Peter Lombardo Posted June 27, 2020 Posted June 27, 2020 (edited) I was discharged from the US Navy Dec. 1972. Prior to that, In the spring of 1972, while home on leave, I went out searching for a car to order for when I returned to civilian life. I considered the Mustang, Barracuda/Challenger, and Camaro. I decided on the Rally Sport Camaro (I loved the wide open center grill and split bumperettes) with a 350 V8. The main twist to it was I ordered the console delete with the column shifter (better for “parking with the ladies”, back in the day) and base wheels. In the spring of 1973, which was my intention, I added Goodyear Polyglass tires, Cragar SS Chrome Mags, fog lights, and the front and rear spoilers. At the time of the vehicle ordering, they only offered the “low” rear spoiler, and I wanted the “High” spoiler which was available later. I really loved the car as it was at that point. A few months later, one Sunday morning around 3 am, while parked on the street outside my parent’s house, a drunk driver coming home side swiped my car on the left rear quarter panel. Not seriously and, thank God, did not affect the wheel and tire. While at the body shop I got the idea to have them put a stripe on the car. Something that would make it stand out from all of the other Camaro’s that seemed to be everywhere. The fact that mine was dark metallic brown made it a bit unique but I wanted a little more. I considered the standard hood and trunk panels like the ones on the Z28, but they were so ubiquitous. Obviously, in the end, I went with the side panels, rear taillight panel, and over the top of the spoiler in a color that matched the light neutral beige interior. I have enclosed 2 photos of the actual car, back in the day. This was Memorial Day weekend 1974 up in Massachusetts and Rhode Island. The drawing is a Pen and Ink I did of the car sometime in 1974. The Replica I started with the AMT 70 ½ Camaro Z28 mainly because it has the stock hood and small block V8 as opposed to the Baldwin Motion version. I opened the doors and hinged them. I replaced the front bucket seats with the “High back” seats as the 1973 model had. The steering wheel was changed to the four spoke version as the 1973 had. Like the actual car, I added the 3 axillary gauges under the center of the dash that I installed. I used the AMT polyglass tires and a set of Cragar SS mags. I added the twin yellow fog lights in the grill just like the ones I installed in the grill opening of the actual car and the 3 badges I had installed in the grill. The paint is Testers one coat lacquer Root Beer for the main color and the stripe panels are Dupli-Color Santa Fe Tan. All covered with multiple top coats of clear. Edited June 27, 2020 by Peter Lombardo add photos
espo Posted June 27, 2020 Posted June 27, 2020 Always rewarding to build a model of past vehicles that you have owned, especially with the pleasant memories that go along with it. Your paint scheme makes this standout visually and the interior looks great. I like how you detailed your engine and resisted any chrome upgrades. Shinny Cragars and some 60 series Polyglass looks period perfect. .
mustang1989 Posted June 28, 2020 Posted June 28, 2020 I really like the back story behind this car. The build....man....the build is just splendid. A well built replica. Really. Hats off to you for a job well done.
Scott8950 Posted June 28, 2020 Posted June 28, 2020 Nice car with a cool story.. Great job on the build.
Hard_2_Handle_454 Posted June 28, 2020 Posted June 28, 2020 I like the 1:1 car. Pretty cool look for that period
Bucky Posted June 28, 2020 Posted June 28, 2020 Fantastic! And you get to keep the memories alive with this replica.
Spottedlaurel Posted June 28, 2020 Posted June 28, 2020 That's cool! Looks really good, and I love the old photos and your history with this car.
Peter Lombardo Posted June 28, 2020 Author Posted June 28, 2020 Guys, thank you very much. I certainly appreciate that you guys understood what the replica means to me. I realized that I made a slight typo in the story, the photos were taken in 1075, not 1974. I know it doesn't matter to the post, but I wanted to get it right. The amazing woman in the first photo (can't really see her face very well) was my fiance at the time, we were married 4 months later in the following September so we are coming up on 45 years, wow, how time does fly. I really loved the Camaro until the price of gas got out of control with the odd/even gas purchasing so I had to look for a more economical form of daily transportation. I ended up with a Mustang II Mach 1 with a V6 and manual trans. Not as powerful, but enjoyable enough to drive. Today, I don't miss the Mustang, but I would kill to have the Camaro again Again, thanks.
Classicgas Posted June 28, 2020 Posted June 28, 2020 Nailed it! And kudos for properly opening your doors to include swing in hinges and awesome rats nest plumbing under the hood.
mikemodeler Posted June 29, 2020 Posted June 29, 2020 Awesome story and build, always cool to see something that represents a part of one's life. Congrats on the anniversary and thank you for your service, welcome home.
Tom Geiger Posted June 29, 2020 Posted June 29, 2020 Very nice model and I’m a sucker for a great story!
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