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In-Box Review
125
1965 Impala Super Sport Duo
Monogram 1/25 1965 Chevrolet Impala Convertible85-2533
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by: Damian Rigby [ AUSSIEREG ]

In 1965, Chevrolet released the redesigned Impala as the first of the fourth generation of the line. This proved extremely successful as the Impala set an all-time industry record of more than 1 million units in the USA. The new design featured a full width perimeter frame to replace the “X-frame” of previous models, a more streamlined body style with curved frameless side glass, a sharper angled windscreen, reshaped vent windows and updated full-coil suspension.
Engine choices included the inline 6-cylinder as well as small-block and big-block V8 options. In these kits, the Convertible has the 409 cu in (6.7 litre) engine which was discontinued early in the year and replaced with the 396 cu in (6.5 litre) block, included here in the Hardtop.
The Super Sport (SS) was introduced in 1961, and became Chevrolet’s badge for performance models, and from 1964 to 1967 had its own VIN prefix of 168 (versus 164 for the regular Impala models). Starting with the 1962 model year, the SS package was limited to Hardtop Coupe and Convertible Coupe bodies, and in 1965 a total of 243,114 Impala SS Coupes were built.

The Kit
Contents are contained in top-opening boxes.
85 White parts over 3 sprues plus body (Hardtop)
89 White parts over 4 sprues plus body (Convertible)
25 Chrome parts on 1 sprue (plus 3 extra parts on the Convertible sprue)
12 Clear parts on 1 sprue
2 Clear Red parts on 1 sprue
4 Vinyl tyres
1 decal sheet
The white sprues and body shell are supplied in a sealed bag with the red sprue, all other parts are loose in the box
The moulding is very good on all white sprues with just a small amount of flash and a couple of mould lines to deal with, nothing that a little knife and sander work won’t deal with. The floor pan detail is excellent and virtually no flash on a complex mould.
The chrome sprue is one of the nicest I have seen. There are no visible blemishes and the finish is beautifully even and glossy.
The decals look very nice and with virtually no excess carrier film.
The 4 soft vinyl tyres have some flash to clean up. The mould detail in the tread and manufacturer detail (Goodyear in this case) is excellent. The printed whitewall is very good on the Hardtop, but some wear due to storage and handling on the Convertible.

Instructions
The instruction sheet is an A4 booklet style. There are 7 stages. Colour call-outs for the parts are clearly marked with the key being for generic colours, with ProModeller or Revell-Monogram brand paints being recommended.

Construction Notes
I haven’t done any test fitting yet, this will be covered in a full build review to follow.
The sequence for construction follows the traditional pattern of engine, front end chassis, underside, rear end chassis, interior, engine bay, main assembly, exterior detail. Parts are all numbered on the sprues as well as in the instructions.
Stage 1, the engine assembly comprises of 24 parts plus decals.
In Stage 2 there are 10 parts added to the chassis to make up the front end, as well as installing the engine, and then the twin exhaust system (separate parts to make painting easy) and the rear upper control arms.
Stage 3 is the rear end and tailshaft with 10 parts added.
Stage 4 is wheels and tires.
Stage 5 is the interior with 22 parts. There is very nice fabric and trim detail all parts. The detail is clear and defined and masking to get a great looking interior should be easy.
Stage 6 covers painting and additional detailing of the main body part including the glass.
Stage 7 is the assembly and detailing of the main engine bay parts such as the firewall, inner front guards and ductwork, and the final assembly of major external trim (plus roof or cover on the Convertible version).

Conclusion
These 2 kits look excellent in the box, with no obvious flaws in the plastic or warpage of any parts to be seen. The body shape is a classic cruiser style suitable for an OOB stock build, or for the more adventurous there is plenty of scope for custom or even low-rider modification.

Please remember, when contacting retailers or manufacturers, to mention that you saw their products highlighted here - on AUTO MODELER.
SUMMARY
Highs: Classic body style nicely reproduced, very nice quality moulding and excellent chrome trim.
Lows: None noted.
Verdict: Great looking classic kits, I'm looking forward to building and displaying these together.
  Scale: 1:25
  Mfg. ID: 85-2533
  PUBLISHED: Jun 14, 2019
  NATIONALITY: United States
NETWORK-WIDE AVERAGE RATINGS
  THIS REVIEWER: 89.83%
  MAKER/PUBLISHER: 73.00%

About Damian Rigby (AussieReg)
FROM: VICTORIA, AUSTRALIA

Born 1967. Bachelor of Applied Science, Chemistry and Aquatic Biology, currently working as Technical Sales in water treatment for heating and cooling systems and process water. 6 children, Jessica, Lola, Joshua, Liam, Darcy and Evie. Other hobbies are guitars, fishing and woodwork. Built model t...

Copyright ©2021 text by Damian Rigby [ AUSSIEREG ]. Images also by copyright holder unless otherwise noted. Opinions expressed are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of ModelGeek. All rights reserved.



Comments

Gee D, Did you just give up on sleep altogether? Or did you inherit an hobby shop?
JUN 13, 2019 - 06:37 PM
Hi Mark. Just digging around in the stash a while back and thought it would be good to review some of the old classics! Not sure which decade I will get around to building these 🤔 Cheers, D
JUN 13, 2019 - 11:22 PM
D, Excellent review. While I've always been in the minority of my group of friends being a sports car kind of guy. The Chevy SS 396 was a special car to me, as it was all about only one thing: Getting down the Quarter Mile faster then anything else in it's class. And the big 396 could certainly do that. Looking forward to the day when the kit is on your Bench. Joel
JUN 14, 2019 - 01:12 AM
Excellent review Damian. The '65 is my favorit Impala. I just love those round taillights. I have both of these kit's, in my stash. Gorgeous kit's.
JUN 18, 2019 - 05:09 PM
   


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