The 1984 Nürburgring Champions Race Cup was an exhibition race featuring 20 of the world’s top drivers, each piloting a Mercedes-Benz 190E 2.3 16v. Many of those drivers were former Formula One champions, but a relative unknown would win the race and kick off his ascent to stardom: Brazil’s Ayrton Senna.
This Italeri kit’s long lineage includes multiple versions, beginning with a clear-bodied “crystal” 190E in ESCI packaging (believed to be released in 1983). The stock front and rear bumpers from that original release (shaded gray on the instruction sheet) are included in this kit, giving the builder three unique building options.
The instruction sheet is thorough, with part numbers clearly marked and the connection points specified in most cases. The suggested color chart lists 10 Italeri-brand acrylic paints. Additionally, five exterior colors are mentioned, including Tamiya Titanium Silver (No. X-32).
Five aerodynamic styling parts help separate the 2.3 16v body from a base-model 190E: front and rear bumpers, spoiler, and two side panels. These and the body are cast in soft, extremely-flexible silver styrene. All recessed panel lines are molded unrealistically wide.
The kit doesn’t include a chrome-plated tree, so you’ll have to provide your own bright finish for the grille.
While the kit comes with a completely-detailed engine, the hood is molded shut. You'll have to separate the hood if you want to display the engine. However, short of the engine and the radiator, the kit offers no other detail in the engine bay.
Front and rear brake, hub, and suspension components allow the wheels to rotate. Unfortunately, the rear suffers from asymmetrical parts that result in one protruding wheel and a too-high rear ride height that is too high.
The interior platform has separate sides with nicely molded seat and door card details. Eight decals for the gauges and radio improve an impressive dashboard, and a Mercedes-Benz three-pointed star settles into the center of the oversized steering wheels that these Mercs are known for.
Like many kits from this era, the beautifully molded chassis plate floats — lacking positive attachment points to the body or interior bucket — upon final assembly. I suggest gluing the styrene rod at inconspicuous points to lock it in place.
The decal sheet offers the full assortment of badges and callouts for the stock vehicle and two racing liveries: the No. 11 of Ayrton Senna and the No. 18 of Niki Lauda (which I used to dress my model).
While the Champions Race Cup car is quite a unique subject, the 3-in-1 appeal of this kit should grab the attention of a broader audience, too. Aside from a hiccup with the rear suspension assembly, building this kit was stress-free. It was more of a “fun, quick build” than any kit with 100+ parts has a right to be, and it left me wanting to build another in the future.