What's The Best 78-81 Camaro Kit Out There?

[impcon]

I am asking the opinion of people who have built or have actually owned model kits of the second generation Camaro - specifically the later years from 76 to 81 - as to which kit they feel is the best and most worthwhile kit to spend some time and devote some real effort into. I have an MPC built one that a forum member was kind enough to pass on to me for this project quite some time ago and after countless visits to the deep freeze, I have finally gotten it apart and now the last parts are in the Super Clean as I type these words. It's a 1/25 model but there are a few 1/24 ones out there. I have the several of the yellow Testors 1980 Z28 kits and they are basically garbage as far as I am concerned as the lit takes mediocre to a new and lower level of quality. Basically, IMHO, that lit is only a donor kit for a few pieces such as the glass and wheels. I suspect that there are more worth while projects out there than that kit in either 1/24 or 1/25 scale. The old MPC one that I have started on is a much better kit than the Revell one IMHO and it ( the MPC model ) is going to get built not as a Z28, but as a Berlinetta.

My question is mostly because I want to convert another '80 - '81 Z28 to replicate my son's 1:1 '81 Z28 convertible and I really want a decent quality model although it will almost certainly involve some kit bashing. .Does anyone have any ideas as to what chassis from other kits that is well detailed will fit? I'd like to have pose-able wheels for example and a chassis that can be improved upon. Any suggestions will be appreciated.

[Snake45]

The Monogram kit isn't bad at all but it's 1/24. I think it's a '78.

In 1/25, the AMT 70 1/2 might be the best 2nd Gen Camaro ever. It might provide a good chassis and some interior parts, and so forth. You might even want to convert the body to the later style.

[Guest]

You'll be better off sticking to the MPC body/interior and using an AMT '70 1/2 for the chassis and rest of it. The Monogram is a '79 and has the typical everything under the hood molded in. Plus it has two tanks (overflow maybe and washer fluid) molded in up front with no battery. Is your son's car a T-top or has it been converted to a convertible?

[impcon]

Snake45, on 24 Oct 2014 - 6:25 PM, said:

The Monogram kit isn't bad at all but it's 1/24. I think it's a '78.

In 1/25, the AMT 70 1/2 might be the best 2nd Gen Camaro ever. It might provide a good chassis and some interior parts, and so forth. You might even want to convert the body to the later style.

I've been thinking the same thing regarding the 70 1/2 kit. I've really been looking closely at the MPC kit that I have here and the chassis definitely can use some upgrading and a substitution for one with more detailing will make for a much nicer build. The dash is different in a 70 model as are the door panels but maybe there are other items from the engine bay that can changed out to create a more realistic build. I'm not really too crazy about the 70 1/2 body as there are enough differences in the later cars to IMHO, make them more attractive.

[impcon]

plowboy, on 25 Oct 2014 - 08:55 AM, said:

You'll be better off sticking to the MPC body/interior and using an AMT '70 1/2 for the chassis and rest of it. The Monogram is a '79 and has the typical everything under the hood molded in. Plus it has two tanks (overflow maybe and washer fluid) molded in up front with no battery. Is your son's car a T-top or has it been converted to a convertible?

Thank you. It depends which car you are asking about as the Berlinetta has the solid roof which is why I am doing the MPC rebuild. Camaros without the T roof option in styrene are not very common it seems and this one that I am working in is about as good as it is going to get without doing some serious kit bashing.

The 1:1 81 Z28 that my son owns is one of very few conversions authorized by the general. No convertible left the factory in that year and the 50 or so conversions ( near as we can determine ) are all converted Z28 T roof cars. His is white with the blue striping and blue interior. I can post some photos of it ( if I can find them ) as it was when we brought it home if you like. it is a strikingly gorgeous and sporty car no matter what anybody who doesn't like the full rubber bumpers thinks. When you see a photo of the car in full dress striping and wheels with the top down.. yeah - it's sure a chick magnet. It was an insurance write off but very, very easily repaired and he has all of the components here to put the car back together. He is working out of province, so it has been sitting in dry storage for a year and a half now.

[Danno]

This is the kit you need.

Revell # 6225

[disabled modeler]

Didn't Lindberg or testors make a convertible Camaro kit in snap???

[unclescott58]

Didn't Lindberg or testors make a convertible Camaro kit in snap???

I think it was Revell.

- Scott

[Guest]

I can post some photos of it ( if I can find them ) as it was when we brought it home if you like.

I would really like to see some photos of it Gary. I think I've only seen one or maybe two before.

[Danno]

I think it was Revell.

- Scott

Correct. See my post above; it was Revell kit # 6225, a snapper.

[impcon]

Correct. See my post above; it was Revell kit # 6225, a snapper.

Thank you for the heads up. I can't recall ever seeing that kit - ever, so it has to be very scarce, to say nothing of expensive. It's almost certainly beyond what I could pay for one, but thanks anyways. Snap kit or not, I'd sure like to have one of those to build for my son as opposed to having to try to make one. I am suspecting that the rear of the interior which has to be altered to accommodate the convertible top when it is folded down and the convertible boot will be my biggest challenges in this build. The rear seat will need to be narrowed and the top well panels made. Not sure how or if I can do a good job on that but we'll give 'er our best lick, as they say.

I just found a a few pictures of his Berlinetta and I'm taking the liberty of posting them. The Z28 convertible pictures will follow as soon as I find them.. The model which I am working on a little at a time right now is of the Berlinetta - which is not his first car, but it is his baby. . Looking at the date of the pictures where it was when we found it, I am surprised to see that he has owned the car since 2005 - he was only 14 years old when he bought it. How time has flown past! He bought and paid the $400.00 purchase price for it himself and he still owns the car and enjoys it in the warmer, salt, snow and rain free months. The car came out of Nevada - need I say that it is incredibly solid?? We found it while on a road trip hauling a '65 Ford LTD four door hardtop back from the Kenniwick area in central Washington. My son, who was with me on the trip, spotted the back corner of the Camaro peeking out and barely visible from the highway as we drove past the old, boarded up gas station where it was sitting in Soap Lake, Washington. We drove around the block and after knocking n a few doors, we found out who owned the property and made contact with him. He was a pretty rough looking and talking guy but yes, the Camaro was for sale although it belonged to his brother in law. Thus began what turned out to be a nightmare of events that I would rather not discuss but in the end, after a lot of phone calls from home and uncertainty, Matthew owned the car complete with a Nevada title. Was it worth the hassle to obtain the car? Yes, because it made a young boy very happy and he did much of the work on the car himself getting it cleaned up, the minor repairs that it needed done and finally, inspected to become a B.C car.

It now has a rebuilt 350 in it and other than the Z28 wheels that are currently on it, and a set of replacement ( but stock Camaro seats ), the car is untouched and still wears its original white paint. It seems to have a striping package that seems made for the car given how the tape is very obviously cut to conform with the lines of the car but we have not been able to verify that it was even a dealer installed option. But it really looks good on the car and the red and black contrast nicely with the white paint.. The first pictures below are of the car exactly as it was found - sitting in very poor company - much like a princess among bar maids.. No offense to you guys who are into imports, but you have to admit that if cars had feelings, that little Camaro would be feeling a bit awkward.

The second photos are of the car at the Penticton beach Cruise where Matthew showed it the year after he purchased it. At not yet 15 years of age, he was the youngest vehicle owner in the show which boasts close to 700 cars. The convertible is the same color as the Berlinetta although unlike the coupe, the soft top has a blue interior. Hope you enjoy the photos and these give you a bit of an idea as to what I am trying to replicate.. Convertible pictures to follow..

Danno, on 26 Oct 2014 - 11:16 AM, said: