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6/15/06
Review - Mike Vitale (MEV Originals)
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67 Charger and 63 Belvedere
In his words

Mike tells us how it was done.


    The Charger body was made by shrinking done a diecast.  It required a major hood re-do.  The front bumper is completely homemade from generic plastic strips and the back bumper is an augmented '68 MEV-Cyclone.
 
   The Belvedere body was a re-worked '64 MEV-Polara with augmented roof line, front and rear clips.  The front bumper was shrunk from 1/64 diecast chromed bumper but the rear was homaemade from generic plastic pieces.
We were lucky growing up in the 60's. The "family sedans" that our pants drove to the grocery store were actually some pretty cool Detroit Iron. Mike Vitale's new productions from MEV Originals are two more examples of his fine work in reproducing that era's fine cars.

63 Belvedere

The Belvedere, and it's cousin, the Satellite were mainstays of both the city and the drag strip for most of the 60's. You could strap a 318 with a torqueflite transmission into it, for the family sedan, or opt for the bigger block, all the way up to a 415 Hemi. In either case, they were stylish plain Janes, with little fluff, but plenty of go.

Mike doesn't miss much detail in these cars. About the only thing I saw missing was the C post emblem. The front wheel openings might have been made more rounded. MEV has also mastered the art of the thin cast. These are ultra light, in case you develop a compunction to make this a drag or road course warrior.

Chrome is excellent. Precision fitted, and durable. Rear license plate pan was a little ruff, but painting it or adding a license decal will remedy that. This has one of the best fitting windows of any of Mike's cars, and his wing windows onthis car are very neat and trim. Big improvement over past models.

67 Charger

I think the Charger was always less of a family car, than a weekend drag car for the young urban cowboy. It had the fastback roof, popular in those days, and was only offered in 2-door models. But you could get a Hemi and torqueflite, and some nasty carburation set ups. Interiors could get bucket seats with a nice console. However you ordered it, it was always capable of attracting attention.

I think Mike nailed this one, spot on. Again, the C post emblem is missing, and the engine ID on the front fender, but everything else is there, and proportioned very well. Mike chose the model with hidden lights.

Workmanship is very fine. The one that we got needs a little more trim paint to bring out the features. A small brush and a steady hand will accomplish that. Chrome and windows are very nice. Car is light, and thin. This might make one heck of a dragster, but it would look great in a vintage race on a road course.

Mikes homage to Chrysler muscle is sweat. Check out his sight, one of the best laid out in the world, and shop for your favorite family coach from the 50's and 60's.