Aoshima 1/24 Toyota 86 Kit First Look

By Ken Kitchen, Front Range Auto Modelers (FRAM)

First Look

I'll be the first to admit that I never heard of this car. I'm really not into the import car/tuner car scene. But what I found while researching the background on this model makes me wonder if I shouldn't be a little more tuned in and check one of these out for myself. The Toyota 86 is one of a series of sports coupes jointly developed by the Japanese automobile manufacturers Toyota and Subaru. They feature a boxer style front-engine, rear-wheel-drive layout and 2+2 seating. The 86 is sold under different brands in different areas of the world. In the United States and Canada it is sold as the Subaru BRZ and the Scion FR-S. I found many reviews of these cars and they were all very positive.

Here are the basic stats from the box and instruction sheet:

• Scale: 1/24
• Glue assembly, paint required
• Highly detailed plastic pieces molded in white, black and clear
• Hood may be opened to reveal the flat-4 engine
• Steerable front wheels
• Metal transfers included for mirror surfaces and manufacture emblems
• Detailed suspension and drivetrain
• Includes metal-plated parts for light cases
• Window masking stickers included
• Waterslide decals
• Detailed pictorial instructions

Can you say Gazillion? Because that's what's in the box, a Gazillion parts. Once I removed all the parts to inspect them I wasn't sure I was going to be able to put them all back in the box. Last year Aoshima released a curbside version of the Toyota 86 sans engine. They have now updated their excellent kit and made it even better by adding a detailed FA20 Boxer engine.

The body is molded in white, chassis and interior molded in black, with silver wheels. This "3 in 1" kit with multiple building options. It has the parts for right and left-hand drive as well as parts for stock height and lowered drive train. The kit also has the parts to build both the Japanese and the non-Japanese market versions. The parts are cleanly tooled and remarkably free of flash. White and black are the primary colors of plastic with the body parts primarily in white. The black plastic is used for everything else.

One very nice touch is the window masks that Aoshima provides the builder something I wish came in more kits. The body has separate nose and tail inserts to provide the proper car details for the Japanese or North American version. Tires are rubber/vinyl and are directional so be sure to pay attention to this during your build.

Instructions are mostly in Japanese, but any differences in version are clearly marked. The decals are well printed and include Toyota and Scion markings. There are also several different instruments decals and body  trim markings. You can build the Toyota 86, Toyota GT86 or the Scion FR-S.

A most excellent representation of the Toyota 86 and with attention to detail painting and assembly a fine model can be built. This kit is highly recommended!

My sincere thanks to DragonModels USA for this review sample!