Cars: Muscle Cars
60's & 70's Classics
1953/54/55 Corvettes - The Legend Begins Here
RussellE
#306
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Posted: Sunday, February 09, 2020 - 11:55 PM UTC
Interior looking good D!
md72
#439
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Posted: Monday, February 10, 2020 - 11:03 AM UTC
Wow, another application of "Fine Corinthian Leather" from the Chevy guy.
Seriously, it does look like leather. The original view shows very little color difference between the seats and the carpet, you've nailed it.
AussieReg
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AUTOMODELER
#007
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Posted: Monday, February 10, 2020 - 11:11 AM UTC
Many thanks for checking in guys!

The Tamiya acrylic cut with MLT gives a lovely sheen level, but I have given it a light shot of Alclad Aquagloss to protect the surface. I don't think I will use any PLW on this one, the reference images show a super-clean interior.

Next up will be detail painting on the dashboard then assembly time!

Cheers, D
AussieReg
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#007
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Posted: Friday, June 19, 2020 - 11:34 PM UTC
Part three of the trilogy of this body style has arrived!

The '55 shared the same body and interior as the '53 and '54, but for 693 of the 700 vehicles produced in this year, the Blue Flame straight-6 was replace by the 265 ci V8.

The CorvSport Website is a treasure-trove of information.

I picked up this kit today, still factory sealed and in excellent condition.







It will be interesting to see if this kit shares the same problems as the '53 and '54 in terms of body moulding faults, although the Monogram kits are 1/24 and this is 1/25. I will check some measurements and see how they scale out compared to published dimensions.

Cheers, D
Joel_W
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Posted: Saturday, June 20, 2020 - 01:35 AM UTC
D,
as soon as you posted the pics of the kit, it just didn't look right to me. I'm no expert by any means, but the shape of the removable hardtop is just out of wack. and while it does have a rounded front lip, it's nothing like the picture on the cover of the box. Same for the window cut out shaping. I'd be very interested in your comparison of real overall dimensions compared to the kit.



Joel
AussieReg
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#007
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Posted: Sunday, June 21, 2020 - 01:17 AM UTC
I totally agree Joel, the shape of the hard top is downright laughable. It will get some surgery to see if I can get it close to right, and if not it will go to the spares bin.

It actually looks more like what was called the "Bubble-Top" which was a rare custom after market item.


From what I have found out, the original removable hard top was still an after-market item, made from fibre-reinforced plastic.



It really is amazing what you can find when you keep going down the Google rabbit hole.

Another neat little bit of info, if you look at the photo that Joel posted above, you will see the "Chevrolet" name on the front quarter panel. On the '55 Corvette, when the V8 was introduced, the "V" in this badge was made a lot bigger, and done in gold, to signify that the V8 was under the hood.

Cheers, D
AussieReg
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AUTOMODELER
#007
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Posted: Sunday, June 21, 2020 - 11:54 AM UTC
I love following barn find restorations, and found this one while digging around in the "55 Corvette Hard Top Rabbit Hole". Almost 40 great photos of a car that was driven for 9 years then garaged for 38 years by a retired GM engineer, before it was stumbled across by another retired GM engineer who had previously restored a couple of other classics.
The fit of the hard top here is very neat and shows the nice streamlined profile that I want to achieve.






Cheers, D
Cosimodo
#335
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Auckland, New Zealand
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Posted: Sunday, June 21, 2020 - 12:42 PM UTC
I saw those photos when I was looking for pictures of what the hardtop should look like. That would make a great colour scheme for a Corvette.

cheers
Michael
Joel_W
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Posted: Monday, June 22, 2020 - 04:41 AM UTC
D,
The hardtop does indeed fit like a glove. The shape looks so much better.

Joel
RussellE
#306
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Victoria, Australia
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Posted: Monday, June 22, 2020 - 03:20 PM UTC
it's a brave modeller that attempts an AMT/ERTL car kit
AussieReg
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#007
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Posted: Monday, June 22, 2020 - 06:16 PM UTC

Quoted Text

it's a brave modeller that attempts an AMT/ERTL car kit



I was told either brave or stupid, so I'm going with brave!

