MPC 1981 Camaro Z28 ProStreet reissue.

[mikos]

1981 Camaro Z28 ProStreet reissue….did that plan not work out for Round2?  Was looking forward to it.
 

[kurth]

That would be a neat one to see again. 

[stavanzer]

Try this thread. The latest word from Round2 is here.

 

[SteveG]

There's been unexpected delay at the factory that has this tool in getting approved test shots to us.  We would still like to run the '81 Camaro kit this year but I'm not holding my breath waiting of it.   If it's not resolved, we may end up moving the tooling which will delay it into next year.  

-Steve

[Mopeyguy]

delays are okay in my book, better product and quality works for me...

2 hours ago, SteveG said:

There's been unexpected delay at the factory that has this tool in getting approved test shots to us.  We would still like to run the '81 Camaro kit this year but I'm not holding my breath waiting of it.   If it's not resolved, we may end up moving the tooling which will delay it into next year.  

-Steve

 

[mikos]

2 hours ago, SteveG said:

There's been unexpected delay at the factory that has this tool in getting approved test shots to us.  We would still like to run the '81 Camaro kit this year but I'm not holding my breath waiting of it.   If it's not resolved, we may end up moving the tooling which will delay it into next year.  

-Steve

Thanks for the update Steve.  I’m looking forward to it.

[horsepower]

17 hours ago, SteveG said:

There's been unexpected delay at the factory that has this tool in getting approved test shots to us.  We would still like to run the '81 Camaro kit this year but I'm not holding my breath waiting of it.   If it's not resolved, we may end up moving the tooling which will delay it into next year.  

-Steve

Might be better for everyone in the long run if all tools that could be get returned to the USA. Cut down on redos in and shipping times and costs for kits and test runs. With rising fuel costs bumping up shipping costs how much are the manufacturers saving by having China produce kits any longer?

['70 Grande]

Not wanting to take this too far off-topic, but I think the issue with tooling located in China is that the Chinese government "gets to claim ownership of that tooling" no matter where the tooling was developed or who owned it in the first place... and the government has no interest in letting the tooling leave the country.

Somewhat back on-topic, I have always liked these MPC Camaro kits even though they have their shortcomings, they always look good when finished. I believe many of the chassis parts underneath these Camaro kits were also used underneath the early-1970's MPC  Firebird/Trans-Am kits which makes me wonder if a little cloning-work might bring those older Firebird kits back-to-life?

Edited September 6, 2023 by '70 Grande

[Can-Con]

2 hours ago, '70 Grande said:

Not wanting to take this too far off-topic, but I think the issue with tooling located in China is that the Chinese government "gets to claim ownership of that tooling" no matter where the tooling was developed or who owned it in the first place... and the government has no interest in letting the tooling leave the country.

Somewhat back on-topic, I have always liked these MPC Camaro kits even though they have their shortcomings, they always look good when finished. I believe many of the chassis parts underneath these Camaro kits were also used underneath the early-1970's MPC  Firebird/Trans-Am kits which makes me wonder if a little cloning-work might bring those older Firebird kits back-to-life?

The chassis from the earlier Firebirds is now under the '79 that was issued a few years ago. 

I think the Camaro chassis is identical but there may be some very small differences. I know the only way I could tell them apart was sometimes the color of the plastic. 

I have an original '73 Camaro and '74 Firebird I could check later if you like.

[Stef]

2 hours ago, '70 Grande said:

...makes me wonder if a little cloning-work might bring those older Firebird kits back-to-life?

Agreed. I've built squillions of 70-73s, and 77-81s, but I'd love love love to build a 74-76.

[Can-Con]

On 9/5/2023 at 12:21 PM, SteveG said:

There's been unexpected delay at the factory that has this tool in getting approved test shots to us.  We would still like to run the '81 Camaro kit this year but I'm not holding my breath waiting of it.   If it's not resolved, we may end up moving the tooling which will delay it into next year.  

-Steve

Steve, I guess there's not much chance that the rear bumper was narrowed so it fits properly, would there?

It's not "that" bad but it should fit flush.

[SteveG]

5 hours ago, '70 Grande said:

Not wanting to take this too far off-topic, but I think the issue with tooling located in China is that the Chinese government "gets to claim ownership of that tooling" no matter where the tooling was developed or who owned it in the first place... and the government has no interest in letting the tooling leave the country.

Somewhat back on-topic, I have always liked these MPC Camaro kits even though they have their shortcomings, they always look good when finished. I believe many of the chassis parts underneath these Camaro kits were also used underneath the early-1970's MPC  Firebird/Trans-Am kits which makes me wonder if a little cloning-work might bring those older Firebird kits back-to-life?

The tooling is not being held hostage in China or anything like that.  I have to be sensitive about discussing anything to do with third party vendors which the industry relies on so heavily, and it's not just Round2 that has these issues.  I'll just say that the tooling is not at our main vendors factory and leave it that for now. 

-Steve 

[SteveG]

3 hours ago, Can-Con said:

Steve, I guess there's not much chance that the rear bumper was narrowed so it fits properly, would there?

It's not "that" bad but it should fit flush.

Steve,

I'm aware of the rear bumper fit, for now our goal is just to make sure we have a tool that will produce a consistent set of parts that we can package and sell.   Once I can show that we have a successful run I'll go back to the bosses for some tooling improvement funds that we can hopefully use on a future issue of it. 

-Steve

[Can-Con]

22 minutes ago, SteveG said:

Steve,

I'm aware of the rear bumper fit, for now our goal is just to make sure we have a tool that will produce a consistent set of parts that we can package and sell.   Once I can show that we have a successful run I'll go back to the bosses for some tooling improvement funds that we can hopefully use on a future issue of it. 

-Steve

That sounds very encouraging. ?

