Custom Hearse Posted September 21, 2009 Share Posted September 21, 2009 (edited) Can anyone tell me who made this Corvette model? I got it off Evilbay a little while ago, and plan to restore it, but I'd like to know who made it, so I can get a donor kit to use for parts. Possibly an MPC/AMT by the looks of the oil pan. Anybody know? Edited September 26, 2009 by Custom Hearse Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seattle Mike Posted September 21, 2009 Share Posted September 21, 2009 That is the old MPC Astro Vette. It is a model of a real concept car from the late 60's Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Custom Hearse Posted September 21, 2009 Author Share Posted September 21, 2009 That is the old MPC Astro Vette. It is a model of a real concept car from the late 60's Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ismaelg Posted September 21, 2009 Share Posted September 21, 2009 Wooohaaa!!! That's the old MPC Astro Vette, released only once. Those kits were made with radioactive plastic so for your safety, since I'm licensed to dispose of that properly, send it to me ASAP. I'll even pay for the shipping Seriously, That's the Astro Vette show car. Now, before you accuse me of pasting this from the certain Corvette model web site, I wrote it In 1968, GM unveiled the AstroVette show car. According to an official press release, "This clean-contoured, experimental Corvette is a study vehicle, which will provide useful information in yet another area of automotive design investigation". The car was actually based on a blue production '68 convertible. It was built in the spring of 1968. The shape and the aluminum wheel covers suggested a land speed record Bonneville salt flat racer. The paint was pearlescent white and the blue interior was dyed black. Other than a non stock steering wheel, the interior is pretty much production stock. The side flaps in the front fenders are non functional. They are only scribed in the body. The original 400hp L-68 427 engine mated to an automatic Turbo Hydra-Matic transmission was not modified, except for some chrome items. Tall narrow Firestone tires added to the Salt flat racer look. The car was not very popular at first and it earned the name "Moby Dick". Soon after its unveiling, it was relegated to secondary show car circuits and eventually put in storage. At some point in time, the car was repainted orange, and in 1992 the car was restored to original show car specs. Apparently the model was not as popular either so it was never reissued. I tried to investigate if the tooling still existed but could never get an accurate answer. Jimmy Flintstone reproduced the body in resin. I built it a few years ago using the '68 Revell convertible as a donor car. None of the Mako Shark would make very good donors. The best donor is a regular '68 convertible. I used the automatic transmission form a early 80's MPC Corvette. I mastered the wheelcovers and Arrowhead Aluminum reproduce them. Last time I check they still had them in their catalog. Here is a picture of mine and a link: These pics are old. I need to update with better pictures. link to AstroVette model Thanks, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Custom Hearse Posted September 21, 2009 Author Share Posted September 21, 2009 (edited) Wooohaaa!!! That's the old MPC Astro Vette, released only once. Those kits were made with radioactive plastic so for your safety, since I'm licensed to dispose of that properly, send it to me ASAP. I'll even pay for the shipping Seriously, That's the Astro Vette show car. LOL!!!! Now, before you accuse me of pasting this from the certain Corvette model web site, I wrote it In 1968, GM unveiled the AstroVette show car. According to an official press release, "This clean-contoured, experimental Corvette is a study vehicle, which will provide useful information in yet another area of automotive design investigation". The car was actually based on a blue production '68 convertible. It was built in the spring of 1968. The shape and the aluminum wheel covers suggested a land speed record Bonneville salt flat racer. The paint was pearlescent white and the blue interior was dyed black. Other than a non stock steering wheel, the interior is pretty much production stock. The side flaps in the front fenders are non functional. They are only scribed in the body. The original 400hp L-68 427 engine mated to an automatic Turbo Hydra-Matic transmission was not modified, except for some chrome items. Tall narrow Firestone tires added to the Salt flat racer look. The car was not very popular at first and it earned the name "Moby Dick". Soon after its unveiling, it was relegated to secondary show car circuits and eventually put in storage. At some point in time, the car was repainted orange, and in 1992 the car was restored to original show car specs. Apparently the model was not as popular either so it was never reissued. I tried to investigate if the tooling still existed but could never get an accurate answer. Jimmy Flintstone reproduced the body in resin. I built it a few years ago using the '68 Revell convertible as a donor car. None of the Mako Shark would make very good donors. The best donor is a regular '68 convertible. I used the automatic transmission form a early 80's MPC Corvette. I mastered the wheelcovers and