So, I guess no ‘80’s ProStreet Camaro Z28 in late quarter 2025 like Steve G. promised?

[mikos]

I remember Steve G. at Round 2 mentioning the MPC ProStreet ‘80’s Camaro Z28 would be reissued sometime in late 2025.  Well, here it is late quarter 2025 and still no ‘80’s Camaro Z28 ProStreet reissue.  Has this been cancelled?

Edited November 7 by mikos

[Luc Janssens]

Could mean anything, ranging from abandoning the project to starting from scratch.

It's not like they (Steve and the other Kats) don't have enough on their plate already.

But what does worry me, is the rising cost of Chinese made American model kits...they're hovering near 50 Euro's (57 in Micky Mouse money) and rising in my neck of the woods.

But I digress...

Cheers.

Edited November 7 by Luc Janssens
Not yet fully awake at 6 am or thereabout 😉

[CapSat 6]

Man...be careful what you wish for!

That last MPC Pro Street Camaro was sort of really a hot mess. The bumpers, flares, spoilers and and front cap did not fit on the body very well at all (and by that I mean: "really badly". I remember this very well from the last one I owned, started to build, and traded off later). I'm sure that's a result of those parts being adapted to the '74-'76, which before, had been the '70-'73. The chassis was really meh, and very gappy. It had an OK big block / automatic trans (!) which was left over from it's origins as an annual 1970-1/2 Camaro SS. 

To me, it's really one of the lesser MPC leftovers- not by subject matter, just by overall quality. Just my opinion, I think the MPC '69 Charger is just about more buildable, and that is saying something. I know the subject matter is exciting, and there were some neat racing parts in that kit (but really nothing you can't get out of an MPC NASCAR car kit), but are you sure you want that one back???

That being said- this would be a great subject for Round 2 to clone. Seeing what they have done with their MPC '68 Coronet, '68 and '65 GTO's, and upcoming '65 Barracuda, this subject would really, really benefit from that treatment, AND multiple versions ('74-'76, + mid-'70's Firebirds!!!) could be baked right into the design. There is a LOT of potential (subject matter AND sales potential) in doing a retro tool for this one.  

Sure, it could also be worth popping a few out of the original tool...as long as it doesn't cost too much. If Round 2 spends too much time or money on this one though, it would have been much better spent on a Retroclone.  

Just my unsolicited $0.02. I'm sure many people won't agree, but to me, that is one kit that I want to build and don't want to build all at the same time...when they hit, I'll probably end up passing.  

 

 

 

[Volzfan59]

In corporate America, stuff happens.

[Mark C.]

I agree with the idea that the best outcome for this kit would be cloned ‘74-‘77 Camaros and ‘74-‘76 Firebird Formula and T/A.

There seems to be a lot of ‘78 up Camaros and Firebirds out there in plastic model land, but virtually (literally) nothing from the mid ‘70s.

If I were king of Round 2 (lol), that would be fairly high on the list.  YMMV 😊

[Dave Ambrose]

I'd be cautious about assigning ill intent. There are lots of reasons for projects getting slowed, stalled, or cancelled. The economics of manufacturing have changed radically, and I daresay a lot of projects have been caught up in those changes. 

[Can-Con]

Just an FYI for those who think you can easily get a 2nd gen Firebird kit from a 2nd gen Camaro kit ,, the only thing common would be the chassis and glass. You can't just swap the front and rear ends and hoods. You'd need the complete body, interior and engine. I would think that it would be easier to just do the complete kit at that point.

[Mark C.]

1 hour ago, Can-Con said:

Just an FYI for those who think you can easily get a 2nd gen Firebird kit from a 2nd gen Camaro kit ,, the only thing common would be the chassis and glass. You can't just swap the front and rear ends and hoods. You'd need the complete body, interior and engine. I would think that it would be easier to just do the complete kit at that point.

I included it because the 2nd gen Firebird stuff would still be around so only the stuff to backdate it to a ‘74-6 would be needed.

