C1 Models 964 Pandora One

[willimo]

I have been chomping at the bit to finally get this kit in the mail. And today, just as Frank guessed, it showed up at my door.

The box it comes in is artful. I think when I finally get it all together, I will display the model on top of the box.



Inside the model is well packed. I removed all the packing material for this picture, but it all made it across the ocean intact and I was really glad for that.



Lots of cool parts! Getting excited!





The instructions are full, and I mea full color, and gorgeous. My kit with came with cool reference pictures, and I think that was a perk of the first run. I am really impressed with the green material intended for the seatbelts. It's probably the most convincing seatbelt material I've come across. Glad there is plenty.

The resin is nicely molded. The body has few if any bubbles or pinholes. I say that because I didn't really see any, though it is possible that when I finally get it in primer, I will. The panel lines will need a little help, they are deep and sharp but inconsistent in places. I feel like with paint that may be an issue. There is some flash, but as you would expect from a resin kit. A little more clean up than an injection molded plastic body, but really not that much and not more than I expected. I do more modification on most builds than I will do clean up on this one; by a wide margin.





The one bad spit I did find was on the front bumper. You can almost see it in this picture, between the signal lamp and the fender flare - there is a bubble in the resin that comes close to and I think distorts the body. I will have to fill it with epoxy putty and smooth it all out. Not really a big deal.



The underside has a couple clean up spots - the big spot in the middle of the roof will have to go, and there is quite a bit of extra material in the headlight tunnels (whatever you may call them) that interferes with the Tamiya chassis when it comes time to fit them together. Not a big deal here, either.



The photo etch is marvelous! For anyone who has bought Chris' stuff in the past, where his PE was thick and a bit hard to work with, this is fine and will be easy to work with. A little too fine, maybe, the stencil for the intercooler came a bit damaged but I will be able to place it easily. And if not, there is a decal for the same purpose anyway. The PE gussets are a great touch!



My only quibble by design is that the license plates are part of the beautiful instructions. I would hate to cut the instructions just for a plate. I will most likely take them down to Kinko's and have them make a duplicate for me, I hope their copy will be as well printed. The PE plate frame is a nicer touch.



There there are the wheels... arguably the most important part of the whole kit! They are gorgeously prototyped and perfectly cast. I am really, really disappointed that the 1:1 car has flat black wheels. It will hide all the beautiful detail. This makes me really want to build the kt as my own version of the RWB 964, instead of the Pandora One, so I can paint the wheels a different color. But... that green is so iconic for both RWB and the tuning community in general, how can I change that? The tires are great, I have been waiting for Azenis for years, and though they will not fit any Hondas (cry cry), Azenis in any size make me jump for joy. As with any resin kits, I wish the tires were resin and cast with the wheels instead of rubber, but I'm weird and not complaining. They are well made and beautiful. The second set of wheels are just as nice, and will definitely find their way onto something one day.



Are there any modelers that can resist doing this as soon as they have a new kit in their hands?



I had to remove some resin from the front of the car under the hood to clear the Tamiya chassis, but otherwise it fit perfectly. The engine is going to be in two halves, and not open from top to bottom. I am trying to figure out what I am going to do about that, if anything.





My parting thoughts? Super excited, really happy with it, and damn, I will need a lot of Hobby Design rivets!

[indecentkikogt]

Looks like a really solid kit

[circuitR]

Looks awesome, didn't know this kit existed. I look forward to its progress.

[stump]

Thanks for the great revue mate. It sure looks the goods from my chair.

Does Chris have a website these days?
I do recall someone mentioning he was on facebook, but that's not always a viable option for me.....too much crap on there.

[rallymaster]

Nice review, thanks.
I recieved mine too, a few days agos and started to check the model in détails yesterday.
My model has less flash than yours but has a few minor bubbles.
I like the rims, what an original design.
Even if I'm not fan of the GT2 rear wing I think I will use this option and build the green one of the pics.
(that an absolutely great addition to the box)

[joka-1]

I received mine last week, and I agree, it's a work of art!
Together with the 993 they will look great in a diorama.

Thanks again C1 models for this ( second )masterpiece.

[MidMazar]

Awesome......thanks for sharing. This requires a tamiya gt2?

[rallymaster]

Originally Posted by MidMazar

Awesome......thanks for sharing. This requires a tamiya gt2?

yes it does.


I hope C1 will now release the 997 based RWB model

I would also love to see some RUF models like those from playstation3 GT5 game.
there is so much to do with Porsche !!

[lovegt40]

Chris has a special packaging incredibly cool. It is a small detail imho very very important. Too cool really.

RWB last cars are really too nice. they also started to tuning the older 911's

[da_ashman]

Great Review!!! Looks like an amazing kit, Chris sure is doing things right!!
I just recevied my 3 sets of Wheels & man I love those Rotiform Wheels!

[gomezan94]

I guess it's the original condition.

[MidMazar]

Originally Posted by stump

Does Chris have a website these days?
I do recall someone mentioning he was on facebook, but that's not always a viable option for me.....too much crap on there.

No he does not only this facebook page.....https://www.facebook.com/C1Models
Also sells through ebay under his new name c1models

[stump]

Originally Posted by MidMazar

No he does not only this facebook page.....https://www.facebook.com/C1Models
Also sells through ebay under his new name c1models

Thank you good Sir.
I shall keep an eye on ebay....really think I could do with one of these in my shed.

[Lownslow]

anyone have a box of the tamiya kit so i know what to look for?

[lovegt40]

[quote=willimo;7054746]
Are there any modelers that can resist doing this as soon as they have a new kit in their hands?



...[quote]

...no, u right. It is impossible to resist really..