Mark C. Posted January 9 Posted January 9 2 hours ago, Robberbaron said: OK everyone, before you get too excited, let's actually look at Revell's handiwork on that new "hardtop" roof: How do you like that "flat as a board" side window profile compared to the real car? I'm taking a hard pass on this one. Must have used the same measurements as their ‘70 Trans am? 1
Motor City Posted January 9 Posted January 9 3 hours ago, Robberbaron said: OK everyone, before you get too excited, let's actually look at Revell's handiwork on that new "hardtop" roof: How do you like that "flat as a board" side window profile compared to the real car? I'm taking a hard pass on this one. the fender vent looks awful, too
Dragonhawk1066 Posted January 9 Posted January 9 10 hours ago, ChrisPflug said: Issue with the '81 kit stripes is that they're a different style than the '79 But outside of the fender vents, which most people wouldn't even notice anyways, what are the differences between the '79 and '81 Z28's in real life. Sure a few folks on here will pounce on minute details between the two, but I don't think it would be hard to pass off the '79 as an '81 or even as a '79 using the '81 stripes. Just my thoughts. 1
Can-Con Posted January 9 Posted January 9 41 minutes ago, Dragonhawk1066 said: But outside of the fender vents, which most people wouldn't even notice anyways, what are the differences between the '79 and '81 Z28's in real life. Sure a few folks on here will pounce on minute details between the two, but I don't think it would be hard to pass off the '79 as an '81 or even as a '79 using the '81 stripes. Just my thoughts. Hood and grille are different. IIRC, the seat sew patterns are too but not sure. , , Hey, you asked. 1
catpack68 Posted January 10 Posted January 10 I will definitely pick up a kit or two.I want build a replica of my first car.A 79 Z/28 which was a factory 4-speed hardtop.
Stef Posted January 10 Posted January 10 4 hours ago, Dragonhawk1066 said: ...what are the differences between the '79 and '81 Z28's in real life Awhile back, Luka Cee deep dived into the 78 - 81 Camaros, comparing several MPC kits to real cars for reference. Worth a look, and should be somewhat relevant for the Monogram and Revell kits, too. 2
Dragonhawk1066 Posted January 10 Posted January 10 23 hours ago, Can-Con said: Hood and grille are different. IIRC, the seat sew patterns are too but not sure. , , Hey, you asked. LOL, yes I did. Thanks for the info! To me, the differences are barely, if at all, noticeable, but that's just me. I know there are some knowledgeable folks out there that can spot tiny differences like they're night and day. Personally, I would be fine building an "inaccurate" version using the '81 snapper decals if they fit ok, even if I will get called out for it, lol. 1
Can-Con Posted January 11 Posted January 11 2 hours ago, Dragonhawk1066 said: LOL, yes I did. Thanks for the info! To me, the differences are barely, if at all, noticeable, but that's just me. I know there are some knowledgeable folks out there that can spot tiny differences like they're night and day. Personally, I would be fine building an "inaccurate" version using the '81 snapper decals if they fit ok, even if I will get called out for it, lol. FWIW, I think you're right about no one noticing the difference in the decals. We here are "The Lunatic Fringe" and notice such things, 90% or more people who are , lets say, "not as invested" as us would never know the difference. 3
Fat Brian Posted January 11 Posted January 11 The video also shows that they did alter the tooling for the roof so the T tops version will probably never come back. I had wondering if it would be possible to keep both versions but evidently not.
Luc Janssens Posted January 11 Author Posted January 11 59 minutes ago, Fat Brian said: The video also shows that they did alter the tooling for the roof so the T tops version will probably never come back. I had wondering if it would be possible to keep both versions but evidently not. Don't think so, cuz the core of the tool as evidenced on the underside of the roof still shows the contours and they didn't weld off the T-top glass from the clear shot. Anyway just MHO
Fat Brian Posted January 11 Posted January 11 1 hour ago, Luc Janssens said: Don't think so, cuz the core of the tool as evidenced on the underside of the roof still shows the contours and they didn't weld off the T-top glass from the clear shot. Anyway just MHO I went and looked at my old kit to see what it looks like. The inside of the roof looks the same as the video shows and the mold lines around the T tops holes are against the headliner side of the roof. So it will depend on if the piece that makes the outside of the top was easier to change out or alter in place. I hope the tops didn't go away just so there's the option.
