Manufacturer: Revell-Monogram, 8601 Waukegan Road, Morton Grove, IL 60053-2295, 847-966-3500.
Kit: No. 2325
Scale: 1/25
Price: $12.25
Comments: Injection molded, 72 parts (8 vinyl), decals.
Pros: Subject matter, ease of assembly, good driver figure, beautiful decals, choice of slicks or rain tires, choice of road-course or speedway wings.
Cons: Curbside kit (no engine), decals are a difficult fit on compound curves, seat has no detail so you must use driver or add aftermarket seat harness.
British Reynard chassis are some of the most popular on the Championship Auto Racing Team (CART) circuit today. Adaptable to the team's choice of engine, they've been driven to several CART FedEx championships and the winner's circle of the Indianapolis 500. Likewise, with over 30 wins and 25 pole positions - at this writing - the Target team has dominated during the late 1990s. Jimmy Vasser was the leading driver for Ganassi Racing in 1999. By the time you read this, the team may have won the 1999 championship with driver Juan Montoya.
When Revell announced last year that they were going to release Reynard kits, it was a logical choice to issue one representing the Target car - and this kit does justice to the subject. The white styrene parts are molded well, with no flash or warpage. The overall shape and appearance of the parts are as good as they get. Revell gives you a choice of Firestone rain tires or slicks, and the choice of exquisitely molded speedway or road-course wings.
Revell has produced this kit as a curbside model - no engine is provided. But this lack does not detract from the overall look of the finished model. The six-part driver figure is well done and includes decals for the helmet, uniform, and molded-on seat harness. If you leave the driver out, you'll have a naked interior, though. You can position the fuel-filler cap on either side of the body and fill the other cap opening with a plug. A metal axle runs through the rear suspension to attach the wheels.
The six-page instruction sheet is clear; if you follow the steps closely, you will have no problems assembling this kit. However, I suggest sanding the mating surfaces between the upper and lower body sections to ensure a proper fit and minimize the visible seam.
I painted my model with Colors for Miniatures Roman Red, with various Testor Metalizers and blacks for detailing. The beautiful Cartograf decals include all markings for Jimmy Vasser's car and helmet, but the optional decals for Alex Zanardi only include markings for the car. The decals are a bit thick and wouldn't go around curves without an application of Solvaset. When dry, the decals look fine.
I spent about 10 hours building this model. You should have experience with paint and decals, but beginners should be able to handle the assembly. The finished model looks right from any angle, and does the prototype proud. Revell has a winner that will keep race car modelers happy. I can't wait to build another!