Early Corvette Grill Teeth?

[Nate]

I am trying to replicate this car. It was featured in The Rodder's Journal a couple of issues back.

The article says that there are 14 teeth in the grill and that looks to be the correct number I'll need to fill out the space between the headlights number based on some basic testing fitting with the Pro Modeler 58 Corvette grill. The Pro Modeler grill only has 13 teeth (I think) and I would hate to cut it up since I want to actually build that kit. My question is, is there a source for a custom grill that I might be able to use or cut up to fill out the 61 Impala grill?

Also, is there a source for the "spider caps" for the wheels? They look like this:

Edited April 7, 2011 by Nate

[Draggon]

Modelhaus has the spider caps. The AMT Custom grille set has separate teeth although there are only 10 teeth in each set. I Seem to think AMT had a grille with enough teeth in one of their kits but I cant remember which one.

[Matt T.]

Hi Nate. You chose a good car to replicate - she's a beauty!

Modelhaus makes the spiders separately, but they also make them molded to their chrome reversed wheels too (part #s W-120 & W-150). So, it's your call.

For the grille, doesn't the AMT '55 Nomad have a Vette grille option? If so, just grab a couple of those and create your own 14-toother.

[Nate]

Thanks, I'll have to check the 55 Nomad. I know I have at least 1 of those, maybe 2. Does anyone have photos of the separate spiders from Modelhaus? Also what diameter are those wheels, will they fit the front tires from the Revell 29 rat rod truck kit, because they're the perfect tire for this project, IMHO.

[dave riggs]

I think it was the AMT 1957 chevy that had a wide grill of corvette teeth in it. It was the early release, not the newer ones. Let me look around for ya!

Dave

Yeah, I found this on E-Bay. It is not mine...

http://cgi.ebay.com/Vtg-AMT-57-Chevrolet-Model-Car-Kit-1957-Chevy-Hardtop-/180647680124?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2a0f70d87c

I believe just about any of the metal axle 57 kits from AMT should have the grill.

Edited April 7, 2011 by dave riggs

[Nate]

Thanks Dave. I found it in the AMT Boyd Coddington 57 Chevy. It has TONS of those teeth. I may have too many actually. It also has the finned 409 valve covers that the actual car has.

[Matt T.]

I think it was the AMT 1957 chevy that had a wide grill of corvette teeth in it.

Thanks Dave. I found it in the AMT Boyd Coddington 57 Chevy.

Glad you found it, Nate. Dang, it's tough getting old. Memory's the first to go.

Most of Modelhaus' wheels are mastered from AMT 15" wheels. I believe the Rat Rod steelies are a scale 16". So the MH wheel will drop right through the Revell tire. That said, I eyeballed the Modelhaus spiders on my Rat Rod steels recently and it looks like a good fit.

Here's one on an AMT '59 El Camino wheel (as posted on TRaK)

Edited April 8, 2011 by Matt T.