Updated: 18th September 2007

Scale 1/24 Kit Manufacturer Tamiya Grade-up Parts Studio 27 Year 1991 Driver Carlos Sainz (Spain) Event Monte Carlo Rally

1991 saw Carlos Sainz finish second in the WRC drivers standings only 7 points behind Finnish winner Juha Kankkunen in the Lancia Delta. It was Sianz' third year with the Toyota team and the Celica was beggining to show real potential and was a serious challenger for the all conquering Lancia Delta's.
The car ran in the Marlboro red and white colour scheme before the Toyota's went over to the green, red & white Castrol colour scheme which is more familiar with Toyota and appeared on the 1993 car.
The Toyota Celica GT-4's power plant was a Type 3S-GTE, cast iron block with aluminum head construction which was transversally mounted. The engine size was 1998 cm3, water cooled in-line 4. This drove the 7½"x16" wheels booted on 195/60 VR 14 tires. It was all wheel drive, had a central viscous coupler, Torsen rear differential. Epicyclical center differential with 50-50 % F/R distribution. Final drive ratio 4.285:1. The power was fed to the wheels via a Five speed fully synchronized gear box.

The model is based on Tamiya's Celica 2000GTR road going version and the Studio 27 transkit to create the WRC version.

Details added:

• Replaced plastic parts/decals with photo-etch / white metal as follows;
  White metal parts:
  Interior floor pan
  Sump Protection
  Steering Wheel & Column
  Dashboard
  Driver Pedals
  Wheels
  Fuel tank
  Seats
  Handbrake
  Gear Lever
  Exhaust
  Roll bar
  Side Sills
  Number plate surround
  Battery
  Driver's door Mirror
  Fire Extinguishers
  Radiator
  Resin Parts:
  Front bumper
• Added photo-etch as follows;
  Bonnet & Boot Fasteners
  Driver's Pedals
  Mud Flaps
  Tyre Valves
  Roof Air Intakes
  Towing Eyes
  Wipers
  Fuel Cap
  Footwell footplates
  Radiator Fan & Mesh

This was a challenging transkit. I decided to use the decal supplied and was pleasantly suprised just how well they fit, with a little help from Microsol. I also used some Flocking for the seats and dashboard, I am still unsure wether I am happy with this effect or not but maybe I will try it again on another build. Unfortunately the roll bar didnt not fit well at all and despite numerous attempts I admitted defeat, you can see in some of the pictures where it looks wrong.

Other than that it was an enjoyable build and obviously vastly improves the street car which looks meek and mild in comparison!


Completed pics