Ten's Minicar Project (2024)

20/02/2024

25: [Evolution] (1/2)

(Starting the Year of the Dragon with two Red Evos!)

Take a trip down memory lane to the late ‘90s when Mitsubishi’s glory days in off-road rally racing began, participating in the Dakar Rally’s production-based T2 class. To homologate for the class, just under 2700 road-going Pajero Evolutions were produced from 1997 to 1999, featuring numerous unique features, including a multi-link independent suspension at the rear. The Pajero Evos then dominated, swcuring the first four spots in both 1997 and 1998, contributing to Mitusbishi’s 12 overall Dakar wins in a span of 22 years, a record no other manufacturer has achieved.

Tomica has held the sole 2-door ~1:64 Pajero playing field for over a decade until Inno Models introduced the Pajero Evo in early 2020. While their casting undoubtedly takes the cake for the most realistic 1:64 Pajero, Hot Wheels may offer the best bang for the buck Pajero. Debuted in last year's J case, this red off-roader effectively captures the essence of the Evo variant, featuring the prominent side fenders and skid plate, aggressive spoiler, and even the mudflaps. The white colour release from the P case makes the Ralliart livery stand out further. All it needs is the deco on the rear - something that's addressed here after a bit of detailing. Perhaps a premium release is all it needs, like the other Ralliart-livered Evo lurking in the back?

14/02/2024

24: [The Widowmaker]

To secure homologation in Group 4 and Group 5 racing, Porsche adapted the turbo technology from their Can-Am racer and stunned the world with the 911 (930) Turbo. Featuring wide flared fenders and a huge “whale tail” spoiler, it was Porsche’s first production car fitted with a Turbo and the fastest car of its time, yet also the most unforgiving to drive. The heavily rear-biased layout made the 930 highly prone to lift-off oversteer and swing mid-corner, coupled with extreme turbo lag, often leading to crashes in the hands of regular people with little experience driving a rear-engine, high powered car with no driving aids. Nevertheless, those who overcome fear and manage to tame the turbo Carrera will be rewarded with a raw, exhilarating driving experience that no modern cars can give.

May 2015 saw the release of the sixth and final Porsche Minicar Collection by Kyosho. With 6 out of 8 castings previously used, it was a rather bitter end to one of the most favourite brands by motorsport fans, but at least one of the final two new castings is this retooled 930 Turbo. Once sold for over 10,000 yen in Yahoo Japan Auction, this gloss black 930 is the last secret car of the Porsche Collection series (just like how Hot Wheels made all their premium chases in black, isn't it?). Receiving a massive upgrade from the initial tooling in the first Porsche Collection (with improved headlamps & proportions, as well as separated mirror pieces), it stands its ground among the sea of ~1:64 stock 930s without chunky A&B-pillars and arguably features the best Fuchs wheels in the 1:64 fields. With Hot Wheels now releasing their second 930 casting (after the 100% line) and multiple brands setting their foot on the RUFs, wide-bodied RWB 930s and resto-modded, 930-looking Singer Turbo Study, the legacy of the first Turbo Porsche for the road continues for many more years to come.

#911
#930
#934
#935

29/01/2024

[McLarenF1 Monday]

Commonly know as Pink Floyd drummer Nick Mason’s F1, chassis 10R served as the launch car for the nine 1996-spec F1 GTRs. It was used for testing and development after 01R was retired following the Le Mans win. With enhancements such as a sturdier gearbox, lowered ground clearance, and a more aggressive front splitter, the 96-spec F1 GTR was 38 kg lighter and quicker down the straight line. Despite undergoing thousands of test miles, the 10R never participated in the 1996 racing season. After being sold to Nick Mason, it was converted for road-legal use by Lanzante. Although it experienced a notable crash at the 2017 Goodwood Member’s Meeting, the car was successfully repaired and returned to the Festival of Speed in 2022, good as new.

As the only F1 GTR that never took part in a race, the 10R become a fitting choice to feature as this secret car in Kyosho’s 2010 F1 GTR Racing Collection. Replicating the 10R in its launch car specification also meant that that this casting does not include the air scoop currently present on the real car. Hot Wheels also replicated the 10R with its signature red body, yellow rims and large “GTR” livery across the sides. That Speed Machine release was one of Hot Wheels most valuable F1 GTR releases before the final id release and NFTH release. Anticipating that Mini GT will release the best looking 1:64 10R for one-thrid/a quarter of this model’s price, it’s hard not to question my earlier financial decision to acquire this Kyosho…

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21/01/2024

23: [Legend’s Ride]

While McLaren named their third Ultimate Series hypercar Senna as tribute to Aryton Senna’s success with the Formula 1 Team, Senna himself, understandably, was not directly involved with the car. That honour belongs to Honda’s New Sportscar eXperimental (NSX), the world's first mass-production car with an all-aluminium monocoque body. Senna’s feedback after test driving the prototype led to the production car’s chassis being 50% stiffer than it was, with improved suspension settings for a better driving experience, a contribution that solidified its status as a groundbreaking vehicle, with vastly superior reliability and usability than the likes of Ferraris and Porsches of the time.

