Two mild kitbash projects: 1970 1/2 Camaro SS396 and "1970 3/4" Camaro Z-28...

[tim boyd]

These two 1970 1-2 AMT-Ertl kit Camaro models represent my all-time favorite 1/1 scale Camaros.

The yellow Z-28 was constructed as a late 1970 model year factory build, with the COPO 9796 large rear spoiler which became available for special order in April, 1970. The paint was also a late model year addition, in effect a pull-ahead of 1971 Code 52 Sunflower Yellow. It replaced Code 51 Daytona Yellow late in the production run (compare it the color to the 1969 Vette painted in Daytona Yellow). Other than those tweaks, and some more accurate tires, the model was built from AMT-Ertl's 1970 1/2 Z-28 kit first introduced around 2000.

The orange SS 396 was a kitbash conversion of the above-referenced AMT-Ertl kit. The 1970 1/2 SS 396 was mostly overshadowed by the Z-28 that year, but that makes the SS 396 an even more interesting model car topic. The model was painted with Code 65 Hugger Orange, paired with a Sandalwood interior.

Both of these were covered in two in-depth articles in Scale Auto magazine back in the day; the applicable back issues are June 2005 and August 2007).

By the way, yes, the Z-28 hood doesn't fit exactly right; it warped after the model was completed. A bit of after the fact advice is that when using real automotive paints on styrene models with thinly molded hoods, be sure to paint the body color on both sides of the hood or you risk the same sort of warping seen here.

Many pix below!  Thanks for looking!  Cheers....TIM

 

 

 

 

 

Edited 6 hours ago by tim boyd

[Hard_2_Handle_454]

I didn't know about the COPO spoiler until the other day.  I always thought it was the regular version of the spoiler.  The was one right down the road in the late 90's early 2000's just sitting in someone's yard.  Silver with black stripes.  

[slusher]

Beautiful Camaros!

[ChrisR]

Very nice.

[dphipps]

They look great. These are my favourite of all Camaro's, The split bumper front end is menacing

[AMT68]

Thanks for posting the two stellar builds along with the interesting backstory. Also appreciate the advice regarding thin hoods when using auto lacquers. 

[dphipps]

5 minutes ago, AMT68 said:

 Also appreciate the advice regarding thin hoods when using auto lacquers. 

I didn't mention this point in my comment but it did get me thinking... 

I have many years of working as a welder, and warpage (shrinkage) is always a thing. Warpage can also be corrected with proper application of heat. So this got me wondering if anyone has ever tried using solvents in some way to warp styrene in a controlled manner? Or specifically straighten out warped parts. I'm not sure if straight solvents would have the shrinking effect like curing paint though. Something to ponder!

[AMT68]

12 minutes ago, dphipps said:

if anyone has ever tried using solvents in some way to warp styrene in a controlled manner?

No I haven't but certainly a thought provoking idea. In the past I've relied on warm water. 

[Jim B]

Great looking Camaros.  Very well done.

[Kelly]

21 hours ago, tim boyd said:

These two 1970 1-2 AMT-Ertl kit Camaro models represent my all-time favorite 1/1 scale Camaros.

The yellow Z-28 was constructed as a late 1970 model year factory build, with the COPO 9796 large rear spoiler which became available for special order in April, 1970. The paint was also a late model year addition, in effect a pull-ahead of 1971 Code 52 Sunflower Yellow. It replaced Code 51 Daytona Yellow late in the production run (compare it the color to the 1969 Vette painted in Daytona Yellow). Other than those tweaks, and some more accurate tires, the model was built from AMT-Ertl's 1970 1/2 Z-28 kit first introduced around 2000.

The orange SS 396 was a kitbash conversion of the above-referenced AMT-Ertl kit. The 1970 1/2 SS 396 was mostly overshadowed by the Z-28 that year, but that makes the SS 396 an even more interesting model car topic. The model was painted with Code 65 Hugger Orange, paired with a Sandalwood interior.

Both of these were covered in two in-depth articles in Scale Auto magazine back in the day; the applicable back issues are June 2005 and August 2007).

By the way, yes, the Z-28 hood doesn't fit exactly right; it warped after the model was completed. A bit of after the fact advice is that when using real automotive paints on styrene models with thinly molded hoods, be sure to paint the body color on both sides of the hood or you risk the same sort of warping seen here.

Many pix below!  Thanks for looking!  Cheers....TIM

 

 

 

 

 

 Very nice Camaro’s