Robberbaron

Well, to see the Rally Sport embems in the pictures I posted, you'd actually need to LOOK at the pictures... And I never said there was "conflicting" badging on anything. My only point in all this was that if you want to build an accurate model of a Z/28 for any of these years (1967, 1968, 1969), you need to do your research, since there were lots of little changes year to year. I do need to respectfully disagree with you on a couple issues: The 1967 Z/28 was a quickie rush job to homologate all the mechanical parts (mainly the 302 engine) for the Trans Am class in SCCA. As someone else stated earlier, there were only 602 made. They had rally wheels and the dual paint stripes, but there were no Z/28 badges anywhere on a 1967 Z/28. Here's an article from Jeff Smith at Car Craft: he was able to buy an actual 1967 Z/28 for peanuts back in the day because the guy selling it didn't know what he had, since there was no Z/28 badging on these cars: http://www.carcraft.com/featuredvehicles/ccrp_0909_1967_chevrolet_camaro/ In 1968, Chevy did add Z/28 emblems at the front of the fenders, but I don't believe there were any Z/28 emblems from the factory on either the grille or the tail panel in 1968. If a standard Camaro was ordered with the Z/28 option, it would still have the Camaro script on the fenders, behind the front wheels. However, a Camaro with the RS option and the Z/28 option would have the "rally sport" emblems in this location, instead, NOT "Camaro": The grille would also have this RS emblem in the center: Both of these emblems are clearly visible in the pic I posted previously: The rear of this car would also have an "rs" gas cap, too. All of the Rally Sport identifiers remained in place on a 1968 Z/28 with the RS option. For 1969, Chevy still put the Z/28 emblems on the front of the fenders, but as you stated they also installed Z/28 emblems on the grille and the tail panel. If a 1969 Camaro was ordered with both the RS package and the Z/28 option, the big "RS" emblem in the center of the grille was not included, just the Z/28 emblem on the driver's side. The "RS" emblem on the tail panel would also be replaced with a Z/28 emblem (forgot about that previously). There would, however, still be "rally sport" emblems on the fenders, behind the front wheels, in the location where the "Camaro" script would otherwise be located on a non-RS car:

Obviously no "SS" badging on a Z/28. However, I do believe both the 1968 and 1969 RS Z/28s did have the "Rally Sport" badges on the fenders: Might be a little tough to see, but they're there on both the above cars. The 68 also had the "RS" grille emblem. In 69, they started adding Z/28 grille emblems, so I believe that's why they eliminated the "RS" grille emblem in 69. There was no external Z/28 badging in 67, just the dual paint stripes. Another thing that makes it tough to keep all this straight is just how many fake RS, SS, and Z/28 Camaros have been created over the years, and an awful lot of the people doing it don't get all of the details right.

Another great review, Tim! I also didn't know about the rear quarter problem previously, just the seats. I was happy enough to see that this kit was being reissued, since I missed it on the first go around. Sure never expected any corrections like this. Also really didn't expect the PE to be included again without "premium" pricing. Even though Revell has gotten flamed a lot lately for certain problems on certain kits, this goes to show that they can still hit it out of the park when they set their minds to it. This kit is definitely now at the top of my "must buy" list the first time I see it at my LHS. I've always been loyal to GM in real life, but I really have a thing for these 70-71 Torinos. It might go back to my childhood. Down the street from me, there was a bright yellow Sportsroof Torino sitting in someone's side yard, under a tree. I don't think I ever saw that car move under its own power, but I was always fascinated with the styling. Same goes for the 70-71 Cyclones. Those cars were so unusual, I never even saw one until I was about 9. I couldn't get over the fact that they actually made a car with a gunsight in the grille! Would really love to see Revell bring one of those out, too, they already have the chassis and mechanicals all ready to go here.

AMT 36 Ford retro kit.

