jeff9150 Posted March 26, 2014 Share Posted March 26, 2014 As an aside, I bought a previous issue of this kit from a discount store back in 1987 or so (I think it was on clearance for $3.19). It has the same "Street Rods" box art as this new reissue, but it has the AMT/Ertl logo and is stock number 6550. It's molded in red, and has exactly the same plastic parts as this new reissue, including the 327 and fuel injection set up (even the two groovy helmets). Mine came with a "supplemental instruction sheet", which was one page, and has instructions for building the 327 and the fuelie option. It also shows how the rear wheel arches need to be radiused for those monster slicks. It also has text explaining how the 427 was available for 1967, and it has the Dyersville IA Ertl address on it. The body on mine does not have the 1967 back up light, and the seats are molded into the interior bucket. My decal sheet is a generic AMT set of numbers and sponsors (think Modified Stocker series). In looking at mine, this is a really nice old kit. Glad I didn't complete it as a kid and destroy it! I may pick up a new one to build as a drag version though- that new decal sheet looks great! Just thought I'd let folks know that at least some of the previous reissues of this kit came with both engines. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bob Ellis Posted March 27, 2014 Share Posted March 27, 2014 The original #A163 AMT Street Rods '63 Corvette was molded in white plastic. I believe there were several runs with that box design, but only the first ones had a box bottom with blue printing about 50th anniversary specials. I think this is the only issue with '67 backup light. The original decals were those simple small sheets similar to the other Street Rods kits. Seems like the '64 Impala had the set. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bob Ellis Posted March 29, 2014 Share Posted March 29, 2014 Here is the first AMT A163 '63 Corvette kit. You can tell it's a converted '67 since it has both a split window and backup light between the tail lights Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FordRodnKustom Posted November 7, 2015 Share Posted November 7, 2015 I got inspired by the 63 Z06 "Mystery Motor" Sting Ray that was featured in my latest copy of Hot Rod Magazine then realized I didn't have a "split window" in my stash. Picked one up today...here's what's in the box for anyone interested. Big block with induction and valve cover options Fuel injected small block Nice chrome five spokes Extremely disappointed with these old hollow Good Year whatever they are. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
horsepower Posted November 7, 2015 Share Posted November 7, 2015 Extremely disappointed with these old hollow Good Year whatever they are. I can remember when those particular tires were the hot thing, in around '74-'75, the first set of radial tires I bought for my little Pinto, they were pretty good at channeling water, but the compound was about as hard as a brick, so dry traction wasn't the best. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Renegade Posted November 7, 2015 Share Posted November 7, 2015 Building one in black and used the skinny white walls from the AMT tire pack on the stock wheels. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
unclescott58 Posted November 7, 2015 Share Posted November 7, 2015 A good old classic kit of one of my favorite Vettes. Old and primitive. Low in modern standards of detail. But, it still builds up nice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snake45 Posted November 7, 2015 Share Posted November 7, 2015 Looks like the same as the last few issues of that kit, except maybe for the decals. Hard to tell but it looks like it might have the Fuel Injection emblems on the fenders? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jon Cole Posted November 8, 2015 Share Posted November 8, 2015 As I look at the parts layout, I see little clues that spark the ol' memory bank. The cut hood... the four port fender collector for the exhaust. I love it when I see something that I may have built as a youngster. Maybe this time, I'll be smart enough to not paint the body with oil paint! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
louie Posted November 8, 2015 Share Posted November 8, 2015 Wow. I was just reading that article this morning. Thank you Fordrodncustom for posting another great review of great kit. I really like how you show everything that comes in the box. Helps tremendously when deciding whether to get that kit or not. Thank you. Jeff Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Chernecki Posted November 8, 2015 Share Posted November 8, 2015 (edited) How is the body on yours? The front nose and tail is seriously misaligned on mine leaving a 1/16 " step at those mold seams. Does Round 2 have a parts replacement program like Revell? How does this release differ from the recent USA-1 release? Edited November 9, 2015 by Mike Chernecki Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ron Hamilton Posted November 9, 2015 Share Posted November 9, 2015 Wow! I still have a couple of the old 1963 annuals. