Fujimi Ferrari 250 GTO vs. Protar question

[Jeff Johnston]

Can soeone tell me how big of a difference there is (buildability, fit, overall finished look, etc) between the Fujimi and Protar Ferrari 250 GTO ?

The reason I ask is that I have the opportunity to get the Protar for about 25 bucks, compared to the Fujimi at closer to 60.

Is there really that big of a difference between them ? Is the Fujimi that good ?

Also, are the Protar opening panels designed so they actually work ? most kits with opening panels never close properly...I actually like the opening panels, if they work.

Any info or advice you have would be appreciated....

I recall building the Testors version back in the 80's...as I recall it was good, but also pretty scarce now.

[CAL]

Can soeone tell me how big of a difference there is (buildability, fit, overall finished look, etc) between the Fujimi and Protar Ferrari 250 GTO ?

The reason I ask is that I have the opportunity to get the Protar for about 25 bucks, compared to the Fujimi at closer to 60.

Is there really that big of a difference between them ? Is the Fujimi that good ?

Also, are the Protar opening panels designed so they actually work ? most kits with opening panels never close properly...I actually like the opening panels, if they work.

Any info or advice you have would be appreciated....

I recall building the Testors version back in the 80's...as I recall it was good, but also pretty scarce now.

Apples and Oranges.

The new Fujimi kit is awsome, I haven't built it yet but looks good. I am, however, 80% through a Revell, Protar rebox. It can be built into a pretty nice 250, but it's WORK and it does have some shortcommings.

[Peter Lombardo]

Remember that wise old saying….â€You get what you pay forâ€. This is no different, at about 40% of the price, the Protar will require more skill and time. I built the Protar kit years ago, it built up ok, I added a lot of scratch built engine detail though. I just brought the Revell kit (same moldings) and will build that and I have the Fujimi on order, so I will build that one too. From the photos I have seen of the Fujimi kit…it does look very nice.

[CAL]

I got mine from HJL for $30, the LHS has one for $59.

I built new hinges for my Protar so I cannot say how the kit panels are. However they all fit tight.

[MrObsessive]

Jeff, I've seen the Fujimi Ferrari up close and personal-----and it's got it all over the Protar!

In looks alone, the Fujimi is more accurate as it represents an actual original and not a "restored" car such as the one Protar modeled. This is evident in the Protar version as it represents a car that was restored after a crash..............but not to what it was originally as the back end isn't up to snuff to my view.

As Chris said, the Protar can be built with some work, but for the money I'd go with the Fujimi one. You should be able to get one less than $60...........If you click here, you'll see that HLJ has one for MUCH less!

That should leave you with some change to upgrade to Harold Bradford's wonderful resin V-12!

[Zoom Zoom]

I have both Fujimi and Protar (and Gunze and Italeri...but that's beside the point )...the Fujimi is by far the one to buy/build if you don't have one yet.

Strada Sports in Missouri (Kevin's a great guy to deal with) has the Fujimi kit for $40.99 and he's got free shipping. You can't beat that even from Japan today because of the change in the dollar vs. yen and the shipping cost/time to the US.

Harold Bradford is doing some nice stuff for the kit; correct tires (kit ones aren't bad, and far better than Protar), engine details. All the other kits are kind of clunky and outdated compared to the new Fujimi kit. The shape is great. To me the Fujimi is worth the extra at $41, but if my only other option was the $60 at the LHS I'd think twice, but the Fujimi is a sweet kit.

[Rob Hall]

I'll probably get the Fujimi one. How about the Revell of Germany one that's out now? Is that the same as the Italeri or Protar tool?

The 250 GTO is one Ferrari I've never built, though I have parts of one from a parts box I bought years ago---the body, hood, separate doors (painted light blue), engine and a frame and a few other misc parts....not sure what kit they are from.

[Zoom Zoom]

I'll probably get the Fujimi one. How about the Revell of Germany one that's out now? Is that the same as the Italeri or Protar tool?

You'll be happier w/the Fujimi; the current ROG GTO is the old Protar kit reissued. Nice engine and wheels that could fool you into thinking they are aftermarket, but the Fujimi has nice wheels, much better tires, and a far more pleasing shape.

Italeri has no current licensing deal with Ferrari, so there are no Italeri Ferraris on the market. That could change and there are insiders trying to see it happen, but no guarantees as of yet.

Edited November 23, 2008 by Zoom Zoom