’61 Chevy Impala | The Race Case Chevy

I recently showed a favorite series from the early 2000s – the Collectible Chevy line – which was made by Revell during the short time it was making 1:64 diecast cars. Well, here’s another favorite series of diecast that was made by Revell, the Lowrider Magazine series. These beautifully detailed models feature opening hoods or trunks and most have positionable axles. Each card features a cover image from a different issue of Lowrider Magazine with those famous Lowrider Girls (though the diecast cars are not necessarily a faithful representation of the cars featured on the magazine cover). Unfortunately, the moving parts on the models required the application of large bilingual choking hazard warnings to the fronts of the packages.

Revell | 86-3071 | 2003 | Issue #142 Lowrider Magazine | ‘63 Chevy Impala white with pink trim

Revell | 86-3074 | 2003 | Issue #145 Lowrider Magazine | ‘61 Chevy Impala black with joker on trunk

Revell | 86-3077 | 2003 | Issue #148 Lowrider Magazine | ‘64 Chevy Impala purple with lime green trim

In 2004, the card was redesigned with a different color scheme.

Later issues had a complete redesign of the package, now completely encased in plastic, with the featured magazine cover treated more like a collector’s card. Comparing some of the models above with those below, you’ll see that, despite the models being identical to previous releases, they were paired with different magazine covers and given new item/issue numbers.

I also have the ’82 Buick Regal from the same series. I bought this one because, at the time, my wife was driving an ’89 Buick LeSabre that we had bought used for $500.

The images of the card backs below show lists of the various model available. (You’ll notice the listings are different on some of the cards, so I’m including the lists that cover the range of item numbers in my collection.)

Revell is mostly known for producing quality plastic model kits. In fact it’s difficult to find information about the company’s foray into die-cast cars. The company history on their website only briefly mentions “the integration of … die-cast models into the portfolio.” But the Revell Collectible Chevy series from the early 2000s is a favorite of mine. The 1:64 scale cars, which feature an opening hood or trunk, are extremely accurate and nicely detailed, while each blister card is printed with vintage advertising art.

I also have a ’70 Monte Carlo from the same series. For some reason the blister on this package is even more yellowed than on the others.

As you can see by the list on the back of the card pictured below, I don’t have the complete collection. Most castings were offered in two different variations and, though I have at least one of most of the Impalas offered, I’m missing the ’59 entirely. It’s interesting that the card describes the incredible cars of the ’50s, ’60s and ’70s, yet one of the castings they included was a ’96 Impala.

The Race Case Chevy

My non-vintage diecast car collection.

Tag / ’61 Chevy Impala

2003-2004 Revell Lowrider Magazine Impalas

2000-2002 Revell Collectible Chevy Impalas