The stunning good looks and performance of the Pratt & Miller Corvette C7.R were only surpassed by the performance of this incredible racing machine. A true race car, this triple threat vehicle only shares it outer skin with the Corvette as nearly everything else is custom made to handle the rigors of long endurance racing propelled by a 491 HP engine.

This review covers the skill level 4 (ages 12 years and older) new tooling release of the 2015 Corvette C7.R 1:25 Scale Revell Model Kit #85-4304. There are White, clear, clear red, metal axles, soft black tires with waterslide decals. You get a superbly detailed race car body with a racing chassis, safety roll cage and separate, but simplified, motor. This is a specific vehicle special subject kit and a historically accurate rendering of the 2015 C7.R. Final dimensions are approximately; Length: 7”, Width: 3½”, Height: 2”.

Construction and Detailing

This build begins with the faux engine. I assume that because it is mostly hidden from view after assembly this eight piece motor is very simplified. It goes together in seconds but check the orientation of the oil pan against the instructions to make sure you orient the part properly. I painted the engine Aluminum with black valve covers.

The chassis is next and it resembles one of the supercar frames appearing l a large skid late. Curiously there are copyright scripts in three places. I use a little lacquer thinner to remove them and some fine sandpaper to smooth it out. After gluing the two suspension units into place you add the brakes and engine sub-assembly to the chassis plate. The wheels are painted gloss black and assembled to the soft vinyl tires and pressed on to the metal axles. You’re already at the point of having a rolling chassis to build on.

I painted the floorpan semi-gloss black and after it dried I added the firewall and pedal assembly then glued that to the chassis. Oddly, it’s here that you install the exhaust headers which are steel or gunmetal in color. Also, the front portion of the roll cage is installed and the intake manifold is added to the motor. The engine covers are placed now but I found that the right side needed to have the mounting holes cleaned out prior to installation.

The roll cage and rear panels are built in a circle around the interior beginning with the right side and it’s important to make sure that the roll cage panel stays in place otherwise the rear part of the right roll cage will not properly connect with the interior assembly. Paint the dashboard flat black and add the decal to the steering wheel and install those. Add the safety net and finish off the roll cage assembly noting that if the roll cage panel is not in the proper position, the rear part of the left roll cage will not properly attach to the interior assembly.

The body is crisp and there is just a little parting line to sand smooth. Paint the body, hood and door panels then add the reflectors and headlights. Make sure they seat fully. The window glass is one piece and all the surrounds are pre-painted. After installing that with some white glue, add the taillights in back too. There’s a fan plate that is semi-gloss black and is installed at the rear of the car. The rear airfoil is assembled with a carbon fiber decal and added to the rear deck. The outer fins are painted bright red, as are the side view mirrors, which really add some flair to the appearance. After installing the air inlet scoop to the underside of the hood and adding the grill plate and side mirrors; you’re done with the body construction.

The rockers panels are given a gloss-black treatment and then the decals are applied to the exterior. The decals are excellent with minimal carrier and great registry. They go on well, but I recommend some setting solution be used on the larger ones. They are very colorful and complimentary to the car’s color scheme giving it a terrific overall look.

Conclusion

This kit is well designed with excellent fit and the crisp moldings you would expect from a new tool. I would call it an upper-level transition kit for the moderately skilled builder just as Revell has rated it. The simplicity of the kit makes it appear that it was derived from a die cast or snap kit however. That also means that it was very easy to build and went together easily. The most difficult parts of the construction were the roll cage and decal application. But when you’re finished with this easy builder you’ll have and outstanding C7.R to display proudly. Thanks goes out to Revell for issuing this new kit and to IPMS USA for letting me share this review with everyone.