Monogram '59 Chevrolet Corvette 2'n1

By Al Superczynski

Overview

Chevy took the new design for the 1958 Corvette and updated it for '59 with great results. The body details were tidied up a bit giving the fiberglass sports car a cleaner look and the powerful engine lineup made the Vette one of the fastest cars on the street. In fact, a typical '59 Vette could do the standing quarter mile in under 15 seconds and it was not uncommon to see times of under 8 seconds in 0-60 mph runs. Road & Track magazine piloted their 290 bhp fuelie up to 60 mph in 6.6 seconds and finished the quarter mile in 14.5 seconds. The public obviously took notice as Vette sales soared with 9,670 cars sold for the model year.

The Kit

Revell-Monogram has taken a page from the big boys and updated their excellent Pro-Modeler '58 Corvette into a hot '59. The 170 parts in the kit provide the modeler with options for a fully authentic factory stock car or an up-to-date street machine. The stock version is complete with a removable hardtop and your choice of factory fuel injection or dual four barrel carbs for the 283 engine while the street machine version features a set of gorgeous custom wheels and tires and a hopped-up 283 with a modern electronic fuel injection system. Modelers familiar with the earlier '58 kit by Pro-Modeler will already know the high level of detail lavished on this kit by Revell-Monogram. All engine accessories except for the transmission are molded separately , both the front and rear suspensions are nicely done, and the chassis even includes a separate cross brace. Further evidence of R-M's attention to detail is the option of an electric fan for the street machine version.

The interior builds up on a platform including the engine compartment and includes separte door panels and seats, with a full completment of decal gauges for the dash.

The silkscreened decals are very complete and feature all scripts and emblems, license plates, and a really cool set of custom flames.