Info on Porsche 904 GTS?

Hi AF!
As you might know, I tend to like classic European cars, and recently noticed the Porsche Carrera 904.
Could I have your comments opinions and info on this recently released kit from Revell Germany?

I don't know if it's a re-boxed kit, because the only kit I know of of this car is the dated 904 from Monogram, from back in the 70ies.

Also, does anybody have this kit, or pics of the finished model?
I have seen the box, and must say wasn't very impressed from the "prototype-model-pics " on the box.

Anyway here are some pics.

Here's the revell AG modelhttp://www.revell.de/katalog/400/07357.JPG
this is a real car http://www.the904store.com/904_spread.jpg

Info on the kit very wanted.

And BTW, the porsche James Dean died in, which one was that, was it a 550 (I m not a porschist...)


Thanks on beforehand.
Olivier

Okay, there are two RADICALLY different 1/24th scale Porsche 904 toolings in Revell's possession. The first is an old Monogram slot car body with practically no detail to speak of and a stand in plastic tub chassis. It was reissued in the mid-90's as part of the Revell-Monogram SSP program.

The other kit, which hasn't been available since the 80's (at least here in the States) is an Aurora tool from the 60's that is very accurate and well detailed with full engine, suspension, opening bonnet, and working steering. It's REALLY FIDDLY, though.

As I'm not sure about Revell AG's lineup, I can't say for sure which one this is. Good Luck, though.

I think the most likely it is that they have made a new tooling.
Otherwise it's the 60's kit you spoke about, because the pics had engine detail and nice interiour.

I haven't got a clue also ?

Olivier

James Dean's was a 550 Spyder, IIRC.

I bought this kit today on an impulse and in a way I wish I had read some reviews beforehand..

The kit isn't completely awful, but it's no Tamiya. I can take some pics of the parts later.

It looks like the kit is a rerelease of Monogram kit, as the body has marking 'Copyright 1992 Monogram Models'. The body has some reasonably sharp detailing and does look nice, but the doorlines are wide and wavy and there are some heavy sink marks. Body and most of the other parts are molded in gray plastic, which is quite hard and shows details alright. However there are also some parts molded in silvergray plastic, which is softer and detailing of these parts is much poorer. It's almost like these parts were taken from a completely different kit. Headlights and brakelights are molded in chromed plastic, so atleast headlights need to be replaced with suitable lenses from partsbox for more realistic appearance. Engine looks a bit too simple, but I think it could be detailed to look nice or if that's not enough maybe it could be replaced with a engine from Fujimi's Enthusiast Porsches.

Tires are Monograms Michelin TRX:s which naturally are completely wrong for this car.

Decals look nice and provide markings for a Targa Florio 1964 (#86)and LeMans 1964 test car(#27).

Box says the kit is in scale 1:25.

I believe this kit can be made to a good replica of 904GTS with some extra work and detailing. It's not up to today's Japanese standards, but I think it's alright for a Revell kit.

-Mikko

Yep, it's the Aurora. ^_^ There's about six or seven Aurora kits floating around in the Revell-Monogram archives. The Aurora 1/25th scale sportscars are....

Jaguar XK-E coupe
Jaguar XK-E roadster
Maserati 3500GT
Ferrari 250GTO (originally tooled as a 250SWB Lusso, so it has the wrong wheelbase)
Ford GT40 MkI (called out on box lid as Ford GT)
Porsche 904GTS
Aston Martin DB-4
James Bond Aston Martin DB-5 with revolving license plate, retractable machine guns, and WORKING EJECTOR SEAT!!! :D

The DB-5 has never been reissued, though... and the 3500GT hasn't been reissued since the mid-80's.

Thanks a lot!

I think I m not up to the task as you are , Mikko, so I guess I will simply buy the VW Samba Bus (hasegawa re-release???) or a Heller 300 SL Gullwing or a Heller Aston Martin DB5!

And I do believe nobody makes the 550 Spyder? Damn, I love that car!

Olivier

The Revell AG kit is a reissue of the full detail Aurora tooling which dates back to when the car was new. It is no Tamiya, but is certainly buildable. Teapot Graphics made a resin 550 in the erly 90's. You won't find one, sorry.

AMT has a 904 old out of production kit that is fully detailed and builds up nice if you don't mind 1/25 scale. I have a Monogram 1/24 904 that was in their slot body series, no engine. LS made one too but the body shape isn't good. :)

Here are the part pics I promised.

Body parts and undersurface/body tub:
http://files.automotiveforums.com/uploads/578194904body.jpg

Chrome parts, clear parts, tires and some of the gray parts:
http://files.automotiveforums.com/uploads/215749904chrome.jpg

Rest of the gray parts:
http://files.automotiveforums.com/uploads/442188904gray.jpg

Silver parts:
http://files.automotiveforums.com/uploads/792341904silver.jpg

Decals:
http://files.automotiveforums.com/uploads/663351904decal.jpg

Bigfrit, maybe I was a bit harsh with my comments about the kit... It is not impossible to build and I think you could even built it to acceptable replica straight from the box if you paint the details carefully. I test fitted the body parts and they fit quite well, which is unfortunately not the case with all the Revell kits:(

-Mikko

Thanks for the pics, Mikko!

I do agree , with a bit of time and effort every kit can be made nice!
But on the other hand, I did think it was a 1/24 th kit... I m a bit picky on that bit, so no go !

But I m eagerly awaiting to see some progress on you 904 mikko !
As I have seen in the past you can make magic happen (The Lancia Rally from BMOY was yours , I think)

So, please keep us updated IF you build it !

Bye, Olivier

Hello Bigfrit,

here some pictures of the 904 I build a couple of years ago.
It's the one Ben Pon became famous with in the 1964 Le Mans race when he finished 8th overall. He drove the car for Racing Team Holland in that remarkeble ornage colour. Ben Pon is/was one of the most famous Dutch sportscar drivers.
When you take your time I know for sure the model will turn out oke, I succeed so you could too. I build it straight from the box (mostly) I only add some details to the engine. Oke it's not a Tamiya kit but the fitting is oke, I only had some trouble with getting the front window in place. The decals are from Ricambi.

http://files.automotiveforums.com/uploads/340101Mvc-006s.jpg
http://files.automotiveforums.com/uploads/370652Mvc-007s.jpg
http://files.automotiveforums.com/uploads/951324Mvc-008s.jpg
http://files.automotiveforums.com/uploads/243540Mvc-009s.jpg

Take care.

JP:)

Guys, are you sure the kit in question is in 1/25? www.revell.de says it's 1/24. :confused:

JP! That's a freakingly nice example of the built kit ! thanks for sharing.

Well, at first I thought it was 1/24th also , and in the stores I can say with 100% that on the box is written 1/25th. like Mikko said.

As the original was also the aurora 1/25th, it's likely they did an error on the site, Alex.

Olivier.

When it comes to classic sports car, so many people are dying to get the new tool, so if it's indeed new, it would have made a big fuss about it, just like the the all new 917 that Fujimi canceled. (damn)
It's a shame that Tamiya stopped picking up the classic subjects, too. The term to reach the break even is too long, they say. (Hey, I bought all of their classic sports cars, so it's not my fault!!!)