AMT 1/25 scale 1964 Chevy Chevelle Malibu SS Craftsman Plus plastic model kit review
Excellent option for beginners, lovers of early Chevelles, and veteran modelers alike
Kit:AMT1426M
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Scale:1/25
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Price:$32.99
Manufacturer:Round 2 (Sample courtesy of manufacturer)
Pros:
Low parts count; easy to build; wheel options; decal details
Cons:
Soft details on the body’s passenger side
Comments:
Injection-molded plastic (white, clear, transparent red, chrome); 63 parts (4 black vinyl tires; 1 metal axle); decals
There’s no two ways about it: The all-new AMT 1/25 scale 1964 Chevy Chevelle Malibu SS Craftsman Plus plastic model kit is fun to build! Well-engineered, it fell together for me without any assembly problems at all. With 63 parts in the kit, you’ll receive an extra headlight, backup lights, and brake light lenses (in case you lose one or two to the carpet monster), which is a thoughtful touch from Round 2.
The instruction sheet has seven simple, clearly illustrated steps. Decals provide many license plate options, plus badging.
The grille and tail panel have been completely redesigned from the original kit to allow for those clear light lenses instead of the chromed ones molded in. The details are crisper, and the apron between the grille and bumper is present.
The kit provides two sets of wheels: wires with three-bar spinners (or knock-offs if you prefer) or cap covers.
The hood lifts off to reveal a core support, firewall, radiator, and engine plate that details the oil pan and blocks off the light. However, Round 2’s designers were thinking. They eliminated the front metal axle that is common for vintage annuals and made the engine plate removable—just don’t glue it in. If you have a ’65 Chevelle wagon or El Camino kit for a donor, you can easily install the motor and radiator from either of those to bump up the detail between the front wheel wells, no modifications needed!
I used Bare-Metal Foil for trim and badging. However, if I had to do it again, I would shave off the badging and use the supplied decals instead. The badging on the passenger side of the car is a tad light and lacks clarity. That affected the look of the badging under the foil.
If you’re new to car models and like vintage muscle cars, the AMT 1/25 scale 1964 Chevy Chevelle Malibu SS Craftsman Plus plastic model kit would be a great place to start. Unintimidating, you’ll have a blast putting together a kit quickly and with as much of a guarantee of success as you’re likely to get (painting is on you!). If you’re an old hand at scale car models, this could prove an easy diversion and conversion if you wanted to plant an engine up front. Or maybe you have an original ’64 Chevelle Malibu annual in your stash and you’re loath to build it. This would make the perfect option.