Good news everyone. I spoke with GMP Peachstate regarding 1/18 scale diecast 3rd gens. They are very interested in the opportunity to build 82-84, 85-90, and 91-92 Camaros and similar year Firebirds. The person I spoke with said that nobody has even thought to create a mold for these cars and he has no idea why. GMP has made some very high end models with excellent detail and accuracy. They made the Grand National, GNX, 94-96 Impala SS, Street Fighter series, 86 Mustang GT, etc.

They told me to keep an eye on their site for updates as they believe that they can make this happen. No guarantees yet, but let's keep watching and see if they'll create something. I'll stay in touch with them and update the site as needed.

I also spoke with Sun Star since they already have the mold for the 82 Z28. They said that they had no plans on improving that mold to include other Camaro models, but they would look into the possibility

 

Scott, that's very good news. I know that I and several other T/A and GTA owners have pitched to various diecast companies and got no response whatsoever in the past. These new Greenlight cars coming to market now are the first examples that a lot of begging, pleading, and negotiating have produced.... and it took the '89 TTA and its collector potential to even get that project off the ground.

GMP makes top-notch stuff.... but their price point will no doubt be a bit unsettling for some, myself included. Plunking down $75-$100 for a diecast just isn't do-able for me; these Greenlight cars at around $50 each are going to be stretching it. Still, I know for a lot of folks price won't really be an issue. The limited number available and GMP's reputation for quality will bring in the buyers.

I personally had no problems whatsoever with the SunStar '82 Camaro Indy Pace Car replica; I thought it was wonderful for the money.

But it will be interesting to see how this plays out in the future. Thanks for the info.

 

It's funny how there are really no ThirdGens in model form, except for some 1/24th plastic kits. Every time I got to a store and see tons of die casts in 1/18 I see that everything in the world is made. Some of the cars are really strange to see too. I think that I once saw a 94 or so Grand Am in 1/18! WTF who the hell is going to spend money on a Grand Am? 1st,2nd and 4th Gens all around but not a single 3rd Gen! Who dropped the ball there?
It's good to see these kits coming out and with nice detail too, I would love to see a 91-92 TA as I am sure many other people would.
Here's hoping...

 

That's FREEKIN' AWESOME!!!!!

 

Frankie, I read on another thread that the rear taillights are actully stickers on the Greenlight GTA. If they can ask $50 for that kind of quality, plus the incorrect interior, I'd gladly pay a little more for an accurate model of a much higher quality.

 

Scott, I haven't read that comment and my own model hasn't arrived, but I'll sure be looking it over good. If that's the case, it's somewhat disappointing and you may well have a valid point. I'll definitely report when mine arrives.

 

GMP makes really nice stuff. I hope you can drive home the fact that we'd like FACTORY CORRECT models year for year. The SunStar models were nice but had inaccuracies. We need some nice IROC-Z models especially.

 

At least one with the 350, ttops and grey interior and dark red metallic exterior!!

 

That's what I don't like about the Greenlight GTAs.

Like....It uses the split rear seats from TTAs...and I think the Notchbacks had them.

 

I have about 70 1:18 scale cars. One from each generation of Camaro included. The only third gen made in 1:18 to my knowledge is the 82 Z28 in different colors and a pace car I think. I would love a 91-92 Z28 or a Collectors edition 92 would be great.

 

I hope they make an 82

 

I can remember seeing an IROC in 1/8 scale. It's been at least 10 years and I believe it was by Monogram.

Just found a 1/8 scale 82 on eBay.

http://cgi.ebay.com/1982-Camaro-Z%2F...08311625r13747

Larry

 

I've been dying for a 1/24th or bigger model of the 1984 Trans Am with the Aero Package ground effects (or 83 daytona pace car). To my knowledge, they just don't exist right now! I would buy 2 to work on, one would depict my car "Before" in stock form and the other "After" with the new paint, wheels, engine and interior. Much like with my actual car, I'd be buying several parts donor models to make my "after" version :-)

 

I contacted GMP about three years ago and they never did a 3rd gen because GM changed the cars every year it seemed and they were not sure what year to do. I baiscally got the "Were not interested"

Actually if they were clever they could make almost EVERY model, Here is what I would consider if I were to do it...
Camaro
Chasis:
- T-top
- Hard Top
- Convertible
Hood
- 82-84 Z28
- 85-90 IROC/Z28
- 91-92 Z28
- 82-92 Flat
Ground effects & Front/Rear Facias seperate:
- 82-84
- 85-90
- 91-92
Spoilers
- 82-92
- High Rise 91-92 Z28
Interiors:
- 1982-1989
- 1990-1992
Motors:
- CFI
- TPI

