1:25 '64 Plymouth Belvedere hard top coupe

Plymouth Belvedere hardtop coupe (1964) in 1:25 scale from AMT

An injection-molded plastic kit of the American Plymouth Belvedere of the 1964 model year in the hardtop coupe body version, that is a two-door coupe without a fixed center pillar. The model in 1:25 scale is released by the American brand AMT. The parts are on injection-molded sprues, and the building and painting are up to the modeler.

The real subject

The Belvedere belonged to the mid-range line of Plymouth built on the platform that Detroit called the B-body. The 1964 model year was the last year of this body generation and made its name mainly on the race tracks: a big-block V8 could be ordered into the light and fairly compact car, which made the Belvedere one of the icons of the American quarter-mile scene of the mid-1960s. In ordinary service, meanwhile, it was sold as a plain mid-size family car, so the model can be treated as a civilian machine or as a racer.

Building and painting tips

On a pillarless hardtop the whole interior is visible through the side windows, so it pays to spend time on the seats, the dashboard and the steering wheel before the body is closed up. Spray the body over a filler primer in thin coats, let the gloss paint cure thoroughly and only then add the decals. Chrome strips can be brought out with a fine brush or with a good modeling marker. The details of the running gear and the exhaust take a dark wash well, which deepens the shadows.

Who the model is for

• Collectors of American cars of the 1960s in 1:25 scale
• Modelers interested in the American racing scene
• Builders who want to treat the model either as a civilian car or as a racer
• Slightly advanced modelers who dare to tackle a gloss body

The model is supplied unassembled and unpainted. Glue, paints and accessories are not included in the package, unless stated otherwise.