Need some kit identification help here...

[mustangman]

Revell Monogram made the only 1968 Corvette roadster in the Pro Modeler series and then no others,shortly aftre that Monogram made ther 1959 Corvette with very similiar parts and attributes,is their a chance that the so called 1959 Corvette could be the 58 kits as so much of the parts are so much alike,would anyone be able to shed some light on this kit so we can see what we really have here,any help would be greatly appreciatedjust the similiarity of having 2 engine building options & opening trunk,same type tires & wheels,even the box is about the same size,any help would be appreciated,,,,

[randx0]

they are pretty much the same kit except for the trim just like the revell 69 and 68 chargers are the same or the 32 fords.

[Casey]

they are pretty much the same kit except for the trim just like the revell 69 and 68 chargers are the same or the 32 fords.

I agree. The '69 Dodge Charger R/T Pro Modeler kit had both a 440 and a Hemi, an engine stand, a roll bar, and a few other extra parts. Lo and behold, what should appear in the Special Edition '68 Dodge Charger R/T kit, but the same two engines, the engine stand, and some of the same extra parts.

[MrObsessive]

'58 models would have a ribbed hood while '59's were smooth. Also (I don't have the kit in front me), there might be mounting holes in the '58's trunk as those were for the chrome strips that zipped up the decklid.

Also the '59 kit included a hardtop, while the '58 kit gave you a soft top only. Interestingly, the soft top is missing in the '59 kit. Wheelcovers should be slightly different between the two years--------'59's should have slots while the '58 should not.

Other than seat patterns and such the kits are about the same.

Edited February 26, 2010 by MrObsessive

[Zoom Zoom]

There are a lot of subtle differences.

The '58 has the ribbed hood, and decklid spears (molded to the decklid). Different wheelcovers. Different custom wheels (slotted steelies w/baby moons, tires based on mid 60's Revell musclecar tires). Stock tires are beautifully done tampo-printed bias ply whitewalls. Soft top only. Different seat/door panel trim. Different custom engine dress ups. Decals to make trunk floor & luggage.

The '59 has a smooth hood & decklid, a beautiful set of modern big 'n little 5 spoke custom wheels/tires, '59 interior trim, the uptop is replaced by a hardtop. The bias ply stock tires are blackwalls. Wheel covers updated to '59.

They're both great kits. I was disappointed when Revell dropped plans to make a stock '62 based on their '62 "Route 66" diecast model; it is by far a better model, even in metal, than the old AMT kit (but not up to the standards of their own '58/'59 kits). In plastic it would be fantastic. I'm 99% sure that test shots revealed (if they got that far) that the monstrously-thick front fascia area, okay for diecast but not plastic, probably resulted in terrible sink marks and as such not such an easy conversion to plastic without an expensive upgrade in the body tool. A shame really...but Revell never elaborated on why the kit mysteriously vanished from the "coming soon" lineup well over a year ago.

[mustangman]

Gentlemen,

Thank you so much for the needed information,I only have the 59 so was curiious just looking between what I had and what I saw in pics,my kit however has the ribs going down each side of the hood (2)and the trim looked tha same,thats why I wondered.So for the most part it would be safe to say trying to build a 58 out of the 59 kit would be grossly inaccurate,thank you for your time and input,

Randy