While Taccar/Targa pioneered the 1:64 NSX with an openable rear glass cover in their 2009 “NSX The Engine” series, Tomytec took it one step further with their NSX announced in late 2020. This silver, 1990-spec NSX was released in Feb 2021, along with the even more iconic Formula Red NSX. Being the latest contender in the 1:64 NSX game (before Kaido House’s release next year), this casting surpassed all previous contenders that attempted to replicate the car. It has a separate piece for the front license plate (the molded plate ruined the appearance of Taccar’s, Kyosho Bead’s Collection’s, and Hobby Japan’s first casting in the past), more realistic fog lights than Ignition Model, and generally better proportion (as do Tomytec’s traditions). The cherry on top is the openable glass cover and engine cover, with just enough friction to hold in place by themselves, revealing the painted engine bay. It also impressed the collectors in a way that the side mirrors are already inserted on the door – not a common practice by TLV outside of their Nissan releases. Nevertheless, some found themselves having to polish the roof on their own in order to obtain that true gloss black top…

20/01/2024

22: [Smokey and the Bandit]

With its signature Screaming Chicken hood stickers, the 2nd generation Pontiac Firebird underwent a significant front facelift in 1977 with the four rectangular headlamps. Featuring an array of options (including engine blocks) for customers to choose from, the Trans Am Y82 Special Edition, in particular, gained massive popularity due to its role in the 1977 movie "Smokey and the Bandit" with Burt Reynolds. This exposure significantly boosted the car’s sales. Reynolds was later gifted a ’77 Trans Am SE for his pivotal role in the movie's success, and that very car was sold for close to $500,000 last year.

Released in May of this year, this Pontiac Firebird is part Tomica’s Premium line, replacing the Toyota Soarer to bear the Number 21. Just like their basic Tomica model from 1978, it features openable doors but with vastly superior details, including inserted front and rear lights, making it the only ~1:64 firebird with this feature. Unlike the first Tomica casting and Kyosho’s casting, this Tomica Premium features the T-top, like other American 1:64 brands, instead of the conventional hardtop. Rather ironically, when comparing different brands side to side, one may argue that the Japanese brands brands have produced more accurate 1:64 '77 Firebirds than American brands in terms of accuracy of rims and general proportion…

19/01/2024

21: [Super Treasure Hunt - Nissan 300ZX Twin Turbo] (2/2)

…While the 300ZX remained under the 1:64 radar for almost a decade after Tomica and Konami (yes, that video game developer) released their iterations in the early ‘00s, its market popularity has resurged in recent years. Tomica released a new Z32 casting in 2017 in their premium line, this time in the 2-seater, twin turbo trim, just as Hot Wheels’ casting that debuted in 2019. As the first Super Treasure Hunt in 2021, it marked the first time the 300ZX received real riders from hot wheels. The already lowered stance of the basic car looks further enhanced with the 6 Spoke Mag (TE37) real riders, with the Spectraflame Blue making the car resemble the Sapphire Blue seen in the real 300zx. This Plain Spectraflame Blue w/ Chrome Real Riders spec would be seen again very soon as Hot Wheels replicated this spec onto their 2019 Audi R8 Spyder Super TH in the M case of the same year.

Inno Models eventually debuted their 300ZX in 2022, in the 2+2 setup like Tomica’s eldest Z32 casting. Considering Tomica/Tomytec’s close relationship with Nissan and their Limited Vintage Neo line’s progression into developing more and more ‘90s cars in recent years, perhaps it will be Tomytec’s turn to release the next 1:64 300ZX?

07/01/2024

21: [Super Treasure Hunt - Nissan 300ZX Twin Turbo] (1/2)
One of the earliest cars designed with CAD, the Z32 300ZX was among the most advanced and best-selling production sports car in the ‘90s. The car boasted numerous new technological features, including four-wheel steering, adjustable suspension, and the well-designed 60-degree slanted headlights that were so well-designed that Lamborghini borrow them for their facelifted Diablo. However, with all these high-tech equipment and systems, the car became increasingly challenging to repair as it aged, presenting a hurdle for owners looking to cruise hassle-free...

