57 corvette 70s drag car

[keviiin86]

To start off, I have several of these AMT 57 corvette street machine kits that I've grabbed parts from over the years so most of them are incomplete and for that reason I used the body of one to test some paint that I was going to use on a different build..but after painting it I realized I wanted to actually build it.  Of the 4 kits I have, I only built one back in the late 90s when I was probably 12 years old.  So I dug it out of a box and started to use it as a "mock up" for wheels and tires...it's not pretty but hey I was a kid when I built it lol. 

My plan is to make it a late 70s to early 80s drag car.  Going to use the kit big block but switch the trans to a th400 since the trans in the kit is a 4L80e for some reason.  I've got a couple different grump lump type scoops that i'll choose from for the hood and going to grab the removable hard top from an AMT 62 corvette kit I have.  I'll probably leave the rear suspension as is but chop off the wheelie bars. Then add a 6 point roll bar and a bunch of details here and there.

I've centered the build around the wheels/tires which I got from futur attraction since that's what makes the "look" in my opinion.  I narrowed the rears a little bit so they fit the 11" wide rear tires better and added some lug nuts since the wheels had none. Trying to decide what color to paint them.  I'm between anodized gold or the satin finish for the super tricks.  But not sure what the best paint would be for anodized gold. Any suggestions, thoughts, comments??

 

 

Edited June 27, 2024 by keviiin86

[Straightliner59]

Definitely looks the part! The stance is perfect!

[Zippi]

What a kewl looking drag car Kevin.  Looking really good so far.  I'll be watching this one.

[Tony Coomer]

Great looking Vette. I like the wheel and tire combo

[FoMoCo66]

Looks amazing, I'll definitely be following! This car reminds me of a car I have from my grandfather, he built this sometime in the 70s.

[keviiin86]

4 hours ago, FoMoCo66 said:

Looks amazing, I'll definitely be following! This car reminds me of a car I have from my grandfather, he built this sometime in the 70s.

Very nice! I'm partial to old corvette race cars, my dad has a 62 that he's had for over 50 years, raced it in the 70s and 80s and has always been more drag race oriented..runs in the low 11s now.  I stashed away some parts and 2 revell 62 corvette kits to build a replica of his eventually.

[JimmyRiggins]

I doubt you could’ve picked a better colour scheme to highlight that cars features! Full marks on paint and stance! Can’t wait to see the rest unfold!

cheers

[keviiin86]

On 7/13/2024 at 10:56 AM, JimmyRiggins said:

I doubt you could’ve picked a better colour scheme to highlight that cars features! Full marks on paint and stance! Can’t wait to see the rest unfold!

cheers

thanks! I'll probably re-shoot it or use another body I have to get rid of the parting lines and emblems I initially didn't bother removing.  Still sticking with the green though as I love the color (actually GM mystic teal metallic).

[keviiin86]

Got the trans cut off and put on a resin th400..also played around with some other front tires I have that are a bit taller and fit better with these wheels..I really tend to over think everything which really drags out the build lol..oh well baby steps.

 

[TransAmMike]

I for sure like what you're doing on the '57 Kevin.  I wound up with a 3rd '57 kit after ruining the body on kit #1.  I have plans to do it as a drag car...well, one day.

[Scott8950]

The stance is perfect.. Your off to a great start.

[keviiin86]

Painted the wheels with VHT high temp silver caliper paint, and detailed them a bit, pretty happy how they turned out.  Then mocked up the car again and sat the grump lump scoop on the hood to see how it would look..so far I'm liking it.

 

[Straightliner59]

Nice job on the wheels! It looks so right for the time period!

[Zippi]

Killer looking wheels Kevin.  

[FoMoCo66]

Looks good, just so you know VHT caliper paint only fully cures when it gets hot. 

"Curing: VHT Brake Drum, Caliper and Rotor Paint will dry to the touch in 15 to 30 minutes depending on humidity. It will air dry overnight. The paint must then be cured. After the paint is dry to the touch, bake at 93°C for 20 minutes" (www.svt.performance.com).

[keviiin86]

7 hours ago, FoMoCo66 said:

Looks good, just so you know VHT caliper paint only fully cures when it gets hot. 

"Curing: VHT Brake Drum, Caliper and Rotor Paint will dry to the touch in 15 to 30 minutes depending on humidity. It will air dry overnight. The paint must then be cured. After the paint is dry to the touch, bake at 93°C for 20 minutes" (www.svt.performance.com).

Eh not worried about it, I've read some posts about how it will chip easily from metal if not cured fully..but these won't be handled much at all.  This stuff dries almost immediately..it was dry to the touch within a minute probably.  I did a couple thin coats.

[dragcarz]

I like what your doing here! Very cool build!

[keviiin86]

18 hours ago, dragcarz said:

I like what your doing here! Very cool build!

Thanks! Just kind of winging it so far, I have a vision of how I want it to look but luckily don't have to replicate a specific car.  Just going for a basic late 70s bracket car.

[Kenmojr]

Love C1 Corvettes, will be following this...

[keviiin86]

After looking at the old completed model I realized the engine seems to sit way too far forward..in 1:1 scale it would be about 8-10" probably from the firewall to the back of the block which just looks goofy to me. So I added some mounts to move the engine back closer to the firewall.  Also attached the scoop and did some seam filling on the body..about ready for primer.

Edited August 23, 2024 by keviiin86

[Ace-Garageguy]

Really liking this one. The nose-down big-slick look screams "wicked fast", and the wheels are the perfect choice.  

[keviiin86]

Got the engine painted and mostly put together, haven't decided if I'll use this carb or maybe a dominator.

[keviiin86]

Little more progress, painted the chassis and floor pan. Also put together a resin/photo etched dominator from futur attraction and painted it..I think the dominator suits the engine better.

[Len Woodruff]

Nice start. What color did you paint the floor boards?

[keviiin86]

32 minutes ago, Len Woodruff said:

Nice start. What color did you paint the floor boards?

Thanks, I painted it flat black then misted some gray primer over it.