Ever since its inception, the Ferrari F40 has always been as one of the most celebrated icons of auto racing as well as an automobile itself. Being born in 1989, I remember being very fond of the shape and design of this car. There was a red F40 I had when I was very young, it had a pullstring motor, which I remember having tons of fun. As anything a toddler would, it was beat to death and never survived.
When asked what is a car, the F40 would be first to come into my mind. This turbo-charged beast was hugely popular when I was a impressionable child, it's hard to convince me otherwise even though there have been many great hits since its arrival. The F40 has a firm place in my favorite cars.
I was quickly seduced when I laid eyes on this model, there's nothing quite like a black F40. It shouldn't be correct but it looks sooooo good!
Design & Accuracy: 9/10
Kyosho doesn't lose to AUTOart in this department, every surface is nicely represented; especially the rear mesh grill allowing a peek into its heart. Every scoop and vent is opened as they should. There was never a black F40 from the factory but what actually led to deduction of points is the OZ LM Competizione wheels, the spokes are a hair too thin. It's more visible on the rear wheels.
Fit and Finish: 8/10
The black paint isn't mirror perfect, but the orange peel only slightly noticeable. Its emblems are tiny yet sharp and crisp, standing up to scrutiny. The flaws that stand out are the camber on the wheels and the gaps around the moving parts. If you enlarge some of the images you'll notice that it's lifting the passenger rear wheel up ever so slightly. The alignment of the wheels is also tad off at a angle, I guess that's the price to pay for buying a heavily discounted model. The gaps around the opening parts is smaller issue, the black paint disguises it pretty well.
You will find photo-etch parts in the engine bay however they don't really the width of the intercoolers. Other than that, they do their job excellently. Opening up the front and rear sections reveal highly detailed parts that are meticulously painted. That's very impressive for a 1:43 model.
Features: 7/10
I think the level of details carry on into the driving cabin but there's no opening doors to confirm that. Neither do the front wheels steer. But with front and rear opening 'hatches', no piece is omitted and each of them are molded in the right shape and/or painted to lift up its realism. I've made sure to take some close-up shots to express my point.
I expect this to roar into life any second...
Value: 8/10
Instead of the retail RM 150 (US$45~), I nailed this for RM 60 (US$18~); a bargain for something of such high quality. Most 1:43 models at that price seldom come with opening parts and detailed bits inside. But eBay turns up with much higher prices, being out of production means means sellers there are likely to demand obscene prices.
Rarity: 9/10
The shop I bought it from still has a few lying around but the shop attendant told me those are the only stock left. Once they're gone, there won't be new stocks coming in either.
Search on eBay only yielded one the same black F40 with a 'buy it now' price of US$89~ (w/o shipping). Other color choices are available and they can be had for their $45 retail price.
Total: 41/50
That's pretty decent for a 1:43 model. Kyosho didn't disappoint at all, they certainly went great lengths in its creation just as they would with their larger scale models. I kinda prefer this over the red version I have, perhaps this is the evil twin(?)
I know having the heavy discount might have distorted the score, it might not be that high if I had bought it at retail price (red version). If you have RM 60, head by the shop at Jalan Petaling and score yourself with some incredible deals!
Bonus pictures
