1965 Grand Prix ...

['70 Grande]

Here's a couple of questions for anyone already owning this reissue:

1).  Is there a clear glass piece that installs into the dashboard to complete the gauges/fill the holes in the dash?

2).  The molded-in suspension and exhaust details in the main chassis piece are a problem for me.  My plan was to substitute the nicely-detailed chassis and suspension from Revell's 1/25 1965 Chevrolet Impala SS kit, but herein lies another problem.  The 1:1 '65 Grand Prix had a 121" wheelbase, and the 1:1 '65 Impala had a 2"-shorter, 119" wheelbase.  Now, the wheelbase on the main chassis piece inside this reissued Grand Prix kit measures-out so the wheels are right at 4-11/16" apart, (Thanks to forum member Robberbaron for this valuable info).  But, the wheelbase on the Revell '65 Impala chassis pieces measure-out so the wheels are at 4-3/4"+ apart, (nearly 4-13/16"), making a 2"-longer or more wheelbase on the Impala!  Okay, I fully understand that two kits molded decades apart could have these kind of discrepancies.  

So, based on this info, here's my second question; do the holes for the metal axles in this Grand Prix kit look like they'd "fit" the Grand Prix's body properly?  For whatever reason, the picture posted above by The Ace almost looks as though the wheelbase in the main chassis piece isn't quite long-enough to fit the wheel arches in the Grand Prix's body.  If that's the case, then my '65 Impala chassis-conversion might still work, but I'd like any opinions before making the dollar investments!

 

Edited May 23, 2016 by '70 Grande

[Can-Con]

Mark, unless something was changed since it was last issued, the wheelbase of the chassis plate matches the wheel openings on the body as they should. 

This one was built from the last issue.

 

On the Chevy chassis, Back then, the various big GM cars used different chassis under each make. The Chevy chassis would be different than the one under a Pontiac [unless is was a Canadian Pontiac] Of corse, this dosen't explain the wheelbase question. and, with that said, I doubt many people could tell the differences in the chassis between the Chevy and Pontiac anyway ,, I know I couldn't.

[Harry Joy]

I don't care about the test equipment, got that in the old Prestige issue (might be in the Bonneville, too). I just want one in Teal to polish out.

The more I look at the custom version, the more I'm thinking I need to build one as a custom....

I just looked at Model Roundup, and at the order screen you can choose between the teal and white plastic versions.

[Robberbaron]

OK, decided to get some pics of my "standard" issue GP kit, to give a better idea of what the plastic looks like, and to show some more of the differences.

Seems like mine got slapped around a little bit before getting put in the box.  First thing I saw taking the body out of the bag was that the plastic in the "A" pillars turned white where the roof got seriously tweaked.  Looks like it came thisclose to snapping them.  Pillars are still skewed JUST a bit to the drivers side, but feels like it will straighten out when the glass goes in, or if nothing else some warm water.  My box was in perfect shape, so this wasn't shipping damage.

4th pic hopefully better shows some of the swirls in the passenger side of the body.  From some angles you don't see it, but when the light hits the pearl just right, it looks pretty funky.

 

[Robberbaron]

Some more of the standard issue:

1st pic shows some details of the reel-to-reel recorder in the briefcase, and the road cones

Bottom right in the 2nd pic you can see the stock 2-spoke steering wheel that was also nearly snapped off the steering column.  Once again, no breakage, and it feels like I can straighten it out OK, but that's the second time in the same kit.

2 sets of white stripe tires, plus the tire for the 5th wheel.  No slicks, as stated before.  Note the only clear is the windshield/vent windows/rear window assembly.  No other lenses or covers, at least in this version. (and no green tinted glass,as stated before)

Last pic shows the "standard" decals.  Note that this decal sheet only has a portion of what's included in the Original Art version.  This one does not have any of the sponsorship decals or "road test" decals.

Edited May 23, 2016 by Robberbaron

[Robberbaron]

Some close-ups of the chrome trees.

Cragars have decent center cap detail (though I still think the '65 Chevelle wagon and El Camino have the best available)

FYI: my first reaction to the 8-lug wheels is that the center caps looked quite different from the Moebius '61 Ventura center caps.  A quick Google image search showed that the 1:1 caps in '65 were a different design than in '61, and IMO these look pretty accurate.

The instructions describe the 3rd set of wheels as Corvette wheels, not sure about those center caps...

In the last pic I tried to get a better shot of the blower parts and the Weber side-draft carbs.

[AC Norton]

Some close-ups of the chrome trees.

Cragars have decent center cap detail (though I still think the '65 Chevelle wagon and El Camino have the best available)

FYI: my first reaction to the 8-lug wheels is that the center caps looked quite different from the Moebius '61 Ventura center caps.  A quick Google image search showed that the 1:1 caps in '65 were a different design than in '61, and IMO these look pretty accurate.

The instructions describe the 3rd set of wheels as Corvette wheels, not sure about those center caps...

