Toyota Celica

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Visit the full Tamiya Toyota Celica FF02 gallery >

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JANG's Impressions

The raw simplicity of this chassis is outstanding. Tamiya literally took an M-03 and added two pieces of plastic to create an extension of just over 1 3/4", bringing the wheelbase out to about 257mm. With the included standard 26mm tires, the track is 180mm.

This was the last of only three FF02 models released, and what's interesting is that it was developed with significant cooperation from Toyota itself. The model was actually publically unveiled simultaneous to the real 5th generation Celica's first showing. The end result of the joint work is a phenomenally realistic-looking vehicle. The instructions even include a color table that lists the most accurate Tamiya polycarbonate and enamel paints to match the manufacturer's colors. The decal sheet also includes accurate trim & badging options for US, EU, and JDM versions of the car.

Driving on a prepared asphalt racing surface, it's pretty easy to drift the back end out if you hit a turn with speed, and even easier if you brake into a turn. A closer look reveals that the inside rear tire lifts off the ground, exacerbated by the high ride height, high chassis center of gravity in general, and overly preloaded springs that allow no droop. Braking too hard or braking hard with the steering cranked to either side results in a very comical skidding slide for several feet in a straight line. A simple upgrade to oil-filled shocks with some shorter springs would surely work work wonders here. Nevertheless, it's a fun, great-looking car that will likely one day be very collectible.

The Build

See the whole buildup in the Tamiya Toyota Celica FF02 build thread on the forum.

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