1/24 Tamiya BMW 320i Racing
Kit and Accessory Review by Don Savage

Tamiya is well known for their quality sports and race car subjects. Kit number 24002 is one such example. The original number two kit from the Tamiya 1/24th scale sports car series, the BMW 320i Racing is a welcome re-issue for BMW enthusiast and race car modelers alike.

The BMW320i Group 5 car was first introduced in December of 1976 by BMW Motorsports GmbH. The car was raced in the German Racing Championship Series by the BMW Junior Team consisting of Eddie Cheever, Marc Surer, and Manfred Winkelhock. This original team was quite successful throughout the series. Additionally, variants of the 320i ran at significant road race venues of the late 1970s-often with famous drives of the era such as Hans Stuck and Gilles Villeneuve. One notable example was the 1977 Le Mans Art car featuring radical graphics by the American pop artist Roy Lichtenstein.

Like many Japanese models of the era, this kit originally came with a small electric motor and parts to support batteries and running gear. This time the motor has been omitted but the chassis still contains the built-in battery box and random running parts. Unlike many contemporary curbside kits of today, Tamiya provides scale engine and opening front hood.

Some elements of the model are dated such as the chromed headlights, limited interior detail, and minimal suspension components; however, the body, overall parts quality, and appearance are up to the usual excellent Tamiya standards. Right out of the box, the body, its proportions, and period box fender flares look right-on . Decals are provided for the Citicorp/First National City Travelers Checks livery.

The aftermarket has received this kit enthusiastically. As a result, some quality add-ons are available. Japanese makers Studio27, Museum Collection, and Acu-Stion each provide items for the Tamiya 320i. German maker Scale Production has also come out with some recent additions.

Studio27 offers an Upgrade Parts photo-etch set as well as three separate decal sets. The PE set is particularly interesting as it provides some substantial appearance items beyond the typical small bits found in many detail sets. BBS mesh wheel inserts as well as window netting, window frames, and intake screens are quite well done. The Studio27 decal sets are excellent quality and come in three alternatives: #50 Le Mans 1977 Art Car, Jagermeister 1977, and Villeneuve/Unilock 1977..

Museum Collection provides two of the three Studio27 based decal sets: the 1977 Le Mans Art car and Gill Villeneuve/Unilock 1977. Each decal set also includes seatbelt fabric, PE seatbelt hardware, and PE tire stencils.

The Acu-Stion has also released a BMW 320i PE set. While not as comprehensive as the Studio27 set, it too contains tire stencils -an item not included with the Studio27 PE.

Scale Productions has recently released a photo etch set and several unique decal sets for the Tamiya 320i. These include Fruit of the Loom DRM 78, Black Label DRM, Warsteiner DRM 77, Rodenstock/Wurth, Sachs Sporting DRM 78, Junior Team, Jagermeister DRM 79 #14 & 15, and HAT DRM 77. In contrast to the other PE vednors, the Scale Production PE set provides different rear-wing alternatives.

Most recently, Tamiya has reissued the BMW 320i Racing in the popular Jagermeister livery, with Cartograph decals (Kit No. 24269). Tamiya's BMW 320i reissues capture a unique subject and deliver a kit with overall excellent quality and form. The existence of multiple aftermarket alternatives further make this kit an intriguing pursuit. A fine re-release from Tamiya!

Accessories List

(Studio27FP2461) Studio27 Photo Etch Upgrade Parts Set for Tamiya BMW 320i Racing Kit.
(Studio27DC585C) Studio27 #50 Le Mans 1977 Art Car
(Studio27DC586C) Studio27 Jagermeister 1977
(Studio27DC587C) Studio27 Villeneuve/Unilock 1977
(MCLDC-78) Museum Collection Le Mans Art car 1977
(MCLDC-79) Museum Collection Gilles Villeneuve/Unilock
(SPD24012A) Scale Production Fruit of the Loom DRM 78
(SPD24012B) Scale Production Back Label DRM 78
(SPD24013) Scale Production Warsteiner DRM 77
(SPD24014) Scale Production Rodenstock Wurth
(SPD24015) Scale Production Sachs Sporting DRM 78
(SPD24018) Scale Production Junior Team
(SPD24019) Scale Production Jagermeister DRM 79 #14 & 15
(SPD24020) Scale Production HAT DRM 77
(SPE24013) Scale Production Photo Etch for Tamiya BMW 320i
(ACU-PE019) Acu-Stion Photo Etch Detail Set

Resources/URLs

http://www.scaleproduction.de/
http://www.racingresin.com/
http://www.hlj.com/
http://www.rcsmotorsportmodels.com/
http://www.mshobbies.com/
http://www.islandcollectibles.net/
http://www.scaleracecars.com/
http://www.hapico.com/