Introduction

This is one of the all time great car designs with smooth lines and the free-flowing curves of the fenders. This classic has always been popular with hot rodders. The Revell kit of the ’37 coupe has been issued and re-issued many times, and this is the latest version. This version seems to be mostly a repackaging, as most of the parts and options were available in previous releases.

The kit is showing it’s age with soft detailing, some fit issues, and a completely confusing front suspension. In spite of the shortcomings the kit still builds into a nice hot rod model. The kit would be frustrating for an inexperienced modeler and would be better suited to an avid car modeler.

Kit Contents

Revell’s description:

• The kit includes 128 pieces.
• Modern independent suspension and choice of wheels
• Sculptured interior styling with separate door panels
• Detailed Small block V-8 engine with the choice of intake systems
• Molded in white and clear plastic with chrome plated parts and soft black tires.

Instructions are a 16 page 8 1/2X11 booklet with 17 assembly and finishing steps. Instructions include paint colors called out by color name but not by any manufacturer. Instructions include a listing of parts including the part name, which is very helpful. Description of the model is given in English, French, and Spanish. Detailed painting instructions are provided in each of the assembly steps. Instructions and decal sheet are copyright 2013. Top of fender and floorboards has a printed date 081413 and a molded copyright date of 1994.

Kit includes five white plastic sprues, two chrome plated sprues each individually bagged, individually bagged clear parts, two sets of tires, axle pins, body, decals, and instructions. White plastic parts don't appear to have much flash and the mold seems are fairly minor. Detail on the white plastic parts is a little soft. Chrome parts have good detail and the chrome plating does not seem overly thick. The clear plastic parts are reasonably thin and seem to be well molded. The larger set of tires has a center mold seam and several injection points that will need to be cleaned up. The smaller set of tires does not have the center seam, more injection points and are nicely molded.

Assembly

Step #1 begins assembly of the engine. There are two options for the engine, a four barrel carburetor with air cleaner or a fuel injection system. I chose the four barrel carburetor option which is option A. The engine builds into a straightforward assembly that could use some wiring and plumbing details. The fan belt leaves the alternator suspended way above the engine.

Step #3 & #4 are the assembly of the chassis, front suspension, differential, and exhaust pipes. There are options for the rear end differential depending upon the engine option chosen. I decided to use the independent front suspension with the low profile tires.

There seems to be a duplication of the front axle/suspension configuration. Step #3 shows installation of struts and upper A-arms for an independent front suspension. Step #4 shows installation of the lower A-arms, but it also shows installation of a rigid front axle and a fixed tie rod. Neither of the kit’s front wheel options fit the rigid axle so it should not be installed unless different wheels are used. Gluing the tie rod in place doesn’t allow the front wheels to turn, but there’s no provision to connect the tie rods to the wheels anyway. Review the wheel and tire options in step #7 before installing the front suspension.

There are two tire options for the kit in step #7 – a higher profile and a low profile tire. Both options show the front wheels attaching to spindles for the independent front suspension, but no option for the rigid axle.

Also, the wheels for the high profile tires are mislabeled on the sprue. The rear wheels are 107 and 108, but 108 is mislabeled as 76 on the sprue. The wheels for the high profile front tire are 76 and 77 but 76 is mislabeled as 108 on the sprue.

To add to the confusion, step #4 shows the rigid front axle, part #38, being installed on the top of the frame. Steps #5 & #6 show the installed rigid front axle on the bottom of the frame. Steps #5 & #6 also show both the rigid axle and independent front suspensions installed. What the???

Step #7 shows painting the disc brakes for the custom low profile tire option steel color. There are also decals for the disc brakes, but they're not called out in the instructions.

The front suspension and wheel options are very confusing and seem to be mixed up from previous issues of the kit. Review these steps carefully before gluing anything.

Apparently the A & B differential options in step #4 do not coincide with the engine options A & B. Differential option A relates to the high profile tires, and the differential option B relates to the low profile custom rear tire with the metal pins. I already had the differential option A installed on the chassis so to use the custom tires I drilled out the rotors and glued them directly to the axle with 5 minute epoxy. The metal pins on the front custom tire wheels were a little wobbly so I glued them with 5 minute epoxy too.

Before the seats are installed in step #9 is a good time to paint the seats and apply the fabric texture decals. The location of the interior door panels is a little vague. They notch into the firewall and need to be held down from the windows to allow installation of the glass. After the interior door panels are installed in step #10 and before the glass is installed is a good time to paint the interior of the vehicle. I painted the seats and interior surfaces Tamiya Champagne Gold TS – 75

The body and fenders are nicely molded and are the best part of the kit. They had very small mold lines and no flash. I decided to simplify the body by filling in the trunk and gas cap panel lines, removing the hinges from the door panels, and not installing the rearview mirrors. I also did not install the windshield wipers as they are too heavy and clunky. I removed the center mullions on the windshield and the rear window. The result is a very free-flowing body with graceful fender curves.

After installing the inner fender skirts in step #11, I painted all of the exterior body panels. I primed the body with white Tamiya Fine Surface Primer and painted the exterior of the body Testors Purple-Licious One Coat Lacquer. I decide to one of the large flame options and applied them on top of the colorcoat. The decals are thin & easy to work with, but are slightly cloudy when installed. There’s a decal of a T-shirt that isn’t called out in the instructions. It’s too small for me so I didn’t know what to do with it.

Summary

Not an easy kit for beginners, but a ’37 Ford Coupe should be in every hot rod modeler’s collection. With care on the front suspension, and some extra detailing of the engine, this can be made into a nice hot rod model!

Many thanks to Revell for continuing to issue quality models of car models and supplying review samples to IPMS. Thanks to the IPMS Review Crew for letting me build and review the kit.