Arrowhead Aluminum reproduce them. Last time I check they still had them in their catalog. Here is a picture of mine and a link: These pics are old. I need to update with better pictures. link to AstroVette model Thanks, Thanks for the history and the laugh! I'll either give the original parts a bath, or look for the '68 you talked about. I paid $22.50 for it, so I'm guessing I got a good deal on it. Thanks for the help Ismael! Edited September 21, 2009 by Custom Hearse Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SSNJim Posted September 21, 2009 Share Posted September 21, 2009 Nice find! That chassis definitely screams MPC. They used the same one under all their C3 Corvettes. It has separate chrome A-arms with a spring (working front suspension), poseable front wheels, and rotating half shafts for the rear wheel. Any MPC-based 1968-1982 Corvette kit should yield the replacement chassis/engine parts you need, and perhaps some of the interior parts. These kits were basically annuals, and the body was the main thing updated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jon Cole Posted September 21, 2009 Share Posted September 21, 2009 I remember when Ismael first showed the completed model. He did a great job on an old, rare kit! Here is the box art... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Custom Hearse Posted September 21, 2009 Author Share Posted September 21, 2009 Nice find! That chassis definitely screams MPC. They used the same one under all their C3 Corvettes. It has separate chrome A-arms with a spring (working front suspension), poseable front wheels, and rotating half shafts for the rear wheel. Any MPC-based 1968-1982 Corvette kit should yield the replacement chassis/engine parts you need, and perhaps some of the interior parts. These kits were basically annuals, and the body was the main thing updated. Thanks Jim! That'll give me more leeway for finding parts. Appreciate the info! I remember when Ismael first showed the completed model. He did a great job on an old, rare kit! Here is the box art... Thanks for the picture of the box art Jon! Do you have any of the side panels? Thanks again! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Custom Hearse Posted September 21, 2009 Author Share Posted September 21, 2009 Haha... Just remembered that I have an MPC Voodoo Vette kit in my stash. The frame looks the same as the one shown in the pics I posted, but I'll have to wait and see if I will be able to use it. Thanks again Jon! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buildsince93 Posted September 21, 2009 Share Posted September 21, 2009 thats cool reminds me of a mach V Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Custom Hearse Posted September 23, 2009 Author Share Posted September 23, 2009 thats cool reminds me of a mach V Go Speed Racer, GO!!! I'm thinking about customizing it. I think I'll start a poll... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joe Handley Posted September 23, 2009 Share Posted September 23, 2009 I'd buy one or two if Round2 could find the tools for it and pop out some new ones Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Custom Hearse Posted September 26, 2009 Author Share Posted September 26, 2009 Got the model in today! Checked it out and found some good news and some bad news... The good news is that whoever built it, didn't bother to scrape the plating or the paint when gluing the body parts together, and some parts of the interior. The bad news is the fame and interior tub are a total loss. The hood, front, and rear panels, and glass was glued to the body, but when I tugged slightly on the parts, they just popped right off with no damage with the exception of the glass. A very small chunk of it broke off, but I have an idea on how I might be able to fix it. here's the pics of it... When I get started on it I'll post it regeneration under the title "Saving history". Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jantrix Posted September 26, 2009 Share Posted September 26, 2009 WOW! Scale dust bunnies! Looks like a job - dun dun dun - for SUPER CLEAN! I'd even put the glass in there. Best to get any grime off there before ya start polishing it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iBorg Posted September 26, 2009 Share Posted September 26, 2009 Before I wrote them off, I'd soak them in oven cleaner. This is eat the paint and may break the glue free. It will also destroy the chrome, but it may salvage these pieces. If not, the interior looks really close to standard MPC fair. Mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Custom Hearse Posted September 27, 2009 Author Share Posted September 27, 2009 WOW! Scale dust bunnies! Looks like a job - dun dun dun - for SUPER CLEAN! I'd even put the glass in there. Best to get any grime off there before ya start polishing it. I thought that was Captain Chaos, the Super Cleaner... Before I wrote them off, I'd soak them in oven cleaner. This is eat the paint and may break the glue free. It will also destroy the chrome, but it may salvage these pieces. If not, the interior looks really close to standard MPC fair. Mike Thanks! I do have a new MPC kit to replace the kit parts though... