This is a review of the 1965 Dodge Coronet Snap-it by AMT – Kit #1176

This is a car that I’ve always wanted to build because of all the drag racing pictures i’ve seen over the years in my books. Like the 330, Polara, and Savoy, the early Coronet was a heck of a drag car and there were enough time strips to back it up in spades. That said, I liked the actual car’s look and wished they made a model to build. Enter the newly reissued Coronet 500 Snap-it…. Snap???

The ’65 Coronet has been reissued twice since I built the snap kit, and they look like really good kits. One is from Moebius (known for really detailed kits), and the other looks like it includes a full drag version (which the snap kit is sorely missing). With that, the older kit would only be worthwhile for a collector – and at that, it may not be worth as much due to the plentiful options.

CAR BACKGROUND :: The 1965 Coronet was an altogether new model that happened to retain much of the 330’s look. Sporting a new grille and a decorative off-trunk rear light setup, the car had an even more distinctive look. It also happened to carry the same engine devilry that the 330 did, and the car performed at the drag strip like few others could.

On the street, the Coronet sported the 426 street wedge with 365hp. This was NOT your grandma’s grocery getter… not by a long shot. Mid-15s in the quarter were easy enough on the dealer’s garbage tires, but the torque would snap your neck in half when you got on the throttle. Not quite like the 500hp, 10-second cars of the strip, but then again, they weren’t going to get a loaf of bread either!

Gotta admit, one of the more risque’ adverts I’ve seen from back in the day.

YES… I said SNAP kit. No, I haven’t lost my good senses. This is NOT a normal, ho-hum snap-together kit. Yeah, you won’t have to use much glue (I did out of habit and need, however, I think you could get away without ANY), but that isn’t the only point of a snap-kit. This snap kit has an opening hood. It has an engine… a really nice 426 Wedge, to be precise. It has a full interior, a dozen-piece chassis, a reasonable set of rims, AND a large decal sheet. This is 99% of a regular kit and will look like one on ANY shelf – no shit. I did this car in Tamiya Pearl Green (not quite a ’65 color), but it was one I thought would look the part of a 60s Dodge. Also stunning for a snap kit – I had to add almost NOTHING.

Yup, a 426 wedge. Complete with all the fixin’s, this engine bay has just about everything you could need – save for a well-appointed firewall. Most Revell Mopar kits are weak in firewall detail, and this AMT is no different. Wiper motor, a set of wires… anything would help. The remainder is just modeling goodness. Big battery; well-defined radiator, and a radiator hose. Fantastic… and not very snap-together-y.

The interior looks like a regular kit, too. It has good ridge detail, lots of items to add chrome and color, and even includes a rear-view mirror. The stuff that isn’t included (and should be there) is the parts to make a full-on dragster out of this kit. In fact, besides the cross-ram intake and scoop, there is almost nothing “speed” about this kit. Sorry, rev-heads, if ya want a 10-second car, you’ll need to use your parts bin or buy one of the new reissues.

The underside of this car is also perfectly non-snap. There is a full exhaust; front and rear suspensions to assemble; excellent wheels/tires; and really good fit and finish. About the only downside about this goodness is the fit to the body of the car. I could not figure out why there was such a gap between the lower body and the chassis. I looked everywhere and couldn’t figure it out. Just sitting, you’d never notice, but it is either a mold flaw or I missed something (wouldn’t be the first time for me, but the snap-kit gremlins may be responsible too).

The kit is molded in a horrible blue color (not worth clear coating), still needs a few more pieces, and has too few speed parts for one of the best drag cars of the 60s, but it is STILL one of the better kits to build you will find. There is almost NO flash; the pieces fit EASILY since it IS still a snap kit; there is very little glass to install and potentially ruin; AND since it is a newer issue, it has little chance of having glass problems, decal issues, and chrome deterioration. It has very little investment potential right now, but it is also reasonably priced and a FUN build. Go buy this SNAP kit!… UGH, I need a shower.

9.25 Excellent