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The Toyota 2000GT is known as the
first true Japanese sports car. Mainly built by Yamaha, this coupe was
introduced in 1967. AUTOart does this model as part of its Millenium line up.
The car comes in the very solid styrofoam packiging and is availible in red,
white or silver. AUTOart also produces two cabriolet versions, a James Bond
version and a normal Millenium cabriolet version. However, all real 2000GT
are all coupe.
The model is very well made, it is accurate and very solid. The paint is smooth
and thick all over. Although, the thin metal bonnet does seem to have
a extremely slight colour mismatch. However, other collectors have
pointed out that there is no such colour mismatch on their versions. The car
does not have any decals, they are tampo. The suspension, although replicated
on the back wheels, does not work. The car features a number of vents right
next to the hood and on the undercarriage and a mesh right in between the front
headlights. These are all perforated.
The front headlights, pop up lights
and rear lights are all accurate. No attachment stubs here! The rear
side lights are just painted on though, it is certainly a disappointment when
one compares this part to the rest of the magnificient exterior. The pop up
lights pop up by gently pushing a small rod underneath the car. These
are made out of plastic, and in fact, the red has a slight colour mismatch too.
The shut lines are very small
and uniform throughout the model. In fact, I really have a hard time to open
most of its parts. The car features pop up headlights, opening bonnet, doors
and rear hatch. It also has two small compartments on either side, one of which
holds a very undetailed battery. All the hinges are very
small and discrete.
The interior is one of the best I
have ever seen. Finished in chrome and wood, AUTOart have really
excelled themselves in replicating this area so realistically in all aspects.
The seats are made from hard plastic, but it is a good replica nonetheless. The
seatbelts are made out of fabric and the seatbelt buckle is photo etched.
The hatch at the back does not stay
open by itself, but the door has a little support which holds it up. The
support feels very fragile, I doubt I will ever pull it up again. The rear is
carpeted, but other than that, its plain.
The car had a 6 cylinder DOHC 1988cc and 150HP engine to power 1120kg of
Japanese technology up to 206 km/hr. The model's engine is excellent,
easily one of the top engines the diecast world has seen. It is fully wired and
detailed with separate plastic pieces each coloured realistically.
The
wheels are not branded but the thread is realistic. At the centre, there is
written " Toyota " and "Undo Right Side" refering to how the nuts should
be unscrewed. The brake detail can only been seen from the undercarriage. This
car was one of the first japanese cars to have 4 brake disks/calipers and
AUTOart has done well in replicating them all. The caliper is fixed while the
disk moves with the wheel. The brake detail is not one of the greatest,
but it is allright for such a hidden part in my opinion.
The undercarriage looks good. Although I did not have
any photos to compare with, the details found are nicely defined and
coloured well. The undercarriage also features a large amount of rather large
screw holes which held the car firm with the styrofoam packing, needed for
sure, but they are quite too large.
In conclusion, AUTOart did a magnificient job. It
is a great model and I really cannot expect a mid range model to be much
better than this. All the areas are well detailed, it has vast opening features
and the model as a whole is very solid. I cannot do anything but highly
reccomend it.
Thanks Claire for giving me such a wonderful
Easter present! :)
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