Exotics_Builder

This is not a defense of any manufacturer. Especially given that some posters recently assailed a reviewer on another thread. Harry raises a good point. He has raised it before. But it got me to thinking before and I looked at the stash and was amazed at some inaccuracies that I totally glossed over in the past. Even older kits. I am excluding the simplified chasses with metal axles that ran through the engine oil pan from this. Even on bodies, Even though it looked good, even such notables as Tamiya pulled tricks in dimensional accuracy such as that in their 360 Ferrari Modenas. It also interesting that many wheels are an inch wider than stock versions, but they look right to us. I sometimes wonder if the manufacturers often pull a trompe l'oeil effect as well as doing things to reduce the complexity of the masters. I suspect the reasons stated above all contribute. But since I have a mid-90's AMT Z28 and did pick up the current Revell kit, I thought I would take some quick side by side photos to compare the two. Here are the body shots. First the AMT 67. Now the Revell: And the two together (the white one is the Revell): And the two from above: They look very close in general. Since I didn't make a template based on a real car (hopefully unmodified), I can't tell accuracy of either. The Revell kit is taller, but looks closer to side shots of the real car. I did measure the wheels of the Revell and AMT kits. The Revell measures out to 14.9" in 1/25 which would be about right for a 14" wheel (all but Z/28's). The AMT scales out to 16.4", close to 15" for a Z/28. I also took a photo of the non-RS grill of both, the AMT is on the left: If you notice, the AMT does not the horizontal bars between the lights either, but is perhaps a little closer because of a depression in the area. The AMT appears more squared off in the corners than the Revell. Also, neither kit (nor any Gen 1 or 2 Camaro kit I have on my stash have the front fender braces. The AMT kit has a semblance of a mono-leaf suspension, but it looks more an beam than a spring. I like Harry's thought of a body template along with photos if you can't get technical plans of the real car. I do think we need to constructively critique any new issue or reissue, particularly if we see a test shot. There was an obvious issue with the S&H Torino that should be caught and corrected. But no harm in airing it. I do know that the manufacturers have people guest visiting forums like ours. I was told by one at IHOBBY 2013 that they don't interact because of past experiences that went well beyond test shots and critiques. I suggested they might reconsider. Anyway, I can take more comparison photos of the two kits, if anyone has an interest.

As do I. The Tamiya version will do great for a full detail. But like the Revell Enzo vs the Tamiya Enzo, this should build into a nice model with less complications in assembling. There is a thread on here that lists the build of this. I will likely get a Revell version to build, but the excrutiating detail one will be the Tamiya. I just wish Revell would not continue that wheel mounting system. I work around it on my other Ferrari kits, but it would be better, IMO, to replace it. Thanks Tim for the review. The mold in Poland is because these are shipped by RoG to the US. I believe they are boxed here.

By the way, I checked the AMT (circa 1995 version) and their grille isn't quite right either.

OK. I did a quick match up with the Revell 2010 chassis and interior base. And it fits. But, with the ZL-1 side trim, there is a gap that needs to be filled with sheet plastic. The ZL-1 engine appears it can be mated as the castings of both are similar (more pieces with the 2010 LS engine). The 2010 Camaro decals are of possible use if you're committing a kit to bash anyway. If you have the AMT ZL-1 kit, the decals would be more useful, particularly the emblems. Unless you have the kits already and are willing to kit bash them to get a single, well detailed ZL-1, let us hope that Revell does get the approval for unpainted versions and include decals

Some 2014 announcements will likely spill into 2015, such as some Moebius and Revell. The All Japan Hobby and Model Show has some pre-announcements, but all are showing 4th Qtr 2014 release dates. Round2, like Revell, is going through 2014. I will be interviewing Revell before IHOBBY and doing IHOBBY for MCM. Whether there is info to share on 2015 upcoming remains to be seen.

My first one was a 1968 Z/28 that was ordered from the dealer! After it was stolen and totaled, I got a 70 1/2 Z/28.

