This is a review of the Revell 1979 Chevrolet Camaro #2165

I remember when this kit was a cheap-o sold at Michael’s and Hobby Lobby. I remember saying, “I’ll get one soon”. I didn’t. Now, to get one, there is a very steep price to pay. They are rare and expensive WHEN you can find them, and I’ve seen a drastic dwindling of numbers over the past couple of years.

None of the above kits are any more prevalent but they are all, for the most part, great. The two black ones are… unfortunately black – very tough to paint over top of the shiny black plastic, but the kits themselves are great. All these kits are 3’n1 kits except possibly the top, right one (I’ve not opened one to know).

CAR BACKGROUND :: “Hugging the road” is about all these cars were worth. With a measly 175hp, 350ci under-hood, this was more of a gorgeous cruiser than anything of a dragstrip killer. I can’t image someone who owns one of these in mint condition would really care about the tepid performance, but with everyday 4-door saloons running 13sec quarter mile times, it is tough to look sporty in a 16sec car.

I have always been a fan of this car since my track & field friend from high school had one. His was modified and had giant tires in the rear, but I wasn’t looking for a perfect re-creation. I like the Diamond Dust from Testors as it makes a nice smooth coat. I did decide to switch out the rims from the kit to something a bit cooler looking. This is another kit I’d like to eventually re-do as well, but I’ll wait for a reissue rather than pay $60.

I generally like the 70s interiors and this one is no exception. I went with the typical grey interior and I think I’m glad I didn’t go with black. I also don’t think I had to add anything to it. My friend’s also had gaudy, red-flame seat cushions… umm… no.

I certainly have nothing against Chevy 350ci engines. They typically look good, sound better, and drive pretty smooth. Problem with this one is strength. As I said earlier, this is a fail, but it was the same fail as most cars of the late 70s. The Revell engine bay is rather nice though. There is an ample radiator; great secondary detail, a good sized brake boost, and it is clean. I would think that it could be “spiced” up a bit with a big chrome air-cleaner and some wires, but I wanted bone-stock. I can’t say that I didn’t want to shove a 454 underneath, and had the model been cheaper, it would have been there.

Here is a very clean, well designed undercarriage. The mufflers are a bit small and the exhaust tips are weak, but the rest is sharp. The engine mates to the exhaust easily, and the detail is really good too. I added some nice “ends” to the exhaust, but it really didn’t need help.

Well, I can say without hesitation that this is a MUST HAVE. The decals can be a problem with open/older kits; the hood fit is meh; and the overall fit is on the loose side – but these are small issues that take little away from a good kit. These are also a great investment. They are running in the $40s and $50s currently and I’d wager that they’ll be in the hundreds within a few years. However, I care little for the $300 investment potential… build the damn thing!

9.25 – Excellent