Opinions Wanted....

[Len Geisler]

Guys....

I tried the other board, still not sure why I go back there I think it has become like a car crash ....Anyway, I just received my third First Issue AMT 63 Corvette Convertable, and I have some restoration questions so here I am...

Over the past year I have aquired two more built ups that are in need of restoration, one is in much worse shape than the other. What I would like some opinions on is should I use all the original kit parts, and possibly some Modelhaus repro parts (IMHO, no different than a 1:1 guy going to MidAmerica), or should I use some of the newer 1/25th chassis parts from the Revellogram 67? I'd like to build a nice, and accurate 63 convert with working headlights. I should also mention that I plan on using a combination of PE and Keith Marks decals for the body markings.

So gang, wadda ya think? Should I use only the AMT parts I have and Modelhaus items as needed, or do I do a "resto-mod" of sorts?

Thanks......

[ismaelg]

Len,

My biggest concern with the AMT chassis is the molded exhaust and suspension parts. I haven't tried the AMT body with the Revell '67 but if it works, that would be the way to go. The interior of the AMT can also use some help as the door panels are very flat and the seats are not that great. If you can get your hands on a Revell '63 snap conv, maybe the seats and some interior parts may be used as well. Bottom line, IMO go resto mod with the best parts regardless of their origin

Thanks,

[robertw]

I did a little playing around a couple of years back with the Revell chassis under the AMT body and as I recall it was not a drop in fit but could be made to work.

What you do depends on what you are hoping to achieve. If your aim is to create the most accurate '63 that you can, then of course use what ever you can to achieve that aim. If the aim is merely to do a restoration on an old first generation C2 kit then do and replace only what you have too, but maintain the bones of the old model. Were you also going to use interior elements from the Revell snap '63 kit to replace the inner door flat AMT door panels?

robw

[Zoom Zoom]

Sounds to me like you're more a builder than interested in collector value, which is of limited value when you're already starting w/vintage buildups and not a fresh vintage unbuilt kit. If you want one accurate '63 w/the working headlights and are going to the trouble to source some aftermarket goodies like fresh chrome, p/e, and decals, I'd say by all means fit a Revell chassis w/the separate suspension/exhaust; as the AMT chassis is pretty simplistic aside from the fact that the kit does come w/an engine. I'd also use a Revell snap interior, as it's got separate door panels and seats vs. the AMT's one piece bucket w/integral seats/door panels. Fitting Revell pieces may require some ingenuity, but shouldn't be too hard, and you'd end up w/the best hybrid of all the various parts. I could have fun in either scenario, building the more detailed hybrid or restoring the original and just using careful paint detailing techniques. It's a Corvette, it'll look good regardless