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Art Anderson Posted November 9, 2015 Share Posted November 9, 2015 Thanks for the memories! I snagged one of those in early '63, at Mrs. Abbott's little hobby shop in Fairfield IA, where I was a freshman in college (Parsons College)! Loved the kit, built a couple more of it over the next 6 months or so.Art Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greg Myers Posted November 9, 2015 Share Posted November 9, 2015 Least we forget , the chassis is a molded "Promo " style with little to no detail. a shame when the rest of the kit has so much to offer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bob Ellis Posted November 9, 2015 Share Posted November 9, 2015 Remember this kit was designed as a promo, not a kit. So while the body shape is good, it lacks modern kit details.It came out as an annual in coupe and convertible updated every year until 1967. The annual '63 convertible and THE CAT had working front headlights.After the '67 annual run, it became a All American kit in a couple variations of boxes containing a 1967 Corvette.The above box is the artwork for the 25th anniversary kit (1973). AMT took the 1967 and backdated it to a 1963. Thanks to 1967, it now contained a 427 that was not available in 1963 (except on the track as a Mystery engine, so build it that way.) Also the 25th anniversary kit being a 1963, had a 1967 back up light between the tail lights. This is a rare kit as I have not seen this kit since I bought it new in 1973-1974.The 1967 never came back. just the 1963. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greg Myers Posted November 10, 2015 Share Posted November 10, 2015 (edited) This is far from being a "rare kit " Reissued several times, out now all over Ebay. Edited November 10, 2015 by Greg Myers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bob Ellis Posted November 10, 2015 Share Posted November 10, 2015 Greg, you misunderstood me. I didn't say the above kit or the reissues are rare. What is rare, is the 1973 issue with a 1963 body and a 1967 backup light in the middle of the tail lights.The box bottom has the have the 25th anniversary advertisement on it. That is on the bottom of 1973-1974 kits. Has to be molded in white plastic as well. Lots of reissues of that box cover and same kit # for sure, but 1973 didn't reoccur.I have only seen 2 of the 1967 back up light '63s in the last 40 years. I am sure others are out there, but they are elusive. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greg Myers Posted November 10, 2015 Share Posted November 10, 2015 That would be rare Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pharoah Posted November 10, 2015 Share Posted November 10, 2015 Thanks for posting this. But what is the other 63 Corvette coupe kit I see on the Bay? It has 'USA' decals on it. I suppose it's basically the same kit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Casey Posted November 10, 2015 Share Posted November 10, 2015 (edited) Thanks for posting this. But what is the other 63 Corvette coupe kit I see on the Bay? It has 'USA' decals on it. I suppose it's basically the same kit.It is, 'cept with the USA-1 decals which Round2 has the licensing to reproduce:AMT introduces a 3 in 1 ’63 split-window Corvette kit inspired by USA-1’s Everett Jasmer. While the kit can be built in stock, custom or racing versions, the instruction sheet shows the parts Everett would use in building the USA-1 dream Corvette! The kit also features a large decal sheet complete with patriotic USA-1 markings!• 1/25 scale, molded in white• 3-in-1 format with parts for stock, custom or drag versions• Pre-lettered drag slicks• Multiple engine intake options• Clear red taillights• Stock & custom wheels• Large decal sheet with full color USA-1 graphics• ALL NEW USA-1 PACKAGING Edited November 12, 2015 by Casey Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pharoah Posted November 10, 2015 Share Posted November 10, 2015 Thanks Casey. Too bad they couldn't include printed whitewalls and stock hubcaps. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snake45 Posted November 10, 2015 Share Posted November 10, 2015 The stock wheel covers (not hubcaps) were in the Prestige series release of the roadster, and are available from Modelhaus. They're also in the Revell 1/25 snapper '63 Vettes, which are at least as accurate in body shape as the AMT Vettes, if not more so. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FordRodnKustom Posted November 11, 2015 Share Posted November 11, 2015 The stock wheel covers (not hubcaps) were in the Prestige series release of the roadster, and are available from Modelhaus. They're also in the Revell 1/25 snapper '63 Vettes, which are at least as accurate in body shape as the AMT Vettes, if not more so.Well they were called hubcaps as far as I know throughout the 50's. 60's and well into the 70's. Not exactly sure when the "wheel cover" thing started but to me both terms are correct...depending on perspective. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snake45 Posted November 11, 2015 Share Posted November 11, 2015 Well they were called hubcaps as far as I know throughout the 50's. 60's and well into the 70's. Not exactly sure when the "wheel cover" thing started but to me both terms are correct...depending on perspective.Two different things. Hubcaps are smaller and cover only the hub and lugs/lug nuts, leaving a good deal of the steel wheel exposed. Wheel covers cover the whole wheel (Except maybe a small portion of the rim). I dunno about the C1s, but no Corvette from '63 on came with "hubcaps." (The caps on Rally Wheels were called "center caps.") Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Junkman Posted November 11, 2015 Share Posted November 11, 2015 I once bought the Revell snapper and never looked back. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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