Chevrolet Corvette Astro-Vette Concept Car(1:43, Kentucky Legend)

  • Chevrolet Corvette Astro-Vette Concept Car (from 1968)
  • Kentucky Legend
  • 1:43
  • Showcase model / No engine
  • resin
  • white
  • Not specified
  • Not specified
  • Not for sale
Limited edition
 
modelcar Chevrolet Corvette Astro-Vette Concept Car produced by Kentucky Legend 1:43 2

Chevrolet Astro-Vette Concept: background, generation, and classification

The collectible shown here from Modelly member “Phat-T” very likely follows the Chevrolet Corvette Astro-Vette Concept Car, a design study from the era of the C3 generation, built from 1968 to 1982. The predecessor to the C3 was the C2 generation of the Corvette, which was produced from 1963 to 1967. The name Astro-Vette stands for a series of futuristic GM studies from the late 1960s, when things like aerodynamics, a low ride height, and a long, stretched rear section played a big role. Around projects like this, several General Motors designers and concept people were involved, and in connection with the Astro-Vette, Bill Mitchell is often mentioned as a defining design figure of the era; Larry Shinoda is also often linked to Corvette design from this period, even if not every single concept version can be clearly assigned to just one person. That makes the Chevrolet Corvette Astro-Vette Concept Car especially interesting for model car collectors, because it sits right between a production Corvette, a show car, and an aerodynamic future study.

Advertisement
modelcar Chevrolet Corvette Astro-Vette Concept Car produced by Kentucky Legend 1:43 3

Aerodynamics, technology, and the design language of the Chevrolet Astro-Vette

Typical for the Chevrolet Corvette Astro-Vette Concept Car was the very low, stretched silhouette with a sharply pulled-in front, an open cockpit area, and a rear end that tapered far back. Proportions like these were meant to influence drag, lift, and high-speed stability, even if a lot of concept cars from that time were mainly used as design and tech showcases. The body shape shows traits that feel similar to streamlined record and experimental vehicles: hidden or heavily reduced add-ons, smooth surfaces, covered rear wheels, and a tightly cut driver area. As for the exact technical specs of the original, sources are not always fully consistent, since GM showed several Corvette-based show cars during that period. But in the Corvette world, V8 engines, fiberglass bodies, and a front-engine/rear-wheel-drive layout were the big constants. What makes the Chevrolet Corvette Astro-Vette Concept Car so cool is the mix of production-car DNA and experimentation: it borrowed Corvette cues, but turned them into something that looks more like a wind tunnel study than a normal street car.

modelcar Chevrolet Corvette Astro-Vette Concept Car produced by Kentucky Legend 1:43 4

1/43 model car by Kentucky Legend: material, paint, and visible details

The piece shown is a model car in 1/43 scale, made by Kentucky Legend. On the base, the manufacturer name is printed on the lower left together with the outline graphic of the US state of Kentucky. The miniature stands out with its single-color white paint, which does a great job of showing off the flowing lines of the body. The surface looks smooth and closed; on the hood and rear there are small Corvette emblems or badge-like prints, each with red and dark accents. The interior is finished in a dark color, with a single visible seat area and a small steering wheel. The clear, low-mounted windshield follows the open cockpit shape of the original. Also noticeable are the covered rear wheels, the narrow side vents behind the front wheel, and the very long rear section. The wheels have silver, disc-style rims that fit the stripped-down concept car vibe really well. Based on what can be seen, this looks like a miniature made from resin, which is often used for small-batch models like this because it captures fine shapes so well.

modelcar Chevrolet Corvette Astro-Vette Concept Car produced by Kentucky Legend 1:43 5

Collector’s take on the Phat-T example: proportions, display, and overall impression

For collectors, this model car in 1/43 scale, made by Kentucky Legend, is especially appealing because of its unusual proportions. In the photos, the miniature sits on a black display base without a case, which makes the side profile easy to appreciate. The body shows a clear wedge shape: low and closed at the front, compact in the middle with a small canopy, and stretched out at the rear with integrated wheel covers. This design gives the model a clean, almost sculptural feel. You can also spot fine panel lines around the doors, hood areas, and the rear wheel cover sections. The white color helps the surfaces, grooves, and edges stay easy to read without distracting graphics getting in the way. With a car like the Chevrolet Corvette Astro-Vette Concept Car, that really matters for collectors, because it lets the futuristic GM design idea from the late 1960s come through clearly in miniature form. This example from “Phat-T’s” collection shows the concept’s character really well: low nose, reduced front view, open driver area, and a rear end that feels more like an aerodynamic study than a classic production Corvette.

No responsibility is taken for the correctness of this information
884 Visitors since 12/17/2017
  • Write a first comment about this model now!
    Any comment can be discussed by all members. It's like a chat.
    Mention other Modelly members by using @ in your message. They will then be informed automatically.
  • Write a first comment about this model now!
    Any comment can be discussed by all members. It's like a chat.
    Mention other Modelly members by using @ in your message. They will then be informed automatically.