The HKS Opel Vectra JTCC bodyshell
I previously mentioned how complex the decoration is on several FF-01 models, especially replicas of JTCC cars: this model is no exception since it features more than a hundred of stickers that require a very precise adjustment.
The real Opel Vectra HKS driven by Anthony Reid in 1995
The bodyshell as I received it
Focus on the front...
... and the rear
Given how complex the decoration is, I'm pretty happy the previous owner made it: the result is close to perfect. Unfortunately, some stickers are beginning to peel and they need to be re-glued properly. The cockpit driver is missing to make the model more realistic (not included in the original kit): however, this is a right-hand cockpit set since this car was driven in the Japanese championship (reference 54157).
To paint this cockpit, I found my inspiration in my friend Teamneogordini's techniques: his know-how is a reference for me (remember, he made the fantastic decoration on my Porsche 959). In order to make the cockpit clearer and to increase the contrast between the different colors, he uses the TS-4 German Grey paint for the background instead of the usual flat black.
Here's the result on one of Teamneogordini's models and what I was able to achieve following his advices:
This is the best result I've ever achieved so far, but it is still far from Teamneogordini's. Among the things I need to improve is to better clean the cockpit with soap, especially the corners: this will avoid paint flaws due to the unmolding product (look at the top corner of the cockpit where the paint didn't correctly applied). Last, I'm seriously thinking about buying myself new hands to better paint details (I asked Teamneogordini if I could borrow his but he refused 
).
However, this specific model was not designed to receive a driver cockpit, the opposite of other FF-01 based models. The reason is quite simple: placing the driver cockpit is tricky because of the rear shock tower. In fact, you need to cut holes in the driver cockpit in order to clear the rear shock tower.
Final touch by decorating the rims to add a blue line using a pen because the stickers are missing.
Finally, I couldn't find any good solution to solve the peeling stickers problem. I made several attempts:
- forget about glues containg a solvent because it melts the stickers.
- also forget dry glues in stick and liquid white glues (designed for paper work actually): the stickers don't stick and some so-called “transparent” glues leave white or even yellowish marks.
In the end, I simply re-used transparent stickers left-overs. It works and it is a relatively discrete job as long as you don't look at it from too close. But I confess I'm not fully satisfied with it. Besides, I'm selling a very wide range of different glues, liquid or dry, transparent or claimed so. All are barely used and are close to unused condition: none can be used with stickers on our models and some even melt them. But who knows, let me know if you're interested: I promise I will pack them properly .
First run
I must confess that I was curious to test the FF-01 chassis, especially to compare it with its 4WD brother TA-01 since I already have fun driving my "mini" Suzuki Swift FWD chassis. Prior to run it, I couldn't resist to shoot it on the track since this colorful body looks great under the sun. On the second photo, my model is next to my friend Teamneogordini's kit 58151 Calsonic Nissan Primera JTCC.
After a few corner, something becomes obvious: the FF-01 chassis is surprisingly easy to drive. I was expecting a similar handling to my Suzuki Swift's, but less nervous and fast due to the greater weight and overall dimensions. I was wrong: the FF-01 is so constant and balanced that you quickly forget it is not a TA-01. I have to mention that the gear ratio as per the manual was very short and doesn't help to reach the chassis limits: for the next runs, I will use the 66T spur gear to get better top speed even if I will keep the Mabuchi 540 motor since the gearing is known to be fragile.
As a conclusion, the FF-01 is a very pleasant chassis to drive, undoubtedly belonging to the TA-01 lineage from which it borrows the handling in addition to many mechanical parts.
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