History of AMT & MPC '68-'72 Chevelles

[Fabrux]

I realize that it's been a minute since I've posted a kit history article but I'm getting back in the swing of things. This one took a lot of research but I think I've covered everything and it's a project I'm proud of. If you'd like to check out the article, here's the link: 

https://www.sprue.xyz/articles/round2-chevelles

Or if video is more your thing, you can watch the Model Car Genealogy episode where we covered it. ?

https://youtu.be/d6EFCXUTuvE?si=o4zvT4t238F1N-8F

[Daddyfink]

Holy smokes! What a journey! LOL! Great write up! Thanks. 

I just wish they would make a whole new tool for this car. 

 

[Motor City]

What an excellent job you did researching all of these variations.  Thanks, Chris.

[Can-Con]

Chris, can you still edit that article, you made a few mistakes.

First, There's no separate pan below the rear bumper of the '68/'69 Chevelles.

The chassis for the '69 ElCamino was indeed modified to fit the body. Not only in the wheel wells but it was also stretched to fit the Elky's wheelbase then shortened back up after for the following hardtops and the convertible.

And the rear bumper for the '70s and following reissues of the '69 kits was not just modified, it's a completely different part. Here's a couple pics of both[with the tail light areas removed]. The original is noticeably wider and with slightly different contours because of that.

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[Stef]

What a labour of love, @Fabrux. For years and years, I never quite understood the ability for AMT's "backdated" 70 to suddenly become a 72 again, resulting in both kits to basically be on the market at the same time. Your sleuthing is greatly appreciated, thank you.

I have an unbuilt AMT 72 "Street Customs" boxing, and sprue for sprue, it is 99% identical to HPI Guy's Melba Toast and John Wick 70s:

Super eager to get the OG MPC 72 SSSSSSSSSlasher.

It's a great time to be in the hobby. Thanks again.

 

[Luc Janssens]

This I like very much on the '71, it makes detail painting so much easier!

If Round-2 ever considers doing the '71 again, please do it that way and include clear headlamps

thanks for the write-up, Chris!

[tim boyd]

On 8/9/2024 at 9:00 AM, Fabrux said:

I realize that it's been a minute since I've posted a kit history article but I'm getting back in the swing of things. This one took a lot of research but I think I've covered everything and it's a project I'm proud of. If you'd like to check out the article, here's the link: 

https://www.sprue.xyz/articles/round2-chevelles

Or if video is more your thing, you can watch the Model Car Genealogy episode where we covered it. ?

https://youtu.be/d6EFCXUTuvE?si=o4zvT4t238F1N-8F

Chris....this is a most impressive piece of work on your part.  I thought I knew a lot about this kit series but you've uncovered a ton of fresh info, at least for me.  Big, big congrats. 

One comment/possible addition...and I am doing this from memory so take this as unconfirmed rhetoric as opposed to confirmed fact, but my recollection is that at least one of the two 1980s reissues of the MPC 1972 Chevy tooling included optional engine parts to build a dual turbocharged street fighter type powertrain.  Here is how that engine configuration appears in as installed in an AMT 1953 Ford pickup model I built back in the early 1980s.... (the air cleaners and radiator hose were later adds, not in the kit engine...): 

Thanks for taking the time to research and document this kit history.  Count me as among those very, very impressed with your efforts here.  TIM 

Edited August 11, 2024 by tim boyd

[Fabrux]

On 8/9/2024 at 5:50 PM, Can-Con said:

Chris, can you still edit that article, you made a few mistakes.

Thanks for the update, Steve! I shall edit accordingly. ?

[Fabrux]

1 hour ago, tim boyd said:

Thanks for taking the time to research and document this kit history.  Count me as among those very, very impressed with your efforts here.  TIM 

Thank you, Tim! Your efforts are one of my primary inspirations for these articles. ?

[mikos]

On 8/11/2024 at 2:12 AM, Luc Janssens said:

This I like very much on the '71, it makes detail painting so much easier!

If Round-2 ever considers doing the '71 again, please do it that way and include clear headlamps

thanks for the write-up, Chris!

The only way that could be done is by making the whole grill on the ‘72 an insert.  If they do the ‘72, it will probably be an SS version where the whole grill was black inside.  What I think would be a good idea is to modify the lightly engraved turn signal lights in the fenders into separate insert pieces (which would look more realistic) so that both model years can be done easily.  

I’m not talking about offering both versions in a single kit.  Sure, that would be great for us Chevelle fans, but it would be bad for Round 2 decreasing their profit potential.  If they modify the turn signals into separate pieces, both model years can be represented depending on which turn signal inserts and which grill/bumper that was offered.  

If the ‘72 Chevelle SS reissue sells really well, they can reissue the ‘71 by switching out the turn signal inserts and grill/bumper assembly for that version.  I don’t know if the seat pattern changed between those two years, but they can clone the ‘71 interior bucket and seats if they want to be accurate.  Just switch them out as needed depending on which model year Chevelle that was reissued.  They can also emphasize the “LS6” on the ‘71 since that was the last year for that engine option.  Just some thoughts…

Edited August 31, 2024 by mikos

[1972coronet]

4 hours ago, mikos said:

They can also emphasize the “LS6” on the ‘71 since that was the last year for that engine option.

LS-6 was cancelled as a Chevelle option before production commenced. IIRC, a prototype / pilot model was assembled with the 425hp 454 , but it didn't make the cut - Corvette only engine for 1971 .
But, your proposition is sound - and easy to replicate in-scale !

[Ragtop Man]

Okay, my head is spinning. 

Seriously great scholarship on the part of all involved. I can easily see the resin industry - assuming anyone still does parts - going after the better, early griles. 

Likewise assuming significant kitbash potential down the road for the '72.

Many thanks for the link! 

[Bainford]

Stellar article, and very helpful. Thanks much. Very well done.

[Mark C.]

Thanks for this wonderfully detailed article.  It clears up a number of mysteries for me, including the Hurtubise Chevelle being out there in both the ‘72 and ‘70 versions, and how that tied into the Super Stocker series.  My head is still spinning when thinking about all of the tooling changes, back and forth, for both AMT and MPC versions.

I have to say that one of my more memorable disappointments when buying a model was thinking I was buying an MPC ‘72 Chevelle as pictured on the box, only to find that mess of an incorrect egg crate grille that was done to the AMT tooling.  Many thanks to Steve G. and co. for bringing back the MPC ‘72 and making sure that the abomination that was done to the AMT version remains an interesting footnote in history.  I never did build that kit, but it might just end up as a short track stock car one if these days, with the grille and headlights removed!

[Fabrux]

Makes for a good donor for one of @Wylde's conversions. ?

[Keef]

Amazing article on a greatly overlooked topic in this hobby!! 

[Mark C.]

20 hours ago, Fabrux said:

Makes for a good donor for one of @Wylde's conversions. ?

Yes, I was thinking about that possibility as well!  I like doing mainstream cars, so might be a good starting point for a ‘71 or ‘72 Malibu.

[Wylde]

I already do make a 71-72 kit to convert the 70.

[Mark C.]

I have been looking at your website, and am thinking about getting some of your conversion kits as they look very good.  I was just thinking about what to do with the old AMT '72 Chevelle with the awful looking egg crate grille.  If your conversion that you made for the AMT '70 Chevelle (which Round 2 converted back from the AMT '72 that I have) would fit this kit, I'd get one for that.  Otherwise, I'll do something else with it (short track car, probably) and buy a current AMT '70 to use with one of your conversion kits.

I expect to put together an order one of these days.