1988 Corvette

[Scale-Master]

I’m building a replica of my Mom’s first Corvette using an old AMR 1/43^rd scale white metal kit. It has been on the to-do list for almost 20 years, but since the kit did not have to correct wheels to make her car, it sat. Until I figured out how I could make the right wheels.

I made the outer rims from brass tubing. I made the centers also from brass using the etching process I have been fine tuning.

I made decals for the center caps. Still some clean-up to do…

The kit’s tires were hard and brittle; I test fitted one to a rim from the kit and it promptly (and as expected), split in half. I repaired it and made a mold of the four kit tires and cast a new set in soft rubber-like resin. Until fully cure (about a week) they tend to get all sorts of dust and junk stuck to them. The dust will wipe off before I need to install them on the car.

[Deano]

How DO you do these things? I can barely stick things together with glue!

BTW, did you know you can't receive PMs?

[sjordan2]

Superb decal work. How did you get them so crisp at such a small scale?

[o-man]

How DO you do these things? I can barely stick things together with glue!

What he said! Your modeling skills are awesome!!

[cobraman]

Yup, you have some mad skills to be sure.

[Tonioseven]

Incredible work!!

[Scale-Master]

Thanks guys.

How do I do it Dean? I just try to figure out how to. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. This is actually my second attempt since I started on this car last week. Keep in mind this was the part that held up this model being built for almost two decades.

As far as the decals Skip, I don't know what to tell you. I just draw the art and output it. I guess knowing the parameters/capabilities of your printer(s) helps...

[Scale-Master]

Finally got some time to work on this one again...

Above average interior parts for this kits contemporaries. Still Spartan compared to a traditional plastic kit… All white metal, with some brass in the chassis.

[Danno]

Very nice, Mark!

[Scale-Master]

Thanks Dan!

The body was cleaned up, but not as well as I’d like since it had already been assembled (by someone else before I got the kit). The individual body parts were not prepped fully and the epoxy bond is stronger than the white metal’s integrity.

I used Testors Gloss White enamel as the base color. Now to start detailing the mostly black trim…

[Scale-Master]

The black window and beltline trim are done. Decals for the emblems and side marker lights are up next.

I made a decal for the front panel where a license plate “might” go, (barely visible). It is the word Corvette in relief so I tried for a shadowed effect.

I used a dark gray wash over the front parking lights. It seems to work OK since it is a white car and those lenses are an off white…

[Scale-Master]

^{The door handles have been blacked out and the decals applied as well. I made a replica license plate too.}

^{The taillights had to be filed down to about 30-35% of the thickness they came in the kit. They looked like they were from a ’53 Corvette(?).}

^{Glass is in, waiting for the paint to cure then it is time for final assembly…}

[cobraman]

Lookin' good !