Tamiya 1/12 scale static kits - what is a reasonable price?
Discussion
Assume you’re talking about the F1 cars and Porsches? Older kits sometime command a premium…but then they sometimes get re-released, which affects value. Also, some people want originals, never to be built, others don’t care about things like that.
Best thing at any point is to look at completed EBay items for an idea of price.
Quality varies, so be careful when you look online at completed builds - there’s a hell of a variation in build quality and the use of aftermarket parts.
My subjective opinion is that the 70’s and early ‘80’s F1 cars are the best of the lot when built OOB, but the later ones - FW14B, Ferrari 640 and MP4/6 (which I’m building at the moment) - seem less complicated. This may be to do with chassis construction being carbon rather than riveted aluminium, and perhaps more of the mechanical being components hidden within the monocoque on the real cars.
Best thing at any point is to look at completed EBay items for an idea of price.
Quality varies, so be careful when you look online at completed builds - there’s a hell of a variation in build quality and the use of aftermarket parts.
My subjective opinion is that the 70’s and early ‘80’s F1 cars are the best of the lot when built OOB, but the later ones - FW14B, Ferrari 640 and MP4/6 (which I’m building at the moment) - seem less complicated. This may be to do with chassis construction being carbon rather than riveted aluminium, and perhaps more of the mechanical being components hidden within the monocoque on the real cars.
Wise words from the Doctor as always.
Nearly all the Tamiya kits up to and including the Renault Turbo have been rereleased several times making them quite easy to get hold of. I don’t recall the last three (mentioned above) ever having been re-re-ed so, despite being the modern kits, can be considerably more expensive.
The rereleased can vary a lot in content, whether with reprinted Cartograf decals or small photo-etched sheets. It depends what you’re after. But even with the old issues the quality is lovely, and if the decals are scrap there are many aftermarket sets out there, as well as some choice mechanical upgrades.
I agree on the simplicity thing - i think for the last three Tamiya’s moulding technology had moved on significantly to allow things like 1-piece engine/gearbox mouldings etc, allowing a much easier alignment process during the build (together with full length floors). Look at on-line instructions and you’ll see what I mean.
Good luck with your quest!
Nearly all the Tamiya kits up to and including the Renault Turbo have been rereleased several times making them quite easy to get hold of. I don’t recall the last three (mentioned above) ever having been re-re-ed so, despite being the modern kits, can be considerably more expensive.
The rereleased can vary a lot in content, whether with reprinted Cartograf decals or small photo-etched sheets. It depends what you’re after. But even with the old issues the quality is lovely, and if the decals are scrap there are many aftermarket sets out there, as well as some choice mechanical upgrades.
I agree on the simplicity thing - i think for the last three Tamiya’s moulding technology had moved on significantly to allow things like 1-piece engine/gearbox mouldings etc, allowing a much easier alignment process during the build (together with full length floors). Look at on-line instructions and you’ll see what I mean.
Good luck with your quest!
The re-releases seem to hover around the £100 mark. To put that in context, back in 1975 I bought the 1/12 Ferrari 312B for around £8.00 
However, as has been mentioned, the new issues tend to come with photo-etch and some other enhancements - plus new decals so are probably better kits overall than when originally released.
I recently ordered the 1/12 Lotus 72 JPS from Jadlam at a price of £95.00. It's going to be re-released by Tamiya near the end of this month.
However, as has been mentioned, the new issues tend to come with photo-etch and some other enhancements - plus new decals so are probably better kits overall than when originally released.
I recently ordered the 1/12 Lotus 72 JPS from Jadlam at a price of £95.00. It's going to be re-released by Tamiya near the end of this month.
I recently ebayed a mint early issue 312T4 kept since the mid eighties. Still bagged inside, tyres sealed, decals and chrome perfect, I was hoping for a little more than the £85 bid, others had sold around the £100 mark. Still, the German winner was delighted, hope it's being built.
Never, NEVER take a chance on a Protar 12th...had the first 3 312 T series cars, horrid, horrid things.
Never, NEVER take a chance on a Protar 12th...had the first 3 312 T series cars, horrid, horrid things.
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