Cheers, D
AussieReg
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AUTOMODELER
#007
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Posted: Monday, July 27, 2020 - 11:40 AM UTC
Ok, with the '55 Pro Sports and P-47 completed for other Group Builds, I'm pulling the '54 back to the bench to see if I can finish it off before the "Dreams Are Free" Group Build starts up in October.

I'm still torn between building the AMT 1/25 '55 to finish the trio, or a third Revell 1/24 '53 kit (in the stash) with a 265 V8 from another kit to keep them in the same scale.

Cheers, D
Joel_W
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Posted: Tuesday, July 28, 2020 - 12:38 AM UTC
D,
How about a breath of fresh air and do either a Ford, Chrysler, or Dodge classic ?

Joel
AussieReg
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AUTOMODELER
#007
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Posted: Tuesday, July 28, 2020 - 12:58 AM UTC

Quoted Text

D,
How about a breath of fresh air and do either a Ford, Chrysler, or Dodge classic ?

Joel



Joel, somehow you read my mind! Once I tidy up a couple of Bowtie garage queens, I was actually thinking of going way out into left field.




Would these be classic enough? I've even started looking at colour schemes.



Cheers, D
AussieReg
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#007
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Posted: Tuesday, July 28, 2020 - 02:35 AM UTC
A drop of Shiraz and a few drops of CA tonight, and some assembly on the '54 was most enjoyable!

Diff, drive shaft and engine were installed, and the twin exhaust even lined up nicely! I like it when things behave as expected.




The first chrome added to the body.



And a quick peek at what it will look like under the hood.



Cheers, D
Joel_W
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Posted: Tuesday, July 28, 2020 - 06:15 AM UTC
D,
Look'in real good. Love the 3 duces for sure.

Joel
RussellE
#306
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Posted: Sunday, August 02, 2020 - 12:24 AM UTC
Those classic lines are looking real fine, D!
AussieReg
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#007
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Posted: Friday, August 07, 2020 - 11:26 AM UTC
With the '67 GTO hiding in the sin-bin, it's time to get back to the '54 and hopefully push it through to completion.

I started the detail work on the dashboard this morning, the decals are still wet with Mr Mark Softer. The chrome is Vallejo Metal Color Chrome, and in this close shot I can see it still needs some work! Once it is all dry I will lock it in with a clear coat then a thin black pin wash.



Cheers, D
AussieReg
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#007
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Posted: Sunday, August 09, 2020 - 12:06 PM UTC
Decals have settled and a drop of Aqua Gloss over each gauge. Tidied up the chrome spot-painting. A bit of curing time then I will lock this all in with some satin clear.


Cheers, D
Joel_W
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Posted: Monday, August 10, 2020 - 01:01 AM UTC
D,
The Dash is really starting to come together quite well.

joel
AussieReg
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#007
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Posted: Tuesday, August 11, 2020 - 11:18 AM UTC
Dashboard is in place now, a couple of minor touch-ups to do along the top edge then major assembly begins



Cheers, D
AussieReg
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AUTOMODELER
#007
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Victoria, Australia
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Posted: Tuesday, August 11, 2020 - 12:44 PM UTC
With a bunch of sub assemblies ready to roll, the main assembly progressed quickly as follows:

- Interior tub
- Floor pan
- Chassis/engine/drive train
- Bonnet

And here we are!








More chrome trim next.

Cheers, D
Hwa-Rang
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Kobenhavn, Denmark
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Posted: Tuesday, August 11, 2020 - 08:35 PM UTC
Looks beautiful D. Love the color. Nice subtle washes to the engine parts.
RussellE
#306
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Posted: Tuesday, August 11, 2020 - 09:28 PM UTC
coming together beautifully, D
Joel_W
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Posted: Wednesday, August 12, 2020 - 01:43 AM UTC
D,
Now that's progress with a capitol "P" for sure. Love the color as it certainly does have that 50s look and feel to it. The Dash looks right at home in the interior. the bottom of the chassis with the full engine and drive train is also well done. My only observation is that you opted not to remove the molded on AMT kit info on both sides of the interior pan, but once it's in your display case, it does become a moot point.

Joel