(To be continued)

01/01/2024

[(1st Jan!) McLarenF1 Monday] - Kyosho F1 GTR Racing Collection

The No.39 Longtail adorned in the iconic Gulf Racing livery represents the chassis , in its debut look in 1997 as well as its current appearance since 2018. Under Gulf Team Davidoff at the 1997 Le Mans, the car was holding onto the 4th position until an unfortunate oil line crack led to a fiery setback, forcing its premature retirement just two hours before the race concluded. The car later found a new home with Hitotsuyama Racing in 1999, embarking on a journey in Japan’s JGTC from 2000 to 2003. Competing without major factory support and constrained by air restrictors to comply with GT500 regulations, the car faced fierce competition from the three Japanese Giants and was often outpaced, with its best result being a commendable 3rd place finish in 2002.

Following two addition GT500 races at Fuji Speedway in 2005, the 25R marked its final chapter as the last chassis to race in an official motorsport event, symbolizing the conclusion of the car’s illustrious racing history. After undergoing an 18-month restoration by McLaren Special Operations ultilising pristine pre-June 1997 components, the 25R now stands restored to its pre-Le Mans debut glory. This also meant the car holds the distinction of being the very first McLaren F1 to receive the MSO certificate from the authenticity program, a testament to the meticulous preservation of its rich heritage.

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27/12/2023

20: [Mercedes-Benz 190E (W201 16V)] (2/2)

Beyond the virtual realm, the ties between the Cosworth-tuned 190E and the Nürburgring trace back to 1985 when the Nürburgring GP was inaugurated. Showcasing 20 190E 2.3-16s and the world's top drivers, the Race of Champions foreshadowed Aryton Senna's prowess as the greatest as he claimed victory, and affirmed the 190E's triumphs in DTM in the years to come.

This is Hot Wheels' latest iteration of their popular 190E Evo II casting, initially introduced seven years ago. Drawing inspiration from 's , conceptualised by and unveiled at SEMA just two weeks ago, Hot Wheels adeptly captures the clean aesthetics of the build. The model faithfully replicates the smoked rear lights and Penta-styled Rotiforms with their two-toned five-spoke real riders. (The addition of black detailing on the front splitter, mirrors and pillars around the side windows certainly enhances the car's realism!). Given that Hot Wheels has yet to produce a 2.3-16 190E or Evo I casting, utilizing the Evo II casting with its larger wings and fenders serves as a fitting tribute to this particular car.

As the 1:64 world anticipates an upcoming wave of modified 190Es (including A$AP Rocky’s car featured in Need For Speed Unbound) made by DCM, HKM and Error 404 Model, we can expect a big influx of diverse 190E models very soon.

25/12/2023

[McLarenF1 Monday] /

The third car in F1 GTR Racing Collection set featured here, this casting by Kyosho still stands as the sole F1 GTR Longtail casting in 1:64 scale, donning the No.42 FINA livery representing the then- and now- . The car left a lasting impression on my childhood as I first saw it in Gran Turismo 4, appearing in the BMW New Car showroom – most likely due to licensing and the chassis’ involvement with BMW Motorsport.

Under the BMW Motorsport Team’s 1997 Programme, Chassis 24R and 26R debuted bearing No.42 and No.43 respectively at Le Mans. While the 24R was the fastest Longtail and secured 3rd place in class during the qualifiers, it was retired from the race due to an accident. Conversely, the 26R impressively clinched 3rd place overall in the race.

After a change in ownership, the 24R made a return to Le Mans in 1998, achieving a commendable 4th place finish, sporting the EMI Racing livery the car currently possess. As for the 26R which has maintained the FINA livery, currently bears the No.42 and driver lineup reminiscent of the 24R's appearance at the 1997 Le Mans – Just as how it looks throughout the Gran Turismo series.

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24/12/2023

19: [Distinct memories from Gran Turismo – Mercedes-Benz 190E 2.5-16 Evolution II] (1/2)

With only 502 units produced for DTM homologation, the 190E "Evo 2" is a stepped-up version of the already captivating Evolution I from the W201 platform. Extracting more power from the 2.5-litre Cosworth engine, the car showcases a radical body kit, adorned with two massive wings behind the rear windows and on the trunk - something not many would associate with a “stock” four door saloon.

