'63 Corvette Custom

[ChrisV]

Following a relatively long break from building, I've recently experienced a great surge of inspiration.
Over the years I've picked up a bunch of custom parts from AMT's sixties' Corvette kits, but apart from starting a replica of Tony Rivera's customized '63, I haven't really put any of them to good use yet - That's about to change...

The base for this project is an old AMT "Street Rods" series '63 Stingray Coupé body, a set of custom bumpers, grille, and hood from AMT's '65 Stingray Roadster, and a neat old set of generic fins, I found among my other custom parts:


The fins were gently trimmed to fit the curve of the rear fender:


Inspired by Bob Nordskog's Barris-built "The Asteroid", I'm going for the mid-sixties' "show & go" custom look, which means mags, slicks and fender flares. Thus the rear wheel arches were radiused, and strips of styrene were added to form the base of the flares:




To complete the rear bodywork, I added triple taillight tunnels - I'm still debating, whether to install bullet lenses from AMT's '57 Ford or install stock Corvette taillghts in aluminium tubing, sanded and polished to replicate stock taillight bezels (the kit's taillight bezels are just worthless).




Now I just have to wait for the glue to cure before filling in the gaps and building the flares with Milliput epoxy putty.

[Deleted]

Looks good so far. I like the 6 tail light approach. To me that's just right for any C2 'vette.

[randfink]

Sweet. I'm loving this recent uptick in customizing Corvettes.

[spex84]

Yeah, love the variety!
The 6-pack of taillights will look mighty fine, and the rear fins are going to give the car some serious personality. I love the shape of these cars stock, but once you've seen 100 of 'em, it's time for a change

[krassandbernie]

I wasn't sure I was going to like the fins on this one........until I saw them! Wow! They look right at home; and do not scream "Barris"! LOL!

[Mr. Metallic]

This is cool. With the addition of the fins and the existing split window it definitely has an Alfa Romeo BAT feeling to it. Looking forward to more

[ChrisV]

No pictures, but today I cleaned up the taillight pods and applied putty around them on the back side to secure them in place.

Jul 27, 2017 5:59:55 GMT -5 Mr. Metallic said:

This is cool. With the addition of the fins and the existing split window it definitely has an Alfa Romeo BAT feeling to it. Looking forward to more

It's funny - From the rear angle the fins makes you think of the Alfa Romeo, but when you look at it from the side, there's also some Volvo P1800 styling cues.

[froghawk]

Most excellent!

[dodgefever]

Interesting idea with the fins. I see what you mean about the Volvo resemblance.

[lo51merc]

Weird, I saw the Bat too. It's contagious.
Gary

[Deleted]

Just for reference...the BAT





and a P1800

[ChrisV]

Time for an update:

The taillight tunnels are nearly done:


As are the fender flares:


I have removed the parking lights and started working on correcting the front. Most reissues of the '63 suffer tremendously from mold alignment issues in the headlight/grille area:

[krassandbernie]

I'm dig'n it Chris! The wheel wells look great! Have you decided what wheels you are going to use? Something from Halibrand perhaps; or the American LeMans mag wheels? The LeMans would be tougher since your only option are the undersized Johan wheels. Speed City Resins offers a remastered 15" version of this wheel; but after getting a couple pair in my hands this summer I am not very content with their appearance. The quality is very nice; but they still do not look close enough to the 1:1 wheel for me..........so, back to mastering this wheel myself down the road.

[krassandbernie]

btw, don't forget to drill out the door handles while you are at it; or replace them with some from another kit that are already plated. I suppose you could remove them altogether too; but I'm not a big fan of that personally.

[spex84]

Lookin' good!
Great work on the fender flare. It blends into the body crease very smoothly.