Revell 69 Nova rear panel

[ffreak]

Does anyone have any suggestions for how to correct the slant of the rear tailight panel on the Revell 69 Nova ? I may have overlooked it if there is already a thread on this. I have several kits I want to replicate my Rally Nova . I have already corrected some of the trim options for it, but wanted to ask before I started cutting up the rear. Thanks.

[george 53]

IF you start with the COPO Nova, it comes with a SEPARATE rear valance panel. Use a file stick to PUT THE PROPER SLANT into the rear quarter panel ends. Then, glue in some small sheet plastic peices to form a angled edge where the tailight panel can rest against it. If you do it right, you'll have removed more at the bottom than the top. Glue the tailight panel in and your good to go. I've done this on ALL the Revell Novas I've built. WHY couldn't the company have done this for us??? It's SO glareingly OBVIUOS, but NOBODY seems to care!!!! I HAD a 69 Nova as my first car, and this is something I noticed RIGHT from jump., So, I just fix it. It makes ALL the difference in the world! I'm surprised the the gentlemen who did that GREAT review on this kit didn't mention this GLAREING obvious mistake.

[ffreak]

Thanks for the suggestion. Also what about the tail lights themselves as I remember on my 1:1 Nova they were at the same angle as the panel. Since they are molded into the bumper assembly, it kinda puts a wrench in that sorta. Why did't they make those light as a separate piece !!! Arrggghhh.... I was thinking about cutting them off the bumper and just bmf them and the bumper to cover the cutoff spot. My attempts at allclad haven't been succesful for chrome.. I also thought about heating them enough to maybe just bend them slightly outward at top but that would require setting the bumper back deeper to make it flush. I guess i'll just have to start with the quarters and go one step at a time. I love this kit but that rear section is a BIG mistake they shoulda caught with everything else they did right with that kit !!

[george 53]

EXACTLY MY feelings too Danny. AS my first car I built the AMT 70 Nova kit and was quite happy with it, But the rear panel on the new 69 Nova is a REAL shock. I mean it's SOOOOO obviousa styling feature and they LEFT IT OUT!! Who was sleepin at the wheel to let this mistake get by?

Yes you CAN remove the tailight panel by grinding it from BEHIND, at the top of the bumper. Get it as thin as you can, then turn it over and scribe from the front to separate the panel from the bumper. IF your careful, you can get a nive clean cut. Once you get it separated, you can use the BMF to cover over where you took it to bare plastic to remove it. IF you start with the COPO Nova, it HAS the seperate tailight panel AND rear bumper. Saves ALOT of sweat an effort! I was doin this to ALL my Revell Nova's till the COPO came out. Hope you get it down, caz I'd like to see your lil Nova!!!!

[gray07]

Danny, lets see pics of your rally nova, i had one in 86 it was green with black stripes, v8 stick, they were cool cars, had lots of people at shows said i built it and not chevy

[ffreak]

I'll try and get pics of my real one up after I get all my pics of it on disc. All I have right now are 3x5 pics. It was a 71, mulsanne blue with black stripe, 350 automatic. I had it over 20 yrs, was my high school rod, honeymoon getaway, all the way up till my kids were old enough to scream at me to slow down in it !!! lol.. I had it in lots of configurations and wheels, several paint jobs too. Listened to wifey one too many times and sold it to a neighbor. Regreted it ever since... Thx. for the suggestions guys and i'll give it a go, I will have to decide on the rear wheel arches after I do the other mods to it....