Fujimi Nissan 300ZX Targa and Convertible
These are my models of two Fujimi Nissan 300ZX kits; a Targa Top (kit #03211, ID-4) and a Convertible (kit #03240, ID-SP). I bought these kits many years ago at a deceased estate sale and I did not realise the scale of the damage to the bodies at the time.
I knew the Convertible had the front roll hoop bent at both A-pillars but thought I might be able to work with it. The Convertible also had non-kit wheels that - it turned out - would not fit. The roof for the Convertible was molded in clear plastic and included the door glass. It turned out I could wedge the door glass under the A-pillar and keep it upright. Only problem is that I cannot display the convertible without the roof 'up'. The paint for it is Tamiya TS-11 Maroon.
The kit wheels for the Targa Top were moved over to the Convertible and some aftermarket Fujimi wheels added. It was only when working with the Targa Top that I realised how badly bent the A-pillars are on this as well. Unfortunately there are no side windows so I could not use that trick twice. None of my (admittedly poor) attempts to straighten the pillars worked particularly well, so they are still quite bad. Paint is an automotive Ford Viper Mica purple.
I have not built the Tamiya or (much newer) Hasegawa version of the 300ZX, but they cannot be anywhere near as bad as these. I have cleared two models out of the to-do pile, but these will be top of the list to go when I need more space in the display cabinet!
The entire time I was buidling I felt that something was off on the proportions of the Fujimi 300ZX mold. Comparing to a Tamiya 350Z suggests the width and length might be okay. I did not measure and compare to the real cars, but it must be near-ish:
Putting the Targa Top on the shelf made it clear what the issue is. It is much too short!
Cheers,
Grant.
I knew the Convertible had the front roll hoop bent at both A-pillars but thought I might be able to work with it. The Convertible also had non-kit wheels that - it turned out - would not fit. The roof for the Convertible was molded in clear plastic and included the door glass. It turned out I could wedge the door glass under the A-pillar and keep it upright. Only problem is that I cannot display the convertible without the roof 'up'. The paint for it is Tamiya TS-11 Maroon.
The kit wheels for the Targa Top were moved over to the Convertible and some aftermarket Fujimi wheels added. It was only when working with the Targa Top that I realised how badly bent the A-pillars are on this as well. Unfortunately there are no side windows so I could not use that trick twice. None of my (admittedly poor) attempts to straighten the pillars worked particularly well, so they are still quite bad. Paint is an automotive Ford Viper Mica purple.
I have not built the Tamiya or (much newer) Hasegawa version of the 300ZX, but they cannot be anywhere near as bad as these. I have cleared two models out of the to-do pile, but these will be top of the list to go when I need more space in the display cabinet!
The entire time I was buidling I felt that something was off on the proportions of the Fujimi 300ZX mold. Comparing to a Tamiya 350Z suggests the width and length might be okay. I did not measure and compare to the real cars, but it must be near-ish:
Putting the Targa Top on the shelf made it clear what the issue is. It is much too short!
Cheers,
Grant.