08/14/04 - Chevrolet Corvette L-88 (test car) 1969 by Carousel1. I was after this Vette for a long time now, and finally I found one. The first thing I noticed about it is the weight. No doubt whatsoever it's the heaviest car of my collection. In fact, it wouldn't be hard to find two cars that together way less then the L-88. The paint job is smooth and homogeneous, and all the badges and lettering are a kind of metalized stickers. Wheels are pretty well made, with disks and calipers that are very realistic, though the disks are static. I didn't like the exhaust pipes that beside having the tips only escavated, are too plastic-looking.

From the front, the radiator grill is solid and the headlights don't open. The rear is better, with colored plastic lenses with chromed rims for the tail lights. You can also notice part of the rear suspension and where the exhaust pipes came out on the regular edition of the car.

As in most Corvettes, only the doors and hood open. Unhappily Carousel opted to use dog leg hinges on the doors. The engine is well detailed and fully wired. Despite the cables the engine reminds me of what I would see in an Ertl car instead of an Autoart or maybe one by Kyosho. But overall it's well done.

At least for me the interior was the most disapointing part of the car. The dashboard and central console are very well detailed, and the seat belts are fabric and the buckles are metal. Despite all that it still looks (again) too plasticy. That and the dog leg hinges once more remind me of an Ertl.

If I wasn't very happy about the interior and the engine, the undercarriage is maybe one of the best I ever saw, and again comparing with another brand, Exoto comes to mind. The rear suspension is richly detailed and all the lower part of the engine was exquisitely recreated. This car is part of a limited series of 4200 pieces, and each and everyone of them come with a small plaque. Despite the flaws, I have to say that Carousel made a fine job. This model is hard to find nowadays, and I was very lucky to get one. It's not a cheap model, so I only recommend it for those who really like or collects Corvettes.