It etched a lasting memory for me as the first car tasked with conquering the entire lap of Nurburgring Nordschleife in the Gran Turismo 4 license test (IA-15), all while trailing behind the R34 pace car without overtaking. The child me spent over a month just to break the elusive 10-minute mark. The initial sense of joy and accomplishment quickly faded when we faced with the final license test (S-16) in a Sauber C9…

Mini GT released this 190E just in time for Christmas 2020, preceding Tarmac Works’ release and following Inno Models’. While it retains the rubber mirrors to minimise the risk of breakage, the inclusion of the etched star bonnet emblem makes it technically the most delicate model produced by Mini GT (possibly until the arrival of their Mercedes-Maybach S680 release; not complaining at all about the emblem though). Regarding the paintjob, Mini GT does a terrific job in replicating the “Blauschwarz” black pearl metallic featured on the 190E, infusing a blue tint to the black paint when most of other brands ended up making a Piano Black or plain Black Metallic 190E. However, Kyosho, the pioneer in crafting the 1:64 190E Evo II Road Car, featured an even more pronounced blue hue than Mini GT. Anyone who have closely observed the real car and own both Kyosho’s & Mini GT’s 190E would like to discuss whether the eldest casting actually captures the most realistic Blauschwarz paint?

23/12/2023

18: [BMW M3 AC Schnitzer S3 Sport]

A year after participating in theGerman Touring Car Trophy (DTT) and Group N Rallye with the ACS3 Sport Group N (based on the BMW M3 E30) in 1988, showcasing the car’s adaptability to different forms of motorsport, AC Schnitzer presented the road-legal version of the ACS3 Sport at the IAA Frankfurt Motor Show. This demonstration highlighted how the well-received stock car could be further refined with motorsport-tested mechanical parts, laying the foundation for AC Schnitzer’s leading role in modifying BMWs in the upcoming years.

Released in mid-2021, this was Mini GT’s second take on a modified E30 road car following the Alpina B6 3.5S. In contrast to the Alpina, this E30 is equipped with an extra front splitter, and the road car mirrors & spoiler are replaced with DTM mirrors and an EVO III spoiler – giving it the appearance of a DTM race car for the road. Nevertheless, casting-wise, the rear wheels appeared too tucked inside the wheel wells, a problem that seems to have challenged almost all premium 1:64 brands attempting to recreate the E30 (e.g. Kyosho, Tarmac Works’ earlier releases, some of ScaleMini’s releases, etc.), with relatively large rear lights done by Mini GT when compared to other 1:64 brands. This doesn’t hinder the casting’s popularity however, as the second-hand market for all of Mini GT’s non-racing E30 releases is on the rise (especially the AC Schnitzer and Alpina)…perhaps we can anticipate more E30 road car releases in the future?

20/12/2023

17: [Distinct memories from Gran Turismo – Honda LOCTITE MUGEN NSX ‘01]

…As Honda retired the #16 Castrol MUGEN NSX for preservation after it won the 2000 GT series championship, a new chassis was built for MUGEN M-TEC, sponsored by Loctite in 2001. Despite enhancements such as a strengthened gearbox and improved aerodynamics, its naturally-aspirated V6 engine still grappled with a lack of torque. The No.1 car, winning the opening race, faced further weight penalties on top of the existing 50kg handicap, struggling to maintain consistent point standings. It ultimately fell short in defending the title but managed to secure a place within the top three by the season's end.

This 1:64 NSX Race car was released in March 2011, featured in the only Honda collection done by Kyosho. The Mobil1 NSX (also featured in Gran Turismo 4) and the TAKATA NSX from the 2001 season were also included in this set. While Kyosho did not cast the front canards, it would be truly appreciated if they utilized the same casting, incorporated an extra air snorkel, and recreated the Castrol MUGEN NSX …one can dream, can’t he?

17/12/2023

16: [White Collection – Porsche 936/78]

Along with the 935, Porsche also developed the 936 for the Group 6 “Two-Seater Racing Cars”. Leveraging the chassis and most of the parts based on the 917, this car quickly proved as successful as its predecessor, clinching the 1976 World Sportscar Championship and claiming back-to-back victories at Le Mans (with Chassis 002 in 1976 and Chassis 001 in 1977).