Thanks for the thorough review, Tim, and for that update about that lower body trim. Makes sense now - wouldn't have known that myself, since I have only casual knowledge about these cars. If the two cars they used for reference both had this trim, the logical conclusion is that they both must have had the Rally Sport package. For me that pretty much clinches it that there will be a future RS version of this tool (even though that was a safe bet, anyway). Looks like this trim was used for the RS package in both the 67 and 68 model years, although it looks like the 68 may have been blacked out, at least when it was paired with the SS option: It's always tough for me to sort out some of the specifics on these 67-69 Camaros, since certain trim packages/options affected each other. For example, a basic (non SS) Camaro ordered with the RS package would have RS identification on the grille and fenders. However, on a car with both the RS and SS options, the SS badges would take the place of the RS badges. However, I believe the RS badging remained in place with the Z/28 option, with the except of the "RS" grille badge for the 1969 model year.

Absolutely outstanding, Bob! Loved everything about this build, and I'm in awe of your skills in getting this one so right. Really love the blue interior with the silver paint, and you made the right call switching to those new wheels. About the only critique I can make is really more of a pointer for anyone trying to convert one of these AMT Chevelle stock cars. Even though AMT updated this kit to a 74 model year with the new rear bumper, taillight covers, and small quarter windows, they didn't change the front bumper to the correct 74 style. There are actually three different styles of steel front bumpers for the 73-77 Chevelles and El Caminos: The 73 model year front bumper was a one year only design: 74 and 75 had a different bumper, with the areas under the parking lights "undercut", for lack of a better term. In my opinion, this is a sleeker design: 76 and 77 had a different bumper again. Somewhat similar to the 73 style, but the bottom corners actually extend out slightly, making it look even a bit bulkier than the 73: Since you replaced your front clip, I don't know which year bumper you actually might have used on your 1:1. By the same token, chances are that the 76 El Camino that donated your grill was not an SS, but factory 75 to 77 Super Sport grilles will have a small SS badge on the driver side, as seen in the pic of the 77 above. Here's a close-up of an NOS SS badge: These are quite a bit smaller than the 73-74 SS badges that were in the center of the grilles in those years, so it would be kind of tough to actually duplicate it. This is actually pretty nitpicky stuff, and take's nothing away from your build. If I could develop half the skills you have, I'd be more than satisfied!

Very cool - nice twist building it as a Rally.

Nice job. I'm just gonna put this out there: looks like a modernized version of the "Red Dragon" from the movie Old School. Frank the Tank would approve!

Very cool!

Really like the color choice, and the old school slots and the stance all work together. Can't wait to see this one completed.

Got a couple of these kits in my stash, always wondered about that flat hood on a 'Cuda. Still like it though. Also like the idea of gold on one of these.

I always heard about that Gran Prix getting turned into the Superfly/Sweathog car (park that one next to the "Fonzie" Monkeemobile!), but I never got a good look at one until these pics. Kinda surprised - they really didn't butcher the body too badly on it - even has the factory badging intact. How sweet would it be if Round 2 actually restored that tool back to stock? Seems like it would mostly be a matter of recreating the factory-stock front end and getting rid of the open roof. Round 2 has already proven they are capable of doing this sort of thing when they restored the AMT Gremlin. Of course, this is taking for granted that they still have the tooling. Since it was still in use in the late 70s, I'd wager there's a good chance that they still have this thing in their possession.

Lots of speculation about possible variations. Looking at the test shot pictures and the ones Ian posted, I think some educamated guessing can be done by looking at the layout of the sprues, and the way Revell tooled up certain features. The first thing that jumped out at me was the fact that the vent window frames are molded with the glass, not the body. I can't tell from the pics if any of the badging is engraved on the body sides, but it sure looks like it's just decals on the gold car on the box art. If there isn't any, I'm sure that would indicate that they will eventually make a 68 version of this kit (which would mean that even the side markers would probably be done as decals - not too keen on that, personally) Also notice that the front and rear valance and the hood are living on a separate tree, which would make it easy to leave these parts out and substitute RS-style valances and a different hood. Also notice that the grille, SS hood louvers, and wheels are on a different tree from most of the other chrome parts.

