63 roadster

Buyers instantly took to the new Corvette buying 21,513 the first year, up almost seven thousand from the previous year. As well as its new look, for the first time you could buy your Corvette as a permanent coupe and sales were almost evenly divided between coupes and roadsters. The beginning of a new design is often a time for "might have been" ideas and 1963 was no exception. The XP-720 prototype coupe was originally shown with a hatchback style rear and in 1962 GM built an extended four seat Stingray coupe in hopes of competing with Ford’s Thunderbird. It would be many years before a Corvette could be had with any kind of hatchback roof and fortunately the four seat idea died a quick death. For modelers building a factory stock ‘63 keep in mind that the knock off style wheels found in current kits were listed as an option but no cars came out of the factory with them.

Steve's comments: " This one is painted Model Master Italian Red. I built it as a single 4 bbl, so many of the FI Vette's, wanted to be different. I don't like the Turbine wheels in this kit so I rounded up some of the stock wheel covers and cast some to use on the kit. Painted the WW with my trusty old drill and Acrylic paint. The top is painted Humbrol Satin Black. This was just brushed on, but lays down and looks pretty realistic. This was a simple, fun little kit to build. I liked it so well that I am now building the split window and trying my luck painting it Humbrol 191 Silver."

If you would like to contact Steve on this model his e-mail address is: purvissp1@comcast.net