S’pose that should be a separate thread tho.  Point taken.  😊

[chryslerjunkandstuff]

I mean, they just released, and announced, myriad absolutely amazing kits that are arguably 10,000x more cool and worthwhile than another Camaro kit, which is, arguably, the absolute LAST car that we need a new kit of.. 

[Ragtop Man]

Nothing in an industry that relies on a 7000+ mile supply chain is a promise. 

There is a fair bit of nostalgia for these kits, but if I was in the meeting witht the R2 financial committe choosing which project to place in turnaround, that would be the one.

Completely agree that a modern tool, Craftsman Plus-level Gen 2 F-Body with the excellent proportions, detail and fit of the GTOs, Malibu, etc. could not help but be very successful. The strategy to spool out versions until the tools turn to dust was already proven by GM

 

[Luc Janssens]

1 hour ago, Ragtop Man said:

Nothing in an industry that relies on a 7000+ mile supply chain is a promise. 

There is a fair bit of nostalgia for these kits, but if I was in the meeting witht the R2 financial committe choosing which project to place in turnaround, that would be the one.

Completely agree that a modern tool, Craftsman Plus-level Gen 2 F-Body with the excellent proportions, detail and fit of the GTOs, Malibu, etc. could not help but be very successful. The strategy to spool out versions until the tools turn to dust was already proven by GM

 

IMHO this whole F generation (Firebird-Camaro)  should've been considered back in the late '90s by Ertl. But different market altogether back then, when two tooling variations were profitable enough, while more too much of an investment with a much longer term in payback.

But who knows (except the Kats) what the future might bring.

Cheers!

Edited November 8 by Luc Janssens
Time limitation waiting for wife in a parking lot.

[stavanzer]

Well, we have the recent Stranger things '78, and 1990's AMT '70 1/2 Baldwin Motion kits, so it's not like we have nothing to build from that era. But for various reasons (some good, some nonsensical--{It's the wrong Scale}).

Revell even freshened up the '78 for us with a new hood and filled T-Tops that make building a Mainstreamer Camaro a whole lot easier.

While I want the MPC Camaro back as Badly as anyone else, I'd rather have it later, than Have it be a Turkey.

As was mentioned, it (like many MPC kits of the Era) is a fiddly kit, with some dodgy part fit. My hope is that at least some clean up of the tool will give us a better kit.

As Steve G himself has mentioned in other threads about this kit, Round2 IS working on it, knows how strong the Demand is for it, and has had issues with the tool that have slowed production of it. No One has ever suggested that Round2 isn't going to bring this kit out. It has just been delayed for reasons Round2 will (rightly) not share with us.

So just settle back, buy some more of the OG MPC kits on the secondary market, and wish the Kats at Round2 good luck with this kit.

 

TL/DR (it will get here when the Ship from China Docks.No Sooner, No later)

Edited November 9 by stavanzer
spelling

[Mark C.]

As long as the world trade situation is mired in power struggles involving groups who have no interest in playing nicely together, our hobby will continue to be mired in uncertainty.  Meanwhile, it’s fun to talk about model cars.

Of the years I mentioned, 1974 speaks the loudest to me.  It would be fun to see a reimagined tool of the ‘74 Z-28.  Will it happen?  I haven’t the foggiest.

Meanwhile, I’m saving my nickels for multiples of the ’60 Nomad, the ‘65 Barracuda, and the ‘72 Duster!  It’s not like we have nothing to look forward to, but if I’m not allowed to talk about other subjects I’d like to see, the ‘discussion board’ might become a little… boring?  😁

I might suggest that anyone who wants to see the amazing people at Round 2 continue to turn out these model kit gems, plan to buy up as many of these as your hobby budget allows.  Voting with your wallet is the best way to ensure that they keep working at making our modelling dreams come true.  🙂

[1972coronet]

Begs the question : What happened to the AMT 1973-1977 Camaro tooling ? Was it ad seq. modified to '79-'81 models ? 

Never having had my hands on the AMT Camaro kits of the 2nd Gen models, I can't attest to how good or bad they were .