In the last pic I tried to get a better shot of the blower parts and the Weber side-draft carbs.

great review so we can compare  and have all the facts on both kits.....IMO, Robert, at what kits cost us now, I think Round 2 owes you a body and steering wheel....I have requested damaged parts a couple of times in the last few months, and they get them right out to you....just a thought.....best,,,the Ace....

[Robberbaron]

Last set of pics.  Curiosity got the best of me, and I had a Revell '66 Impala handy (think the chassis should be identical to the '65 Impala that '70 Grande was asking about).

First pic shows how similar the 2 frames are to each other.  The Revell Impala is a little bit wider than the AMT GP, but not by much, mainly comes into play behind the rear axle.  Side-by-side with the front wheel wells lined up, it looks like there is a wheelbase difference, with the Impala being shorter (which would go along with the 1:1 cars, as Mark described).  Also note the very different gas tank shapes.

Yet, putting the bodies together, distance between the wheel arches is basically equal.

Final pic is the money shot with the Revell Impala chassis in the AMT GP body.  Slips in pretty easy, no trimming necessary along the rockers.  Will need to trim down the chassis along the rear quarters,behind the wheel wells, and probably also lop some length off the back so you can get the GP's bumper on.

Main snag is that the Impala rear wheel wells are a little too far forward, so you'd need to do some surgery there.  Hard to tell definitively where the wheels would end up without actually assembling the Revell chassis, but man-oh-man can you get in the ballpark going this route...

Edited May 23, 2016 by Robberbaron

[slusher]

I don't care about the test equipment, got that in the old Prestige issue (might be in the Bonneville, too). I just want one in Teal to polish out.

The more I look at the custom version, the more I'm thinking I need to build one as a custom....

Snake, will the swirl marks polish out of the teal molded body???

[Snake45]

Snake, will the swirl marks polish out of the teal molded body???

Dunno, but I'd like to give it a try.

Molding swirl marks, especially in "metallic" plastic, don't really polish out, but some of them are worse than others. I'll just have to see what mine looks like when I get it.

[stavanzer]

Mr. Barron, not only does ROUND2 owe you a Body and Steering Wheel, but a Spiff for sales. Your pics, just sold me the Larger Box Art Car with the Slicks and bigger decal sheet. I've never owned this kit, and will wind up with two of them, now. One to build Custom and one to build using the roadtest parts.

Cheers, Alan 

[RDean58]

I think the reason why AMT originally included the road test equipment in the kit was because the complete Pontiac lineup of 1965 was voted Motor Trend's car of the year.

 

Here is a link to the MT Road test of a 65 Bonneville

Pontiac Bonneville Road Test

[RDean58]

And now a link to the GP

MT Test of the 1965 Grand Prix

[sfhess]

1).  Is there a clear glass piece that installs into the dashboard to complete the gauges/fill the holes in the dash?

 

If you mean the custom version dash, there is a chrome insert that fits through the holes from behind, giving the gauges a sort of extended tubular effect.  It is on the chrome tree, near the Corvette-style finned wheels. 

[1972coronet]

Thank you , Robert , for posting and sharing those pics !

Were the 'real' Grand Prix of 1965 available with a manual transmission ? I'm aware of the new-for-1965 Turbo-Hydra-Matic , but was a 4 speed an option ?

[sfhess]

Never mind.  Tried to post a pic of a 65 2+2 with a manual but was not successful.

 

Edited May 23, 2016 by sfhess
Deleted. Couldn't upload photo

[AC Norton]

Thank you , Robert , for posting and sharing those pics !

Were the 'real' Grand Prix of 1965 available with a manual transmission ? I'm aware of the new-for-1965 Turbo-Hydra-Matic , but was a 4 speed an option ?

that's a good question, John....but yes, 4 speed manual was available as well as the basic 3 speed manual. so, building our kit as it stands is correct, and I would go that way with the 3 deuce carbs myself.....the Ace...

Edited May 23, 2016 by AC Norton
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[1972coronet]

that's a good question, John....but yes, 4 speed manual was available as well as the basic 3 speed manual. so, building our kit as it stands is correct, and I would go that way with the 3 deuce carbs myself.....the Ace...

Very good ! One of the rare-ish times that  the inclusion of a manual trans isn't just a "lazy" happenstance by the kit manufacturer(s) .

[AC Norton]

Very good ! One of the rare-ish times that  the inclusion of a manual trans isn't just a "lazy" happenstance by the kit manufacturer(s) .

so true, it seems the vintage kits either have an automatic with a clutch pedal, or a stick with a brake pedal only...lol....lol...the Ace...

[louie]

And now a link to the GP

MT Test of the 1965 Grand Prix

Thanks for this link to the review. I always appreciate stuff like this.     Thank you.     Jeff 

[Robberbaron]

Mr. Barron, not only does ROUND2 owe you a Body and Steering Wheel, but a Spiff for sales. Your pics, just sold me the Larger Box Art Car with the Slicks and bigger decal sheet. I've never owned this kit, and will wind up with two of them, now. One to build Custom and one to build using the roadtest parts.

Cheers, Alan 

Personally, I have to admit I didn't thoroughly look into the differences between the 2 versions.  I thought the differences were limited to the plastic color, the extra tinted glass, and the different box with the artwork print included inside.

