Carrera GT extra part question

[MajorA]

While building the Tamiya Carrera GT kit i came across an extra part (or so i think). Part E-18, on the largest silver sprue tree is a disk with a hole in the center. I have scaned the instructions a few times and i dont think its mentioned... Its a good sized part and a bit odd to just have lying around at the end so i was wondering if anybody else has run across this.

Thanks
Matt

[mikemechanic]

If you look at step 25 it says in the top left corner "parts not used-E18"

[MajorA]

Good eye, thanks a ton.

-matt

[alakai]

Does anyone else think it's strange that there's a spare part on the sprue? I mean, there's only one way/version to build it right?

[DocDann]

Tamiya is, apparently, cheaping out and using the smae sprue for multiple models now (i.e. carrera, 911, boxster, etc)...... sad to see

[alakai]

Originally Posted by DocDann

Tamiya is, apparently, cheaping out and using the same sprue for multiple models now (i.e. carrera, 911, boxster, etc)...... sad to see

Hm, I've seen that happen before with some kits, but there are a lot of CGT specific parts on this sprue. I doubt it's used on any other models besides this one.


Now my curiosity has gotten the best of me... what's it for?

[viperofoz]

Sorry, I don't have the kit but could it be a part that might be used for an upcoming masterwork pre-built version?

perhaps it might be used for mounting the car to a base or something?

I've seen Tamiya do this on some of the 1/12 kits.

Regards, Dan

[hirofkd]

Originally Posted by DocDann

Tamiya is, apparently, cheaping out and using the smae sprue for multiple models now (i.e. carrera, 911, boxster, etc)...... sad to see

What are you talking about?
It costs several hundred K dollars to make a set of molds, and you have to pay it off with inexpensive product of $20-30. The manufacturer only gets 30-40% of the retail price, so it'll take more than a decade just to reach the break-even.
Parts sharing makes perfect business sense, or there won't be any new kit at all.

[cyclone1410]

Originally Posted by hirofkd

What are you talking about?
It costs several hundred K dollars to make a set of molds, and you have to pay it off with inexpensive product of $20-30. The manufacturer only gets 30-40% of the retail price, so it'll take more than a decade just to reach the break-even.
Parts sharing makes perfect business sense, or there won't be any new kit at all.

Absolutely 100% true.

[RallyRaider]

I'll wager the part in question is a spacer for mounting the model to a base on the dreaded prebuilt version that Tamiya may release at some point. There are already two hex bolt head shaped fixtures in the undertray for, I'd guess, the same reason.

[MajorA]

The part definatly looks like a spacer, if you jam it underneath the car it is just about the right height to mount the car to a base of some kind.

Matt