I’d always wondered how easy it was to put together a 1:64 Kyosho Ferrari. My other Kyoshos were all bought ready-assembled but some Ferrari series were put out in kit form – I assume for licensing reasons, but I’ll happily stand corrected. The quality of the pre-built Kyosho models is great and I wasn’t sure whether a kit model would hit the same heights. When a Ferrari 575 GTC from the 2007 Ferrari Racing Minicar Collection came up for sale for a good price, I decided it was time to find out.
The model represents the #11 GPC Giesse Squadra Corse car from 2004. It came from an eBay seller in Croatia who had great service – reasonable shipping charges, a tracking number and ample packaging. Here’s how it arrived (outer box was missing):
As you can see, all the components are crammed into the familiar Kyosho bubble, sealed with the slide-out card at the bottom. Take it all out and here’s what you get:
On the back of the usual collector card showing the available decos for the 575 are some handy, diagrammatic instructions. Kyosho also included a mini Phillips (+) screwdriver to help with assembly but I used my own, with a slightly larger head and longer handle to reduce the chance of burring the screwheads.
The first steps don’t involve tools, however. The rubber tires are a perfect push-fit over the detailed plastic rims. Kyosho helpfully packaged the front and rear axles separately so that you don’t mismatch them. The completed axles drop into slots in the base.
Next, you push the driver’s seat into the roll cage/interior moulding. It’s a little fiddly but a good fit once it’s in.
The interior slots onto the base via two locating pins. Mine didn’t quite drop flush but the whole thing was lined up fine once the body went on.
The body itself (beautifully detailed and finished, as always with Kyosho) drops onto the chassis and is easily fixed in place with a small screw front and rear. A third, larger-diameter screw is supplied so that you can mount the finished 575 to the usual black rectangular display base, but I display my models loose so didn’t bother!
Assembling the Ferrari was a simple process that required near-zero model-making ability. The resulting car feels as solid as you’d expect from a ready-made Kyosho and rolls perfectly. Apart from the 10 minutes of your time required to make the kit, I’m struggling to see a downside. Many of the models in those later kit series remain affordable – especially at a time when premium Hot Wheels Ferrari prices have gone crazy – so why not jump right in?
(find 1:64 Kyosho Ferrari on eBay)
If there’s one thing that I’ve always pined for, it’s a Kyosho-made Ferrari. Particularly their F1 cars — some of those models are pretty much Tomb Raider-like treasures worth seeking out great deals for. On the other hand, individual models are far too expensive for my blood, unless I seek out box-set-like packages that have a whole series in them.
Meanwhile, this is a quality write-up. You’ve effectively turned this piece into something a reader can experience vicariously. I particularly enjoy the close-ups, something I can’t seem to get right sometimes. Admittedly, the lighting doesn’t have as much “pop”, but they do a good job.
You’re very kind, thank you! I recently managed to find a batch of Kyosho F1 Ferraris at a good price. Unfortunately they’re still on the wrong side of the Atlantic, but I’ll get them eventually!