Revell ‘55 Chevy Questions

[NOBLNG]

Do these two kits take the same instructions? I bought the Skip’s Fiesta one at a flea market, but the instruction sheet was for a ‘57.? I found instructions for the other kit online, but couldn’t find the Skip’s version. And how accurate is this kit? Thanks for any info.?

Edited August 14, 2022 by NOBLNG

[Ace-Garageguy]

To the best of my remembry, both those kits are the "opening door" versions of the '55 by Revell, so the instructions from one should work for the other.

Accuracy is inconsistent. Again, if my remembry is correct, the "face" doesn't look quite right, but it's a great kit in a lot of ways.

Mark will know.

[espo]

Two entirely different kits from the same manufacture. The one you have does not have the opening doors and has been reissued several times with different trim and themes. There should be someone here that can offer a copy of their instruction sheet. There used to be a site you could go into that would have all the instruction sheets you would need, but I can't find it at this point. 

[Ace-Garageguy]

6 minutes ago, espo said:

Two entirely different kits from the same manufacture. The one you have does not have the opening doors...

Really?

Edited August 14, 2022 by Ace-Garageguy

[espo]

1 minute ago, Ace-Garageguy said:

Really?

 

40 minutes ago, NOBLNG said:

Do these two kits take the same instructions? I bought the Skip’s Fiesta one at a flea market, but the instruction sheet was for a ‘57.? I found instructions for the other kit online, but couldn’t find the Skip’s version. And how accurate is this kit? Thanks for any info.?

My bad, sorry. I was thinking the Skips Edition was the same as the one that Revell issued with the Gasser optional build. That issue had the Hood Scoop and straight Axel set up. 

[Rob Hall]

Just now, espo said:

 

My bad, sorry. I was thinking the Skips Edition was the same as the one that Revell issued with the Gasser optional build. That issue had the Hood Scoop and straight Axel set up. 

The gasser one is the 1/24th Monogram tool.  'Badman', etc..

[espo]

Just now, Rob Hall said:

The gasser one is the 1/24th Monogram tool.  'Badman', etc..

That's the one I was thinking of. Sorry all, just an old guy yelling at the clouds here, 

[NOBLNG]

The “Skip’s” version I have does NOT have opening doors, but does have an opening trunk.

Edit: The doors do open.?

Edited August 14, 2022 by NOBLNG

[Ace-Garageguy]

10 minutes ago, NOBLNG said:

The “Skip’s” version I have does NOT have opening doors, but does have an opening trunk.

So...does the side of the box NOT show the open door as in the image I posted above?

Edited August 14, 2022 by Ace-Garageguy

[NOBLNG]

1 hour ago, NOBLNG said:

The “Skip’s” version I have does NOT have opening doors, but does have an opening trunk.

Oops! I was wrong! It DOES have opening doors. It’s still in the sealed plastic bag and I was going from memory. 
Edit: Where’s the banging my head on a brick wall emoji when I need it!

Edited August 14, 2022 by NOBLNG

[NOBLNG]

The instructions for the red car above are incomplete on fotki. They also have the instructions for this one, kit (H-1374). They are complete and the same as the partial instructions for the red car. Thanks all! 

 

Edited August 14, 2022 by NOBLNG

[NOBLNG]

How does the Monogram kit compare to this Skip’s version? I have a chance to buy that one too.? With this Skip’s version, the chrome side trim is separate. I think it would be best to strip it, glue it on and then foil it after paint. Thoughts anyone?

[Oldcarfan27]

9 hours ago, NOBLNG said:

Oops! I was wrong! It DOES have opening doors. It’s still in the sealed plastic bag and I was going from memory. 
Edit: Where’s the banging my head on a brick wall emoji when I need it!

Here, use this. ?

[NOBLNG]

Heh Heh! That’ll work!?

[Mark]

The opening-doors '55 is the best of the four Tri-Five Chevy kits that Revell did in the mid/late Sixties.  The '57 came first (1963), the '55 followed in '64, the '56 in '65, and the '57 Nomad in '68 or so.

