55 Chevy Bel Air Street Machine 2N1.

[Oldschool297]

I do not know if this was posted in the right thread. Has anyone build this? 

https://revell.de/en/shop/product/55-chevy-bel-air-street-machine?srsltid=AfmBOopvtxwVNgtewf7hcROOHSWFyzYlygqYeYjz-B4nQuN7m9hqQBI_

 

[64SS350]

This is a current reissue of the black version that's been done several times.

[Chris V]

Do you mean built the kit or the box art version?

The kit itself is a reissue combining parts from two famous old Monogram kits: “Badman” designed by Tom Daniel in the late sixties and the subsequent “Street Machine” issue. The model is a good representation of a late sixties’ Gasser/“Street Freak” car.

It’s an excellent but somewhat simplified kit, which can look great if built with a little attention to detail. The molds are showing some wear (faint panel lines around the doors and trunk lid) and some flash along the mold parting lines that needs to be removed prior to paint and assembly. 
Taking some time reshaping the curvature of the C-pillars really adds to the look of the finished model.

 

[bobss396]

This is really a terrible kit IMO. The body proportions are quite bad. The engine is weird, so is the interior tub/chassis construction.

I built one of the OG kits as a kid and thought it was great.

[W-409]

The kit has been around for a long time. It's quite simplified in many areas, but it builds up pretty nice. I built one as a kid and didn't remember having any major fit issues.

However, if you want to build an accurate '55 Chevy Gasser, I suggest picking up another kit to start with. I built one of these kits as a Gasser a few years ago, and I think I ended up modifying or replacing every part of the kit one way or another. It was a ton of work and would have been a lot easier to start with some other kit.

Here's a link to my Fotki album where you can see all the build pictures. To give you an idea how much work it needs to be somewhat accurate and a little more detailed than what the kit offers. https://public.fotki.com/NostalgicDrag/55-chevy-bel-air-ags/

 

 

[DanL]

Built a version of this just recently. Old molding and very simple kit but the decal paint scheme is fun and goes on nicely...

[StevenGuthmiller]

A more relevant question would be, "has anyone NOT built this?"

 

I couldn't tell you for certain, but it could very well be one of the very first kits that I ever did back when I first started building in the 70s.

I'll echo what Bob said about the body proportions compared to an actual '55 Chevy, but my memory from when I was 10 tells me it was a pretty cool kit, at least for it's time.

Of course it's no competition when comparing it to a modern kit, but it can certainly still build into a pretty cool looking drag car.

 

Just be aware of what it is, and don't be one of the "model kit whiners" that expects every kit to be a modern engineering marvel once you open the box.......Please!!

 

Oh, by the way.

I don't know what the "2 in 1" thing is all about.

It builds into either a gasser, or a gasser.

 

 

 

Steve

Edited May 10 by StevenGuthmiller

[Fat Brian]

This is one of those kits that you have to accept the warts and shortcomings or it will spiral out of control. I ended up replacing the engine and most of the rear suspension along with reworking the interior and chassis and there were still things I wanted to work on.

[TransAmMike]

And this was mine. Not particularly enjoyable to build. Old mould, bad firewall fit/design.

[Mark]

2 in 1 comes from it including both the Badman and street machine parts.  Two sets of wheels and tires, grille and grille outer trim, Badman exhaust dumps and street machine parts to tie into the molded-in exhaust system detail.  

[Bill Anderson]

I have not built this kit, but have seen my share of 55-57 Chevys back in the '60s. 

The black model looks pretty good to me, except for one thing.   No one would put a cheap looking scoop like that on their car.  Even a box shape would look more suitable.   Hey, just my opinion, but what do I know - I've always been 100% Ford!