AMT 63 Corvette

[Bob Ellis]

I forgot, ERTL made have made a 327 small block from scratch in the 1980s. Doesn't appear to be like the original AMT which was used last in the '67 convertible kit. Maybe some of you remember better than me.

[unclescott58]

I forgot, ERTL made have made a 327 small block from scratch in the 1980s. Doesn't appear to be like the original AMT which was used last in the '67 convertible kit. Maybe some of you remember better than me.

Did they make a new 327 for this kit? Or did they reopen the gates in the mold? I ask because the 327 in the recent kits looks identical to the one in the original issue.

[Bob Ellis]

unclescott58, that is a good question.

On the original 327, the valve covers and other parts are on the chrome tree. The ERTL 327 has parts by themselves un-chromed. The ERTL 327 has a unique double snorkel air cleaner not from the original. Sometimes the parts look the same, but under careful examination, you can see they are a different tool.

The original chrome tree and post-AMT ERTL chrome tree have few common parts. They include the 8 wheel locations, bumpers and rear license plate frame. The 327 parts were swapped for 427 big block parts.

This new Retro '63 interior uses the 1963-1967 hardtop interior with seats molded to the bucket like a promo. The convertible interior from 1965-1967 with separate seats is missing. The ERTL hardtops and convertibles and Round2 hardtops are clearly the warmed over last annual issue which was the 1967 hardtop.

It looks like the order of the tool was; 1967 annual hardtop, Funny, Candidate, '63 A163, '63 A163 ERTL, '63 Prestige conv, '63 conv ERTL, several more '63 split window, and Round2 Retros

[Snake45]

It looks like the order of the tool was; 1967 annual hardtop, Funny, Candidate, '63 A163, '63 A163 ERTL, '63 Prestige conv, '63 conv ERTL, several more '63 split window, and Round2 Retros

Very nicely done!

I  wish at some point Round 2 would reissue the roadster with ALL the various tops it had over the years. Lessee, that would be soft top, hard top, custom fastback, all-clear top, and panel wagon. Did I get them all? And then there were a couple interesting things like airfoil roll bars, and teardrop headrests....

[unclescott58]

unclescott58, that is a good question.

On the original 327, the valve covers and other parts are on the chrome tree. The ERTL 327 has parts by themselves un-chromed. The ERTL 327 has a unique double snorkel air cleaner not from the original. Sometimes the parts look the same, but under careful examination, you can see they are a different tool.

The original chrome tree and post-AMT ERTL chrome tree have few common parts. They include the 8 wheel locations, bumpers and rear license plate frame. The 327 parts were swapped for 427 big block parts.

This new Retro '63 interior uses the 1963-1967 hardtop interior with seats molded to the bucket like a promo. The convertible interior from 1965-1967 with separate seats is missing. The ERTL hardtops and convertibles and Round2 hardtops are clearly the warmed over last annual issue which was the 1967 hardtop.

It looks like the order of the tool was; 1967 annual hardtop, Funny, Candidate, '63 A163, '63 A163 ERTL, '63 Prestige conv, '63 conv ERTL, several more '63 split window, and Round2 Retros

Interesting, and thank you.

[Lizard Racing]

I also have a Mystery Motor Vette in assembly.

The issue of Hot Rod was a valuable resource.  Just remember the car featured has been changed from its original configuration.  The M/T cars had bumpers, fake louvers on the hood and cut away wheel openings.  There is a U-Tube video which provides some close details like the metal clips to hold the windows in.

Which car do you plan to build, the #3 or #4?

[Bob Ellis]

I think I will do a '63 just as you say with the mystery motor. In the Hot Rod article there is a photo of the non bumper Vette. That interests me.

[gtx6970]

Interesting that we've been keeping the wheel cover/hub cap topic alive, on a kit that comes with neither! I do wish it would now get back to the original subject. The AMT '63 Corvette kit. So I'll try. As noted, I've built several of the coupes over the years. And despite it being an older, primitive kit, I still like it.

 

Thanks I got a little chuckle out of that one. Got my day off to a good start

 

I have always liked the split window Vettes. I may have to pick one of these up here soon . Thinking black ( or silver ) with red interior Fuelie small block 4 spd.

[AC Norton]

.....glad we're back on topic for a change....like so many forum discussions, they go so far astray of related subject, its annoying as hell. anyhow, the AMT63  Vette....its one of those kits that everybody knocks for this or that, but most of us forgive all that and have a couple in stock always. its a neat piece, even if you never build it, but have to have it.....hope that was on topic.......the Ace...............