Certainly I'm not alone in desiring a '74-'77 ( I'm not really a fan of the '78-'81 ) Camaro with stock and period-correct custom building options.

[Rob Hall]

13 minutes ago, 1972coronet said:

Begs the question : What happened to the AMT 1973-1977 Camaro tooling ? Was it ad seq. modified to '79-'81 models ? 

Never having had my hands on the AMT Camaro kits of the 2nd Gen models, I can't attest to how good or bad they were .

Certainly I'm not alone in desiring a '74-'77 ( I'm not really a fan of the '78-'81 ) Camaro with stock and period-correct custom building options.

I seem to recall reading in the 90s that the AMT 2nd gen tooling was modified to make their first '70 1/2 Z/28 kit for 1989.  Not to be mistaken for the later new-tool '70 kits.  The Scalemates graph shows the history of the original AMT '70 up through '77 then to the '70 1/2 retool.

This kit: https://www.scalemates.com/kits/amt-ertl-6896-70-1-2-chevrolet-camaro-z-28-2-n-1--141655

Edited November 8 by Rob Hall

[1972coronet]

2 hours ago, Rob Hall said:

I seem to recall reading in the 90s that the AMT 2nd gen tooling was modified to make their first '70 1/2 Z/28 kit for 1989.  Not to be mistaken for the later new-tool '70 kits.  The Scalemates graph shows the history of the original AMT '70 up through '77 then to the '70 1/2 retool.

This kit: https://www.scalemates.com/kits/amt-ertl-6896-70-1-2-chevrolet-camaro-z-28-2-n-1--141655

Thank you for the link.

Should Round2 reissue ( new tool, perhaps ? ) the AMT '74-'77 Camaro , I could see this as the box art influence : Joie Chitwood Thrill Show Camaro, AMT T441 (1974)

[Rob Hall]

6 minutes ago, 1972coronet said:

Thank you for the link.

Should Round2 reissue ( new tool, perhaps ? ) the AMT '74-'77 Camaro , I could see this as the box art influence : Joie Chitwood Thrill Show Camaro, AMT T441 (1974)

I’d like to see a ‘77 Z/28 tooled up.  

[Daddyfink]

[SteveG]

On 11/6/2025 at 7:00 PM, mikos said:

I remember Steve G. at Round 2 mentioning the MPC ProStreet ‘80’s Camaro Z28 would be reissued sometime in late 2025.  Well, here it is late quarter 2025 and still no ‘80’s Camaro Z28 ProStreet reissue.  Has this been cancelled?

No not canceled, last I checked It's been pushed into the 2026 lineup.  I don't see how my previous comments were some kind of promise, I know better.  Kit releases get shuffled around for all kinds of reason I don't control.  

https://www.modelcarsmag.com/forums/topic/184332-mpc-1981-camaro-z28-prostreet-reissue/#findComment-3002830

-Steve

[stavanzer]

2 hours ago, SteveG said:

No not canceled, last I checked It's been pushed into the 2026 lineup.  I don't see how my previous comments were some kind of promise, I know better.  Kit releases get shuffled around for all kinds of reason I don't control.  

https://www.modelcarsmag.com/forums/topic/184332-mpc-1981-camaro-z28-prostreet-reissue/#findComment-3002830

-Steve

It's okay, Steve. Some Folks are just really anxious to get the kit.

I can wait though.

[stavanzer]

"With luck we'll have out in late 2025.--Steve G."

 

Doesn't Read like a Promise to me.

More like an acknowledgement of the realities of Modern Factories and Shipping.

[Daddyfink]

Why didn't you just revive the old thread? 

 

[sfhess]

6 hours ago, stavanzer said:

It's okay, Steve. Some Folks are just really anxious to get the kit.

I can wait though.

deleted

Edited November 10 by sfhess

[mikos]

On 11/8/2025 at 10:15 AM, 1972coronet said:

Begs the question : What happened to the AMT 1973-1977 Camaro tooling ? Was it ad seq. modified to '79-'81 models ? 

Never having had my hands on the AMT Camaro kits of the 2nd Gen models, I can't attest to how good or bad they were .