If I'd realized the Blue Streak slicks and sponsor decals were only included in the Original Art version, I would have ponied up the extra $2.00 my LHS was asking.

As for the body and steering wheel, I entertained the idea, but as I said I'm confident I can easily straighten things out.  If any plastic had been snapped off, there wouldn't even be any debate about requesting replacements.  This is the first purchase of a Round2 kit where I've personally seen any problems, so in my experience this was a bit of a fluke, and hopefully a one-off experience.

...I would go that way with the 3 deuce carbs myself.....the Ace...

Mentioning the Tri-power setup reminds me of something else I noticed: the Tri-power air cleaners are on a regular, non-plated parts tree.  I thought Pontiac Tri-power setups always had chrome air cleaners, or was that maybe just on GTOs?

[AC Norton]

Personally, I have to admit I didn't thoroughly look into the differences between the 2 versions.  I thought the differences were limited to the plastic color, the extra tinted glass, and the different box with the artwork print included inside.

If I'd realized the Blue Streak slicks and sponsor decals were only included in the Original Art version, I would have ponied up the extra $2.00 my LHS was asking.

As for the body and steering wheel, I entertained the idea, but as I said I'm confident I can easily straighten things out.  If any plastic had been snapped off, there wouldn't even be any debate about requesting replacements.  This is the first purchase of a Round2 kit where I've personally seen any problems, so in my experience this was a bit of a fluke, and hopefully a one-off experience.

Mentioning the Tri-power setup reminds me of something else I noticed: the Tri-power air cleaners are on a regular, non-plated parts tree.  I thought Pontiac Tri-power setups always had chrome air cleaners, or was that maybe just on GTOs?

another good question, Robert....I am not a Pontiac expert so I'm not sure, but I think the air cleaners would have been polished or chrome, but I will look into that when I get the kit and consider building it. mind you, some GM air filter lids on various performance engines in that era were black, so I will post my findings.......the Ace....[[[[[[[[ UPDATE INFO.....yes, the air cleaners and valve covers are chrome, light blue, non metallic engine color, and 4 speed trans ......now, that's an example with the 421 3x2  engine, but  that's what our kit depicts as well.........lets get building...lol...the Ace...

Edited May 24, 2016 by AC Norton
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[Carmak]

A few tidbits of info and a confirmation.

I owned a Tahiti Turquoise 65 GP that was a 389 4bl 4spd with console about 20 years ago. Also had a 2+2 with buckets, no console and the "Dearborn" 3spd on the floor and a 65 Bonneville 4spd bench seat car. Pontiac built some very harry full size cars back in the day. The 4spd console looks quite different than the automatic console.

In full size cars the 389 and base 421 tri-powers came standard with the large single element air cleaner in 65, only the 376HP 421 came with the three open element air cleaners. In 66 all tri-powers had the three open element air cleaners. The open element air cleaners consisted of a lid and base (I have never seen other than chrome) a perforated steel inner support and a foam element fit over the inner support.

Lastly the swirls in the metalic are the flow lines of the plastic as it is filling the mold. The plastic in this mold is injected in the middle of the passenger side rocker. They are nearly imposible to eliminate. The mold must be designed to minimize them. If you look carefully you will also be able to fine a "knit line" on every hole in the body (such as a window opening) on the side opposite of injection.

Hope this helps.

Carmak

 

[AC Norton]

A few tidbits of info and a confirmation.

I owned a Tahiti Turquoise 65 GP that was a 389 4bl 4spd with console about 20 years ago. Also had a 2+2 with buckets, no console and the "Dearborn" 3spd on the floor and a 65 Bonneville 4spd bench seat car. Pontiac built some very harry full size cars back in the day. The 4spd console looks quite different than the automatic console.

In full size cars the 389 and base 421 tri-powers came standard with the large single element air cleaner in 65, only the 376HP 421 came with the three open element air cleaners. In 66 all tri-powers had the three open element air cleaners. The open element air cleaners consisted of a lid and base (I have never seen other than chrome) a perforated steel inner support and a foam element fit over the inner support.

Lastly the swirls in the metalic are the flow lines of the plastic as it is filling the mold. The plastic in this mold is injected in the middle of the passenger side rocker. They are nearly imposible to eliminate. The mold must be designed to minimize them. If you look carefully you will also be able to fine a "knit line" on every hole in the body (such as a window opening) on the side opposite of injection.

Hope this helps.

Carmak

 

....that's helpful info for all, Craig, and thanks for jumping in on this thread. all of your cars would have been a blast to own. I love full size muscle of all brands....as for the swirl marks....I mentioned earlier that a possible way to retain the aqua plastic on the one version may be to prep out the body to a minimum...then spray it with Tamiya pearl clear.....that may look good and it should hide some of those swirls....just an idea...the Ace...

[ChrisBcritter]

I see what AMT did for the test wheel - they used the master for the outer wheel halves from the '27 T touring (though the spokes are flat on the outside for some reason) so they could use a tire they had available.