[stavanzer]

Bill, try looking for either the of the Vette's out now. My LHS has the Recent USA-1 (?) with the super wide rear tires, for five dollors less than the 2014 reissue. Same parts in both kits, and the Newer One has 4 extra tires. Better barging for you if you are buying just to build, and not set on a particular decal option.  YMMV.

Alan

[unclescott58]

Thanks I got a little chuckle out of that one. Got my day off to a good start

 

I have always liked the split window Vettes. I may have to pick one of these up here soon . Thinking black ( or silver ) with red interior Fuelie small block 4 spd.

The last one I built, in the last year, from the most recent reissue, I did to mimic Jay Leno's '63 color wise. Silver with a black interior. It turned out very nice. You won't hear me complaining about this kit. It's still one of my favorites.

[Bob Ellis]

I can' say we went off topic. It started with; "Does anybody want to see what's in the in the box?" paraphrased. Those pictures were worth a 1000 words.

It is worth knowing that kit issue is the very best of a 40 year run. This Round2 box looks exactly the same as the AMT kit issued in 1974 or so. But it is not the same exact kit because it includes the small block and no 1967 backup light. Early ones only includes a big block 427. This Retro box only gives the mag wheels and the Corvette turbine wheels. Except for the split window, the 327 engine, 63 hood, 63 fender vents, seat pattern and removal of the backup light, it's a copy of the AMT annual 1967 kit.

The Round2 USA-1 version of this kit appears to swap the Corvette turbine wheels for the common '63 Vette wheel covers.

I would say that if you want recreate the Mystery Engine, either kit would be fine. These stock Vette wheel covers have only been issued in 1963 (Original), 1987 (Prestige) and 2015 (in the USA-1 kit).

Some may complain that this AMT Corvette kit has a boring chassis. It's typical pre-1965 kit design. Can not compare to today's new kits. However, the shape fidelity of these old AMT kits are very good.

Anybody reading this thread should get a pretty clear picture of what this kit is, and is not.

I bought both.

 

 

[stavanzer]

Bob, Thanks for a Most Clear explanation of the kits, and options.

That really helps.

[louie]

I've been following this thread from the beginning and I just want to say Thank you to everyone who has posted here Because I have learned soooo much more about this kit and the various others that came before. I just love any and all of the help and information that I can get to become a better modeler so again Thank you all for sharing your knowledge as I am listening and learning.       Jeff 

[unclescott58]

I can' say we went off topic. It started with; "Does anybody want to see what's in the in the box?" paraphrased. Those pictures were worth a 1000 words.

It is worth knowing that kit issue is the very best of a 40 year run. This Round2 box looks exactly the same as the AMT kit issued in 1974 or so. But it is not the same exact kit because it includes the small block and no 1967 backup light. Early ones only includes a big block 427. This Retro box only gives the mag wheels and the Corvette turbine wheels. Except for the split window, the 327 engine, 63 hood, 63 fender vents, seat pattern and removal of the backup light, it's a copy of the AMT annual 1967 kit.

The Round2 USA-1 version of this kit appears to swap the Corvette turbine wheels for the common '63 Vette wheel covers.

I would say that if you want recreate the Mystery Engine, either kit would be fine. These stock Vette wheel covers have only been issued in 1963 (Original), 1987 (Prestige) and 2015 (in the USA-1 kit).

Some may complain that this AMT Corvette kit has a boring chassis. It's typical pre-1965 kit design. Can not compare to today's new kits. However, the shape fidelity of these old AMT kits are very good.

Anybody reading this thread should get a pretty clear picture of what this kit is, and is not.

I bought both.

 

 

I thought the USA-1 version had the Corvette aluminum wheels? Only the AMT Prestige roadster and the Revell 63's had the stock wheel covers?

[Lizard Racing]

Since the car as featured in hot Rod has been a local B/P racer, there have been a number of changes from the original M/T.  Most notable for us is the bumpers, which were removed.  Don't forget to scratch-build the heave front sway bar.

I will try to post some on the workbench photos today of what I have so far.

[Snake45]

I thought the USA-1 version had the Corvette aluminum wheels? Only the AMT Prestige roadster and the Revell 63's had the stock wheel covers?

It looks like both roadster and coupe original '63 annuals had the wheel covers. I don't know if these would be considered better or worse than the Prestige or Revell wheel covers, but Modelhaus should have repros of them.

I'll have to go through my stash of original AMT annual Sting Ray parts and see if I have a set of the original annuals to compare. I might but don't remember offhand.

