Kit Review

1963 Corvette Sting Ray

Revell Snap Tite kit # 85-1915

Review:

When I first read that Revell was to do a new mold of a ‘63 Vette in its snaptite ‘Wheels of Fire’ series, my first question was, is it really needed and would it be an improvement on AMT’s long available ‘63 coupe ? (The AMT effort is now discontinued but not hard to find.) The answer is both, Yes and No.

The bodies are remarkably similar which would suggest that they both got it right although there is a subtle difference in the shape of the B pillar roof vents ( I prefer the AMT shape). Revell has chosen to mold their kit is red but it will need to be lightly sanded as mold lines on all four fenders and rear fascia are quite pronounced. Emblems and door/hood lines also appear shallow and may disappear if your paint job is too heavy.

Revell have included the raised ridge for the rear bumpers to rest on and separate chrome rocker panels and gas cap, all superior to AMT. Any one who might applaud the separate gas cap to AMT’s more medallion like shape should look closely, they’ve reversed the flags putting the checkered one on the driver’s side instead of passenger side where it should be. Bumper pieces are similar to the AMT effort but with much better chroming. The tail light bezels, plate frame and exhaust pipes are all part of a one piece chrome plate and look quite good when fitted in place. The heavy curbside style chassis is also better detailed then the similar one from the AMT kit.

The interior continues with the better and worse trend. The separate inner door panels are far superior to the AMT tub approach. The separate seats are also appreciated although they appear a little too square across the top. The dash unit is the worse, being very simple with poor detailing on the dash faces but it does include the air conditioning ducts found on only 278 C60 optioned cars and not included in the AMT kit. The one piece window unit fits from inside and fits well. No interior or exterior rear view mirrors are provided.

The wheels are appreciated since they represent the stock 1963 only style and mount on generic blackwall skinnies. The decals come on another of Revell’s new vinyl stick-on sheets but fortunately none are necessary to build a stock replica.

Final Comment:

Robert: - "So if you have both kits in the closet which one should you build? This is not a case where newer is clearly better. If a full engine kit is wanted the only choice is AMT but if a curb style model is your aim then both will produce an acceptable model. While this kit is unfortunately typical of the new minimalist trend in car models it is nice to have the first of the Sting Ray generation back on store shelves."

Ismael: - "This is a good kit to get new people involded in the hobby, specially the young, since it builds fairly easy. For more serious builders, well, maybe the body and the wheels can be mated to a '67 chassis, and an AMT dash, and a Monogram 327 engine, and... you get the idea..."

Gary, an advid modeler and restorer of a 1:1 Split Window Corvette, also sent his thoughts about the kit:

Gary: - "As both a restorer of a 1:1 split window and an advid modeler I was interested in this kit.  The big disapointment is the front bumper/grilleassemble.  The grille should have been on a single plane not on two separate ones as in the kit.  This is the biggest disappointment in the kit.  Thedetailing on the chassis is very good although the automatic transmission does not match the interior shifter if memory serves me correctly.  I was alittle dismayed by the shallow molding of details including the grilles on the hood, these need to be covered with foil and then washed with black, andthe shallow vents on the B, or is it C  pillars?I was impressed with the manner in which this kit went together.  It is the first modern snap that I have purchased and they have come a long way.  The wheels and tires are an interesting conundrum.  The hubcaps are good, though they need some toning down and the very outer edge needs to be painted black as it is actually the wheel, but the tires are low profile radials to my eyes.  The orginal tires were definately narrow, but had a much higher aspect ratio and with the manner in which the wheels mount into the tires it is going to be difficult to change them . . . Just my thoughts "

Return to New Corvette Kit Review

Page updated  12/01/00