AMT Corvette 'Sock it to Me' ?

[Casey]

Other than nostalgia and the decals, I'm not seeing any reason to purchase this kit over Revell's '62. The AMT kit's headlights are tiny and chrome plated(!), and the whole nose looks ad if it was stretched vertically.

Wait, is this about the hardtop, again?

[Craig Irwin]

Other than nostalgia and the decals, I'm not seeing any reason to purchase this kit over Revell's '62. The AMT kit's headlights are tiny and chrome plated(!), and the whole nose looks ad if it was stretched vertically.

Wait, is this about the hardtop, again?

It must be, and the decals !

[CEKPETHO BCE]

I was going to get this kit to build the drag/boneville version, but now it seems like I will be saving some money seeing how wonderfully this kit compares to the Revell version.

Thanks a lot guys for saving me money!

[Erik Smith]

It must be, and the decals !

They will probably through in a set of printed slicks, too.

[Craig Irwin]

Sorry, the headlights, front end and chassis are far too much for me now that Revell has done the subject light years better.

[cooltoys1]

Has anyone purchased the Sock it To Me reissue? I got it today, it looks the same as what i remember, other than the pad printed slicks and wide whites for the stock version, but im missing 2 wide whites, they only put 2 in my box?? anyone else??

[ss2000]

Anybody get a metallic orange one yet? Wondering if it will be translucent like the Manx. Joe.

[Eshaver]

I have to agree with Casey's opinions of this kit . I have one of the "Matchbox era" kits myself . I also well remember the Annual 1962 Corvette with it's opening trunk and some tools too. Uh, it was released as an AMT . Since kits are costing what they are today, I'll take my money and place it on something representative of the subject at hand . Sadly, A M T could have done better by NOT re releasing this piece .....................

[george 53]

Gotta agree. The old AMT kit DOES have problems with the front end. It has NEVER looked right. Headlights just seemed too small.The New Revell 62 kit is LIGHT YEARS ahead of the ol AMT junk. You'd be better off just buyin the slick and tire kits instead of wasteing your money on that 40 yr old AMT kit!

[Don Sikora II]

Anybody get a metallic orange one yet? Wondering if it will be translucent like the Manx. Joe.

The one I bought is in the metallic orange. It is translucent, but the color looks great.

[Rob Hall]

Gotta agree. The old AMT kit DOES have problems with the front end. It has NEVER looked right. Headlights just seemed too small.The New Revell 62 kit is LIGHT YEARS ahead of the ol AMT junk. You'd be better off just buyin the slick and tire kits instead of wasteing your money on that 40 yr old AMT kit!

It's actually over 50 years old..

Edited March 17, 2013 by Rob Hall

[mikemodeler]

Was looking to buy this kit until I saw this review, thanks for saving me $20+ !

[ss2000]

Has anyone purchased the Sock it To Me reissue? I got it today, it looks the same as what i remember, other than the pad printed slicks and wide whites for the stock version, but im missing 2 wide whites, they only put 2 in my box?? anyone else??

I just got 1 at the hobby shop today, and it also only has 2 stock tires. I got a white one, really want an orange one.

[ss2000]

After looking the kit over, the bottom of the box shows just 4 tires, 2 slicks and 2 stock.

[Brett Barrow]

Round 2/AMT is aware of the issue with the tires and will issue extra tires if you want them. Though honestly, anyone that buys this kit to build stock doesn't deserve a full set of tires...

[Brett Barrow]

It's actually over 50 years old..

Yup, it has roots in the old annual kit/promo, amirite?

[DR Dubois]

Not sure which issue of the kit this was but built about 15 years ago and it came with the double blowers and all needed components. Not a terrible kit but a real shame about those under sized headlights!

[Rob Hall]

Yup, it has roots in the old annual kit/promo, amirite?

Yes...I have one of the '62 annuals, has an opening trunk..don't know if any of the later issues had that detail. The circa-1978 'Countdown Series' issue I built as a kid doesn't.

[Steve Prideaux]

The 1961 Corvette, was the last, to have wide whitewall tires. In 1962 the whitewall from the factory, was 1 inch to 1 1/14 inch wide. Steve Prideaux

[Craig Irwin]

Yes...I have one of the '62 annuals, has an opening trunk..don't know if any of the later issues had that detail.

Does that issue have the undersized headlights ?

[Rob Hall]

Does that issue have the undersized headlights ?

I believe so... I don't think those parts ever changed over the years.

[Casey]

Interesting...the instruction sheet for the 2013 reissue shows clear headlight lenses and chrome bases with a center "stem" for the custom build option.

[Brett Barrow]

Only 58-60's had the chrome bezels. 61's and 62's were body color. You could put 58-60 bezels on a 61-62 if you wanted to "dress" them up a little.

62's didn't have the contrasting cove or the garnish molding around it. That green drag box-art car looks like a 60 with the cove "vents" and the rear end altered to look like a 62. 60's had a large round emblem and no "Corvette" lettering. 62's had a similiar round emblem, but it sat closer to the hood to fit the "Corvette" lettering between it and the grille.

The "custom" headlights are the typical Lucas-style lights with the bulb reflector that AMT put in just about everything during that period. Problem with them is you can never get the "reflector" centered in the hole in the lens, it's always too big and off center.

The AMT kit is a hot mess, it always has been, from day one. The Revell kit was sorely needed, I know everybody cries "not another 'Vette", but the 62 is rather unique and had never been done well by anybody.

Edited March 22, 2013 by Brett Barrow

[Casey]

Only 58-60's had the chrome bezels. 61's and 62's were body color. You could put 58-60 bezels on a 61-62 if you wanted to "dress" them up a little.

62's didn't have the contrasting cove or the garnish molding around it. That green drag box-art car looks like a 60 with the cove "vents" and the rear end altered to look like a 62.

Ah, that would make sense.

The "custom" headlights are the typical Lucas-style lights with the bulb reflector that AMT put in just about everything during that period.

I recall the '59 El Camino kit included 'em, too. Here's a real '60-'62 Vette with what appear to be Lucas headlights:

[Brett Barrow]

I think just about every AMT 3 in 1 kit from the early sixties had Lucas headlights as a customizing part. Probably harder to find one that didn't have them. Some had the tri-bar style and others had the smooth lens with the reflector like you show. They put both styles in the Bumpers and Grilles parts pack.

I remember reading a tip (it may be on here) to use googly eyes from the craft store for the lens part, just cut the back off and use the clear front. The post doesn't stick through, but it looks better than the off-center hole.

I need to track down some that fit the Revell bezels to use on mine, I think they're a cool period custom touch, even though I don't understand why anyone would want to put a British-made electrical component on their car...