Well, I'm a little late to the party (had to get something done and off the bench before starting this
) but I'm here now.Lots of Firsts for me, first ever GB, first ever car kit (Gulp!), first ever non-scale colour scheme.... So be nice!
OK, here we go, here's the car kit, a 1979 Chevrolet Z/28 Camaro
And here's the plane that is going to inspire the colour scheme, a P47 Thunderbolt
So, combining a Z/28 Camaro and a P47 Thunderbolt will hopefully result in a Chevrolet Z/47 Thundermaro
A word or two about the car:
The kit box says it's a '78, but upon opening the box it quickly becomes obvious it's a '79, the 'square' style dashboard (instead of wrap-around) was new for '79 and is featured in the kit, plus the front fender flares were also introduced in '79.
This car is significant to me because I had a real one for many years which I tuned up to the hilt, it became a right piece of work, one of those 'Never take it out in the rain' cars (you'd probably end up in a hedge the moment you squeezed the gas pedal!), I was even running some 'Sniff' on it for a while (Nitrous Oxide) for that extra punch when needed. Well you gotta show Porker drivers who's boss ain't ya!
The Second Generation Camaro had a very long production run (for Detroit) being constantly developed from mid-'70 right through to '81. Some things were engineering and interior improvements, some were modifications to meet increasingly strict Government regulations imposed on the American auto industry at the time, such as ever tightening emission laws, the introduction of catalytic converters and unleaded gas, and the requirement for more impact resistant 5 mph bumpers. '78 saw the introduction of the new polyurethane elastic bumper covers which integrated into the nose and tail bodywork for a 'one piece' cohesive look, but still retaining (engineered underneath them) the ability to bounce off any impact up to 5 mph. An idea hastily copied by Porsche for their American-friendly V8 GT car, the 928.
I adored my Camaro car and some kind hearted friend bought me a kit of one (this kit) many years ago assuming that if I had a real one I'd naturally like to have a model of it. Understandable and very nice, but I really only build planes so it sat in the stash for years and years.
But this GB now gives me a chance to do something with it!
I have never built a car kit before, ever, so I had no idea what to expect, but upon opening the box I was really impressed. These car kits are fantastic, I now understand why you car builders do it.
In real life I probably know every inch of these Second Generation Camaros and have probably, at some time or another, undone every screw, nut and grommet on these babies, I probably have more intimate knowledge of 2nd Gen Camaros that any other car in the world, and I have to say Monogram have captured every detail very impressively. Engine components, suspension, interior etc. are all highly detailed, textured and really accurate. This is impressive stuff! Some of the parts breakdown even echoes how the real ones were slung together, it's brilliant! Even the glazing is tinted, and the chrome plated wheels are gorgeous!
I won't do a sprue shot because there are so many parts, so I'll offer a box contents shot instead.
Fortunately the kit offers the option to build the car in stock form rather than the rather tasteless and dated 'Customised' version on the front of the box, this can be seen top left of this photo on the side of the box and as you can see, it looks absolutely tons better in Stock form, it was such a handsome and good looking car straight off the showroom floor.
So we're off! More later guys.
Zee
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