Revell 1/25 scale H-1232:139 1959 Chevy Corvette
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History
Revell's first fully-detailed kits of contemporary American cars were
introduced as a series of 1/32 scale models done in conjunction with AMT
for the 1955 and 1956 model years. These kits, which included vacuum metalized
chrome parts, were truly revolutionary despite their multipiece bodies
and lack of clear windows. 1957 saw the advent of a 1/25 scale lineup
in the form of a Ford Country Squire station wagon and Cadillac El Dorado
Brougham (featured here
in our November 2002 issue). Clear parts were now included but one-piece
bodies were still a thing of the future.
The Kit
 Having
nothing in common with the new '59 Corvette kit released recently based
on the excellent ProModeler '58 Corvette tooling, this kit was released
in 1958 and has been reissued a number of times, not only in the US but
also by overseas subsidiaries. There's also been a racing version in both
static and motorized form, but a factory stock version from the original
tooling hasn't been available for many years. The original issue featured
stock wheelcovers and a nicely-sculpted four-piece driver figure that
apparently were lost somewhere along the way as all the reissued kits
included custom wheels and tires and omitted the driver figure. Mysteriously,
the gas tank disappeared from the chassis as well - perhaps this had something
to do with the motorized racing version mentioned earlier but I don't
have one of those to compare.
 All
that having been said, shape-wise this has always been one of the best
'58-'60 Corvette kits available, far superior to the AMT annuals despite
their one-piece bodies. Add to that a platform style interior with good
relief on the nicely-detailed inner door panels and the kit is the basis
for an excellent model even today with a little extra detailing added
to the engine and chassis. The driver figure is an added touch that is
sorely missed, and with the release of the ProModeler '58 Corvette and
its '59 cousin I doubt that we'll ever see this classic in the stores
again.
  Interestingly,
my kit's instructions call for the bumpers and grille, etc to be painted
silver and it includes an addendum calling attention to the plated parts
even though the box art touts chrome parts. This makes me wonder if early
runs of the kit left the factory without plating, and if there is an earlier
box art omitting the reference to chrome parts.
Conclusion
Even built straight out-of-the-box this is one sharp-looking car. Tack
on the nostalgia rush of a 47 year-old "S" kit and this is still
a highly-desirable model for builders and collectors alike. I highly recommend
snapping it up if you ever run across one - asking prices probably vary
wildly but I picked mine up on eBay for less than $25 due primarily to
the somewhat tatty box.
Until next month, "Build what YOU like, the way YOU want to",
above all have fun, and be sure to visit Al's
Place (which I recently updated, BTW) while you're surfing the 'Net!
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