Brett, thank you for the insight. I suppose as far as distributors and retailers are concerned, perception is reality: if they don't think it will fly off the shelves fast enough, there won't be enough pre-orders, therefore Revell can't make the business case. If that really is the situation, I really think that's too bad, because this really does seem like there are a ton of potential variations with all sorts of sales potential. My personal experiences and observations match Dave's comments - these cars were just all over the place in the Chicago area. By the time I was in high school/college, they were becoming affordable for younger people, and if someone in your family didn't own one, chances are you had a least one buddy who did. Between all the different years, the basic Cutlass Supremes, the 83 & 84 Hurst/Olds, and the 442s, there are easily 4 or 5 variations that could easily be made with only minor changes such as grilles and taillights. I also agree that a lot of these cars have become drag cars, too, and they are still popular for Street Stock classes at local circle tracks. Although I have zero interest in either style, these cars do have a huge following in both the low rider and "Donk" cultures, so there is even more potential sales. This one has always seemed like a no brainer to me, but then again I've been told that what I don't know could fill a library.

Dave, glad to hear that the new automotive subjects seem to be progressing well. Thanks again for sharing your "insider information" with us!

No doubt about it - they did botch the grill by missing that trim. Looks to me like it would be easy enough for them to add it, but you gotta wonder who is reviewing the test shots during this process? I'll admit, I didn't realize that trim was missing until folks posted pics of some 1:1 cars, but once you contrast and compare, it jumps out at you. Wouldn't the review process involve comparing the different model components to pictures of a 1:1? Personally, I also try to use photos of the 1:1 subject for reference when I'm building a model to confirm all types of things such as whether certain parts of a grille are chrome or painted. Think of all the people who will buy this kit, look at a picture of a 1:1 to confirm which areas to keep chrome, then see this error. For me personally, this is one of those things where, once I've seen it, I can't unsee it. Wouldn't be the first time they screwed up the grille on a Camaro - remember when they originally released the Z/28 version of the 69 Camaro, it had the big "RS" emblem on the grille - not correct for a Z/28. I believe they fixed that for the second run of that kit. Let's cross our fingers that a similar effort is made here. This thing (and it's future variations) could be a cash cow for them, like all the versions of the 69, as long as they make sure the basics are correct.

Wow, my brother owns a 75 Caprice convertible, and I've never noticed that V in the windshield before! Been around that car for more than half my life...

If only they could find a way to stop their drummers from spontaneously combusting...

You're correct Dan - the 76 & 77 El Camino Classics & Super Sports had the stacked quad headlamps. If you look back at Bob's original post, his build is replicating a 1:1 74 that he owned, on which he installed a newer front clip. FWIW, the "base" 76 & 77 El Caminos still used the dual round headlights similar to all the 73 - 75s.

Outstanding! This is turning out beautiful.

If you haven't seen it already, do yourself a favor and watch the movie "Idiocracy". The plot of the movie is exactly this concept - the dumbening down of the human race as the future progresses. It pretty much flopped in theatres (maybe because it hit a little too close to home for much of the populace), but it's become a cult classic. It's made by the same guy that did Office Space (Mike Judge), so if you appreciate that movie, chances are Idiocracy will be right up your alley, too.

Nice job on those factory stripes, Bob! The 70 - 72 hood stripes were definitely not factory for any 73+ Chevelles or El Caminos. 73 - 77 El Camino SS all had the side/rear tape stripes that you reproduced, in either black or white. 73 Chevelle SS and 74 Laguna Type S-3 had lower body contrasting color painted stripes. 75 and 76 Lagunas had a different style lower body paint stripe,,which were made optional in those years. That doesn't stop a lot of people from adding the 70 - 72 hood stripes to these cars/trucks. When done well, it can look good, even though it's gotten to the point that it's almost too common (which is another reason many people start wondering if it was available from the factory). If I can give my unsolicited advice I say just stick with the factory style stripes you've got there. They look so well done, and I think adding the hood stripes in addition to those might make it look a little too busy. Just my 2 cents...

Take a look at the 3rd to the last picture in this set of "after" pics. Check out how far the rim of the steering wheel is pushed down over the steering column! There's also some significant "fluid leakage" evident. Gives a pretty good glimpse at the condition the guy must have been in when they pried him out of this thing. It also makes sense about him plowing through a wall at some point. Lots of chunks of cinder block in the engine compartment.

Mighty slick! Those Pegasus rims?

Nicest version of this kit that I've seen built. I like the styling of the 56s, but I've never been willing to get this kit due to the nightmare stories I've always heard about it.