This '55 never came with a straight axle.  All issues have two engines, stock small-block with three-speed and 348/409 with what looks like a cast-iron Powerglide.  Small-block has a 1958-up block with side engine mount detail, and rams' horn exhaust manifolds which first appeared in '57.

Various issues have different wheels and tires.  One inner rear wheel well is narrower than the other, the wide tires in the Skip's and Hot Rod issues will probably not fit on that side without some rework.  If you want to tackle one of the opening-doors Revell Chevy kits, the '55 is probably the "easiest".

[showrods]

3 hours ago, NOBLNG said:

Heh Heh! That’ll work!?

Will it?  It's NEVER worked for Sylvester. ?

[Mark]

One other thing with these kits: take a good look at the hood, at the back corners.  Those areas are thin and usually curl upward after the hood is painted.  I've got a '55 in progress, I very slightly routed out the underside of the hood at the corners and super glued in pieces of bent music wire.  I filed those somewhat flat afterwards, they shouldn't stick out once everything is painted.

And, like other Revell opening-doors kits, the hinges are sloppy letting the doors droop when opened.  That can be dealt with in several ways.

[NOBLNG]

2 hours ago, Mark said:

One other thing with these kits: take a good look at the hood, at the back corners.  Those areas are thin and usually curl upward after the hood is painted.  I've got a '55 in progress, I very slightly routed out the underside of the hood at the corners and super glued in pieces of bent music wire.  I filed those somewhat flat afterwards, they shouldn't stick out once everything is painted.

And, like other Revell opening-doors kits, the hinges are sloppy letting the doors droop when opened.  That can be dealt with in several ways.

Thanks for all the tips Mark! I have never built a model with opening doors yet although I have a few different kits now. I will read the section on making hinges in the T&T section before starting.

[bisc63]

On 8/14/2022 at 1:49 PM, NOBLNG said:

How does the Monogram kit compare to this Skip’s version?

The Monogram kit is 1/24 scale (mostly) and is much more simplified and lacking in details. The chassis has molded-in exhaust, and is very basic and not really realistic compared to the Revell. The interior is tub-style, with separate dash and front seat, with a reasonable depiction of the '55 upholstery. It can paint up quite well, and may be the high point of the kit. The engine bay is very plain, as is the engine, though scratching up some details can add much towards realism. The body itself is a bit awkwardly proportioned, being mostly a hardtop with a 2-inch chop. Many of the trim parts, like the taillights, grille, etc are closer to 1/25 scale.

In spite of the nits, these are fun kits. There is enough there to build upon, and this site shows plenty of beautiful models made from these kits. Who hasn't built the Badman?! The street machine version was very popular as well. The grille and front end looks more realistic to me than the old Revell kit. Revell's grille is too big, and has a bluntness that's just not right. Worst problem is the age of the mold; be prepared to do some sanding/filing/filling.

Why not get one of Revell's '55 kits from the early 2000s if you really want a '55? The convertible is nice, and has the kind of detail we've come to expect from modern tooling.

[Bainford]

1 hour ago, bisc63 said:

 

Why not get one of Revell's '55 kits from the early 2000s if you really want a '55? The convertible is nice, and has the kind of detail we've come to expect from modern tooling.

Was a hardtop version of that kit released as well?

[bisc63]

1 hour ago, Bainford said:

Was a hardtop version of that kit released as well?

Now that you mention it, I'm pretty sure it was only two releases of the same convertible kit; the Indy pace car, and the stock coral and gray car. A good '55 hardtop would require a transplanted top. Sorry, hardtop fans!

[Mark]

The newer ex-Monogram 1/25 scale kit has been released as a hardtop also.

[Bainford]

Thanks guys

4 hours ago, Mark said:

The newer ex-Monogram 1/25 scale kit has been released as a hardtop also.

Are either of the kits above the newer tool 55?

[Plowboy]

12 minutes ago, Bainford said:

Thanks guys

Are either of the kits above the newer tool 55?

Yes. Both are the newer kits.

[Bainford]

Cheers Roger.