AutoArt 1:18 Toyota Corolla AE 86 Trueno

Hoodah thunk this boring little RWD 5th generation Corolla hatchback with its loose solid rear axle would become a prized collectible and an icon of a subculture. "What culture?", you rightly ask. "The world of drifting" is the answer. AE86 is the Toyota code for this model The Trueno package is distinguished basically by it's pop up headlamps and is known to the drifting world as the Hachi-Roku which just means "eighty-six" in Japanese.

The car achieved international notoriety driven by the dori-king (drift king) Keiichi Tsuchiya. Its standout performance is attributed to its power (130hp DOHC 4 cylinder) and its light weight at 940kg. I assume the unspoken aspect of its success is the propensity for the rear end to break loose in powered turns. In drifting, this liability is an asset.

AUTOart has given us another solid model of this Japanese RHD street racer. It offers their usual flawless finish, tight shut lines, full optically clear glazing, marvelously detailed light groups and realistic detailing all at a midrange pricepoint at the expense some of the gimmitry offered by other manufacturers in its class. There's no working suspension, rotating driveshaft,opening glove box or gas filler door and no sun visors or seats to be posed. So if you like to play with your model, you'll need a tad more imagination. This models big feature is the pop up headlamps which you can raise or lower from a small levered cog behind the front fender.

The real beauty of this model lies in its finely scaled components; textures and finishes that simulate materials and alloys well enough to challenge mixed media top tier models. AUTO art does amazing things with simple plastic and in replicating this relatively inexpensive automobile, they probably didn't have to break a sweat.

The exterior displays the entire GT package of accents, 4 spoke sport wheels shod in generic soft rubber tires. The interior wants for naught. Aa has even employed a precisely scaled woven cloth to replicate the 3-point harness system with separate hardware. The engine bay is extremely busy with even the windshield washer system plumbed and nothing molded in the firewall. There's considerable paint detailing here and even the VIN/spec plate is replicated. The hatchback opens and simultaneously lifts the privacy panel over the trunk bay and is supported by telescoping struts. The chassis has all the major components modeled with the brake and fuel lines molded in.

If your parents warned you to never pick up a drifter, you might want to consider making an exception for this "king of the drifters".

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