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ismaelg Posted September 27, 2009 Share Posted September 27, 2009 Marshall, I took these pictures back in 1995 when the car was at the Indy 500. The blue interior was changed to black very early on, probably even before hitting the show circuit. I've only seen one GM picture with the blue interior. The interior is factory stock except for the steering wheel. Keep in mind the 1968 interior is unique. The ignition switch is the dash, not in the steering column like '69 and later. The car is also automatic. It was restored in 1992. Sorry for the crappy pictures. These are scans from small faded prints. I'm trying to locate the original negatives. Thanks, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Custom Hearse Posted September 27, 2009 Author Share Posted September 27, 2009 Marshall, I took these pictures back in 1995 when the car was at the Indy 500. The blue interior was changed to black very early on, probably even before hitting the show circuit. I've only seen one GM picture with the blue interior. The interior is factory stock except for the steering wheel. Keep in mind the 1968 interior is unique. The ignition switch is the dash, not in the steering column like '69 and later. The car is also automatic. It was restored in 1992. Sorry for the crappy pictures. These are scans from small faded prints. I'm trying to locate the original negatives. Thanks, No, THANK YOU!!! The pictures are great, and those and the information you've given me will help me tremendously with the restoration. If you don't mind, may I PM you if I have a question? Your help in this endeavor is really appreciated!!! Thanks again! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FujimiLover Posted September 27, 2009 Share Posted September 27, 2009 (edited) Hey guy's. Isn't there are more modern aerovette model kit out there? I think it's also MPC. It's pretty futuristic looking, hard-top, and common to find these day's. One of my local hobby shops has it and I've been tempted by it. Not much of a Corvette fan, but I do like futuristic concept cars. If I recall the picture on the box shows a silver colored future-Vette. That model look's like it would be a pain to restore, specially the interior. I'll be keeping my eye out on this one. Edited September 27, 2009 by FujimiLover Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ismaelg Posted September 27, 2009 Share Posted September 27, 2009 (edited) Hey guy's. Isn't there are more modern aerovette model kit out there? I think it's also MPC. It's pretty futuristic looking, hard-top, and common to find these day's. One of my local hobby shops has it and I've been tempted by it. Not much of a Corvette fan, but I do like futuristic concept cars. If I recall the picture on the box shows a silver colored future-Vette. That model look's like it would be a pain to restore, specially the interior. I'll be keeping my eye out on this one. You are referring to the AEROVette. This is the ASTROVette. They are 2 different cars, about 5 years apart. The AeroVette is Revell. The Astro is MPC and has never been reissued. Thanks, *EDIT* I mean the real cars were about 5 years apart, but the models were not. The MPC model is from around 1970 and the Revell AeroVette is from the late 90's Edited September 27, 2009 by ismaelg Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FujimiLover Posted September 27, 2009 Share Posted September 27, 2009 Thank you, either way they'd look good together. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ismaelg Posted September 27, 2009 Share Posted September 27, 2009 If you don't mind, may I PM you if I have a question? Of course my friend! Glad to help! Thanks, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fernando Roman Posted September 27, 2009 Share Posted September 27, 2009 If you decide to use the '68 Vette as a donor, as Ismael suggests, you can use the steering wheel from the recently reissued AMT '78 Trans Am. It's similar, although not 100% accurate, but looks better than the one you have now. Another option is to use one of the photoetch ones from Replicas and Miniatures. I hope you decide to restore it and not customze it, since it is a pretty rare model. Fernando Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Custom Hearse Posted September 30, 2009 Author Share Posted September 30, 2009 Thanks Fernando! I've got 3 of the '78 T/A kits in my stash, 2 of the original issues also. I'm gonna fix the center of the steering wheel by adding a piece of plastic rod to it. I might have a Corvette decal that I can use for the center of it. No need to worry bud, I've decided to restore it to stock. Thanks for the help! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Howard Cohen Posted September 30, 2009 Share Posted September 30, 2009 Hosted on Fotki This was at Meadowbrook Hall for the 50th Corvette anniversary in 2003. The car is a very bright pearl white and under direct sunlight was awesome. However, this was with a lesser camera. Check Google and see if there are any better photos from the show. At NNL East a few years ago, I picked up a set of machined aluminum wheels for the Astrovette. They are much better than the plastic ones and cost a $20, but worth every penny. I'm still waiting to find a body, although I heard there is a resin one available. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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