[pack rat]

I thought the USA-1 version had the Corvette aluminum wheels? Only the AMT Prestige roadster and the Revell 63's had the stock wheel covers?

I'll have to go through my stash of original AMT annual Sting Ray parts and see if I have a set of the original annuals to compare. I might but don't remember offhand.

The USA-1 kit contains the same aluminum wheels as the Retro Deluxe kit,  Round2 used a photo of a 1:1 Vette with stock wheel covers on the pre-production box art, hence the confusion.

The re-tooled wheel covers in the Prestige kits are OK, but the original AMT pieces are much nicer to my eye. 

[Bob Ellis]

I just checked the stock wheel covers of the original '63 Corvette kit and the stock wheel covers of the ERTL '63 Prestige kit. They are the same as the photo on the USA-1 box.

The original wheel covers and the ERTL are the same with one exception; the originals need wheel-backs (typical 3in1 kits) and the ERTLs appear to be promo based needing only a steel axle rod to connect. Some may remember how the resurrected '63 Impala kit under ERTL had promo type wheel covers instead of the original 3in1 type.. To me, under close examination, both stock Corvette wheel covers are the same. They look good.

This Corvette tool has 8 wheel locations on the chrome tree. I don't think you can have this kit with 3 sets; mags, turbine wheels and stock wheel covers. This appears to be the difference between the Retro and USA-1 boxes.

[Dan Rosenello]

Anything stuck to a wheel to embellish it was called a hubcap, regardless whether it only covered a part of it, or the entire wheel.
The first time I ever heard the term "wheel cover" was in the Eighties. I immediately relegated it to sales brochure jargon and never use the term in normal parlance.
For me, even a '61 Imperial LeBaron has hubcaps.
 

Junkman, you made me chuckle with this comment. My dad always noted the difference between wheel covers and hubcaps. But he was a car salesman ! Couldn't turn a wrench, but he knew exactly how much your car could sell for. And a big part of that was how shiny your wheels were ! 

[Bob Ellis]

Junkman, you made me chuckle with this comment. My dad always noted the difference between wheel covers and hubcaps. But he was a car salesman ! Couldn't turn a wrench, but he knew exactly how much your car could sell for. And a big part of that was how shiny your wheels were ! 

Some people called hubcaps poverty caps. I guess because they couldn't afford the upgrade.

Except in the case of the 1963 Corvette. You got wheel covers when you couldn't afford the upgrade. Apparently a restored Kelsey-Hayes aluminum knock-off set restored gets $9500 today. LOL

[Mike Chernecki]

One thing I noticed between the Retro Deluxe and USA-1 version. It looks like the Retro Deluxe was run througn the molds as they were left by the previous owners. The USA -1 appears to be cleaned up, the body is sharp, crisp, flash free and parting lines are barely visible.

[Bob Ellis]

I just received a USA-1 kit. I was a little disappointed, but not surprised. Despite the box top promise of stock wheel covers, it has the same mags and Kelsey-hayes knock-offs on the chrome tree seen since the A163 kit in 1974/5. The detail of the Kelsey-Hayes wheels are better engraved the ones done 40 years ago, however. The 327 engine is definitely the one from the Prestige kit. The tires were the biggest disappointment. 2 pad printed lettered slicks. There are some fat unusual tires plus Firestone 500s introduced by AMT in the '70s. If you look hard, you can find these 500 tires in an AMT Countdown kit with the 500 still labeled. The 500 is gone now and probably a result of the bad situation these Firestone tires experienced with near 100% blowout status. The kit is good to restore built-ups of AMT 1963-67 Corvettes. I still think the AMT body is a better shape than the MPC or Revell. The chassis is the only short coming to me.

Edited February 17, 2016 by Bob Ellis

[bubbaman]

i know  many have done this  - box shows a silver color  [ don`t like silver  to me it looks like a prime coat ]  - is there any  problems with this kit - it is an  AMT model

[TarheelRick]

I built this kit years ago, when it was first issued; back than I was a Chevrolet lover.  I also have the WalMart checkerboard repop in my stash to be built.  The chassis is typical early 60's with everything molded in place.  It does come with a couple of fairly nice (for their age) Chevy engines, the 327 (my whole stash of models for a good 1:1) and a 427 with plenty of options for induction.  I have bought a Revell '67 Roadster kit just for the purpose of using the much better detailed chassis.  The interior is a tub with very few parts; I may also swap the '67 roadster interior in.  Hope this rambling helps you in some way.