As promised, I said I would get this review here for you guys.
So a short background on the car, if you aren't a big car buff...well. Even if you are a big car buff, you might not know the legacy of this exact vehicle. The car may appear old, unspecial and has a weird "Panda" paint job. But don't let it fool you, this car has a very unique history and following.
The car was manufactured in 1983-1987 and the chassis code of this vehicle was the "AE86". The car was very popular when first introduced and was greatly praised by enthusiasts for its handling dynamic. It was also an extremely great tuning platform and a fan favorite for many street racers who were using the car to do "Touge" (fast runs downhill in Japan where a cars handling was more important than a cars power output). The car was also popularized by Keiichi Tsuchiya, the "Drift King" who is acknowledged by most as the father of drifting, since this was the car he had used mostly in developing the sport and style of drifting.
A manga was later made, known as "Initial D" which depicted the legend of the AE86 and was loosely based on Keiichi Tsuchiya's life and his fondness for the AE86. This further propelled the popularity of the 86 for the new generation and since then this little Toyota has a permanent place in the heart of Japanese tuner car enthusiasts around the world.
After the production of the car ended in 1987, the Corolla was switched to being FWD and generations later its the Corolla we see on our roads today. But there was one revival recently...If you guys haven't figured it out already, my car the Toyota 86 is based on the ideals of the original "AE86" Corolla and the naming, ques and many design features of my car were based on this original car.
But onwards to the review!
Box is greatly done. Features the manga art work of the car on either side and on the back:
Here's the model out of the box. For such an old car, AUTOart really captured every detail in it. I feel like it was a much simpler time, so AUTOart really had no trouble to replicate almost EVERY exact feature of the real car since nothing at that time was too complicated or shaped too oddly. Very straight cuts and realistic features that served very focused purposes.
The rear trunk is a major treat for me. I like how the cover is held up by suspended "rope" much like the real car and the inside has been flocked to simulate real carpet. Another thing that is always like on the AUTOart models is the realistic defog lines on the rear window.
The back looks great as well. The tail lamps are excellent and the emblems are spot on. Another feature I really liked was the exhaust tip and the rear mudflaps having "Trueno" staped on it. One thing that was missed however, was Takumi's license plate. I found that it was quite odd there was no printing on the back there.
Side shot:
The front shot you can really see the carbon fiber detailing on the hood and headlamps.
Interior was very well done too. You can clearly see the racing seat the inner door panel was matched exactly to the specs of the real car.
I feel that chrome is very hard to simulate on most car model these days, but the window deflector was coated perfectly and they somehow were able to have Trueno stamped on there as well. Also here you can clearly see the infamous logo of the Fujiwara Tofu Store.
And of course, my ABSOLUTE favorite feature of this model. It has workable pop up headlamps! The switch for them in very smooth and strong. The headlamps pop up and down in an instant with a very satisfying click.
Headlamps up:
And lastly the engine was made very well. I like how that the engine was so simple back in those days without all the computer controls and additional wiring needed in today's modern cars. The engine is placed in very well and it's the Sivlertop 20V 4A-GE engine from the TRD Group A car which Takumi was able to place in his car later in the series. I really like the independent velocity stacks and the bronze header. They definitely put a lot of work into replicating the engine and wiring. I don't think a signle detail was missed.
Close up of the fantastic carbon work and front fog lamps:
Couldn't resist another shot of the mudflaps and exhaust:
Very accurate Watanabe 8 Spoke wheels on the front and back:
Of course I had to do a shot of big brother with little brother!
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