Kit Review

1999 Corvette Roadster

R-M Kit #85-6675

Parts included with kit #85-6675

Review:

The appearance of the C5 was one of the best kept secrets in Corvette history. When the car was finally revealed in 1997 it’s engineering was praised by all but it’s external appearance drew criticism from many. The release of the convertible in 1998 silenced most of the critics, the car clearly looked best top down.

Both AMT and Revell-Monogram released kits of the 1997 coupe and the 1998 convertible. Interestingly R-M gave up on 1/24 scale and released both kits in 1/25 and in white plastic. Numerous reviews have been done on these kits from both sources, suffice to say R-M has clearly won the contest for the best C5 kit.

For 1999 GM will release a permanent hardtop Corvette, the first time that three different models of Corvette will be available. While both AMT and M-R have announced hardtop kits I was surprised to already find a 1999 kit on the shelves. Well, it’s not the new hardtop but merely a reissued kit of the 1998 convertible (85-2527).

• The kit has been released in their Deluxe Kit line which means that for a higher price you get two paint brushes, a small tube of glue and three pots of acrylic paint (tan, black & silver).
• All parts are in red plastic. I had hoped R-M had given up the use of bright or dark plastics which make painting light colors over them so difficult.
• The wheels represent the optional magnesium wheels and are chrome as they are in the ‘98 kit. They should actually be a pale gold color similar to the ‘98 Pewter Metallic color.
• The decal sheet first issued in ‘97 continues to lack the waterfall decal but has some engine decals, an instrument cluster, license plates & two body logos.
• Clear parts are in a separate bag, a practice that all manufacturers should follow.
• R-M used a flip top box for the first time last year. The one on this kit continues that practice but seems even more flimsy. Wish they wouldn’t. This one takes up space and gets in the way on the workbench.
• The parts and the fit of the parts remain the same as the ‘98 kit.

Overall Comment:

I applaud R-M’s decision to aim kits at kids by providing an easy to build all in one package, but why use the more difficult to assemble glue kit? In ‘98 they also released a snap kit which with paint and glue would have fit this need perfectly. As for this model representing a 1999, yes it does, but you could achieve that by using the ‘98 kit for which you would pay a lot less.

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Page updated  09/01/99