Revell Brian’s ’95 Mitsubishi Eclipse (07691) Fast & Furious 1:25 Revell

[Julien]

Brian’s ’95 Mitsubishi Eclipse (07691)

Fast & Furious

1:25 Revell

 

 

There’s a little-known petrol-head friendly film franchise called The Fast & The Furious that started out with Vin Diesel and the late lamented Paul Walker in a film by the name of “The Fast and the Furious” that now extends to nine films with a two-parter as 10th and 11th of the saga, plus a spin-off movie with two more planned, one with the ladies in charge, and one for the men.  I lost touch with it after number 2, as it I felt it was getting a little extreme in terms of what a car can do on the open road without CGI and wires helping out.

 

The Eclipse is a sport compact car produced in 4 generations between 1989 and 2011. According to Mitsubishi the car was named after an unbeaten 18th-century English racehorse that had won 26 races? The 95 would be a second generation car developed in 1994. The 1995 Mitsubishi Eclipse is a customized sports car manufactured by Diamond-Star Motors and Mitsubishi Motors. The Eclipse is driven by Brian O'Conner and plays a minor role in the film. This car has a 420a 16-valve dual overhead cam 2-Liter 4-cylinder engine rated at 165hp before turbo with a full Robo Car Aero Armor Eclipse Body Kit, custom made carbon fiber front splitter, a custom GT style roof scoop, a APR two level GT2 style wing, carbon fiber mirrors, 1997 spec Eclipse headlights, and green neon lighting, alongside SE7EN 18-inch wheels by Axis Sport Tuning Inc. in 225/40ZR18 Toyo Tires. (Details from The Fast and the Furious: The Official Car Guide written by Eddie Paul).

 

 

The Kit

This is a rebox of an original kit from 1990 with new decals for the film.  It arrives in the usual end-opening box; two things strike you on opening it, you need sun glasses for the bright green plastic; and Revell have used a total of 9 plastic bags here, not very green for a bright green kit! As well three bodyshell part there are, two chromed sprues, two clear sprues, three green sprues, four white, four soft black tyres, a screw, and two metal axles. It also features  a colour instruction booklet with colour profiles on the rear pages.  Time has been very kind to the sprues, and there is plenty of detail moulded-in.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Construction begins with the engine, which is well-detailed and includes the transmission.  The pulleys are installed on the front of the engine with paint and/or decals to add a little detail.  To the inner floor pan pair of front seats are made up these are racing seats with the belts as decals.  These are installed on the floor pan, which has the centre console with gear stick added. A fire extinguisher and a representation of large speakers is installed in the rear of the interior. The dash mount,  and inside panels then fix to the floor pan. To lower, or outer floor pan at the front a sub frame containing the front axle and steering is made up and added to the floor pan. The engine and radiator with twin cooling fans then gets installed on the top side at the front. The inner an outer floor pans can then be assembled, with the single screw holding them together at the front. Various detail parts are then added to the engine to complete tis stage. 

 

The main bodyshell has glazing added. The dahs has the steering wheel and boost gauge added before it goes into the body shell. The bonet can then be care fully fitted in if the modeller wishes for it to open as planed to show off the engine. The floor pan and the bodyshell can now be joined.  Under the bonnet a cross brace to stiffen the suspension is added. The front bumper and head lights go one, followed by the rear bumper and rear lights.  Underneath the car the rear suspension parts go in along with the drive shaft which is followed by the exhaust.  Additional detail parts of the rear spoiler, roof vent, and mirrors then go on. She’s not going to go very far without wheels, so the kit includes two pairs of chromed hubs that slip inside the tyres, and are fixed to styrene hubs. Metal axles go through the frame and the hubs fit on by friction  

 

Markings

You can paint the model any colour you like as long as it’s Green! (thats if you want to paint it) That’s if you want to be true to the movie car anyway.  

 

 

Decals are printed in Italy which is a guarantee of good registration, sharpness and colour density, with a thin gloss carrier film cut close to the printed areas.  There are a lot of seatbelt decals, stencils, stickers and the carbon fibre for the bonnet. 

 

Conclusion

A nicely timed reboxing of a decent kit that builds up into a good replica of the smoke & mirrors of a Hollywood cash-cow franchise. Recommended.

 

Currently, Revell are unable to ship to the UK from their online shop due to recent changes in import regulations, but there are many shops stocking their products where you can pick up the kits either in the flesh or online.

 

 

Revell model kits are available from all good toy and model retailers. For further information visit

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