Trumpeter 1/25 Cars - Price a Bit High?

The pictures I've seen over at Hobby Heaven suggests it will be a kit longed talked of for parts count and accuracy. However, I'd have been happy with wire axles through the engine block so, that, and the fact that I just shed my Pontiac collection says I'll pass on it. I feel that that is too much for a plastic model car kit but I have paid that much for an OOP Lincoln kit because I 'wanted and needed' it. In the end it's "How badly do I want this car?"

Bill Banaszak, MFE

Revell may rarely go over $20, but have you looked at the Japanese kits lately? Tamiya, Fujimi, Aoshima, they all run $30 to $40. I bought an Aoshima Infiniti Q45 (Nissan Cima) kit today that was $34.95 but it came with 2 sets of clear parts (tinted & untinted), adjustable suspension (regular or lowered), a sheet of silver mylar for behind the light lenses, and a chrome tree and a satin finish tree so you can go the dual finish custom wheels. Throughout, the kit is just about perfect in its crispness and detail. IMO, they are worth it.

RLM

Sounds good. Is it a full detail kit or curbside? Does it have a LHD dash and appropriate w/s wipers?

Craig,

I don't know, and neither does anyone else, outside of Stevens International, or Trumpeter, at this point. However, I am told that the parts count of the new '60 Pontiac kits is in the range of 200 pcs, which by itself would account for a large part of the price (it costs X number of dollars to tool each and every piece in a model kit), plus the simple fact that even were these to be

50-pc. curbside kits, their "mass potential" would be somewhat limited anyway. The latter means that no matter who nice, or low the price, the cost of any tooling for this sort of subject probably would have to be spread over a smaller than ideal production run.

If these are as nice as what I'm told they will be (by a couple of guys who scoped out the test shots at the HobbyVisions Trade Show in Las Vegas last month, they will be very good. I want at least one, if for nothing else than the subject matter.

Art Anderson

Is this Aoshima Infinity Q45 the same as my Fujimi Infinity Q45 (#03332)? Sounds too nice to be so. Rob

I don't know, I've been looking for the Fujimi Q45 but hadn't been able to find it. I just happen to run across this Aoshima kit as I was browsing the Japanese car section at my fave hobby shop. I was actually hoping to find the Aoshima model of the Interceptor from Mad Max: The Road Warrior.

RLM

No, its a RHD dash w/wipers for that side. The detail is very, very fine, all the way down to the little GPS screen and controls (they even give a decal for the screen. The leather seats are molded with the appropriate wrinkles in the leather and the custom brakes have cross drill holes and slots molded in, too. It is curbside, the hood doesn't open but everything else is terrific.

At the same time, I picked up a Honda Accord station wagon that's all tricked out with 2 piece wheels, body kit and tinting, but no lowered suspension. Its by Aoshima also and has all the same features as the Q45/Cima kit, plus the tailgate opens.

RLM

You've piqued my curiousity so I went and dug out my Fujimi Q45. I only bought it because Toys R Us had it marked down to $2.90.

This kit has left and right hand steering, and an arm rest that has to be put on the proper side driver's seat. The wiper blade arms look to be repositionable since there is another set of holes in the windshield for them to be placed. But the instructions do not indicate this, but that could be an oversight.

Two different dashboard decals (right/left hand drive), and only one set of satin chrome wheels and tires. "Wrinkled" leather seats and all light parts are clear, not colored (red or amber).

No engine detail, the body is one piece, the front wheels are steerable. Back wheels go on a long metal axle. Looks to be a decent car kit overall. Rob Gronovius Visit my motor pool in the

gallery

Too bad. :(

Thanks for the response anyway.