oldcarfan Posted January 12 Posted January 12 On 1/9/2025 at 10:02 PM, Stef said: Awhile back, Luka Cee deep dived into the 78 - 81 Camaros, comparing several MPC kits to real cars for reference. Worth a look, and should be somewhat relevant for the Monogram and Revell kits, too. I love the MPC Camaro kit especially the widebody IMSA release, but this redo of the Monogram kit looks pretty sweet. I can't wait for it to hit the shelf. Glad to see they filled in the T-top as I never had much luck filling them in. 2
stavanzer Posted January 12 Posted January 12 (edited) On 1/8/2025 at 1:50 AM, STU111 said: I’m a fan of the gen 2 Camaro, so I’m going to grab one. Just gotta wait for them to hit the hobby shops here in Australia. I do agree with the other post that some Z28 stripes would have been nice on the decal sheet though. On 1/8/2025 at 4:13 PM, Dragonhawk1066 said: Someone should do some measuring to see if the stripes from the much maligned recent release 1981 Camaro Z28 will fit on the Billy's 1979 Z28. The '81 does include 4 different color choices for the stripes, even though the '81 is 1/25 scale while the '79 is 1/24, I'm skeptical as to the scale accuracy of the '81. If they fit or are very close and not really noticeable, that would give the '81 some purchasing clout, lol. I may try it myself if no one else cares to, but it might be a while. Well, it looks like Revell took care of us after all, 4 Different build options. Now let's hear the gripe about there being only one Lic Plate... Edited January 12 by stavanzer 1
STU111 Posted January 12 Posted January 12 2 hours ago, stavanzer said: Well, it looks like Revell took care of us after all, 4 Different build options. Now let's hear the gripe about there being only one Lic Plate... Hmmm, that is a nice set of stripes. Now, I’ll just have to wait and see which one the Aussie hobby shops get in, the US version with stripes, or the Euro release without. Or, I might get some Jays resin wheels and build it as a cool custom with no stripes. 😁 1
stavanzer Posted January 12 Posted January 12 17 minutes ago, STU111 said: Hmmm, that is a nice set of stripes. Now, I’ll just have to wait and see which one the Aussie hobby shops get in, the US version with stripes, or the Euro release without. Or, I might get some Jays resin wheels and build it as a cool custom with no stripes. 😁 There will be a few eBay sellers who will be parting the kit out. You should be able to purchase just the decals about 30 days after the kit hits the shelves in the USA/
STU111 Posted January 12 Posted January 12 4 hours ago, stavanzer said: There will be a few eBay sellers who will be parting the kit out. You should be able to purchase just the decals about 30 days after the kit hits the shelves in the USA/ Thanks for the heads up Alan. I’ve never watched Stranger Things, so not interested in building it as “Billy’s Camaro “ so a stock Z28 or a custom, lowered, big wheels is where I’m going with this, haven’t decided. Honestly, just happy to have a good kit of a late 70’s Camaro. 👍🏻 1
Luc Janssens Posted January 12 Author Posted January 12 On 1/9/2025 at 2:00 PM, Robberbaron said: OK everyone, before you get too excited, let's actually look at Revell's handiwork on that new "hardtop" roof: How do you like that "flat as a board" side window profile compared to the real car? I'm taking a hard pass on this one. Most likely a compromise to keep the T-top version available. Cuz otherwise IMHO that is, they would've had to work on the core of the tool, the area wich forms the "headliner" part of the body, which mean retooling the clear T-top clear panels too if they want to release this version again in the future. Bottom line is, it's 45 year old tooling.
BKF Posted January 12 Posted January 12 I'll be getting one. I take it that this is not from the same mold as the latest release of the '81 z28 t-top version. I'm not similar of all the different versions. I'm working on the '81 now.
disconovaman Posted January 12 Posted January 12 Well, the unbox/build cleared up all the mystery. Revell altered the original body, so gone is the T-top mold for sure, but a flat hood and all the extra parts is a good thing. The decal sheet is nice too. An idea I had was to alter the molds with the existing T-tops, then mold the hard top body with T-top molds, giving the builder the option to sand off the molds, maybe offer "tinted" black T-top decals to keep the T-top option alive. Yes, the glass was removable, but it would've been another option. No complaints here either way, just an idea I thought about when they announced the new kit design. The T-top option was so popular during that era, so it makes sense why the car was originally made that way. I like the boxart too and I watched the TV series... very inspiring for a kid who grew up in the 70's 80's.
CabDriver Posted January 13 Posted January 13 On 1/11/2025 at 7:51 PM, stavanzer said: Well, it looks like Revell took care of us after all, 4 Different build options. Now let's hear the gripe about there being only one Lic Plate... Only one license plate? For a state I don’t live in? Pfffttt, I’m out 😂 2
slusher Posted January 13 Posted January 13 You can make any stat yo want wit Acme License plate maker!
niteowl7710 Posted January 13 Posted January 13 15 hours ago, disconovaman said: Well, the unbox/build cleared up all the mystery. Revell altered the original body, so gone is the T-top mold for sure, but a flat hood and all the extra parts is a good thing. As others have pointed out there's still the T-Top headliner, which when you think about the tooling is the top of the bottom if you will. That stuff is engraved on the top part of the core (aka bottom) of the mold. So the plastic flows between it and the top part of the mold that has the outside sheet metal part. They very likely just created a new top flat metal inset that gets "tacked" into place to run the tool this way, which is why the door opening isn't quite the right shape. These era of Monogram tool is a large one piece (well two, top and bottom) mold that injects as a whole all at once. That's why the flat hood is just dangling off to the side of existing parts, and why all the other 3n1 parts are still there. It would be a huge pain in the rear to have to weld everything off and then cut the welds out to run it "normally" again. 4
stavanzer Posted January 13 Posted January 13 2 hours ago, niteowl7710 said: As others have pointed out there's still the T-Top headliner, which when you think about the tooling is the top of the bottom if you will. That stuff is engraved on the top part of the core (aka bottom) of the mold. So the plastic flows between it and the top part of the mold that has the outside sheet metal part. They very likely just created a new top flat metal inset that gets "tacked" into place to run the tool this way, which is why the door opening isn't quite the right shape. These era of Monogram tool is a large one piece (well two, top and bottom) mold that injects as a whole all at once. That's why the flat hood is just dangling off to the side of existing parts, and why all the other 3n1 parts are still there. It would be a huge pain in the rear to have to weld everything off and then cut the welds out to run it "normally" again. Revell, was trying to make a Quik Buk by using an already tooled kit. And that is completely Fair. Modify an existing tool, and make more money? Great! The intended market for this kit, will not know or care about the flat roof/window niggles that bother some on the internet. Like Round2 Coca Cola kits, the Fringe, is not who this kit is for. Will we buy them? Of Course! I need a new Camaro, and this is a good one. The lack of chrome does not worry me, and I can make a blown Street Warrior with this kit, with just whats in the box. I suspect most of these that actually get built, will be the box art car.
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now