Some might remember my issue with getting a Kyosho Diablo GTR of it’s base. And seeing how easy shopteacher got the Schuco 911 of it’s base I was reminded of this issue so I got it out of the closet. But I had a new idea that prevented me from using power tools. What did I use instead? LEGO Duplo. Of course.
Because that screw actually wasn’t totally ruined. It was just that I could not get it moving and I didn’t know how to unleash more “torque” on to the screw. Then I figured it out. I just had to construct two sides to hold up the base with the car in between, put a small screwdriver on the screw/put some force on it’s top and finally use some pliers to get the screwdriver turning with maximum grip/leverage. Like this:
Worked like a dream. It wouldn’t have worked for shopteacher as his base was from paper but for plastic bases this prevents you from ruining the cast. Using the acrylic dust-cover itself would probably have me crack that one, the Duplo is totally up to it’s task. Why didn’t I think about this sooner...
The Diablo GTR was the most brutal Diablo, a car we all know. The Diablo was the last “real” Lamborghini as during the Diablo production run Lamborghini was taken over by VAG and put under control of the premium Audi division. Actually, the Diablo was introduced while Lamborghini was owned by American car company Chrysler but development of the car was started way before that. And the Diablo outlived that ownership quite easily as Chrysler sold the company already after 7 years.
And yes: it’s design by Gandini was “smoothened out” a bit due to the Americans, leaving Marcello himself in despair. And teaming up later with one of my all time favorite Italians Giorgio Moroder to create the epic Cizeta Moroder. But that’s for another SS. Maybe. If I ever find a decent cast of that one.
And the Diablo was the first non off-roading Lamborghini available with 4 wheel drive, a feature the later Audi-Lambos would have somewhat by default. That Diablo, the VT, isn’t anything like this GTR though. Of course this one has RWD. Things it lacked as well was nonsense features like airconditioning, a radio and some soundproofing.
Did they add stuff as well? Off course. A huge wing, some carbon stuff (check that front splitter!) and some power. 600 hp. Other things that made it a total track-oriented car were the integrated pneumatic air jacks to lift the car in the pits. Using normal rolling jacks would only harm the beautiful body when you’re in a hurry, right?
Lamborghini made 40 units of this beast, 10 more than initially planned. People actually raced these, quite successfully I might add. Paul Stokell, Tasmanian racing driver and frequent pilot in all kinds of Australian racing championships, took the GTR to two championship wins of the Nations Cup Championship. In there it beat all kinds of GTs like the Ferrari 360GT, Holden Monaro 427C and the Porsche 911 GT2R.
The model (1/43 Kyosho) is lovely but it has one big let-down: It’s paint. Usually I’m not into black cars anyway (black doesn’t really show all the curves, dents and lines like other colors can) but with this one it simply looks a bit like Kyosho had this one painted in a dusty place. Lots of tiny bumps.
And that’s really something you can’t fix. And I’m not sure if all those amazing details make up for it anymore. Sure hope you all had a great weekend and for those starting a nasty week of work/study tomorrow: Buona fortuna. Ciao Tutti!
