Robberbaron

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.

Gorgeous! Brings back memories from when I was a kid. These full sized Chevy wagons used to be EVERYWHERE!

Not much I can say that hasn't already been said. Great job!

Accurately stated, Danno. As far as HL kit selection compared to Michael's, my local HL has an entire aisle of model kits, while the nearby Michael's probably has 1/4 of that amount. Michael's stock also seems to veer more towards the "lowest common denomonator" type of kits your likely to find at Wal-Mart. I recently purchased the MPC Laguna Pepsi stock car reissue at HL. You're not likely to find a kit like that at the nearby Michael's. Michael's are fairly common in the Chicago metro area, and not all of them carry model kits. The next nearest one to me doesn't carry any kits at all. It's also definitely true that HL kit selection varies, either by store or by region. I've seen several folks on here post that they've purchased Moebius kits at HL, but my local one doesn't carry them at all, for some reason. Not a huge problem for me, since my LHS has a great kit selection and competitive prices. Makes decisions easy for me: if HL carries a kit I want, I purchase it there using a 40% off coupon. If they don't, I patronize my LHS instead. Pretty much turns out to be a 50/50 mix for me.

I agree - lots of (good) stuff in their pipeline already.

Very nice! Really turned out great!