AMT 1957 Corvette Gasser *New Project*

[BluePopsicle]

While I'm waiting to put the final touches on my Shelby GT350, I've decided to tackle this beast. I've been warned that this body is garbage and simply doesn't line up...those people were correct. However, I'm going to try and tackle it to see what I can come up with. Funds are a little short these days due to temps getting cooler here and kids needing winter clothes, so this will probably take me a while. Suggestions and comments are always welcome.

Started off sanding down the body lines that don't exist on the real '57 vette as well as the flashing and mold lines.

After taping the body together and started looking at the body lines...they don't match. I'm thinking of grinding the lines down and getting styrene rods or strips to re-make them in the correct place.

Thanks for looking. As always, comments are welcome.

[Fat Brian]

Yeah, that is a horrible, hateful kit. You are probably right that grinding the cove trim off and replacing it is the best option.

[torinobradley]

I've got one of these (in the same brown plastic, I might add) that I was working on making a pro streeter out of. I narrowed the chassis so the wheel/tire combo fits under the body, dropped the front suspension and swapped the mouse for a rat. Other than the motor and some styrene scraps/pieces, I am trying to build the car with the kit so that seems to fit right along the lines of where your going with this one. If you wish, I can tell you what I did to do the mods I have done. I even modified the kit headers for big-block usage. I hadn't considered correcting the cove trim but am considering swapping in the MPC rear wheel radiuses. I also sanded the back of the grill till the teeth fell out. Wanted to be able to see through it.

I can tell you from experience, we got our work cut out for us...

[Ace-Garageguy]

Glad to see you taking on the challenge of making this thing look right. It'll be a lot of work, but it will be an impressive accomplishment.

[BluePopsicle]

I'm thinking this should be the correct thickness. Actual Outer Diameter: .010" (0.3mm)

http://www.hobbylinc.com/htm/pls/pls90850.htm

Edited October 11, 2012 by BluePopsicle

[Dr. Cranky]

Looking forward to more.

[BluePopsicle]

Thanks Bill. No matter what I do to it will be anything next to your recent masterpiece, but I do look forward to trying to tackle it.

[ssroczyn]

Good Luck with this and I do hope you finish it as opposed to throwing it out the window.

I'm just about done with mine, I'm down to attaching the flip hood. I'm going to try to use

whats in the box but I'm doubting much that will work.

So I'm very curious to see how you tackle that.

Definitely a "Character Building" kit but I still like it.

I will definitely be following this one!!

Steve

[Guest Johnny]

Looks like that one piece glass front end came from a certain Florida based company!

[BluePopsicle]

Thanks Steve, I think I'm going to need it. I'm going to the hobby shop today on my way to work to get some supplies. Hopefully this weekend, I'll be able to do something on this.

[ll Brandon ll]

###### dude, youve got your work cut out for you. Ive ran into some pretty sever fitment issues with the Camaro, but nothing that bad. Good luck with it!

[BluePopsicle]

LOL I've got so many ideas poppin' in my head. This will be rough, but fun.

[bryan_m]

i started doing one of these as a pro streeter a long time ago and gave up on it because the fit was so bad! LOL

cheers

bryan

[BluePopsicle]

I'll be honest. I don't really know what a "pro-street" is, but I know this model will not be a race car as the kit intended. I envision it to be a custom Sunday cruiser type of look.

[bryan_m]

pro street........its like a street legal race car. huge engine, huge rear tires, roll bar.ect ect.......

cheers

bryan

[BluePopsicle]

oohhh, thanks for telling me. I'll get all this modeling lingo down eventually. =p

[BluePopsicle]

So I got some work done on funky body panels and lines. I have a little more work to do on the right side of the car, but I think the left is all done except for adding the new lines.

It looks like I've got some good spacing between the hood and the rest of the body. I'll wait till the putty dries then try to work it a little more.

[dimebolt]

Good start Jon. You'll pull through it.

Corey

[BluePopsicle]

[BluePopsicle]

I've got a little update. I know it's been a few days and the progress isn't huge but I've been having issues at work and just started a new job yesterday. Hopefully things will level out soon and give me more time to work on this. For this update, I got the body lines and panel spacing about as good as I can get (unless anyone can suggest anything) and got the car in primer to get a better look.

Thanks for looking and I hope you enjoy.

Jon

[Jantrix]

I don't know what you guys keep complaining about with this kit. Display it with the hood flipped up and it's perfect.

I really appreciate your effort here Blue, keep at it.

Edited October 18, 2012 by Jantrix

[geordie]

Great job on the bodywork mods

[BluePopsicle]

Thanks Rob and David, I appreciate the the kind words. =)

Here's a little update. I added the trim on onto the car and frankly...I'm not really happy with it, but not sure what I can do about it. Tips and suggestions would be really helpful on this. (The gloss is the wet primer.)

[BluePopsicle]

I'm going to let it dry and take another look, but so far...I'm thinking I'd be better off just sanding it off and leaving the car without that trim.

[ll Brandon ll]

What did you do the line with, putty? I think it would come out alot sharper with either a small half round or round rod. It doesnt have a super sharp turn to it, so it shouldnt be that hard to do. The other thought I had was do a negative relief.. the inner round part of the trim you should do out of a piece of sheet styrene and then sand the edges slightly rounded off. I think that would look very innovative and badass. Just my 2c.