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Posted

Originally released in 1977ish with a metal body, this kit was modified and rereleased in 1982 by Monogram as an all-plastic kit. This is the 2013 release with what looks like better decals than some of the others. Considered by many to be the superior of the two kits available to build a 1953 Corvette, I'd hate to build the AMT version. Maybe it's the end result. Anyways, I used Tamiya light metallic blue and light sand to represent the pennant blue exterior and beige interior. The metallic tan on the metal bits in the interior was difficult to match. I tried Tamiya's titanium gold, but it was too light and green. I ended up with a HL craft acrylic metallic bronzy color that seemed good enough. I also used Model Car Garage photo-etch parts. Be warned though, there's no guide for the pieces though most are obvious. The metal color is kind of gold even after polishing. The MCG photo-etch supplied interior and exterior mirror pieces leave a lot to be desired. The arms for the mirrors are flat and look terrible when finished. I passed on the mirrors and did not have an appropriate outside spare. Most of the fit when building the kit is pretty good even if the parting lines are a bit heavy and offset. The body was especially affected. The front headlight buckets required a lot of work and even after putty and sanding, the fit was still poor. The chrome was very shiny and complete, but at a cost. The clear they used before plating was sprayed too thick. All the sprue points on the bumpers, windshield, etc., required touchup with BMF. The end results look good to my eyes, but what a lot to get there. I also noted a couple of details in the kit were more appropriate to a modified version of a stock car. 12 volt battery and extended exhaust tips (ok for '54).

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The bottom of the body was raw gel coat. Sort of a dirty yellow-tan. Restoration pictures I found, showed the chassis, transmission, and exhaust to be all black. I passed on highlighting all the fasteneners. I was tired

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I added the missing upper radiator hoses

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The roadster top is a love it or hate it thing

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With my Danbury Mint 1953 Corvette

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Trying to make the headlight buckets better. No, the hood was not wavy. That's a reflection of the shrink wrap on the box

  • Like 11
Posted
3 hours ago, michelle said:

nice work 

 

3 hours ago, Hard_2_Handle_454 said:

Nice, I almost bought one of these today.  Found a kit for $20 at an antique shop.

 

3 hours ago, atomicholiday said:

That looks terrific.   Really nice workmanship. 

I was just looking at the metal version of this kit last week.

 

2 hours ago, Jim B said:

Great looking Corvette.  Well done.

 

1 hour ago, Dragonhawk1066 said:

Looks great, well done!

 

58 minutes ago, Tom99 said:

Very nice!

 

38 minutes ago, RSchnell said:

Very nice build! 

Thanks for the compliments!

Posted

I am not a Vette guy at all. I am a GM guy for sure but the Corvette never was quite my bag. Camaro and Chevelle were where it was at for me.

However, the 54 Vette has a special place. I did engine and other Work for the local GM/Chevrolet dealer George O'Hara Chevrolet many years ago. George was a very intuitive guy. He bought several of these when they were first offered, and he kept one. In the center of the main showroom from the day it arrived until the closing of the shop in the late 90's there sat a brand new 1954 Corvette. I think it had 3 miles or so on it. It was white of course. I think it was optioned out to boot. I saw that car (sometimes daily) for many years. I bought my 1985 IROC Z off George, and that car sat next to the Vette for many months. That was a car I think George also planned to leave sitting there for years. I talked him out of it at last in 87 as a brand new car.

I have no idea what happened to the Vette. His son may have it or perhaps it went to a collector. It got polished once a year I know that. It was like the day it arrived and would get visitors all by itself. It became kind of a thing for quite a few years.

Your build is very nice. The blue fits it so well. I understand not all of them are white but other colors are decidedly rare.

That's my Vette story. The only one I have.

Posted
On 3/31/2023 at 9:06 PM, larman said:

Excellent work! Beautiful paint and detailing! 

 

On 3/31/2023 at 10:41 PM, bondo bill said:

sweet build

 

On 4/1/2023 at 4:19 AM, PappyD340 said:

Beautifully done!

 

On 4/1/2023 at 7:55 AM, KWT said:

very nicely done

 

On 4/1/2023 at 1:17 PM, Dragline said:

Your build is very nice. The blue fits it so well. I understand not all of them are white but other colors are decidedly rare.

White was only available in '53 and the beginning of '54. They added, red, this blue, and black. In '55 copper and harvest gold were added and black was dropped.

On 4/1/2023 at 4:44 PM, Classicgas said:

Well done.

 

On 4/1/2023 at 6:02 PM, carrucha said:

Very sharp.  I like the body color.

 

On 4/1/2023 at 7:02 PM, TransAmMike said:

Great job Tim on the '54 build?

 

11 hours ago, ChrisR said:

Looks great!!

Thanks for the compliments! It was a frustrating build, but it turned out better than expected

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