'63 Corvette Sting Ray

[unclescott58]

I've mentioned in other posts the impact the '63 Sting Ray had the first time I saw it. I was blown a way by it then. And I'm still love it now. The only Corvette I like better than a '63 Sting Ray split window coupe, is the '67 Corvette Sting Ray roadster.

I've built AMT's version of this kit several times in the past. So I really didn't need to build another one. But, despite the simplicity of this kit, I still like it a lot. The last one I built was about 15 years or so ago. I built it with the standard carburator and air cleaner setup. At the time, I thought the fuel injected Corvettes were too complicated in real life. And I tend to build my models as I would like them set as real cars. Since that last build, I made friends with a guy who owned a real fuel injected Corvette. He has since passed away. He explained to me the in and outs about the Rochester fuel injection system, and that they are much more reliable than the stories you hear about them. Plus, he liked the fact that even driving hard, the fuelie Vette got much better gasoline mileage than the carbureted ones. So it was time to build a '63 with fuel injection.

For the most part, I like the '63 split windows best in red. Originally that was the color I intended on going with on this one. But, recently Jay Leno showed his '63 Vette on Jay Leno's Garage. And his is silver with a black interior. I like Jay. The silver looks good (the most popular color on a Sting Ray back in '63). And I've built several red '63s in the past. Plus, it match the AMT '63 Impala I've just finished building (see that posting separately). So that's the reason for the color choice. The red '63 in the last two photos is the Revell snap kit for comparison. I like that Revell's kit represents a car with Powerglide and air conditioning. Because of that, it also represents a carbureted car. Air conditioning was not available with fuel injection in '63, '64, or '65.

One last thing about this kit. It does not show the fuel metering/high pressure fuel pump box in the instructions. With out it on the right side of the fuel injection main air plenum, it just doesn't look right. But good news. They may not show it on the instructions, but the part is on the chrome tree. (See photo above.)

Scott

Edited September 1, 2014 by unclescott58

[1 bad55 stan]

Thats a cool looking coupe unclescott,both of em.....

[TFchronos]

Very nice!

[Maxicoop]

I must agree with you the 63 is one beautiful car and the 67 is also nice ......... but I have to add one more that I like and it's the 2014 I think it's agreat lookin' car and I can't wait to see it in plastic !!!!

[unclescott58]

I must agree with you the 63 is one beautiful car and the 67 is also nice ......... but I have to add one more that I like and it's the 2014 I think it's agreat lookin' car and I can't wait to see it in plastic !!!!

I agree with you on that. The 2014 is the first Vette since the '73 that I actually like the looks of. The '74s though 2013 were okay. But, they just do anything for me like the new one does.

Scott

[Harry P.]

You obviously have the basics down. Time to "take it to the next level" and start foiling all that chrome trim. It will make a huge difference, and take your models from "toylike" to "scale model."

Foiling isn't that hard... anybody with average skills can do it. It just takes a little practice. Once you get the hang of it, you'll wonder why you ever built a model without foiling the trim.

[Danno]

Very nice Vettes, Scott!

But I'm with Harry. BMF isn't that difficult, but it will change your modeling life for the better forever!

[unclescott58]

Hey guys, I have tried foiling several times over the years. I hate the stuff. You will notice on the Revell Corvette I did use foil in hood vents. That I can do. Mainly I build models for fun. Not to impress others. When I was a kid I use to install spark plug wires in a lot of kits. I found it to be a pain so I don't do it any more. Over the years I've tried foiling window frames and body side moldings, mainly using the Bare Metal Foil brand, with results that have never pleased me. So for the most part I avoid it.

I admire people who can do things like wire engines and foil trim. More power to them. I am not a very patient when comes to doing things like that. I mainly love cars and assembling models. If I had it my way, all models would be like AMT's predecorated ProShop series, from 10 or 15 years ago.

I use to hate painting until I started using Tamyia lacquer in spay cans. I've always painted my models, even though I hated the results half the time. I even bought an air brush. I hated the work and expense of using it. If it wasn't for liking the guys in local model car club so much, I may have quit the hobby.

Since switching to Tamyia and other lacquer paints, I'm finally happy with my paint jobs. Every Tamyia product I've tried I've been happy with. Now if Tamyia brings out chrome foil, I may try it again. Because just as much as I now hate Testor's enamel paint, after switching to Tamyia. I hate Bare Metal Foil.

At the same time, thanks for the encouragement. But, for now I'm happy were I'm at with my model building.

Scott

Edited September 3, 2014 by unclescott58