Revell-Monogram 1/25 scale ProFinish Corvette C5-R "Goodwrench"

Manufacturer: Revell-Monogram, 8601 Waukegan Road, Morton Grove, IL 60053-2295, 847-966-3500 www.revell-monogram.com
Kit: No. 1648
Scale: 1/25
Price: $20.40
Comments: Injection-molded, prepainted 93 parts (4 vinyl), decals
Pros:Beautifully painted body, good chassis detail, good decals
Cons: One-piece body hides nice chassis

For years, the Corvette has been a staple of world-wide sports-car racing. Since the mid fifties, hardly a single major sports-car race has occurred without at least one 'Vette. This kit is a replica of the latest generation of Corvette racers; the C5-R. Unlike most race cars, the C5-R is heavily based on the production Corvette, because Chevrolet wants to race what it sells.


This kit is one of the latest in Revell's line of ProFinish glue kits - a standard model car kit with a very well painted silver and black body. The first thing you'll notice is the body, especially through the clear plastic window of the box.


The checkered flag motif is beautifully done, along with the GMAC and Goodwrench logos, and the racing number 2. The car's wing, mirrors, and grille are also prepainted silver.


The chassis of the real car is based on a stock C5 frame, and that is exactly how the kit is molded, too. The chassis is built off of the warp-free, one-piece floor/belly pan. The front and rear suspension systems are simplified, yet convincing, with separate upper A-arms, brakes, and coil-over shocks. The wheels are accurate looking BBS replicas, and the tires have Goodyear and Eagle logos printed on them. A coat of flat clear will tone down the glossy vinyl.


The engine is a well-engraved, yet simplified assembly that captures the look of the real car's engine. It mates to an equally fine transaxle unit. I question Revell's choice of a solid metal axle at the rear - plastic half-shafts would have been more realistic.


The top of the engine is dominated by two massive air intake boxes that look nice. Revell includes decals to simulate the carbon-fiber parts, but doesn't show where they should go.


Built up and painted, the chassis is impressive. It sits on all four wheels and just looks right. It seems a shame to cover it up with a one-piece body - a separate hood would have been welcome. I left the body unattached so I could lift it to see the chassis, but it doesn't want to sit straight.


All of the body decals went on smoothly, creating a striking shelf model. It took me about 10 hours to complete, and modelers with intermediate skill levels should be able to do the same.