Hasegawa 1/24 Corolla WRC - Monte Carlo 1998

[Spad]

Hello all - been away awhile, sorry for the absence
Well, it's been about 3 yrs since I finished anything but finally here's one for you.
This is the Hasegawa 1/24 Toyota Corolla WRC depicting it as run at the Monte Carlo rally in 1998. I chose to model the car as driven to victory by Carlos Sainz.
It is a lovely kit but I have to confess it fought me almost every inch of the way. Not sure why although the decals were an absolute pig! Disappointing as they are by Cratograf, but they were like cardboard totally refusing to conform and cracking at any attempt to make do so - that was until I remembered the hairdrier. This is an incredible technique - take a look at the colour trim around the rear bumper and front valance/splitter. All of that is decal!
Annoyingly the race number panels on the doors were very translucent and even with a layer of white decal under, I still couldn't fully mask the red/white edge.
The kit features an etch set plus seat belt material and lots of interior detail. Built entirely OOB except for the addition of some curly cables for the head sets hooked onto the interior mirror.
weirdly it comes with slicks - most un-rally-like!
It was a challenge, ultimately rewarding and educational, quite pretty to look at but I am certainly pleased to see this one cross the finish line!
Anway, enough ramble, here's the finished article. C+C welcome as ever!











A quick look underneath at the 4WD system and that lovely rear suspension



Finally a shot of the splendid seatbelts and rollcage - 15 pieces of etch in each seat!



A little different from my last Monte-Carlo Rally winner!



Cheers
Rick

[malscar]

Rick, for someone that has not finished a model for so long, you have done a great job. Pity about the trouble you had with the decals, although it looks as if you conquered them. With the tyres, that was Hasegawa saving money. Look at the Tamiya kit. Their tyres appear more accurate.

[ChristopheB]

Looking great!

[is200_adelaide]

Really nice job!

[chris24]

Originally Posted by malscar

Look at the Tamiya kit. Their tyres appear more accurate.

Well, we can debate over this : Tamiya's WRC tires are too wide but have the right tread. Hasegawa's ones are more accurate in width but are slick.

[Plastheniker]

Even if rallye cars are not my main area of interest, also IMO this is a very attractive model.
Great workmanship and beautiful pictures!

[Spad]

Well thank you gents, your comments are much appreciated!
Looking forward to adding the Castrol Supra to go alongside it, now!

ATB
Rick

[Fmartin360]

Congrats for finishing this kit.
I started years ago a Focus WRC '99 from Hasegawa, the big pink decals were hard like plastic and impossible to apply - even flat surfaces were a challenge.
I put the kit away to re-start it this year, I'm about to finish it. I had to replace what I could of decals by paint (the pink areas) and get some extra sets of decals by Tamiya and Colorado!
Anf God knows if a Corolla is way more complicated...

I have some Corolla from Hasegawa to build, I'm thinking of a way to use the Tamiya kits instead and just use the specific details from thr Hasegawa kit (rally plates, gravel suspension, et.)

I never noticed the slick tyres in this kit...no comment.

[Guiddy]

You did a great job!
What made you go for this kit over the excellent Tamiya version?

[Spad]

Originally Posted by Guiddy

You did a great job!
What made you go for this kit over the excellent Tamiya version?

Thanks so much!
At the time I bought this kit I didn't know about the Tamiya version. I tend to concentrate on track motorsport so, to be honest, not too sure why I bought it anyway beyond the fact I like the Castrol livery! Glad I did as I love the end result!

[rallymaster]

Superb model !!

[corrrado]

Superb model! Really great build. Also the Alpine is stunning!!!

[model freak]

Great build!