I picked one up yesterday. My LHS said I was a day early when I stopped by to check. I will compare to the Round2 kit and look at fit of the 2010 detail for chassis. I certainly have the material in the basement stash to do a compare. One thing I noticed, in my quick scan, is that the radio area display appears to be taken from the 2010 kit. Real ZL-1's had the large screen display as standard. The Round2 kit also has the same issue. The engine is simplified and I will look at it versus the 2010 LS engine.

I did mean to say tuck under, but had some stuff going on that distracted me. I picked one up yesterday to compare out with AMT 67 Z/28 kit I have. I checked the R&MofM custom interior transkit, which is for the AMT, and it would some work to get it to fit given the AMT is a tub interior. Another thing I noticed is that the Revell kit does have the rear shocks non-staggered, but does have multi-leaf rear springs. As far as I know, mono-leafs were it for 67. Many people upgraded to multi-leaf to address wheel hop. The web is loaded with vendors selling these for upgrades. It wouldn't surprise me that the 1:1's they used as a basis had multi-leafs added. But, this is again something that would be more interest to those doing replica stock and wanting more accuracy. I also picked up the new ZL-1 and will compare to the AMT and also look at adapting the full detail 2010 chassis to this. Just wondering how to deal with the forthcoming C7.

I agree on the wheel mounting. For the 68 Firebird I'm completing, I adapted older wheel backs and parts box Rally II's. I also am not a fan of most grills in models. Even with a wash, many still look too toy like. Something that wouldn't have mattered 20 years ago now just nags at me.

Thanks Tim. The Grill needs to be fixed, as a non-RS grill appears thus: The roll under of the body is probably acceptable given that it is rather subtle unless you look very close. I saw another interesting thing in that Revell did mold in the seat back releases. Replica and Miniatures of Maryland made a 67 Camaro Custom Deluxe Interior Upgrade kit (SRD-3002) for the AMT kit. I wonder if it would fit the Revell interior. I have one of these and may need to buy a 67 to check it out.

I'm with you on that. Also need to see how to do the hood intake.

If that works, the rear panel will need tweaking for the back up lights, etc. But with your skills that should not be a problem.

This kit's chassis reminds me of some of the 60's offerings from such as AMT where suspension and often exhaust were molded in. I will be trying to fit this to a full detail chassis and see what the results will. It has yet to show up at my LHS where I was on Monday.

Norscot 1/24 die cast. Definite looks to scale. I only get die cast when I don't expect the topic will see plastic and then only in 1/24 or 1/25 scale.

As you already likely know, this kit has poseable doors (open or closed) but not hinged. A nice option, if you have an extra Revell 458 is to use the sport seats from it as they are correct in patter.

There were two C7 vettes in the Corvette Club corral. The pics are near the end of the album. But I know what you mean. I lot of the cruise nights have a lot of modern metal there!

Broad mix of car types, but favoring classics. http://s150.photobucket.com/user/exotics_builder/library/2014-08-24%20Geneva%20Ill%20Concours

Yup! That is the other problem that can bite you!

If you don't have compatibility view set for this site, editing won't work. Depending on IE version, other things as well.

http://s150.photobucket.com/user/exotics_builder/library/2014-08-20%20Randhurst%20Cruise%20Nite

Box art pictures don't mean squat to me. Unfortunately, the photo of the parts board is too low-res to do much but show that the front grill does not look overly tall and has some depth to it. Until I can see that parts board or the kit, I find it hard to make any comments. As regards to racing, the pieces appear odd. I don't recollect any 396 road racing versions. Drag racing, perhaps, but not road racing.

Taken at Thursday's Barrington Cruise Nite. Don't forget to deal with the rear window also, as fully down it still sticks up a tad (if you are really going for rivet counting accuracy)

Oh, and if you are shooting for full accuracy on your 57 Convertible, don't forget that the rolled down rear window juts above the curve. To the album... http://s150.photobucket.com/user/exotics_builder/library/2014-08-14%20Barrington%20Cruise%20Nite

Everything looks great except the wheels. They are five lug and LaFerrari's have center lug. Were you planning on converting the wheels using the center from the kit wheels?