Fujimi Nissan 300ZX Targa and Convertible

[potsie]

These are my models of two Fujimi Nissan 300ZX kits; a Targa Top (kit #03211, ID-4) and a Convertible (kit #03240, ID-SP). I bought these kits many years ago at a deceased estate sale and I did not realise the scale of the damage to the bodies at the time.

I knew the Convertible had the front roll hoop bent at both A-pillars but thought I might be able to work with it. The Convertible also had non-kit wheels that - it turned out - would not fit. The roof for the Convertible was molded in clear plastic and included the door glass. It turned out I could wedge the door glass under the A-pillar and keep it upright. Only problem is that I cannot display the convertible without the roof 'up'. The paint for it is Tamiya TS-11 Maroon.

The kit wheels for the Targa Top were moved over to the Convertible and some aftermarket Fujimi wheels added. It was only when working with the Targa Top that I realised how badly bent the A-pillars are on this as well. Unfortunately there are no side windows so I could not use that trick twice. None of my (admittedly poor) attempts to straighten the pillars worked particularly well, so they are still quite bad. Paint is an automotive Ford Viper Mica purple.

I have not built the Tamiya or (much newer) Hasegawa version of the 300ZX, but they cannot be anywhere near as bad as these. I have cleared two models out of the to-do pile, but these will be top of the list to go when I need more space in the display cabinet!

















The entire time I was buidling I felt that something was off on the proportions of the Fujimi 300ZX mold. Comparing to a Tamiya 350Z suggests the width and length might be okay. I did not measure and compare to the real cars, but it must be near-ish:


Putting the Targa Top on the shelf made it clear what the issue is. It is much too short!


Cheers,
Grant.

[fafnir]

Both look very good!,i built both versions years ago,i painted the T-Top coupe in yellow and painted the convertible in maroon just like you did.The convertible got aftermarket wheels i used some old Fujimi Oz futuras on it.

[potsie]

Originally Posted by fafnir

Both look very good!,i built both versions years ago,i painted the T-Top coupe in yellow and painted the convertible in maroon just like you did.The convertible got aftermarket wheels i used some old Fujimi Oz futuras on it.

I think yellow would have looked great on the Targa Top. The Futuras must have changed the look of the convertible!

[fafnir]

Originally Posted by potsie

I think yellow would have looked great on the Targa Top. The Futuras must have changed the look of the convertible!

Yeah, the stock wheels looked to flat compared to tamiyas version so i made the swap on the convertible.

[potsie]

Oh wow, these are stunning models! The Futura wheels do look great on the convertible.

[petesy]

The proportion of the Fujimi 300zx is funky as it was dictated by the infamous common chassis, which also appears in their S13 and FD3S kits. The A pillars also seem to always collapse in Tamiya and Fujimi kits of that vintage. The Tamiya 180sx and the Fujimi 300 CE were particularly bad.