BY BILL ENGAR

Atlantis Models has re-released another classic kit that has not been easy to find for decades.  Monogram Models tooled up their brand-new 1982 Camaro model kit when the new, third generation of the Camaro debuted.  Monogram was known for fine details and accuracy with their car models, and in 1/32 scale, they took no compromises, offering features found in nice 1/25 kits such as a detailed engine and separate suspension and exhaust parts.

​​By the late 1970’s, the Chevy Camaro needed an update.   Government-mandated emissions controls and fuel economy requirements choked engine horsepower and technology was needed to revitalize the car.  Structures were lightened and extensive wind tunnel testing, new at the time, refined a shape that would help fuel economy.  Decorative Tabs and spoilers that festooned the previous cars had to become functional or at least minimized to avoid extra weight or drag.  A wedge-shaped razor blade of a car emerged that took the marque into the 1990’s.  Was it successful?  Over 1.5 million buyers seemed to think so during eleven model-years.

Box art shows a photo of a real car.  All-new decals include blue and gray stripes that will look great with any shade of blue paint, or the bare plastic!

Atlantis’ 1982 Camaro is one of the superstars of 1/32 car kits.  It’s an accurate portrayal of a 1980’s classic with many details that some 1/25 scale kits don’t even have.

Here's what will greet you as you first open the box.  Sorry, we can't bring you that new model kit smell.  You'll just have to buy your own kit to get that.  It's fabulous.  Atlantis Models is attentive to things like protecting the parts in the box.  Note that the chrome parts and clear parts are in their own bag.

The kit has 47 parts.  Glue will be needed for assembly.  Construction is not too complex; a beginner could probably build this model with no problems.  Perhaps it might be helpful to have a 1/25 snap-kit or two under one’s belt before trying this one as parts will be a little smaller in 1/32 and glue will be needed.

Frankly, we were amazed with the level of detail in this kit.  We included an inch-ruler to prove that this is a 1/32-scale kit, not 1/25.  Separate exhaust system and front and rear suspension parts are included.  On many 1/25 scale kits, these components are molded into the chassis!  Not here!  You may be tempted to display your model upside down to show off all that realistic detail, but we'd recommend against it.  There's some cool detail on the topside--stay tuned!

There were a couple really funny, but minor quirks I noted with the kit.  First off, there is no passenger wing-mirror.  Only a rearview mirror for the driver’s side is included.  Your kit does not have a missing mirror.  It was never engineered with a mirror on the passenger side.  Don’t ask Atlantis for a missing part – it was never made in the original kit!

Here's an original Monogram Models catalog shot that comfirms that this model originally came with only one wing-mirror--We're not insane!  Don't email Atlantis with a request for a missing part.  It's not missing.  It was never there to begin with!

This is no big deal.  Many model car kits in 1/25 scale didn’t include any wing mirrors at all and if having only one on your model bothers you, simply leave it off.  While I’m not aware that the 1982 Camaro was offered without two mirrors standard, perhaps Monogram intended the model to be a racer-version.  If your model has to have two mirrors, it shouldn’t be too hard to make a passenger mirror with sheet plastic—or bits of leftover sprue!

The other quirk is that the seat headrests don’t quite match in size.  I have no explanation for this other than perhaps the model is depicting a bare-bones optioned car with an adjustable headrest for driver only.  Again, one would think a Camaro with the Z-28 option would have adjustable headrests for both seats standard as well as two outside mirrors.  These quirks are hardly worth mentioning and shouldn’t deter anyone from wanting the model; we’d just thought we’d mention them as interesting characteristics of the original tooling.

This view shows the interior pan.  Those two angle-bits in the bottom-left corner are separate armrests!

The flipside of this sprue shows suspension and engine parts.

Check out the detailed fan/belt parts.  That single wing mirror--driver's side only--is at top right.

Here are a few construction hints.  The clear parts should be glued in with a cement that will not craze or fog the plastic.  We like Testors Clear Parts Cement and Window Maker.  The windshield on many 1980’s cars has a black outline that shows just inside the glass.  If you paint the inside edge of the windshield black, it will help hide any glue that might wander beyond the kit’s window frame.

The front clip captures the wedge-styling of the 3rd-Gen Camaro quite well.  Note the headlight reflectors!  Stay tuned for a little tip that will make these look super-realistic!

The high-back seat is for the passenger.  The other seat depicts an adjustable headrest.

The kit’s taillights are clear plastic.  Tamiya offers clear acrylic red and amber paints that will make the taillights look very realistic.  Be sure and use your Testors clear window cement to glue those on.

Windshield parts are two separate pieces.  You don't have those fake-looking attachment strips between front and rear glass.  It's just like an overpriced Tamiya car kit!

Decals will look great with any blue scheme to recreate a factory car.  However, these will look great over red, too!

The headlight reflectors can be painted silver and the clear lenses glued in with the same clear parts cement.  Here’s a little hint to make them look realistic; prior to gluing the lenses in, scrape the edges of the mating surfaces a little to make them thinner, and then paint them silver.

This sprue has factory rims, a gear shifter and an accurate crossfire injection double-air cleaner--all in living chrome!

Tires are rubber--not hard plastic!  They're a famous name-brand!

Another noteworthy item in the kit is the wheels.  They depict the stock, machined 5-spoke 15X7 rims that came with the real car.  They’re chromed on the kit. They’ll look a little more like factory rims with a quick shot of clear flat lacquer.  Tires are rubber Goodyear Eagle GT’s.  Many of the Monogram SnapTite car models had a hard plastic wheel with the back open, but these are definitely a cut above that standard. 

How many 1/32-scale model cars have a separate hood?  Note all that under-hood detail as well!

Not very many 1/32-scale kits have an engine.  Most often, those that do will have the barest representation.  But the engine here rivals those found in 1/25 scale kits with a separate fan, belt/pulley assembly, and radiator.  There’s even a separate radiator hose!  The double-filter Crossfire air filter housing is correctly represented.  It’s chromed on the kit, which suggests customization since the actual unit was flat black.

Instructions are clear and comprehensive.  No less than five steps are needed to assemble the engine alone!

Quite a bit of under-hood detail is molded into the body such as brake booster, fluid reservoirs, heater housing, battery, fan shroud—even the vapor cannister (part of the emissions control system) is included!  All this stuff will look great with the separate hood removed.
 
Decals include blue stripes.  The 1982 Camaro had eleven paint options.  The model comes in a light blue metallic plastic that resembles the factory Light Blue Metallic option paint chip.  Other factory colors that will match the decals are Dark Blue Metallic and Light Jade Metallic.

This photo from Autoevolution.com shows a 1982 Camaro, Z28 option, in Dark Blue Metallic as depicted on the box of Atlantis Models' 1/32 Chevy Camaro.  The kit plastic is very close to the Light Blue Metallic factory color.

We’re happy that Atlantis has made this awesome model available.  We know of some amazing 1/32 subjects on the way and we’re excited about these future releases.  They’re great for younger modelers, those who want an easygoing build, slot car conversions, or those wishing for a more economical model that takes less shelf space.
 
DEM BRUDDERS, THE 2MODELER.COM GUYS, GIVE THIS KIT FOUR THUMBS UP AND A BIG THANK YOU TO ATLANTIS FOR PROVIDING THIS KIT FOR US TO PREVIEW AND ENJOY!

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