[Mr. Metallic]

On 9/6/2023 at 4:12 AM, horsepower said:

Might be better for everyone in the long run if all tools that could be get returned to the USA. Cut down on redos in and shipping times and costs for kits and test runs. With rising fuel costs bumping up shipping costs how much are the manufacturers saving by having China produce kits any longer?

 

On 9/6/2023 at 12:41 PM, '70 Grande said:

Not wanting to take this too far off-topic, but I think the issue with tooling located in China is that the Chinese government "gets to claim ownership of that tooling" no matter where the tooling was developed or who owned it in the first place... and the government has no interest in letting the tooling leave the country.

My company is involved with manufacturing in China. Once the mold enters their border it will not leave again, at least in working condition.

[Luc Janssens]

34 minutes ago, Mr. Metallic said:

 

My company is involved with manufacturing in China. Once the mold enters their border it will not leave again, at least in working condition.

In the old days that could've been problematic, but.... the true value is in the 3D file, the tool a vehicle, the location of production, unit cost per run.

No more no less, 

[mikos]

6 hours ago, Luc Janssens said:

In the old days that could've been problematic, but.... the true value is in the 3D file, the tool a vehicle, the location of production, unit cost per run.

No more no less, 

Is there a 3D file on this vintage MPC tool?  In other words, let’s say the Chinese government keeps it and Round2 wants to produce it someday stateside, wouldn’t that prohibit Round2 from making a reissue again?

Even if you could make a 3D file of the tooling, wouldn't that be generally too cost prohibitive compared to just cleaning up the old vintage tooling that already exists to make a production run?

If the Chinese government holds the tooling hostage within their borders, that doesn’t sound too good.  I think Round2 has most of its tooling located in China.   If they ever decide to bring production back to the states, they would have to start from scratch.

 

 

[Luc Janssens]

1 hour ago, mikos said:

Is there a 3D file on this vintage MPC tool?  In other words, let’s say the Chinese government keeps it and Round2 wants to produce it someday stateside, wouldn’t that prohibit Round2 from making a reissue again?

Even if you could make a 3D file of the tooling, wouldn't that be generally too cost prohibitive compared to just cleaning up the old vintage tooling that already exists to make a production run?

If the Chinese government holds the tooling hostage within their borders, that doesn’t sound too good.  I think Round2 has most of its tooling located in China.   If they ever decide to bring production back to the states, they would have to start from scratch.

 

 

It all boils down to return on investment. 

 

[SteveG]

9 hours ago, mikos said:

Is there a 3D file on this vintage MPC tool?  In other words, let’s say the Chinese government keeps it and Round2 wants to produce it someday stateside, wouldn’t that prohibit Round2 from making a reissue again?

Even if you could make a 3D file of the tooling, wouldn't that be generally too cost prohibitive compared to just cleaning up the old vintage tooling that already exists to make a production run?

If the Chinese government holds the tooling hostage within their borders, that doesn’t sound too good.  I think Round2 has most of its tooling located in China.   If they ever decide to bring production back to the states, they would have to start from scratch.

 

 

None of the vintage kits have 3D files, they are all from the age of hand drawn blueprints and wood patterns.  Regardless, we have the reverse engineering process down to science now so recreating any existing model we no longer have is well within reach and relatively inexpensive compared to starting from scratch.   Any of the recent new tools all have full 3D files and can be recreated anywhere in the world that does tooling if needed.  Hopefully we'll never be in the situation where we to have recreate any large amount of our tooling.  

Besides, without a willing US partner to plan and market the kits, all the tooling would be useless in China unless they need thousands of boat anchors and want to close up the factories.  So, in my opinion they need us just as much as we need them.  

-Steve

[P51Mustang]

Well said SteveG !

[stavanzer]

On 9/5/2023 at 8:21 AM, SteveG said:

There's been unexpected delay at the factory that has this tool in getting approved test shots to us.  We would still like to run the '81 Camaro kit this year but I'm not holding my breath waiting of it.   If it's not resolved, we may end up moving the tooling which will delay it into next year.  

-Steve

Hello, Steve.

Has there been any news on the Test Shots on the Camaro? Does it still look like a 2024 kit, or will it be pushed?

I hope that you take all the time you need to get a good kit. AS long as it has a good choice of tires, and the Kat's Awesome "Expanded Decals" I'll be thrilled to buy this kit. Of course it would be great if some stock wheels make it back into the tool, but, I'll be happy with what ever options do happen to be there.

Thanks, Alan

[SteveG]

11 hours ago, stavanzer said:

Hello, Steve.

Has there been any news on the Test Shots on the Camaro? Does it still look like a 2024 kit, or will it be pushed?

I hope that you take all the time you need to get a good kit. AS long as it has a good choice of tires, and the Kat's Awesome "Expanded Decals" I'll be thrilled to buy this kit. Of course it would be great if some stock wheels make it back into the tool, but, I'll be happy with what ever options do happen to be there.

Thanks, Alan

I did recently get a set of acceptable test shots and I even did a test build to confirm we have the Pro-Street version.  However, it was still decided to move the tooling to another location.  When and where, I don't have the answer yet, so consider its status as planned but on hold.  I'm hoping it will still be a 2024 item, but the clock is ticking. 

-Steve 

[P51Mustang]

1 hour ago, SteveG said:

I did recently get a set of acceptable test shots and I even did a test build to confirm we have the Pro-Street version.  However, it was still decided to move the tooling to another location.  When and where, I don't have the answer yet, so consider its status as planned but on hold.  I'm hoping it will still be a 2024 item, but the clock is ticking. 

-Steve 

Steve,

Thanks so much for the update, this kit is highly anticipated - no doubt.

[stavanzer]

2024 or 2025.

As long as I can get a few, I'll wait.