Kit Review
AMT 50th Anniversary Collection
Review:
The AMT/ERTL Anniversary Collection has brought us reissues of some useful kits and some recently available ones. Unfortunately none of these kits come from deep within the AMT vaults and almost all can be obtained on the secondary kit market for less money. What is ironic is that a 2003 model was not offered but since AMT ceased creating new models of Corvettes in 1998 they didn’t have a mold for the new 2000+ wheel.
Box art for the series is unique with a photo of a finished model on a stylized background of a yellow/gold checkered flag. One might have hoped for something special in the form of a descriptive and informative booklet/instruction sheet in the kit but upon opening each box all you see is the exact duplicate of what you would have found in the original kit. For most of these kits the attractive box art is probably the only reason to pay new kit price for one.
Because of the number of kits in this collection, these reviews will be brief.
#31811 1953 Convertible
This kit has been in almost continuous production since its original release in the mid ‘70s. It’s a reasonably accurate portrayal of the first Corvette but has been criticized by builders because of the perceived upward slope of the side trim.
#31812 1963 Split Window Coupe
Another easily found kit, this coupe was last reissued in the late ‘80s. Since it is based on a much earlier kit, it has often been criticized for its promo style interior and chassis. It does come with both FI and Carburetor pieces and a small block and big block motors. With a little work it builds into a nice looking model.
#31813 1975 Convertible
Rather then using an old AMT mold this model is a reissue of mpc #6360 which was last issued in 1989. While not a bad kit the mold is beginning to show its age and the motor is a 454 rather then the now needed 350. Because it is the only available kit of this year, it will be welcomed by Corvette builders despite its inaccuracies.
#31815 1996 Grand Sport Coupe
The box art work shows a white coupe while the GS was Admiral Blue but the decal sheet does come with the required GS stripe and logos. The kit is a direct reissue of #8030 which was also inaccurate when it was first released in 1996. The GS was a standard coupe with fender flares for the wider tires. The model uses a slightly modified ZR-1 body. AMT hoped you wouldn’t notice the deception in 1996 and are continuing the deception.
#31816 1998 Convertible
This is a direct reissue of the last new Corvette model produced by AMT. It was a fairly good kit with its chrome version of the optional magnesium wheels.
#31822 1972 Convertible
This is a reissue of one of AMT best kits the LT1/ZR1 first issued in 1992 as #6080. It contains some very useful parts including a nicely molded luggage rack. The kits only drawback is that it came with only an LT1 style hood, the standard small block hood would have been preferable. Unlike the original kit it now comes with optional custom interior seats. A welcome kit to those who didn’t put away several during its first release.
#31823 1955 Convertible
Last issued in 1998 this kit is originally based on the 1953 mold with the addition of a poor looking V-8. Earlier issues of this kit can be easily found at a lower price.
#31824 1962 Convertible
One look in the box and you’ll realize that the heritage of this kit goes back to the earliest days of plastic modeling. The kit’s biggest shortcoming, among many, is the flat looking front end. It was last issued in 1994 and unfortunately numerous times prior to that.
#31825 1970 Coupe
A companion model to the LT1 conv, it should also receive a welcome return. It is a very nicely detailed model but unfortunately it also comes with the LT1 hood and the same seats as the 1972 kit. These optional seats were not available in 1970. Previously it was available in stock form and as a Street Machine. This issue is the stock form.
#31826 1994 Convertible
Identical to the annual issue from that year, it builds a fairly accurate factory stock car from 1994 although the seats represent the seldom ordered base style.
#31827 1995 ZR-1 Coupe
The last year of the ZR-1. The kit is identical to the original kit #6535. It contains the more driver popular, sports seats.
#31828 1957 Convertible
Another very welcome reissue dating from the excellent 1996 kit, #8212. The kit was originally criticized for the slightly suspect cove shape but it builds into a very nice looking ‘57 Fuelie and with a little work can be easily backdated to a 1956. I’m glad to see this one back in its original factory stock form.
#31829 1971 Convertible
This kit is identical to the 1972 kit but in reality 1970 to 1972 Corvettes are externally identical. The custom style seats in the kit were available only late in the ‘71 production run.
#31830 1994 ZR-1 Coupe
Identical to the annual kit from that year, #8069 came with the Sport style seats.
#31831 1996 Convertible
Identical to the annual kit from that year, #8031. Again it came with the less popular Base style seats. You may want to use the Sport seats available in #31815.
#31832 1997 Coupe
Identical to the annual kit from that year, #8327. Fairly accurate kit.
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Page updated 05/03/03