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Okay, I finally caved, and opened the wallet for a Fly Porsche 917K. This is a classic case of the heart leading the head, as the car cost $90.00CAD + tax. I would not have even considered it if it was anything but a 917K. This particular version is the C88 #16 Salzburg car, entered at the 1970 Sebring 12 Hours for Vic Elford and Kurt Ahrens. The car was classified as a DNF following a crash, but went on to achieve greater fame with a starring role in the film "Le Mans", as the #20 JW Gulf car.
Here's a photo from the Lugnuts' studio:
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So, what does a hundred bucks buy you? In this case, shockingly little. Are all Fly cars this sloppily engineered? Why, this car is little more than a GB Track Chevron with a fancy body and almost twice the price. As opposed to the GB Track, which uses plastic, the 917 comes with brass axle bushings, but the end result is the same with an embarrassingly sloppy rear end. This was cured with a couple of shims. The front, however, is completely unacceptable. For the premium price paid, one would expect more than the cheesy plastic stub axles used. The amount of play is criminal. Though this car has yet to turn a wheel, it's my understanding that shaving or grinding of the fenders will be necessary. Not happy with this prospect, I found an alternate solution. Digging through the spare parts bin, an old Chevron rear axle was installed. Why the heck doesn't it come this way in the first place? A drop of CA glue was used on each wheel hub; I was fortunate enough to have both wheels pre-cracked from the factory. Did I mention that this car cost $90.00?
With only one example of the 917 available at the retailer, and guided by lust rather than logic, an opportunity to be picky did not exist. A quick examination at the hobby store proved satisfactory, but all was not well upon removal from the case. The #16 tampo on the driver's door was significantly scratched, and most unattractive. By the way, this car cost $90.00. Perhaps it was time to reevaluate. Should I return the car, and take a chance on whether it can be replaced, or keep it and attempt repair? I chose the latter (remember the lust part mentioned above).
Once the #16 tampos were touched up (both sides, actually), the body was stripped of all accessories and clear coated.
While I don't mind this sort of tinkering, I resent having to do it on this particular car. In case you've forgotten, this car cost $90.00. I don't think it's unreasonable to expect top quality in this price range. For thirty dollars less, I also acquired the #59 1973 Riverside Fly A162 Porsche 917/10 of Hurley Haywood. This car has equal detail, a beautifully finished body, a properly engineered front end complete with full length axle, and is generally more robust. Truly a case of getting more for less.
Do I have anything nice to say about the 917K? You betcha! The detail is excellent, particularly the spare tire and the simulated tape around the headlights, though the driver detail is a bit disappointing. The best part of the car, though, is the shape of the body. This is one area where Fly got it absolutely right; the proportions are perfect.
Thanks for reading this rant, though in all honesty, I knew exactly what I was getting into when I made the purchase. I 'spose high prices and low quality will continue to be the norm as long as there continues to be idiots like me who buy 'em.
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Johnny
Here's a photo from the Lugnuts' studio:
So, what does a hundred bucks buy you? In this case, shockingly little. Are all Fly cars this sloppily engineered? Why, this car is little more than a GB Track Chevron with a fancy body and almost twice the price. As opposed to the GB Track, which uses plastic, the 917 comes with brass axle bushings, but the end result is the same with an embarrassingly sloppy rear end. This was cured with a couple of shims. The front, however, is completely unacceptable. For the premium price paid, one would expect more than the cheesy plastic stub axles used. The amount of play is criminal. Though this car has yet to turn a wheel, it's my understanding that shaving or grinding of the fenders will be necessary. Not happy with this prospect, I found an alternate solution. Digging through the spare parts bin, an old Chevron rear axle was installed. Why the heck doesn't it come this way in the first place? A drop of CA glue was used on each wheel hub; I was fortunate enough to have both wheels pre-cracked from the factory. Did I mention that this car cost $90.00?
With only one example of the 917 available at the retailer, and guided by lust rather than logic, an opportunity to be picky did not exist. A quick examination at the hobby store proved satisfactory, but all was not well upon removal from the case. The #16 tampo on the driver's door was significantly scratched, and most unattractive. By the way, this car cost $90.00. Perhaps it was time to reevaluate. Should I return the car, and take a chance on whether it can be replaced, or keep it and attempt repair? I chose the latter (remember the lust part mentioned above).
Once the #16 tampos were touched up (both sides, actually), the body was stripped of all accessories and clear coated.
While I don't mind this sort of tinkering, I resent having to do it on this particular car. In case you've forgotten, this car cost $90.00. I don't think it's unreasonable to expect top quality in this price range. For thirty dollars less, I also acquired the #59 1973 Riverside Fly A162 Porsche 917/10 of Hurley Haywood. This car has equal detail, a beautifully finished body, a properly engineered front end complete with full length axle, and is generally more robust. Truly a case of getting more for less.
Do I have anything nice to say about the 917K? You betcha! The detail is excellent, particularly the spare tire and the simulated tape around the headlights, though the driver detail is a bit disappointing. The best part of the car, though, is the shape of the body. This is one area where Fly got it absolutely right; the proportions are perfect.
Thanks for reading this rant, though in all honesty, I knew exactly what I was getting into when I made the purchase. I 'spose high prices and low quality will continue to be the norm as long as there continues to be idiots like me who buy 'em.
Johnny
