Revell 1953 - 1954 Chevrolet sedan

[jdcar32]

I'd like some opinions for a build I'm considering. But it depends on scale - I've seen most of these kits for sale stating 1/25 scale which I prefer. I'm sure I also saw one that indicated  1/24 ? Wonder which it really is. Also, I would be building stock ( which will require an inline 6 ) so are all the kits the same, some better ? Thanks.....

[Can-Con]

They're all the same except the bodies. 

Both grilles are on the chrome trees of all those kits but no stock headlights or tail lights in any of them. 

The 1/24 you saw was probably the old Monogram '53 BelAir. Completely different kit.

Edited May 30 by Can-Con

[Shark]

The Monogram has an inline 6, I don't think the others do.

[Mark]

The Monogram hardtop is 1/24 scale and can be built completely stock.  The Revell kits are 1/25 scale, and are not stock.  Both have a '54 front bumper, incorrect '55 style inner front fenders, custom headlight and taillight areas on the bodies, and non-stock drive train and rolling stock.  Rear wheel openings are larger than stock, and the bodies lack windshield wiper detail and stock emblems.  

[bobss396]

The gasser version, another BACK IN THE BOX! special of mine. The rear window and windshield openings in the body are poorly formed.

They would need to be opened up more and have plastic added to them. I'm not even sure I have the kits (I bought 2...) around. I may have sold them at a show.

[Mark]

Another couple of issues with the Revell '53/'54:

-Panel lines are shallow and on the shaky side.  Early issue instructions mention that the doors and trunk lid (rear door on the delivery) can be cut open and made operable.  The hinges are still there, molded as part of the door panels.  The doors droop when opened, just like the '55-'57 kits. 

On one of the bodies (don't remember which) the hood just sits on top of the fender, not in a recessed area like pretty much every other kit with a separate hood.

Another hood thing: the hood slopes down towards the front when you view the car from the side.  That gives an optical illusion, like the fender is rising towards the front.  Lots of work needed to get it all right.

[jdcar32]

thanks for all your replies, I'd heard that the kit was a bit of a stinker, this confirms it. I may re-think my plans.........

[Chris V]

The old Revell 1953/54 kits (Sedan and Sedan Delivery) are frankly terrible kits. As already mentioned they suffer from weak bodywork detail and engraving, and the engine bay leaves a lot to be desired. 
However if you put a disproportionate amount of work into correcting and detailing them, they can actually look really cool. Out of sheer stubbornness I’ve decided to build a historically correct gasser using the Sedan as a base, adding detail parts from numerous Revell kits made around the same time. Hopefully the result will be worth the effort, but I expect it to fight me all the way…

Edited June 1 by Chris V

[stavanzer]

Here are some Instruction sheets and Box Art Pics to give you an idea of what is in each one.

Monogram First:

The Monogram kit just fits & builds better than the Revell kit. It is a sturdy kit, as was the norm for Monogram kits when it was tooled. It has some nice custom touches. Some Work, and some Don't. The Air Dam and Hood Scoop have not aged well, but the optional Triple Carbs, "Bundle of Snakes" and Custom Front & Rear End treatments still work IMHO.  The only Engine is the  Stove Bolt 6, but as you can see, you do get Stock and Rod build versions. The Stock hub caps are great, but the "turbine' style rims are dated and cliche' to my eye. Happily though, you can easily swap in the rims from most old Monogram 1/24 scale kits. The much released "Heavy Chevy" kit has some nice rims and other Monogram kits kits can provide options too. I've built one of these and was very pleased with it, until a falling bookshelf assassinated it. I need to get another one and build it. It was one of the first times I got a good spray paint job on a kit. I was so proud of it.

https://public.fotki.com/drasticplasticsmcc/mkiba-build-under-c/monogram-instructions/automotive-cars--pi/chevrolet/1951-1960/monogram_53_chevy/?view=roll#1

https://public.fotki.com/drasticplasticsmcc/mkiba-build-under-c/monogram-instructions/automotive-cars--pi/chevrolet/1951-1960/monogram-53-chevy-2781/?view=roll#1

 

 

Then the Revell:

The Revell Kit has a Gasser Straight Axle or stock height front end. 409 Engine with a High Rise Dual Carb or GMC Blower Option. Some versions of the Kit give you "stock" bench seats or racing buckets. I've seen at least one with no bench.

Despite the difficulty and lack of a true Stock Build parts, it was a popular kit. Delicate and Fiddly, I built more than a few back in the day.. The Red,White & Blue stripes on the Panel sold me, (and many others) that kit! In fact I've heard a few say that the best part of the '53 Panel is the box art. Only a few young builders in the '70's had the skill to try to paint it that way. But we never stopped trying!! The Blown 409 was a great kit bashing engine, and powered many other builds due to it's bulk and 'Kool Factor'!

 

 

https://public.fotki.com/drasticplasticsmcc/mkiba-build-under-c/revell-instructions/automotive-cars--pi/chevrolet/1951-1960/revell-53-chevy/?view=roll#1

https://public.fotki.com/drasticplasticsmcc/mkiba-build-under-c/revell-instructions/automotive-cars--pi/chevrolet/1951-1960/revell-53-chevy-pan/?view=roll#2

 

 

 

[bobss396]

I did build the panel version as a kid. I knew about .5% of what I know now. Ignorance is bliss. 

I can't recall any issues with it...but SOP at the tine was... if a part gives you problems, leave it off!

[Mark]

The Revell versions are still relevant for enough people because they are the only kits representing those body styles in those years.  If you can live with a '51 delivery instead of '53/'54, Jimmy Flintstone might still have that available.  But, like some other kits that aren't up to scratch, these still sell because a lot of people built them in the past, and want to take another swing at them later.

[NOBLNG]

I too built the Revell panel wagon as a kid. I don’t remember how it went together, but I know I brush painted those red, white and blue stripes on it….probably used electrical tape for masking or maybe even freehanded it?🤷‍♂️

Edited June 1 by NOBLNG

[Fat Brian]

If you want 1/25 but it doesn't have to be this specific year look at the AMT 51 Bel Air kit. The 51 has the earlier split windshield but is a better kit overall than the Revell.