Although the three 936 chassis didn’t score any wins at Le Mans in 1978, both #001 and #002 still achieved a commendable 2-3 finish in Le Mans that year. #003 would eventually follow suit, attaining its own Le Mans victory in 1981 after being retrieved from the museum and outfitted with a 2.65-litre engine initially developed for Indy car racing. Little did we know Porsche would further monopolised sportscar racing with its successor as the Group C was introduced in place of Group 6…

Continuing the Porsche Minicar Collection by Kyosho, the third installment included this plain white 936 alongside two Martini-liveried 936s (representing No.6 Chassis 001 and No.5 Chassis 003) in a similar fashion as the previous trio of 935s in the 2nd set. Depicting the 1978 spec, the model notably features the huge side NACA duct and updated hanging spoiler, prominently casted by Kyosho.
Only Tomica had replicated the 936 in similar scale to Kyosho’s release, though it was made in 1978, based on the early ’76 variant without the signature scoop feeding air to the intercooler…

#911
#936
#93678

16/12/2023

15: [White Collection – Porsche 935/76]

When only the hood, trunk and doors had to remain stock, with minimal restrictions on power, fenders and aero devices, the Group 5 "Special Production Car" classification showcased an array of fire-spitting, cartoonish race cars with big turbos, giant wings and wide fenders, a far cry from their street car counterparts. Unlike the Group 4 entrant (934) which retained conventional headlights like the 930 Turbo, the Porsche 935 adopted a distinctive slant-nose treatment as the 1976 season progressed, relocating the headlights to the front apron to reduce drag and enhance downforce. Despite poor reliability issues that plagued the two 935s as they underwent further refinement towards the end of the season, the BMWs remained no match against the turbocharged Porsches’ raw pace. Porsche ultimately clinched the 1976 FIA World Championship for Makes in the season's final race, marking the beginning of the 935's dominance in the years to follow.

This plain white 935 was released by Kyosho in their 2nd Porsche MiniCar Collection in 2006, along with 2 other Martini-liveried 935. While a plain white 935 doesn’t exactly exist IRL (the closest being the 935/78 “Moby Dick” Test Car with minimal stickers), the functional form of the bodywork stands out dramatically when all decals are stripped off, just as exemplified previously in The Plain Bodies series by .

Minichamps also released two versions of 1:64 935/76 over a decade ago, with variations in headlights and rims across releases. Compared to Kyosho, Minichamps’ rendition offers a more detailed interior and bulkier tyres, but appears slightly larger in scale. Once thought to be discontinued forever, it was recently resurrected by Tarmac Works’ Collab64 line, offering several liveries from 1976 and 1977. Hot Wheels also released their 935/76 in 2021, nine years after their ‘Moby Dick’ debut. Let’s see if they will introduce a plain-coloured / Martini-tributed premium release in the future…

#911 #935

15/12/2023

[McLarenF1] LCD Models – Silver

Out of the 64 road-going F1s produced, no less than 18 were painted in Magnesium Silver – the most popular colour. Notably, many significant figures had/have owned the car in this shade, including Lewis Hamilton ( #044), Elon Musk ( #067), Ralph Lauren ( #055 & #074), Ron Dennis ( #050), and Gordon Murray himself ( ). Among these Silver F1s, two are equipped with the High Downforce Kit ( #023 & #059), an option found on just up to ten F1 road cars to date.

Recently released late last year, this Silver F1 was part of LCD’s initial wave of six F1s. Boasting a front-end that’s even better-proportioned than previous contenders, the interior, an area where LCD excels, also showcased their signature Alcantara-textured interior, similar to previous McLaren releases, along with dual interior rear-view mirrors. Nevertheless, it may leave some collectors underwhelmed given what the brand has previously achieved with their HP Barchetta at the same price point. There remain areas that could be further improved in this casting, including the engine bay, side door vents and the gear shifter. Would be great if mine’s left mirror isn’t facing far outwards as well…

13/12/2023

[McLarenF1] Kyosho – Silver

Out of the 64 standard road-going Mclaren F1 units through 1997, the UK, despite being the birthplace of the car, houses only 18 of them as of 2022, while the USA boasts 25. However, the balance shifts when we consider the race cars as well, as the UK has at least 18 of the coveted race cars while the USA has no more than 5. And then we have the Sultan of Brunei who once owned 10 of the 106 F1s, and still retains 7 for himself...

Released in 2009, this Silver F1 was part of Kyosho’s British Sports Collection (Remarkably, nearly a third of the 30+1-car set is made up of Mclaren F1s). On a side note, almost all cars from this collection (except for the 3 Aston Martin DBR9s) are available on the market without their original box and card (hmm…”looks sus”), hence some in East Asia, especially Japan, may still discover these at prices lower than a Premium Hot Wheels. While the interior, engine bay and the roof & hood intake bits remain unpainted, this casting, in general, is an improvement over the contender featured last week, with the separate headlight pieces and mirrors.

On to the next brand…

Ten's Minicar Project