Tamiya Toyota Celica 2000GTR (ST162)

[galaxyg]

Background:

The 4th generation (ST162) Celica would be my preference of all the Celicas. Elegant and understated and very Japanese - just like the Supra A70 I've recently built. The kit is very much like the Supra A70 from Tamiya and I bought and built them both at the same time.

 

Pros:

Nice proportions, easy to assemble. Headlights open. Comes with two dashboards in case you want to put the steering on the wrong side - I'll leave the reader to decide which side is "wrong". Box doesn't take up much room in a stash.

 

Cons:

It's a very simple kit with metal axles front and rear - so no steering. No brake discs/calipers are supplied with the kit either as they'd be entirely hidden by the stock wheels. Curbside so no engine either. The pop-up headlights don't like staying up - in fact they're worse than the aforementioned Supra kit for staying awake, more trouble than they're worth. The interior door cards lack depth and detail. The seats have no backs and have to be filled. No pedals. Also there's a lot of masking to be done - so many semi-gloss black parts on the main body that are not moulded separately.

 

Verdict:

A good kit for beginners. It's an easy kit to build with an easily achievable good result but I can't help but wonder if Hasegawa will release a kit of this car given their current form, which coming 30+ years later, would be better.

 

Build notes:

Built over the course of 7 weeks in August/September 2021. Other kits have been started (and in one case completed) whilst I was debating whether or not to strip the Audi Cosmos Blue (I didn't). I've changed the wheels (Fujimi wheels from their NSX-R kit), added brakes from a Toyota Crown kit, textured the parcel shelf, Aside from that it is as-supplied. Painted in Audi Cosmos blue from Halfords - a colour I'm still not 100% sure I like. Something paler would have contrasted better with all the black parts. Clearcoated with Mr Hobby Gloss. This is my 100th build. The 101st will be something more special - the McLaren Senna.

 

 

 

[Toftdale]

Great result,  happy 100th. Have you received your telegram from the Queen yet?😅🤣

[Windy37]

Looks good.  The dark body sets off the white wheels  . Reminds of an unbranded  rally recce car for some reason ....

  Gary . 

[keefr22]

That's turned out really well - and I like the colour!

 

Keith

[Vesa Jussila]

Looks really nice. Good job!

[Spiny]

Got to agree with the others that this is one which will look good on the shelf. Always good to see an unusual subject too, even more so when it's a car from my young days.

[FunkyChiken]

I like these Celicas too, in fact, probably the only Toyota I like... Great build! 

[nearsightedjohn]

Nice finish! I didn’t realize any Tamiya auto kits came with metal axels (very AMT early 60’s!). Car looks good in dark blue and I think the rear end styling and proportions really sets this car off as one of Toyota’s best. I remember lusting after the early 90’s Ford Probe GT’s and Mazda MX-6 coupes back then as well for their beautiful lines and proportions.

 

One advantage to building these more contemporary de-chromed auto classics - no foil necessary!!!! Your build has inspired me to look for a similar vintage Japanese subject kit. A first or second gen. MR2 would be sweet!

Edited September 27, 2021 by nearsightedjohn
Spelling

[nearsightedjohn]

Oops! Just realized that bare metal foil would be replaced with tedious masking and painting of the all that black window trim….exchanging one challenge for another….  never mind…. 

[galaxyg]

16 hours ago, nearsightedjohn said:

Your build has inspired me to look for a similar vintage Japanese subject kit. A first or second gen. MR2 would be sweet!

 

Hasegawa are going to release a 1st gen MR2 soonish, and for certain it's going to be better than the existing Fujimi one.  Fujimi also have a second gen MR2 which is actually pretty good.