Ferrari 365 GTS/4 Fujimi EM (Unknown builder)

[1959scudetto]

2 years ago, I took a chance to buy  5 built kits for a total amount of € 18,00 (about $ 21) including postage – it was a STEAL ! ( They were advertised on an Austrian website where you can sell – without any fees – things you don’t need any more, either new or used - I have sold a lot of my kits and built-ups there).

They were 5 red cars (obviously air-brushed and nicely detailed, but some parts missing)  :

·         ESCi Lancia Beta Montecarlo Gr. 5 (drivers: Walter Röhrl/Ricardo Patrese) from 1980 – decals yellowed, some parts loose,  but complete : this was what I wanted (very expensive today, if you ever find one)

·         Fujimi EM Dino 246 GT – wanted for its drivetrain (robbed for a commission build) and wheels: this one I also wanted to have!

·         The other 3 are missing a few parts and were intended to give up their wheels:

          Fujimi EM Ferrari 288 GTO, Fujimi EM Ferrari 365 GTS/4 and Hasegawa Ferrari 328 GTS.

 

On closer inspection I discovered that the 365 GTS (Daytona Spider) was too nice a model to be cannibalized:  it had some parts come loose (front bumpers, grill, left rear wheel), some parts were missing (wipers, outside rear view mirror, one exhaust tip, front lights, license plates), the windshield was a bit scratched and dirty, its frame broken – but the builder /seller whose name I do not remember anymore had put much effort into detailing the engine bay:  wiring, plumbing – I never could have done this (I’ve got no nerves for such delicate work)!

So I decided to save this one though I would not have painted it in the ever-present red – I repaired the windshield frame, polished the glass, re-glued the loose parts and cannibalized an old Italeri Daytona for mirror, windshield wipers and all 4 exhaust tips which are a little bit thicker than Fujimi’s.  As a final touch, I applied a piece of chrome foil onto the inside mirror, a prancing horse in the center of the steering wheel and some Bologna license plates front and rear from an old Protar Alfa Romeo kit.

Unfortunately, the hood is a bit warped (but I didn’t want to ruin the model when trying to straighten this out), so I just let it as it is. The headlights are still missing, but you will only notice that when you take a look closely up front, as they would be mostly  hidden by the front bumpers  anyway.

It was a rewarding job to save this one – and I still have 4 other Fujimi Daytonas EM  left in my stash (2 spiders, 1 coupé and the Pininfarina Berlinetta speciale) !

 

I would say - a few hours of fun, and a real steal : about 4 $ for 1 model!

[Hard_2_Handle_454]

Very nice

[Gramps46]

Very nice rescue indeed.  Thanks for sharing it with us.

[1959scudetto]

4 hours ago, Hard_2_Handle_454 said:

Very nice

 

Thank you, Eric !

2 hours ago, Gramps46 said:

Very nice rescue indeed.  Thanks for sharing it with us.

Thank you, Gary - I think it was worth it.

[slusher]

Real sharp car. Very nice find..

[1959scudetto]

9 hours ago, slusher said:

Real sharp car. Very nice find..

Thanks, Carl!

[89AKurt]

What a deal!  I built this last century, the warped hood seems to be the achilles heel of this kit?  Came out nice, I see you did plug wires too.

[doorsovdoon]

Beautiful. Even in kit form it looks expensive!

[1959scudetto]

5 hours ago, 89AKurt said:

What a deal!  I built this last century, the warped hood seems to be the achilles heel of this kit?  Came out nice, I see you did plug wires too.

Thank you Kurt - good to know that one has to pay attention to warped hoods (as soon as I start building my own Daytonas) - this one has not been built by myself, I only repaired a few things and replaced some missing parts. The laurels should go to the former owner/modeler of this kit: his detailing with plug wires was the reason for me to save this one instead of cannibalizing it.

 

1 hour ago, doorsovdoon said:

Beautiful. Even in kit form it looks expensive!

Thank you Gareth - this is one of the all-time classics (among many others) from Ferrari!