1965 Chevy Impala (Foose Design) 1:25 Scale Revell Model Kit #85-4190 Review

RoR SnapShot Review 20140421* Review
1965 Chevy Impala (Foose Design) 1:25 Scale Revell Model Kit #85-4190 Review

 Review & Photos by Alan Mann     

Totally redesigned in 1965, the Impala set an all-time industry annual sales record of more than 1 million units in the U.S., which has never been bettered. The full-size Chevys replaced the “X” frame with a full-width perimeter frame, a new body which featured curved, frameless side glass (for pillar-less models), sharper angled windshield with newly reshaped vent windows, and redesigned full-coil suspension. Engine choices included the inline six-cylinder as well as the famous Chevy small-block and big-block V8s. Automatic buyers were given the option of the three-range Turbo Hydra-Matic transmission with the Mark IV big-block 396 engine. The old 409 “W” engine was discontinued early in the 1965 model year, so early-production ’65s got the 409, as well as the 396 big blocks. Two-range Powerglide, as well as Synchro-Mesh 3- and 4-speed manual transmissions were available also. As with previous years, Impalas featured more chrome trim inside and out, with pleated, tufted upholstery and door panels.

The Designer: In a relatively short career, Chip Foose has created a legacy of designs and accomplishments that are well beyond his years. Chip’s first job was working for his father’s company, Project Design. By age twelve, Chip already had five years’ experience under his belt. 1990 brought about the beginning of a relationship with Boyd Coddington and Hot Rods by Boyd, becoming a full time position in 1993, where Chip eventually became the President. Chip’s venture with Boyd however, ended in 1998. The split was not pretty as many of Boyd’s best builders left with Chip. At this time Chip and his wife Lynne started their Huntington Beach, California based company Foose Design, an automotive and product design development company that is still in operation.

 

For the Modeler: This review is based on Revell # 85-4190; it is the 1/25 scale Foose ’65 Chevy Impala. This kit is skill level 2 for the intermediate builder and contains 142 parts. The kit is molded in White, Chrome, Clear and Clear Red and has Vinyl Tires. This kit has seen multiple box-art packages over the years and is a Reissue (Re-Pop), Revell calls this a “conversion”. The chassis is stamped 1996 so it has been around at least 18 years. The only parts special for the “Foose Designed” kit seems to be 2 new trees plus tires. You get Tires and Wheels, Valve Covers and Air Cleaner, Front Suspension and the custom decals. But you do get all the original kit parts from previous issues. You get a nicely detailed 409 V8 Big Block although the real car had a Small Block. The chassis is simple and clean. You get 2 wheel choices, Stock and Foose. The interior is nice with a multiple part tub. The body is crisp and nicely detailed, but to do the Foose version you must remove the molded on Stock emblems. The decals are extensive and give the Foose stripes and tags. The interior decals include all dash gauges. This is a great kit that begs you to go hit the aftermarket and super-detail it. Overall dimensions of the finished build are: Length: 8-1/2″, Width: 3″, Height: 2-1/4″.

 

Overall Impressions: The ‘65 Impala is a cool build. The kit assembles easy and is pretty straightforward. As for the “Foose” part of this kit, if you were to repackage it as a “California Wheels” edition and other decals there would be nothing to claim it a Foose design. This is a  simple  repackage with a few limited new parts. Not to say that is a bad thing but the actual car is real and Revell did not try hard to replicate it. Even being an older kit the build is really nice. Details are great on the motor and give a nice 409 build-up. The chassis is simplistic but looks good finished. The interior detail is crisp and easy to see, older kits usually have a tub interior, but this one is a multi-piece which makes detailing the door panels easy. The body lines are crisp and details well defined. Molding lines are hidden and there is very little clean up needed on the body. Overall fit and finish is good, this is a solid build. Some aftermarket details will really make this one shine! I like the model and think this was one of Revell’s better kits. That being said on a scale of 1 to 10 I’d give this kit a score of 9.

  

Right On Replicas, LLC ©2014 All rights reserved.

*All registered trademarks are the property of their respective brands.