AMT 1970 Corvette ZR1 - LT1

 And now for another Corvette.

This is AMT's 1970 Corvette LT-1/ZR-1.

 

I always liked the look of these 3rd Generation Corvettes with the Stingray body style launched in 1968.

This one features the very rare LT-1 350 cubic inch engine. With a super high 11:1 compression ratio, a giant 4-barrel carburetor and solid lifter cam, this rare engine was listed at 370 Horsepower in  the Corvette. 

General motors numbers show that only 53 of these high performance street cars were built between 1970 and 1972.

I like the color on the box art, and had a can of Testor's Extreme Lacquer in Fiery Orange, and thought that would look great.

I like these lacquers as they spray out very fine but with great coverage, and they dry quite quickly.

With very little follow up and a couple of coats of clear they look great at scale.

This was the 3rd car I completed during the "lockdown" and had to make a custom plate for it. Using an image I found online of a Michigan 1970 license plate and a little photoshop - here is what we have.

It's hard to tell at this scale, or even on the full size car just how potent that little small block is.

The only giveaway would be a couple of small details, and the big sticker on the air-cleaner, to separate it from the base engine.

At 370 Horsepower, this is more than 20% increase over the rating of the "base" Corvette 350 engine.

A quick view underneath. I did a little light weathering and painted a few small details to make it look less "flat" and "toy-like".

If you looks close, you can see the Goodyear lettering on the tires, the same as was on the box art. I chose to use the opposite side facing out, with the "redline" sidewall. I felt this looked a little more period...

Now I need to find my Virus 1, and Virus 2 builds... as long as I am going backwards for a little bit.

Revell Corvette ZR1

My latest project was the Revell Corvette ZR1 in 1/25 Scale.

This represents the newer C6 body style.

Featuring a clear panel in the hood so you can see the supercharged engine lurking underneath.

 



The contents of the box are well done, and there was no flash anywhere to be removed, as you would expect from a newer tooling. Parting lines were minimal and required little clean-up.

One that I did miss was this little beauty on the underside of the chassis pan. Yes, I know it was a Revell kit molded in China.

A little work with some sandpaper, and quick re-spray, and it's gone!

Or at least well enough for this one.

I wasn't planning a completely detailed kit. Just wanted it to fill a spot on a shelf next to all it's other brothers from Chevrolet.

A few steps later, and the engine is mostly in, along with the driveline and interior.

Again I left off the seat decals, and a few other small parts, as they will hardly be visible through the small windows.

Still missing here is the radiator and supercharger shroud. But it's starting to look mean!

For the body I chose a darker metallic red that I like. While not entirely a correct "factory" color for the ZR1, I think it shows well here.

A quick test fit of the body on the chassis just to make sure everything lines up, and sits where I want it to.

So several steps later, and lots of little bits and pieces added, it's complete.

Still a little dusty as I took the pictures in a hurry.

It's middle of winter here, and got a quick afternoon with some sunlight coming in, so I grabbed a few quick pictures while I had the chance.

 

Overall, I really enjoyed this kit, and felt that it went together pretty well, with only 1 real problem.

The supercharger sits where it should in the hood opening (I had heard it may sit too low). I am more than pleased with the final results of my "not too serious build."

 

The one problem that I did encounter was the windshield.

I am not sure if I was fitting it wrong, or if it came warped in the box...

But as you can see, it didn't fit the frame quite right. The driver's side, and top of the windshield fit just fine. I tried several different ways, and could never get all 4 corners to fit where I needed at the same time.

So I tried something I knew I shouldn't.... I tried to flex it back.

Regular styrene has some "give" and can be bent.

NOT CLEAR PLASTIC.

I even tried heating it some to make it more pliable....

Nope...

 

So now it fits flush, but it is in two pieces.

I may be looking for a windshield in future, but for now.... It will be good enough.

 

Not sure what is next....

But I do have a Hotwheels Porsche 356 Custom, for the local trade/swap day this weekend yet to unveil...