My current/next project-Fujimi F355 GTB

[ZoomZoomMX-5]

This isn't one of Fujimi's finest. In fact it's a hack job. But someone's gotta make it look at least half decent, right? It was one of my holy grail's and it was given to me by a friend. I'm building it to look like a car I fell in love with at the Concorso Italiano a couple years ago. White, gray interior, aftermarket rims, Challenge grille. Yeah, Mercedes colours on a Ferrari and it was HOT and COOL all at the same time!

Here's the progress:



I'm using AVS Model 5 rims w/some added trim rings in the rear




I have to narrow the trim rings a bit, the F355 tires work well w/the Aoshima rims. Rims will be painted a bright silver like real Ferraris use. I may choose to use a very narrow front trim ring too, not sure though. The car does need the bigs/littles to look correct.



I've removed the rear decklid for some extra detail. Hmmm, wonder if I can sneak a 360 Modena engine back there...with clear cover and all? Who knows...depends on my mood when I get there! The interior will be the kit-supplied INCORRECT 348 interior. Oh well, can't have everything. I'm also about half finished w/molding the wretched side ducts in place. Man, to have this model made by Tamiya would have been a dream...

[GTI1800]

Hi.....
Nice to see again and we like progress pics.........here.....
Thanks and nice to meet you on the forum......
Laurent........ specialist of body kit...

[rcmaxx]

I agree, Tamiya lost out on making the F355 series. I think that this ferrari is much better looking then all of their 1980+ modern cars......... not taking credit away from the f40/50, maranello, or the modena tought, they are still AWESOME!!!!!, this one it just........."awesomer"

[wkma7six]

Hey Mr. Bob Downie, I've seen your work on other sites and in magazines. Welcome.
I'd like to know what you're using for the lip on the rear rims. Is it from another Aoshima/ Fujimi rim kit? What I like to do when I stagger the wheels like that is I cut a few Millimeters off the inner part of the rim itself. I sand the ring down and fit over a drum sander placed in a drill, then use a fine file set and "machine" the lip to the proper contours.
If you have another source for the rings- I'd really like to know. Thank you. -Walter

[S Brake]

What are you going to do with the original 5 spokes?
Can't wait to see this bad boy finished.

[ZoomZoomMX-5]

Thanks for the comments, they are other Aoshima trim rings. Though I do have a connection locally that will let me use his lathe, I've already made four complete sets of turned aluminum trim rings for my 20" Hoppin' Hydros wheels. So when I run out of Aoshima rings, I'll make a few sets in aluminum. I wish Aoshima/Fujimi or SOMEBODY would make trim rings separately for sale. And while they're at it, modular wheels in general.

[ZoomZoomMX-5]

I'm thinking of using the original rims on either a reworked Burago diecast 456 or on my Monogram racing version 308 that has the wheel flares. The Monogram 308's are pretty good looking 308's. W/a little TLC the models look fantastic, and they are dead simple to build.

[hirofkd]

Originally posted by ZoomZoomMX-5

I've removed the rear decklid for some extra detail. Hmmm, wonder if I can sneak a 360 Modena engine back there...with clear cover and all? Who knows...depends on my mood when I get there! The interior will be the kit-supplied INCORRECT 348 interior. Oh well, can't have everything. I'm also about half finished w/molding the wretched side ducts in place. Man, to have this model made by Tamiya would have been a dream...

Compared with Hasegawa's 348, Fujimi 348 is wider, and look dull, and the 355 is carrying the same dullness, unfortunately.
BTW, did you know that the 355 Challenge kit contains correct interior and chassis? I ended up buying both just to make a street 355. Now that the 355 kits are approaching nearly $80-100, perhaps I should just sell the GTB, and fit a custom wheel on the Challenge kit.

[ZoomZoomMX-5]

I knew that the later F355's had some updates, I can't complain too loudly, as the kit was given to me. It's going to look fine, and less hassle than trying to rework the Maisto diecast. And I'm not going to pay $75-$100 for any Fujimi kit!

Does the Challenge kit have good door panels? I hear the GTS has the correct dash, but no door panels. How about the wheels in the Challenge kit?

Heck, I want Tamiya to do a Modena Challenge kit. Though the F355 is an amazing car, usually any styling updates on a particular car make it look goofy. But Ferrari improved the 348 1000% when they made it the F355. Hmmm, Lamborghini has a tendency as well to improve w/age. The original Diablo...yuck. The later ones were cool. The Murcielago...bland w/a weird side scoop. Bet the ones we haven't seen yet are a big improvement.

[hirofkd]

Originally posted by ZoomZoomMX-5
I knew that the later F355's had some updates, I can't complain too loudly, as the kit was given to me. It's going to look fine, and less hassle than trying to rework the Maisto diecast. And I'm not going to pay $75-$100 for any Fujimi kit!

Does the Challenge kit have good door panels? I hear the GTS has the correct dash, but no door panels. How about the wheels in the Challenge kit?

Heck, I want Tamiya to do a Modena Challenge kit. Though the F355 is an amazing car, usually any styling updates on a particular car make it look goofy. But Ferrari improved the 348 1000% when they made it the F355. Hmmm, Lamborghini has a tendency as well to improve w/age. The original Diablo...yuck. The later ones were cool. The Murcielago...bland w/a weird side scoop. Bet the ones we haven't seen yet are a big improvement.

Don't remember about the door panel, but both dash and floor of the F355 Challenge kit are different from the GTB kit.
The F355 Challenge has two totally different runners, so it's a new kit, compared to the F355 GTB, which is a modified reissue of the 348tb kit. (not sure about ts or GTS, 'cause I don't have them." And the wheel? Well, it sucks big time. I was expecting something like "inch-up" so that it appears better in 1/24, but the rim is too small, and the tire isn't low profile enough.

When it comes to Lambo, I have an opposite opinion, and the very first 2wd Diablo looks much cleaner and coherent, even though it was touched up by Chrysler. SE30, SV and Jota are fine, but much later production models with 300ZX head light and too complex wheel, are beyond my comprehension. It was like each modifications were carried out by different people. That's just my taste though.

[daggerlee]

That car would also be a holy grail for me because it is the central car in the game F355 Challenge for Dreamcast..



But yeah, I'm definitely not shelling out 100 bucks for a Fujimi kit! Good luck with yours!

[BVC500]

I've talked about this kit before on this forum. I too bought an early version Fujimi 355 kit and it had the 348 interior. Then I bought a GTS which has the correct interior. I also purchased a rare yellow version, but recently sold that for $100.00. I am currently using the interior of the GTS and the body of the GTB to create one F355 spider. I am still working on shaping the butresses (rear fenders). Will post pics when i finish it, if ever.

[primera man]

This is going to look cool when all done. Keep the updates and pics coming as i'm sure there are plenty here who want to see plenty of your work in the coming months

[flyonthewall]

Originally posted by daggerlee
it is the central car in the game F355 Challenge for Dreamcast..

Really!!! Who would have thought it???:finger: