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       Revell’s retooled 1957 Bel Air and new Nomad kits reflect late 1960s street sensibilities (both: Wave 1/*). A heavily revised engine (sourced from Revell’s earlier Parts Pack offering) and a raised front axle Gasser suspension were found in the updated Bel Air kit (Wave 1/*). Its 1957 Nomad kit is shown here in its second release dating from 1973.

      Revell once again revisited the Tri-Five genre in the very late 1960s with a major redo of its original 1957 Chevy Bel Air hardtop kit, along with a newly tooled 1957 Chevy Nomad kit. The first issue box art of the Nomad famously used outtakes from the beachside Rod and Custom cover shoot of the Sam Hollingsworth Nomad, with the kit’s chromed reverse wheels stripped in to replace the real car’s Dayton-style wire wheels. Both of these kits have seen many subsequent reissues.

      Skipping ahead nearly a decade, Monogram’s then-new president, having previously served in the same role for AMT (and with his knowledge of the continued sales success of AMT’s Tri-Five kits), directed his new product development staff to create a new series of Tri-Five kits. These kits were to offer both showroom stock and late 1970s street machine versions, along with the slightly simplified kit content and building style that Monogram had developed during the Tom Daniels–inspired Show Rod kit era. Starting in 1977, Monogram introduced 1/24th-scale kits of the 1956 Bel Air, 1957 Bel Air, and 1957 Nomad Wagon. Many modelers largely dismiss these due to accuracy and proportion errors in the bodies. These kits are still reissued from time to time; avoid them unless you are looking for a good project to allow a new modeler to gain some kit assembly experience.

      AMT-Ertl surprised the modeling world in 1989 with a new 1955 Bel Air two-door (“post”) sedan kit. Mostly derived from its mid-1960s Nomad Trophy Series kit, the kit included a new body, updated engine speed parts, and fresh decals. The kit was generally well received, other than the carryover Nomad hood that was slightly too small to exactly fit the new sedan body shell.

       Monogram’s new series of 1/24th-scale Tri-Five kits from the late 1970s were an excellent source of then-current aftermarket parts and accessories but compromised by unrealistic body proportions (which can even be seen in the box art built-up models seen here). The 1956 Bel Air and 1957 Nomad are shown in their original 1978 release box art, while the 1957 Bel Air is shown is the 1995 reissue (all: Wave 2/*).

      The Monogram product development team, operating under the Revell-Monogram corporate umbrella in the 1990s, more than redeemed itself by starting a series of all-new 1/25th-scale Tri-Five kits. First out the door were replicas of the 1955 Bel Air convertible (in both showroom stock and Indy Pace Car kits) and a 1956 Nomad. Eventually, a new 1955 Bel Air hardtop kit, based on this convertible kit tool, also joined the Revell-Monogram catalog.

       AMT-Ertl extended the productive life of its 1955 Nomad kit tool with this kit featuring a Bel Air two-door sedan body (Wave 1/*). Beyond the fresh body casting, the revised kit included a Bel-Air sedan interior, a Carter AFB 4-barrel carb with Lynx low-restriction air cleaner, and non-plated Centerline wheels. Building versions were showroom stock and mild street machine.

       This 1995 Revell/Monogram all-new tool of the 1955 Bel Air convertible was considered the best-ever 1/25th-scale kit of this vintage yet committed to scale. The first-ever 1956 Nomad kit in the popular scales was released by Revell-Monogram in 1997, using the Bel Air tooling as the basis. The 1955 Bel Air hardtop followed later; it’s shown here in its 2007 Revell release (all: Wave 3/*).

       AMT-Ertl’s all-new 1957 Chevy Bel Air kit series (Wave 3/*) was introduced in 1998, and included many upgrades not seen in the original 1962 Trophy Series kit. The Pro-Shop kit added a photo-etched metal fret with the Bel Air rear-quarter-panel inserts, grille insert, rocker panel moldings, front-fender louver trim, windshield wipers, and Chevrolet badging, along with vinyl radiator and heater hoses and a sheet of adhesive foil trim.

       Revell continues to churn out further derivatives based on its new mid-1990s Tri-Five tooling. These include this 1956 Del Ray sedan from 2001, a 1957 Bel Air sedan and Black Widow 150 series sedan (both from 2009), and most recently a 1957 Bel Air convertible introduced in 2013 (all: Wave 3/*).

       You won’t find engines or detailed chassis in these 1957 Chevy Bel Air hardtop Snap-Tite kits from Revell, but these 1999 and 2004 releases (both: Wave 3/*) are considered to have superb body proportions and accuracy. These kits assemble quickly and without drama, but they also respond well to minor detailing upgrades.

      Later in the decade, AMT-Ertl scheduled an all-new 1957 Bel Air hardtop kit for a 1998 release, and to be available in two versions with photo-etched parts and wiring materials added to the premium Pro Shop version. This kit reflected the advances in kit design in the 35 years since AMT’s original 1957 Bel Air Trophy Series release, including an opening trunk with spare tire, engine spark plug wiring, and a fully detailed chassis with platform-style interior. Endless debates ensued as kit experts argued the plusses and minuses of these new releases versus AMT’s original Trophy Series kit.

      Revell and Monogram have continued to produce additional Tri-Five variants based on its new 1990s era tool, including a 1956 Del Ray sedan, and 1957 Bel Airs in two-door sedan and convertible body styles. It also produced a nice replica of the 1957 150 Black Widow sedan. At this point, only a 1956 Bel Air hardtop and convertible and 1955–1957 Nomads are missing from a very complete catalog of highly regarded modern-era Revell Tri-Five kits.

      Finally, Revell also produced a snap-kit version of the 1957

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