Looking for the "best" 1/25th 1957 Chev Bel Air Kit

[Bill Anderson]

I'm looking to add a 57 Chev to my collection.  I see Revell has a really detailed one, but it is a sedan.  Is there a hardtop out there that is worthy?  

Thank you all,

 

Bill Anderson

[stavanzer]

Not to be argumentative, but What does "best" mean to you?

I think the only Hardtop is the MPC Flip Nose, but That is nowhere near stock.

The Best Body Shape might me Revell's (new-ish) Snap Kit. But is a Curbside.

The Newer AMT '57 is massively detailed, but I've heard murmurs about subtle Shape Issues.

The OG AMT '57 is a good kit, but not Great. More '57's have been built from that kit than any of the others.

 

So, It is hard to say which kit is best. The Only Kit that is universally panned is the OG Monogram kit, tooled in the 1970's.

What Details, Options, and Style are most important to you?

There is no Best. Only what is Best for you.   

Sorry to have such a Wishy-Washy answer for you.

[Bill Anderson]

Yep, I should have been clearer.......   "Best" is obviously subjective of course.

What I want is a realistic, higher skill level kit, and the one I have my eye on now is Revell 14551 (Yellow sedan box cover).  It seems to have the most parts, which I tend to equate with more detailed.  Obviously I would prefer a hardtop (buddy had one back in the day) but if nothing else, the sedan will work. 

[Chris V]

There’s no definitive answer to your question, as they all have their issues. But if the amount of detail straight out of the box is your main priority, go for AMT’s “Pro Shop” issue of their new tool kit: it includes ignition wiring, a photoetched grille, scripts and additional details. 

[DJMar]

How do you want to build it? Stock, street machine, custom? Are you going to build it OOB or use a bunch of aftermarket stuff, adding kit parts to the spares box?

None of the kits mentioned above are the "best" overall, since each one has some issues. Personally, I would start with AMT's 1997-up Bel Air (#8315) or their Street Machine (#8319), depending on which direction you want to go. I like the feel of these kits and they build up well. As already mentioned, the Pro Shop version (#8455) has a bunch of extra goodies if that floats your boat. Plus, these kits have an opening trunk and some really nice interior detail, if that's important to you.

The Revell glue kits - both the Bel Air and the 150 sedan - are also solid kits and good builds overall.

 

Edited October 11 by DJMar

[StevenGuthmiller]

Revell also has, “had. Don’t know if it’s available at the moment” a very nice convertible with an optional up top and continental kit.

I built the “newer” AMT version many years ago, and the detail is very good, but I do recall a couple of fit issues.

Nothing major, but it did require a little forethought.

 

 

Steve