1997 Chevrolet Corvette
Kit: No. 8327
Scale: 1/25
Manufacturer: AMT/Ertl, P.O. Box 500, Dyersville, IA 52040-0500, phone 800-553-4886
Price: $11
Comments: Injection molded, 84 parts, decals.
'97 Corvette Coupe
Kit: No. 2490
Scale: 1/25
Manufacturer: Revell-Monogram, 8601 Waukegan Rd., Morton Grove, IL 60053-2295, phone 847-966-3500
Price: $10.50
Comments: Injection molded, 113 parts (4 vinyl), decals.
1997 Chevrolet Corvette
AMT/Ertl's '97 Corvette is molded in gray plastic with no flash. The instruction sheet is well done with eight exploded-view drawings. The body is molded in three pieces: the main section and the front and rear fascias. The fascias in my sample did not match the contours of the body, and required careful sanding and fitting to achieve a reasonable result.
Two mirrors with separate faces round out the body. The Corvette's optional side-body molding is not included in the kit.
The engine is the best part of the kit, building into an accurate replica of Chevy's LS1 V-8. The instructions tell you to paint the entire engine satin black, but the block, heads, front cover, and oil pan should be aluminum. My engine went together easily. The separate hood has no hinges.
A nice engine deserves a nice chassis, and AMT doesn't let you down. Made up of a basic pan, to which separate front and rear suspensions attach, it does a good job of representing the new 'Vette backbone.
During final assembly, I found the front wheels did not fit up inside the wheel wells properly. I had to cut the mounting pins off the spindles and glue the wheels on in the proper locations.
Interior assembly is straightforward. The interior is made up of a main bucket with separate side panels, console, two-piece seats, dash, and four smaller parts. The detail is sharp, but the passenger's "security" handle is missing from the dashboard.
AMT molded the roof and windshield in one clear piece, and this complicates painting. I painted the body color before painting the black areas surrounding the windshield. In retrospect, I should have reversed this order. I also had trouble fitting this part to the body, so my model shows gaps where the A pillars meet the body. The rear window has no representation of the defroster.
I used Testor Model Master midnight blue metallic for the color coats, overcoated with Tamiya clear gloss.
The finished model looks good but has a few differences from the real 'Vette. The roof line is a little too rounded in side view, but does have the subtle "double bubble" shape. AMT does not provide the front under-bumper air dam. The wheel details are well defined but the spokes are not as flat as the originals. The front fascia is curved and misses the slight crease at the center, and the air vents behind the front wheels are molded solid.
Overall, this is a fine model of the new Corvette, with a few glitches.
'97 Corvette Coupe
The first thing you notice about Revell-Monogram's 'Vette is that it is molded in white styrene. I like that, especially when I choose a light color for the paint job as I did with my yellow 'Vette. But the second thing you'll notice is a lot of flash.
The body is molded in one piece and accurately depicts the lines of the 5th Generation design. The crease at the center of the front fascia is there, and the vents behind the rear wheels are open, but the optional side-body molding is not included.
The hood and mirrors are the only separate pieces to add to the body, with the hood featuring an accurate hinge mechanism. Revell-Monogram's roof line looks good from the side and has the double bubble shape, but the top edge of the side window openings is too flat. The defroster is molded into the rear window, but it is too prominent.
Revell-Monogram's engine has 20 parts and includes the transaxle and torque tube as a unit with the block. Less-experienced modelers may have a tough time painting the "Corvette" lettering on the engine covers, but six other under-hood labels are provided on the decal sheet.
The chassis is a two-piece affair with the floor pan and interior engine bay molded separately. This system can be trouble in some kits, but my engine bay fit perfectly inside the body. The front and rear suspensions are simplified, but when assembled they look right and give the model the correct stance. The vinyl used for the Goodyear Eagle F1 tires is softer and more rubberlike than usually found in auto kits. Wheel detail is soft, but the spokes have the proper flat appearance. Corvette logos are engraved into the brake calipers.
The interior is accurately represented, with separate door panels with excellent relief. The white printing of the instrument decals is too fine and disappears behind the clear instrument cover. The passenger's grab handle is molded into the dash.
This 'Vette went together with no problems. The fit was excellent and the stance is correct without modification.
I used Colors for Miniatures' Corvette yellow for the paint job, and spent 20 hours on the kit.
Conclusions
Either kit will produce a good model of the '97 Corvette. If you are particular about subtle shapes and precision fit, Revell-Monogram's may be your choice.
Mark Melchiori