Looking good. I'm not super familiar with quirks kit to kit, what exactly makes this particularly un-buildable. Poor fitments?

[disconovaman]

11 hours ago, johnyrotten said:

Poor fitments?

Much of the kits sub assembly and final assembly doesn't fit properly. For example, if you follow the instructions it says to glue the back interior panels to the frame and floor panels but this instruction prevents the body from lining up on the chassis afterwards. The doors also have terrible fitment issues as does the tailgate and the hood doesn't work properly either. The other big issue is the bumpers will not line up on the body. 

I'm experimenting with the kit, trying to make adjustments and take different steps. It's working out OK so far...

[johnyrotten]

3 hours ago, disconovaman said:

Much of the kits sub assembly and final assembly doesn't fit properly. For example, if you follow the instructions it says to glue the back interior panels to the frame and floor panels but this instruction prevents the body from lining up on the chassis afterwards. The doors also have terrible fitment issues as does the tailgate and the hood doesn't work properly either. The other big issue is the bumpers will not line up on the body. 

I'm experimenting with the kit, trying to make adjustments and take different steps. It's working out OK so far...

Thanks for the info. Sounds like atlantis left some steps out of the instructions. 

[bobss396]

I'm once burned twice shy on this reissue. Some dead things may very well be left buried.

Good luck on your build.

[disconovaman]

3 hours ago, bobss396 said:

Some dead things may very well be left buried.

Good luck on your build.

Thanks, and you're not wrong 😆 Did you know the 55 hardtop is also being resurrected? I'd like to see the 56 return... it's probably the best of all the Revell tri-five opening door cars. I have an original 56 that working on too. Pictured also is another 57 Nomad glue bomb that I acquired. It's the Hotrod series one from the 80's. it happens to be stalled at the moment also...

[bobss396]

I like to think that our skills have improved through the years. We have better glues, more supplies like metals and plastics to help us out.

So now a seasoned builder has a chance with this kit. I had a '56 that I never finished. I made the Nomad into a battered beater 

[Bullybeef]

On 5/6/2025 at 6:57 AM, johnyrotten said:

Thanks for the info. Sounds like atlantis left some steps out of the instructions. 

Can’t fault Atlantis as most likely they are copy/paste from Revell instructions. I attempted the 55 with all the opening bits and failed horribly in the early 90’s! 

 

[disconovaman]

2 hours ago, bobss396 said:

So now a seasoned builder has a chance with this kit. I had a '56 that I never finished. I made the Nomad into a battered beater 

I agree, especially if you have already attempted to build these kits or, at least familiar with the design.

All those Revell opening door kits make excellent junkyard diorama subjects for sure. That's a good idea for the Nomad. Maybe a handyman's work horse.

23 minutes ago, Bullybeef said:

Can’t fault Atlantis as most likely they are copy/paste from Revell instructions.

Exactly, and from the company's  perspective, they know it's a difficult kit but they also know Nostalgia sells. Genius! And it comes with a built in warning lable for all the kids (now adults) who want to relive the experience. 😆 

[Dtimmerman89]

I keep eyeing this kit at my LHS and seeing all that failures this kit has brought over the years... all I can think about is another great abandoned vehicle project. I think I might just pull the trigger and continue on with it.