Certainly I'm not alone in desiring a '74-'77 ( I'm not really a fan of the '78-'81 ) Camaro with stock and period-correct custom building options.

The AMT ‘74-‘77 Camaro was a little goofy on the front end.  They obviously did not use factory GM blueprints when they modified the tooling for the ‘74 update.   The MPC annual kit was much more accurate in this area.

The AMT ‘77 Camaro was back-dated into the ‘70.5 in the early ‘90’s and then further modified into a more correct version with a front end revision to the head light pod area in the early ‘00’s.   It says new tooling on the Scalemates site, but I think it was a heavy revision to the original tooling since the side window curvature follows the same exact shape as the original AMT ‘70 promo tool.  

The driver’s-side window upper drip rail near the roof makes a little curve up near the C-pillar.   The original AMT ‘70 Camaro promo/annual was the same way.  I could be wrong, but that’s what it looks like to me when comparing them.

Edited Monday at 08:46 PM by mikos

[mikos]

On 11/7/2025 at 5:32 AM, CapSat 6 said:

Man...be careful what you wish for!

That last MPC Pro Street Camaro was sort of really a hot mess. The bumpers, flares, spoilers and and front cap did not fit on the body very well at all (and by that I mean: "really badly". I remember this very well from the last one I owned, started to build, and traded off later). I'm sure that's a result of those parts being adapted to the '74-'76, which before, had been the '70-'73. The chassis was really meh, and very gappy. It had an OK big block / automatic trans (!) which was left over from it's origins as an annual 1970-1/2 Camaro SS. 

To me, it's really one of the lesser MPC leftovers- not by subject matter, just by overall quality. Just my opinion, I think the MPC '69 Charger is just about more buildable, and that is saying something. I know the subject matter is exciting, and there were some neat racing parts in that kit (but really nothing you can't get out of an MPC NASCAR car kit), but are you sure you want that one back???

That being said- this would be a great subject for Round 2 to clone. Seeing what they have done with their MPC '68 Coronet, '68 and '65 GTO's, and upcoming '65 Barracuda, this subject would really, really benefit from that treatment, AND multiple versions ('74-'76, + mid-'70's Firebirds!!!) could be baked right into the design. There is a LOT of potential (subject matter AND sales potential) in doing a retro tool for this one.  

Sure, it could also be worth popping a few out of the original tool...as long as it doesn't cost too much. If Round 2 spends too much time or money on this one though, it would have been much better spent on a Retroclone.  

Just my unsolicited $0.02. I'm sure many people won't agree, but to me, that is one kit that I want to build and don't want to build all at the same time...when they hit, I'll probably end up passing.  

 

 

 

Most of the problems with this kit can be corrected by Round 2 adding locator pins on the inside of the body for the interior glass and the rear of the chassis.   It seems throughout the ‘70’s, MPC eliminated these features on their annuals which made them harder to assemble.  If they added locator pins, it would go a long way into making these kits much easier to build.

The ‘78-‘81 Camaro rear bumper was always a problem because it’s wider than the rear body of the car.  I wish Round 2 would retool a new rear bumper to hug the body better.  On the real cars, there was a bolt on strip at the lower rear fender panel area that bridged the gap between the lower body side and the rear bumper.  Of course, the 1:1 rear bumper was not as wide (in scale) as the one supplied in the MPC kit.  To make rear bumper fit closer to the rear body sides, you can slice a small section out of each side of the rear bumper to make narrower.  I’ve done this on a few that I have worked on.

I think the best way to resolve this issue would be to mold the rear bumper to the body like on the AMT Cheverra/Z28 snap kit.  However, I see don’t Round 2 modifying the body tooling for this.   This is probably going to be a straight reissue of the last ProStreet release from ‘86.  

I do hope at a later date, they include the stock wheel/tires to do a stock version reissue.  Of course, the ‘80-‘81 only CAI hood tooling insert will have to be found or a new one cloned up for a period correct early ‘80’s Z28.     

Edited Monday at 09:27 PM by mikos