Various Ford GT builds - kit comparisons

[arcticwolf]

Who doesn't love a Ford GT? These are built from various different kits (and combinations of kits).

The IMC original Ford GT40

Built up chassis is fairly visually accurate, parts will eventually fit with some work:

Chassis ready for opening panels (so far, so good):

Displayed like this, not too bad:

Not so good with everything shut. The inherent flaw with IMC is their parts just aren't very well made, but hey, it's a GT40 model and at the time was the only game in town.

[arcticwolf]

The IMC Ford GT MKII:

This time I was clever and just glued the doors shut before I started:

It was going together one way or another:

The kit front is wrong, they kept it GT40 whereas the MKII was a different arrangement, so I modified it, scratch built tank and rack:

Yep, the spare fits:

Exhausts are completely wrong, but can be modified:

Looks MKII like:

Opened up, not so bad:

Closed, not so great:

It would look worse if it wasn't black.

[arcticwolf]

The IMC Ford MKIV

This kit doesn't have opening doors - one less thing to fix. Basic chassis:

Removed the Gurney bump for the Sebring car:

Car had a Nascar style roll cage added after the Ken Miles accident, kit didn't include it, so I built one:

Ready for cabin body:

Best fit I could get:

A lot of scratch built missing parts:

Somewhat better than the previous two:

[arcticwolf]

The Meng MKII:

Chassis - everything fits exactly right:

Ready for bodywork? The front end is just wrong, not a problem if you glue the hood shut:

The IMC I built vs the Meng:

What's left of the IMC:

The part I wanted:

Grafted into the Meng:

It all fits:

Finished:

Accurate interior to the clamshell:

It's just a far better product:

Proud to display that one:

[arcticwolf]

Fujimi GT40. I used the Fujimi because it has the closest body style for the Comstock variant GT40 that I wanted to build. I knew it didn't come with an engine, but no problem, I had this:

What I didn't know was that the engine bay is all wrong, so some scratch building:

Now it's right:

Engine in, modified IMC exhaust:

Some IMC parts to fill in the blanks (we use all parts of the animal):

Rest of the kit fits quite nicely, typical Fujimi:

Model represents Eppie's Westwood car:

Home printed decals:

Very pleased with the end result.

Conclusions:  Build the Meng, if not, build the Fujimi!!!

[keavdog]

Great comparison. I did the Fujimi kit a long long time ago and have the Meng in the stash!

[kyledehart5]

What a wonderful comparison. Some really excellent builds too. I really like how you were able to elevate the already excellent Meng kit with the parts from the IMC storage compartment. Beautiful stuff.

[406 Silverado]

It must've taken you a while to come up with all of this information to share with us and it sure was appreciated Paul. There have been several times that I've wondered about the quality of each one of these kits as I do love GT-40s and have wanted to build one for quite some time now. I've actually got the Fujimi kit in the stash and am glad that I do after watching this comparison. Thank you for putting this all together bud. +1 Karma to you brother.

[handiabled]

A very informative build thread indeed! I really like the grafting work you did to get better accuracy! Thank you for taking the time and effort to post this!!

[fox]

That is a lot of fantastic work with a lot of info added. Ford GT are one of my favorites. Used to watch them every chance I got. Don't have one in the stash yet as the price is still on the high side. One of these days...........

Stay safe.
Jim 

[joelw]

Paul,
Just an outstanding collection of GT40s I'm more then impressed with the amount of accuracy detailing you did on all the kits as needed.

I recently finished the Fujimi kit and also found it rather basic as it's a curbside kit. I've still got a Meng kit in the stash and need to re-visit sooner then later.

joel