Robberbaron

The gray build that Casey posted is absolutely the same tooling as the CHiPs kit pictured above. Should be 1/25. The same kit was also available with factory style graphics: I received this version as a X-mas present from my grandparents probably around 1983-ish. Here's what I recall: tires were hard plastic Goodyear GT Radials. In the top picture (gray build), the centers of the wheels looks incorrect because the center cap is really the retainer pin that holds the wheels on (each wheel has an open center). The Monogram Monte SS kit has correct versions (albeIt 1/24 scale). Kit has an opening hood and a fairly detailed engine (for a snap kit). Leaf springs/rear axle are separate assembly, I think driveshaft is also molded with it. I think exhaust is molded into the chassis, but exhaust tips are molded onto the rear bumper to create the illusion of the exhaust being separate. Headlights and parking lights are all molded into the front bumper/grille assembly. Likewise, rear lights are molded onto the rear bumper assembly. No front side markers molded into the body, which always annoyed me whenever I looked at it. Fairly good looking sport mirrors. Being objective, Revell put quite a bit of effort into this, and it was above average compared to most snap kits in the early '80s. However, if this is really what is being released now, I'm not sure how well it will be received by adult modelers in 2022. Maybe it doesn't matter - it will be the only '81 Z-28 kit available. I've still got my build packed away somewhere. I'll have to exhume it and take some pictures (but it won't be pretty, trust me).

Definitely like the steel wheels and poverty caps! Looks like a winner. Personally I'd prefer the wedge engine like the '65 Belvedere, but I understand doing the hemi for the A990 connection.

The requests for the resurrection of this kit have taken on a life of their own (disproportionate to the popularity of the 1:1, if we're being honest) ever since RC2 mistakenly announced its reissue lo those many years ago. That being said, Round 2 definitely seems ready and willing to play an angle like this. How many years did we all view and discuss those old AMT/Ertl pictures of the "hanger shot" of the '64 Cutlass convertible? While Round 2 decided to retool both the hardtop and convertible bodies, they led with the announcement of the convertible, since that was the true fulfillment of all those years of discussions. Same for the stillborn GarWood garbage truck. So at this point, there may be so much built up hype for the '68 Coronet that I could see them actually following through on it. You can't buy 15+ years (?) of publicity like that...

As explained by Casey: I believe the tall deck versions were the 400, 425, and 455. All other versions were the "standard" deck, including the smogger 403.

The last version of the '72 convertible included a correct 442 bumper/grille assembly. There's no business case for a Revell '69 442 and H/O, since we have the excellent MPC/AMT kit, which has few if any shortcomings. '68 is a different story, and I fully agree we need one of those, though I wouldn't hold my breath. Fully agree that a '70 442 variation is doable/probable, though I'd prefer it as a hardtop. Once we would get the '70 parts, we could mix match parts to create convertible/hardtop versions of '70/'71/'72.

Only other difference is the grille color. '71 442 grille is black, '72 is argent (silver). Same pattern, though. So as you point out, in model car form the only parts difference between a '71 and '72 is the taillights. All other differences can be accomplished with paint.

Yes. Talk at the time was that there would also be a 429-powered variation, presumably a Mach 1.

Doesn't get better than that - nice job!

Unfortunately, Round 2's new owners may end up killing the golden goose with their current pricing scheme.

Great job - I think this is one of the best builds I've seen of this kit. Great color choices. Bonus points for matching the rear window trim to the Landau top - I think this is the first time I've seen someone get that detail correct. Revell really needs to reissue the Wheels of Fire version (with the correct rally wheels), hopefully NOT molded in red this time.

Ha! I knew about both the Saints and Street Demon series of kits, but I never put it together that Revell was doing a yin-yang thing with the themes.

Actually those wheels seem to resemble the Ansen "Apollo": Vintagewheelcatalogs.com shows they were available in 1965. By 1968, Ansen offered their "Top Eliminator", which was more of a true Torq Thrust copycat, and I don't see any images or mention of the "Apollo" by that time in their catalogs. They also offered a model called the "Arrow" with Radir style flat ribbed spokes, but the same fat center caps: Mostly forgotten and not really sought after, probably just due to aesthetics. I also think that Revell made the center caps a bit too big in this kit. Can't tell from Chris's pics/video: do they actually have lug nut detail? P.S. All pics nabbed from the H.A.M.B., as usual.

Gorgeous! Been looking forward to seeing this one completed someday. Thank you for showing the detailed progress all these years.

Picked up the Atlantis Mooneyes dragster at my LHS - last one on the shelf. Came home and my order from Jimmy Flintstone was waiting for me. Good way to end the work week.

Looks like a funeral home.

Nice build, even though we all know that's the GP, not the Bonneville... ?

Stopped at my LHS yesterday and scored one of these, too. Owner said he'd gotten one case in. I'm sure they're all gone by now. Just glad to finally score one. (never got my hands on the original issue from a couple years ago) Checked and it has the correct chrome for the Buick mill. ?

I really expected Round 2 to trot this one out a couple years ago, when Moebius brought out their '65. Seems like there should be more than enough demand at this point that they could do another run.

Worth popping in to see. I don't get out to Valpo much, but Merrillville, Schererville, and the south Hammond (Cabela's) store are all in my orbit. This is the first I've found them anywhere, but I plan to see if the others have gotten them too. I'd like to get one more of the Grumpy's Vega. Last time I checked the Merrillville Meijer, they had nothing.

Stopped at one of my local Wal-Mart's on the way to work this morning (Schererville, IN). Finally had a Round 2 display set up as an island in the main back isle. About 2/3 still there. Seemed like a good selection still. No Grumpy's Vega, Nova wagon, or '64 Cutlass convertible though. Been wanting one of the GMC Jimmys, though not enough to pay MSRP. Scored that one and picked up another '69 "Torino" Cobra, each for $19.99. Thought about the '32 Ford Coke sedan delivery, but for $24.97 it's not a "gotta have it" kit.

Just to clarify: for the last several years, the standard pricing has been $9.99 for cars/SUVs/Pickups, $19.99 for semis. With the current rampant inflation, I'd be surprised if Ollie's prices DON'T jump at least a couple bucks the next time they get a batch of kits. As long as they stay about half the cost of HL at 40% off, they won't have problems moving them. Regarding overstock, for years it seemed like that was what Ollies was selling. However, it seems like virtually all the AMT/MPC stuff from the last couple years must be special runs just for them. The production dates on the kits are usually just a couple months prior to the date they're sold - too short of a time for them to be sitting around at another retailer and then shuffled over to Ollie's warehouses, to then be distributed. However, I wouldn't be surprised if some of the weird Lindberg stuff (like the civil war cannon) that we keep seeing is still overstock from years ago.

Just to reiterate, if you've bought one of these and not opened/inspected it yet, I strongly recommend doing so now. I purchased another of these at my local HL last week and finally got around to opening it tonight. Windshield frame looks just like the last pic above. Luckily, since I bought it at a local brick and mortar, I can return or exchange it. As screwed up as production and shipping is now, who knows how long it might take to get a questionable replacement? And it would really suck to have this sitting in the stash for 5 years and then discover the problem too late. Thanks Bob and all others in this thread for the heads up on this, apparently its a widespread problem.

Stopped at HL. Didn't have anything new. But since it's 40% off week, I picked up another Supernatural '67 Impala and my umpteenth Revell '29 A Roadster. All this stuff isn't going to get any cheaper...

Very nice, I remember these well from back in day. I seem to recall seeing quite a few in my area, so I never realized they weren't common everywhere.

Meijer is only in 6 states: Michigan, Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, and Kentucky.