Actor Keanu Reeves plays the eponymous hero of the John Wick series of action movies, with the fourth and most recent installment released in 2023. In it, Wick finds himself behind the wheel of a 1970 Chevy Chevelle, and Round 2, to its credit, landed the movie license and paired it to its already existing AMT 1/25 scale ’70 Chevelle plastic model kit.
As you look over the instruction sheet, you will notice that they give you a stock color guide for the interior and exterior used by the manufacturer in 1970. And just under that, you'll receive a color guide as a reference to paint individual parts for assembly as you go.
Unsurprisingly, the kit build begins with the big-block SS 396 engine. With just under 20 parts, you choose between stock and custom options. For a stock-factory look, finish off the carburetor with a stock air cleaner and stock valve covers with decals. If custom is more your thing, the optional fuel-injection system allows for finned aluminum valve covers. That’s the route I took.
Wick’s movie Chevelle rode on Torq-Thrust mags, which the kit provides. If a stock look is more your thing, the kit includes those, too, along with paint references in the instructions. With the pad-printed tires, either option looks sharp.
Like most cars from the 1970s, the Chevelle interior isn’t exactly glamorous, but the kit replicates what is there quite well. However, the window cranks and knobs molded into the door panels appear a bit thin. Detail painting does a lot to improve their appearance. The decal sheet includes two sets of gauges, and factory stock is the only option for the model’s interior.
In Step 6, you’ll decide between stock and custom exhausts. The former employs the stock manifolds and exhaust system molded into the rear suspension. Even with the metal axle running through a mount on the chassis plate and the rear axle, it resembles the stock appearance of the A Body. The latter requires you to eliminate the stock exhaust from the rear axle and run with the optional headers.
The driveshaft comes molded into the chassis plate. Just paint the driveshaft accordingly to complete this step.
The front suspension lacks detail, and pins attach the wheels to the car. Although not as accurate as it could be, when it’s said and done, the height looks right for a factory car.
To my eye, Round 2 must have cleaned up the body molding—I have built this kit before and have had trouble with the front grille and headlights. Not this time. Front-end assembly went off without a hitch. The body drops onto the chassis, and a rear bumper completes the process. The kit does provide black or white decals for the stripe package. And what can I say? All the decals went on without difficulty.
Overall, the AMT 1/25 scale “John Wick Chapter 4” 1970 Chevy Chevelle SS plastic model kit is a must for those who need a Chevelle for their collection. And now, you can also make it a movie car if you desire.