The Kit

This review covers the 2016 Corvette Stingray 1:25 Scale Revell Kit #85-4425. It’s a Skill Level 4 kit for the intermediate builder requiring glue and paint. There are 57 parts molded in white, clear, chrome and transparent red and metal axles with easy-to-follow instructions and waterslide decals. The kit features a detailed LT-1 V-8 engine, multi-piece chassis, and soft black tires. Overall finished dimensions are approximately: Length: 7", Width: 3¼", Height: 2".

Construction and Detailing

Construction of this kit begins with the motor and although it is fairly detailed it is a simple construction that is easily built. The sad fact is that you can’t really see the motor after it is placed into the engine bay just like the real thing! The chassis offers some areas for detail although the construction is very simplified. Painting the separate exhaust, A-arms, and one-piece suspensions gives the flat back chassis pan some color differentiation. Construction goes pretty quickly here.

I decided to carpet the interior with some craft flocking to give the interior some color. The tan also contrasts with the black highlights there. If you make it the standard black interior you won’t be able to see much after assembly. The interior tub fits snugly onto the chassis pan.

The engine goes together quickly and there’s a couple decals available for the intake. The wheels are a snap and after you glue the brakes to the frame the metal axle slide through to provide mounting points for the wheel hubs.

You can assemble the entire body and tape the hood into position for painting which makes for a better finish. After painting the color of your choice you’ll find that there are some decals for the exterior but like the 1:1 car they are minimal body emblems.

In a flash of design brilliance the window glass literally snaps forward into place eliminating the bane of modeling – glue prints on the windshield! You’ll be able to slide the chassis into the body at a 45 degree angle in the rear and then drop it down into the body by spreading the rockers apart slightly. Now you can add the front air dam. It was borrowed from the 2014 kit as evidenced by the copyright script it carries. Keep an eye on the engine during installation because it is a tight fit in order to prevent breaking off any parts there. After that, all you’ll see of the engine is the intake.

Overall

There is room for further detailing on this kit but its strength is also its weakness with regard to contest worthiness. It is a well engineered tight fitting model with simplified construction. That makes for a quick build that looks good on the shelf but not overly detailed to attract the contest judge’s attention. In short, if you want a great looking weekend builder or even something that a youngster could manage this is a great choice. I would like to thank Revell for this well designed stress reliever and also to the IPMS for letting me share the review with you.