-------------------
Firebird
Chasis:
- T-top
- Hard Top
- Convertible
Hoods:
- 82-84 T/A, 87-92 Formula
- Base Flat Hood
- 85-92 TA/GTA
Ground effects & Front/Rear Facias seperate:
- 82-84
- 85-90
- 91-92
Spoilers
- 82-92 Wing
- 85-90 Aero
- 91-92 Aero
Interiors:
- 1982-1984
- 1985-1992
Motors:
- CFI
- TPI


If they did it right they could in theory make all of the models for almost every year... Most of the changes were so minor that I would consider doing it this way.

I have seen Ads where GMP likes making cars that are super rare... I almost called their bluff and told them about the 1989 Formula 350 Verts...

John

 

okfoz, do any diecast car manufacturers have separate pieces for ground effects? That seems to be the only part of your list that would be difficult to do, particularly the lower door piece

 

Personally I cannot think of any Diecast kits like that. However I knwo most model kits are made that way and I would not see why it would be a stretch...

Unfortunately I really do not know how they prefer to make them, but they make sepearte Chrome Bumpers all the time...

John

 

John, you need to improve on the engine options for Camaro. I would hate to se a flat hood RS with a TPI. They need to make the LO3 or L69.

I sent an email to them with the different models they could make from a single mold. The hoods can be swapped between the 85-90 Z28, IROC-Z, Sport Coupe ('88) and RS. That mold could also make the R7U Players Edition and the California IROC. The 91-92 mold only needs minor changes and they can sell RS B4C's with the TPI, Heritage Editions, Z28s, ILEs, RSs, etc. I presented them with enough options to make it worth their while in making the mold.

Sunstar built the mold for 82-84, built 3 colors, 1 Pace Car and a few police editions. By far, not the best use of that mold.

 

That would be a B4C, Police Package.

Buddy of mine shaved the spotlights off his, put on a 91/92 Z28, swapped the RS spoiler for the Z wing....

 

Only if it's advertised and sold as a B4C. If they just call it an RS, it would be blatantly incorrect. Kind of like having a GTA model with the intercooler airdam and TTA rear seats and incorrect exhaust tips, etc. That would definately hurt the quality of a GMP model.

 

I spoke with GMP this past week and their reply to my request on a '90 IROC is below. I have tried "googling" GREENROCK but came up with zilch. Anyone?

[FONT='Calibri','sans-serif']"We don't have anything at this time close to the 1990 Camaro. But I just talked with one of our production people and he said they disucssed something concerning the IROC Camaro this morning in a meeting. There is a firm by the name of GREENROCK that is making the IROC. You can google and see if you can come up with the full name of the firm associated with this car."[/font]
[FONT='Calibri','sans-serif'] [/font]
Regards,
Alice Chapman
Customer Service

 

I wasn't referring to a model, but as to how a TPI RS could have a flat hood.

 

I Hope for a 87 formula in white

 

The Z28 was the only car to come with the Blister Hood for the 3rd Gen... It had nothing to do with the Engine... Just like the LO3 was available on the IROC in 1989, did not mean that the RS automatically got the IROC hood because it had an LO3...

The RS was a Body appearance package... Interestingly after 1988 all camaros were either an RS or a Z28 (or IROC-Z)

John
----------
I can hope and Hope, but I think in the end only the GTA, possibly the Trans Am and more likely than the Formula the base Firebird would get its own 1/18 scale kit... The Formula (basically a GTO of the day) is the bastard stepchild of the GTA & Trans Am to so many people...

John

 

However, when looking at the models built by GMP, they are always the performance end of the spectrum, not the base. I spoke with them again on Friday and was informed that they are considering this but have not committed to anything yet. I will be notified once the decision is made and plans are set.

 

holy crap i want an 84 z28 hardtop! im keepin an eye out

 

Actually when I think GMP they tend to lean toward Performacne and RARE models... IE Yenko Camaros, the 1969 427 ZL1? Aluminum Blcok type of Camaro, or the GNX... What I find is they do tend to use their molds for many different models... For example they have made a small fortune on recycling the Turbo Buick GNX, Gran Nationals from 1982, 1984 - 1987 (1988)...

John