galaxyg Posted December 23, 2022 Share Posted December 23, 2022 Background: Although the original GT40 is a bit too 1960s in its design for my tastes, I do love the way the 2000's follow up looks - the sharpening up of the shape and details and modern production engineering make it look just right. It was a long while before I even knew there was a model kit of one, and then I found this one by Polar Lights, itself a reboxing of an AMT snap-fit kit. I did wonder if a snap-fit kit would be any good but after a long think (years, on-and-off!), this November I decided to give it a go anyway and buy one online. I started it within a few days of it arriving in the post. Pros: There is a lot of detail, with a great interior and a full engine. Being a snap-fit kit, everything fits together correctly and this makes putting it together easier than a needs-glue equivalent. The seats and their silver inserts being a highlight of kit engineering made to make life easy for the builder - the kind of thing you'd expect from Tamiya not AMT. Not having to glue some of the fiddly transparent parts is also very helpful, amongst other things. The decals are great quality, easy to apply and have spares and enough options whatever colour you make your build. The transparent parts are really clean and shiny, and the overall shape and proportions of the car look good. The door mirrors are solidly mounted as are the seats. Cons: The wheels, brakes and tyres are not good, lacking details and having a solid area around the brake disc. The tyre treads are too thick and seem like winter tyres. Also once assembled, the calipers rotate with the wheels. The instructions are not great quality, have omissions and also mistakes in the correct decal numbers. The painting guide is also incorrect in some areas. Despite the comprehensive decals, there are no front-to-back stripes unless you mask and paint your own. Most of the chromed parts are not chrome on the real car but aluminium, and the chrome is a nuisance to remove. Fitting the body to the chassis is work. The initial impression of the kit on unboxing is something which is thick and toylike although building it deconstructs this impression. Verdict: Remarkably good. It's a better kit than you'd expect and builds just like any other decent quality kit, despite the expectations of what comprises a snap-fit kit. Very much recommended if you like the subject matter. Build notes: Built over the course of 3 weeks in December 2022. Aside from a few bits of mesh it's built entirely out-of-the-box. It's painted with Tamiya Silver (for the stripes) and Land Rover Scotia Grey for the rest, from a Halfords rattle-can. It's clearcoated with Mr Hobby Gloss Premium. I am very very happy with the way it's come out, and how photogenic it is. 7 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
70 Sting Posted December 23, 2022 Share Posted December 23, 2022 Turned out great. Your choice of colour certainly gives it a more modern look. 😎 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SpikeSchumacher Posted December 23, 2022 Share Posted December 23, 2022 That looks amazing Michael! Cheers 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
radiohd10 Posted December 23, 2022 Share Posted December 23, 2022 Wow that’s a beaut. Awesome job 👏👏 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim B Posted December 23, 2022 Share Posted December 23, 2022 Beautiful GT. Really well done. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bogger44 Posted December 23, 2022 Share Posted December 23, 2022 Oh man is that a beauty! Easily one of the best builds of this kit I've seen. Excellent job on the stripes. Like you, I also don't care for the tires in this kit. I'd love to build mine with swapped out tires, but haven't come up with some suitable replacements yet. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vamach1 Posted December 23, 2022 Share Posted December 23, 2022 Very nice build and nice color combo. I have pictures of the prototypes in Dearborn in 2003 and they still look modern despite being designed 20 years ago. I met the designer Camilo Pardo at the Carlisle Ford Nationals. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dragonhawk1066 Posted December 23, 2022 Share Posted December 23, 2022 Very well done! I really like the body color/stripe combo! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1930fordpickup Posted December 24, 2022 Share Posted December 24, 2022 What's not to love here. The color fits this like a glove. Well done, I agree one of the best examples of this kit done. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PappyD340 Posted December 24, 2022 Share Posted December 24, 2022 Beautiful Ford GT! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charger74 Posted December 24, 2022 Share Posted December 24, 2022 It looks great 👍🏻👍🏻 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slusher Posted December 25, 2022 Share Posted December 25, 2022 Absolutely beautiful! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ewetwo Posted December 25, 2022 Share Posted December 25, 2022 That is a stunning build. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
espo Posted December 25, 2022 Share Posted December 25, 2022 Beautiful looking paint finishes and the colors make it look more like a road going vehicle than a computation model. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ismaelg Posted January 3, 2023 Share Posted January 3, 2023 Great looking build. The color suits it very nicely! I had the opportunity to see and hold one of the Polar Lights prototypes way back in 2005. I built one around 2006 or so and for a long time it was the only Ford in my stable. It has since been joined by the current Ford GT street car and the LeMans winner 2016 Ford GT. Thanks, Ismael 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChrisR Posted January 3, 2023 Share Posted January 3, 2023 Looks great! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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