This model kit is available from www.hiroboy.com

This is a product review for the Simil’R Ford GT MATECH injection molded kit by Simil’R.  It represents a Ford GT GT1 car that raced in the 24hrs of LeMans in 2010, as well as various FIA sanctioned races of that same year.  The kit can be built as two of the three cars that raced at LeMans (#60 or #61), or as two cars that raced in the FIA GT1 series earlier in the year (#5 or #6).  It is the second kit produced by the brand new plastic model manufacturer Simil’R, based out of France.  I picked mine up from www.hiroboy.com on preorder, which saved a couple bucks, but it was still a hefty sum for a relatively small plastic model kit.  Upon receiving the kit however, I was pleasantly surprised at the overall quality, and feel that the price point is justified.  Detail wise the kit appears to be on par with similarly (excuse the pun) priced Tamiya, Fujimi, and Hasegawa offerings.  The kit comes packaged in an attractive, square white one piece box with a fold up top.  There is a nice stylized picture of the actual car on the top, and the front flap shows off some of the kits features.  The box is a little on the flimsy side, so I wouldn’t want to put it at the bottom of a stack of other model boxes.  From the looks of the kit though, I can’t imagine it will stay in the “to do” pile for long. 

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Inside the box you will find one black sprue, one clear sprue, five white sprues, four vinyl tires, four poly caps, four metal springs, one photoetch fret, two large decal sheets, one b/w painting guide, and one b/w instruction manual.  All six of the color sprues are packaged in one plastic bag, while the clear sprue was packaged in its own separate bag.   The seven parts sprues are nicely molded and have a nice Hasegawa “feel” to them.  (I have yet to see anyone replicate the “feel” of a Tamiya kit.)   Some of the smaller, more fragile parts do have some attachment points that are a little on the heavy side, and will require careful removal with a fine saw and cleanup.  The clear parts had a few minor scuff marks on them that should only require a dip in some Future to remove.  A few of the notable features of the kit include a full interior and engine bay, opening doors, and included parts to display the finish model up on jacks with the wheels off.  It appears that the front wheels can be made to be posable.  It also appears that the instructions leave out the installation of the steering arm, although one does appear to be included (part G1).  Of particular note are the brake disk, caliper, and hub assemblies, which are a five piece affair (four plastic, one polycap) which are very nicely detailed, and are broken down in such a way as to make detail painting a snap.  The four metal springs are for each of the shock absorber assemblies and should look very good when built up.  The photoetched fret consists of mesh for the grills, racing harness hardware, louvers for the rear deck, ground effects panels for the sides of the body, and a few other misc. parts.  Templates for the harness belts are provided, but the modeler will have to source their own material.  The tires are nice, although it is a little difficult to screw up a smooth walled, slick tire.  The tires do have a small nub on the outside that will need to be sanded off, but I normally sand them anyway to give the tires a worn look.  The instructions are a 21 step, 10 page affair, very similar in style and layout to any kit from Tamiya or Hasegawa.  Color callouts are in Tamiya, Gunze, and Humbrol.  The main body color is listed as a spray from Simil’R, but I know that Zero Paints is also offering a matching paint in their line.  The highlight of this kit for me are the two decal sheets.  They are printed by Cartograph, and are absolutely stunning.  The chrome pinstripes are represented on the decal sheet AS CHROME and have to be seen to be believed.  Decals are also provided to represent the various carbon, carbon/Kevlar, and Kevlar weaves.

Overall, I think this is a beautiful looking kit.  I don’t know enough about the Ford GT to speak to the accuracy of the model, but I’m sure information in this regard could be found elsewhere.  For me, the only downside I can see this far is the lack of seatbelt material.  It’s a minor thing, but at this price point, it should be provided.  As the second kit for a start up company however, I am very excited about it.  The first kit issued by Simil’R is for a 2010 Ford Focus WRC, and is just as nice.  I’m very glad to see that a new company has taken up the gauntlet and produced some very nice, injection plastic kits of some not so mainstream subjects.  I can’t wait to see what they come out with next.

This model kit is available from www.hiroboy.com

David Fuller

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