Ghostmech

I have found that Alclad 2 Chrome finish is fragile. A little handeling and and the black under coat starts to show thru. Is there anything you guys do to protect it?

First off.....amazing workmanship, Dave! A couple of questions: Why did you use automotive 2-part clear for the areas you identified? Did you need to use extra CF for your build, or does everything we see come in the SMS set? Do you spray on your Future or do you brush it on? I have 2 of thse kits in the stash and was waiting for a CF set ...looks like its finally coming my way :-)

David...does the SMS CF set have all the CF for the monocoque, brake ducts and other items or is just for the outside body panels?

Mike Kucaba...what a beautiful GS you had. I had to put down the best dog (a 150lbs GS named Cain) I ever had less than a year ago.... so can empathize with your loss. I still miss him every day.

It's not missing things really. The SMS CF sets are apparently for an exterior finished in CF ...most Enzos are painted so that really doesn't apply. The PE set may just add some detail where Tamiya represents the parts in plastic. The third item is a CD. I bought 2 of these kits (pre-ordered from HLJ back before they even were released) and have been waiting to see what aftermarket will offer before I start one. Believe me and what others have said, this kit is the best 1:12 kit produced imho and will build into a stunning model right out of the box.

David....this may be a stupid question but what brand of cigarette did you get that heat shield material from?

Scale Motorsports has announced detail items for both the Enzo and Mustang... Enzo... http://store.scalemotorsport.com/merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=SM&Product_Code=enzo Mustang... http://store.scalemotorsport.com/merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=SM&Product_Code=gt500

I just recieved the re-issue from Tower Hobbies....looks very much like the original issue, same size box and background

No History?? How about the fact that when it was introduced, it was the first Ferrari to be directly taken from their F1 programs.....the F1 influence is obvious...unlike other cars which took some queues and technical bits from them....this thing looks like an F1 car if an F1 car was morphed into a passenger street car. Another fact is that it's the only car named after the founder himself...in fact it was (at the time) the ultimate supercar and Ferrari felt it fitting enough to name it Enzo. With a storied past like Ferrari has, for them to design the ultimate Ferrari and name it in honor of the man himself is history in itself. Even though the Enzo is starting to show it's age and will soon be superseded with a new, more powerful supercar, it still ranks as one of the world's most impressive cars ever built. I agree with your assessments on the Pocher TR and F40....even though they were big and had a lot of parts, they were also crude in some areas and toylike despite the parts count....and that is why I sold mine many years ago (Even though I wish I hadn't now since they have really appreciated in value.) I still have a Bugatti 50T in the box though I suspect, depending on how well this one sells, we may see their other semi-finished models in full kit form in the future. It makes a lot of sense since they are already invested in the drawings & molds. I realize they had to probably redesign some areas and make a few new molds (or at least adjust them) but much of the overall effort is there already, it just needs repackaging.

I'm right there with you.....I have one already and may buy another for a stash queen. It's all a matter of taste and desire. I have also thought (hoped) that Tamiya would eventually do this as a 1:12 kit since they had so much research available in their archives and having done the beautiful 1:24 kits, as well as the 1:12 semi-finished versions. Being an owner of a Pocher Bugatti 50T (and previous owner of Rolls, Tessi and F-40) along with many Tamiya 1:12 kits, I don't believe there are any other kits is as well detailed or engineered to the standard this one is (except maybe the Caterham or those Hiro kits.....and how much are those puppies going for nowadays, if you can find them). Too many who are against this kit are saying it costs $600 and they would never pay that kind of money are not really being honest. I bought this kit at an exchange rate of $288.00US and I suspect when the dust settles, you will find it in the low 300 dollar range at the bigger online hobby outlets in the US. Anyone paying $600.00 for this kit are a bit foolish.... though it may be worth it as a personal assessment to some, there is no need to pay that unless money is no object. Like I said, I was hoping Tamiya would do this in kit form, and now they have....I got what I had hoped for and the money is well spent in my opinion. If this kit is done right, will be the star of any model contest to be sure. BTW, still waiting for SMS or others to announce a detail set or FXX conversion....which will make it all the more sweeter!

I'm right with ya......I've been waiting for a long time myself. Just like my Z06, the car was a dream of many of us Corvette fans (427ci, dry sump oiling system and over 500hp from the factory). BTW, after looking at the manual, this kit looks to be very well engineered with a lot of cast metal parts. The door mechanisms and suspension are especially well done. Also the fuel, oil, coolant lines along with engine wiring are well represented. One thing I found odd so far is, they elected to mold the brake, signal and marker lights in clear and require you to paint the backsides with clear orange or red. On their 1:24 kit, they molded them in the correct colors. Seems they would have done the same on a kit this size and scope....but they didn't. With 654 parts, this could be a lengthy build, but considering Tamiya's reputation of superb engineering and molding...this kit definitely raises the bar on injection-molded, 1:12 kits (just like their 1:32 P-51D raised the bar on scale aircraft models over a year ago). Those who waiting for this kit to hit $100.00 shouldn't......I suspect even discounters will still ask in the $250 range...it's that good.

Parts count is listed as 653 parts, but I agree, it seems almost like they upscaled the 1:24 kit (which is a jewel at 1:24). I am disappointed with the wheels, hoping they would have opted for aluminum but alas, plastic they are. There are a lot of small metal parts in the accessories box and a lot of screws, some magnets, rubber ducting, ect. I also agree, in order to do this right, it will take a yard of carbon fiber decals. This is where SMS can really help. I have to finish a commission build of a C-130J Hurricane Hunter before I can jump into this one so Pete will probably beat me to actually cutting sprues

It was a little under $300 .....from what I can tell so far, it seems to be a bit high even at that and I'm sure as time goes on, it will sell for less but it's a very nice kit and well engineered. I'm really curious to see what Scale Motorsports and others will do for this kit.

A couple more..... Glass..... ...stuff....

More..... Wheels..... Accessories Box..... Bottom Compartment....

I got mine about an hour ago...... Some pics are here..... http://www.modelcars...showtopic=56554

....my only question is where is the aftermarket stuff?? Box... Box compared to 1:24 Enzo... Box open..... Photo-etch.....

Mine arrived in the US yesterday.....don't know how long it will take to get from NY to Mississippi since there isn't a projected delivery date on the EMS tracking. Did you get a delivery date?

Why waste your time on a little model and buy the real thing?! Nothing 150 grand can't get you. Some good reference photo if nothing else..... http://www.racingjun...nge-Crrate.html

Got my shipping notice from HLJ that my new Enzo is sent.....total cost is about $330.00 shipped...not bad since the original list price was set at over $600 (before shipping). I'll post up some pics of the kit in the box when I get it. So now when are the after market guys gonna do some super detail sets so this thing can be taken to the next level.....Scale Motorsports? Model Factory Hiro? KA Models? anyone?

So what are you going to do when SMS or someone else puts out a nice detail set for this 1/12 Enzo? I certainly hope somebody is gearing up to do just that. BTW, I have the 935 with the SMS super detail set too.

I just ordered mine from HLJ for just under $300.00. Now I'm hoping Scale Motor Works or someone else does super detail set for it.

Hobby Link Japan has a pre-order special of $308.68US going right now...... http://www.hlj.com/product/tam12047

Agree....when I saw the pictures from the Nuremberg Toy Fair, I thought it was the semi-assembled version, but looking a little deeper, it was a pleasant and welcomed surprise. Great Models Webstore already has it listed for a little over $400.00 ($200.00 under list).... http://www.greatmodels.com/~smartcart/cgi/display.cgi?item_num=TAM12047 Says it is due out in May and is available for pre-order