A question for mr. Holsinger

[John E. Bowers Jr.]

As the title states, I have two questions... Just how different are the Fujimi and Revell of Germany Ferrari 250 GTO kits? And do you guys offer an accurate engine or any other parts kits for either of these? The reason I ask is because I'm branching away from my mainstay builds of American muscle cars to get into some European exotics. so I figured I'd ask from the best in the business. Thanks in advance.

J.B.

[Lyle Willits]

As the title states, I have two questions... Just how different are the Fujimi and Revell of Germany Ferrari 250 GTO kits? And do you guys offer an accurate engine or any other parts kits for either of these? The reason I ask is because I'm branching away from my mainstay builds of American muscle cars to get into some European exotics. so I figured I'd ask from the best in the business. Thanks in advance.

J.B.

John - you got the wrong guy.

Harold Bradford operates Historic Racing Miniatures.

Email :historicracingminiatures@comcast.net

or call him on the phone. His number is in the club directory.

[MrObsessive]

John, I can tell you that while I have the Revell/Protar GTO and not the Fujimi, the Fujimi is MUCH more accurate in the body shape than the Revell of Germany. I've seen the Fujimi real up close and personal, and it's got it all over the Revell one.

The Revell kit is based on a car that was wrecked and wasn't restored to its original proportions per the actual 250. So while the car is correct for the wrecked car, it's woefully wrong if one wants to build a "stock" 250 GTO.

I put "stock" in quotes because of the original 36 Series 1 cars, no two were alike, but they did share basic similarities in bodywork. The Protar's rear end is just too blocky and upright, maybe to aid in aero at the time, but to my view just doesn't look right from certain angles.

The Revell kit does have opening doors and trunk per the original tooling, but these will need to be tweaked a bit to open and close correctly.

Harold's engine for the Fujimi is top notch! You won't go wrong buying that one!

Hope this helps!

[Peter Lombardo]

John, this is how I see it. I built the Protar (same tooling for the Revell kit now offered) kit many years ago…it built up ok and I have to agree with Bill that even though the doors and trunk open, the fit needs tweaking and the hinges should be replaced.

The road lights up front are missing but the engine, with careful detailing can be made to look very convincing. I have a current Revell kit and the new Fujimi kit…both un built as of now. When the bodies are placed side by side, the differences are very noticeable, especially in the back end. It is well documented that all of the thirty something cars were hand built and all had minor differences. The Revell car, Bill accurately stated, was one that was involved in an accident and the rear was rebuilt. The Fujimi, As best as I can tell is a more accurate shape, ( based on the extensive picture library I have ) but if the Revell car is built cleanly and is the only GTO on the shelf I think most will never know that it is slightly off.

The Fujimi car is molded in bright red, where the Revell car is white. The Fujimi car has the road lights up front and the Revell does not. Another point, minor as it may be, the Fujimi kit has the small covers for the air intake vents that surround the grill opening and the Revell kit does not, which was important to me because the GTO that I am building has the vent covers on.

I am building a “non red†Ferrari, I know it is sacrilegious to do that, especially on a 250GTO, but this is where the red plastic body on the Fujimi is a royal pain. I know, I have to use a lot of primer and sealer, but what a pain. You know, this is one of my two royal pet peeves with kit manufacturing….One, non white/gray bodies and two, it seems to me that the designers could find better places to attach “to be chromed†parts to the sprue…..it seems that you can always tell where the part was removed from the tree no matter how careful you are and how well you touch it up…. Anyway, if you can part with the few extra dollars get the Fujimi kit and if you must open the doors, just be careful.

[John E. Bowers Jr.]

Thanks for the knowledge guys. I have the Fujimi kit and a photoetch set on the way to my mailbox. The next step is going to be getting a H.R.M. engine in under the wifes' radar!

[John E. Bowers Jr.]

Thank you again gentlemen! I now have both the Revell of Germanay and Fujimi kits along with the p/e set. In comparison and as advised I can clearly see the differences with the bodies as seen side by side. The R.O.G. kit looks to me to be a great kit, but I'll be going with the Fujimi and some aftermarket details first. This will be a long term build. Wish me luck, I'll need it!

Edited April 18, 2009 by John E. Bowers Jr.

[Peter Lombardo]

OK John.......Good Luck! I am sure it will look great, that Fujimi kit is so well engineered that it will not cause many problems.