Revell Deal's Wheels '57 Chevy caricature car By Ward Shrake

History

Fans of Dave Deal's caricature vehicle / figure series have eagerly awaited the first '57 cHEVY re-release in ages. The 1957 Chevy automobile celebrated its 50th anniversary this year. Revell’s '57 cHEVY caricature car kit was first released in 1970. After that, there was a Modeler's Club release; then an early 1980's "Funster" release (which eliminated Dave Deal’s artwork, sadly) ... then two decades of fruitless waiting (along with “sell your firstborn” collector prices). And now, finally, this very welcome 2007 release.

WHAT’S IN THE BOX

The short, “not over-thinking it” version is: I feel that what’s inside the ’57 cHEVY car’s kit box today is cool, fun, and worthwhile: great stuff for kids of any age. Then again, as a lifelong fan of this series, some of you may wonder about unfair bias and/or my blatant “Cheerleading”? So, to put those fears to rest, I offer the following.

I simply showed the unpainted cartoon ’57 body to my good friend Clarinsky. (Also known to some as “Grandma” or “Aunt Clara”.) She didn’t see the box art, or the rest of the kit. Still, she immediately said three things: “Awwww!” (as in “That’s too cute!”); followed quickly by, “I want it!” - in a timid Widdle Kiddie’s voice. When I didn’t say no, she put in her Kar Kustomizing order: several color schemes I could choose from, as well as telling me it needed to have a replica of her old stuffed tiger, Pete, resting behind the back seat.

So there you have it: unbiased confirmation that this kit rocks, and you ought to buy them by the caseload, so Revell will be inclined to re-release the rest of this cool series. (13 cars and 4 airplanes; plus several that never got released.)

If that doesn’t convince you, then see the sprue pictures. If that still doesn’t do it, I’m afraid there’s simply no hope for you: you’re probably a Communist Mutant Who Only Loves Fords. (Just kidding!! I like those, too!!)

The box says “Decals: waterslide” but that’s a typo. There weren’t any decals in the two kits I bought. I checked with experts, who told me that only the Funster release ever had decals. (I forgot to ask, but I think those were the peel-and-stick type; not waterslide?) Personally, I just shrugged it off.

The biggest problem with what’s shown on the box sides – and this is true for all of the Internet advertising photos I’ve seen of the finished model, as well – is that the engine scoop shown on Revell’s build-up is not what’s in the box.

Luckily, there's a simple solution. If you want exactly what you are looking at on the sides of this kit box, just buy a Zzzz-28 car kit, and put that engine on your ’57 cHEVY hood. Boom! Done!

You can pick up both of these re-released kits right now, cheaply, from many places. (Prices seem to range from $12 to $16 USD, before shipping costs.) Squadron Mail Order even carries both kits: see page 60 of the December flyer.

Anyway, folks, as I said before: what’s in the ’57 cHEVY box today is cool and fun and worthwhile … and if my friend Clara is any indication, they’re great little gifts for kids of any age. Highly recommended!