1957 Corvette

1957 Chevrolet Corvette (1/16 MPC)


Hi - I started this one a while ago so it is not a real time WIP. It's not finished yet so I'll dish out the build pictures in bite sized chunks then either the build or the reports will hopefully come together in real time eventually. I'm more used to European cars but if I could choose a modern American Classic sportscar it would probably be the old style Corvette. Unfortunately I don't know much about them so I'm doing this 1/16 MPC kit very much box stock and from what pictures I can find.


Build starts with the engine


http://www.freewebs.com/martsmodels/Corvette/Build/EngL.JPG
The kit offers a choice between fuel injection and carbs, there is a bit more detail in the carbs so I've gone for that option.
http://www.freewebs.com/martsmodels/Corvette/Build/EngR.JPG
I usually like to add plug wires but as the distributor and coil would be inside the chrome cover and the plugs under the manifolds can't be seen with the low installation of the engine, I've left them off. The fuel lines are 15amp fusewire, elbows and T-joints 1mm brass tube, fuel filter (which you can't see very well) clear sprue. The generator was left perched in mid-air so I made a bracket from brass wire folded on itself and soldered together leaving a slot for the adjustment - the bolt was made from 1mm styrene rod and 1mm hex rod for the nut. That should do for now and I'm hoping it will come to life a bit more when the cooling pipes and a few wires are fitted to the engine bay.


http://www.freewebs.com/martsmodels/Corvette/Build/Chassis1.JPG
The chassis - real coil springs are fitted and the front suspension works quite realistically. Don't you just love those exhaust pipes? Fitting them over the axle and through the chassis reminded me of one of those wire puzzles you get in Christmas Crackers!
http://www.freewebs.com/martsmodels/Corvette/Build/Chassis3.JPG
Mock up - prop shaft needs slight adjustment.
http://www.freewebs.com/martsmodels/Corvette/Build/Chassis2.JPG
The kit is supplied with lights front and rear. Batteries and switch are supposed to be in a base with the model tethered to it. This was a bit clumsy so I made a battery box for 3 triple A batteries which are accessed by removing the spare wheel well from underneath. I've made a simple rocker switch sited in the transmission tunnel so that the lights will come on by pushing the gear shifter forward.




http://www.freewebs.com/martsmodels/Corvette/Build/Body1.JPG
Beginning body prep - the area in front of the windscreen is sunken and doesn't line up with the rear of the bonnet (sorry hood!). It comes into line when the body sides are squeezed together so I'll to leave as is and adjust when fitting the body http://www.freewebs.com/martsmodels/Corvette/Build/Body2.JPG
Sink marks all around the bonnet edges need filling.
http://www.freewebs.com/martsmodels/Corvette/Build/Body3.JPG
The moulding for the chrome strip was almost non-existent on one side - partly re-cut with PE panel saw and partly remade with half round rod.
http://www.freewebs.com/martsmodels/Corvette/Build/Body4.JPG
Front and rear valances are supposed to be added when fitting body to chassis but as there is plenty of room around the chassis I've added them now. Body was prepped and primered and then I realised I'd forgotten to open up those vents on the wings!!!! Doh! Here the one on the right has been opened and the one nearest camera is as it was - definitely an improvement opened up I think.
http://www.freewebs.com/martsmodels/Corvette/Build/Body5.JPG
Bonnet is done - doors seem to fit quite well but need a few sink marks seeing to. One of these days I may learn to do this work all together instead of peacemeal!


http://www.freewebs.com/martsmodels/Corvette/Build/Body6.JPG
This is the door and inner sill test fitted. I would prefer to be able to spray the sill fitted to the body, that way I could also fill the door pillar, but this arrangement makes it impossible without first permanently fitting the door. The red hinge retaining piece doesn't touch the inside of the body. From past experience this type of hinge doesn't work very well so I'll try and modify it so that the door can be fitted separately.
http://www.freewebs.com/martsmodels/Corvette/Build/Body7.JPG
Here's the solution but it's only partial I'm afraid - there simply is not enough room to fit the hinge with the inner sill in situ. I've used three pieces of tubing with the largest epoxied to the body side.
I can now slip the hinge over this piece and push the smaller tube through it and retain it with the pin. At least the doors can be removed until I want to fit them and by letting the epoxy cure with the door in place it is about as accurate as it's going to get.


Here's how she stands at present
http://www.freewebs.com/martsmodels/Corvette/Build/Body8.JPG
This is all dry fitted and very wobbly - the nose up attitude will correct itself when the body is finally glued on (at present the batteries are weighing down the back). Now we can see how that inner sill fits into the floor section - I like the chrome kick plate detail. Tyres are a bit sloppy and will need a bit of white glue around the rims - apart from that and the door hinge I can't find anything bad to say about this old kit.


More later .........

looks great!

Man! I've owned one of these '57 MPC kits and it scared me off (chassis excepted). You're doing a great job Martin especially when you consider the fit and engraving. If you like Vette's you'll be amazed at how much better the 1/16 MPC 1963 Split Window kit is. The doors don't open but the fit and finish is much better and the fuelie parts look pretty good too..

Keep posting progress. I'm enjoying watching your hard work to make this a nice model.

Excellent work as always Martin! Looking forward to seeing more as this build progresses :)

Paul