Kit Review

Corvette Pace Car

Revell Pro Finish Kit # 85-1344

Review:

My last remark after writing a review of the R-M hardtop kit over a year ago was for Daytona Pace Car decals. It appears that my wish was granted but not quite as I expected.

While some may criticize that this is a snaptite kit, the overall look of the finished model will not suffer because of it. The body is molded in highly polished red plastic with all other parts molded in black, which is appropriate since all hardtops have black interiors. The interior is well done and includes the correct style seats. Wheels are chromed 1997-99 style which are correct for either car. The one piece window unit pushes in tightly from the inside and front/rear window trim and inner roof has been painted in matte black.

The elaborate white/black markings of the pace cars have been painted and, other then a couple of barely noticeable paint flaws on my example, they have been well done. The biggest flaw in the remainder of the pace car markings is that they have been done on clear peel and stick vinyl. Despite the excellent register of these decals the serious modeler wanting to add this car to a collection would have preferred conventional water slide decals. Be careful when applying them, once they are down that’s where they stay.

Markings are provided for three different cars. The 1999 Daytona Pace Car and the ‘99 LeMans Pace Car (Direction De Course) and Safety Car. One mistake on the decal sheet is that the word Pace Car should be silver, not white. If building the LeMans cars, you will also have to find three colored lights for the roof. They are not supplied in the kit and are very prominent on every pace car photo I’ve seen. The instruction sheet is less than useful containing little history of either car, crude computer generated assembly instructions and one mistake in the sticker placement guide. Decal #6 is for the Daytona Car and #7 for the LeMans, the opposite is recommended on the instruction sheet.

While the serious modeler will find a lot of little detailing to keep them busy, ex painting the black outside mirrors red to match the body, someone who merely wants a promo like model will find that this model falls together easily.

Final Comment:

Now that my wish for this pace car has come true. . . . let’s hope that Revell reissues this kit in a years time but this time in yellow with 2000 wheels so that the 2000 Daytona Pace Car can take its place on my shelf along side its 1999 brother.

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Page updated  07/31/00