Vintage 1st Issue Motorized & Lighted 1/12 Otaki Porsche 911 Turbo Big Scale Kit #3 c.1975 Collectors Guide

This is one in a series of guides created to assist Collectors, and Builders of "Big Scale" 1/12th Automotive kits. This is the second Guide dealing with the extremely rare 1st issue Otaki Motorized & Lighted Car kits. As a side hobby of my Automotive interests, I've amassed a substantial collection of Big Scale plastic. Over many years of collecting, I've learned much about these rare kits. None of the information contained in these "Collector Guides" is available anywhere else (to my knowledge). All of the information contained here is designed to assist collectors and hobbyists alike. Emphasis will be on kit History, Identification, Features, ect. Feel free to email with comments, corrections, or inquiries.

** The Original c.1975 1/12th Otaki Big Scale Kit #3, Porsche 911 Turbo (Fully Motorized & Lighted) **

IDENTIFICATION: An original first issue of this kit is rarer than rare today. I've collected these kits for years, and the reference kit in the photo (above) is the only example I've ever seen. The kit has sealed parts and has been in my collection for a very long time. As is the case with all these First Issue Otaki kits, they were hideously expensive when new, and very few were manufactured and sold. Identifying an original issue kit is very easy. Take a look at the box art. If you see this box, it's the original kit. The box photo will be of a Silver 1974 Porsche 911 Turbo with a deep Red Background. On the endpanel of the very large box, the kit will carry Kit No.OT 3-63. Also, above the kit number will the * MOTORIZED* symbol. There is no mention that the kit is also Lighted, but it is. Anyone who is familiar with the 1/12th Scale "Static" display Porsche 911 Turbo kits from Otaki, Entex, or Doyusha will know that all these later kits have plastic parts on the trees for the motorized kit (switch parts, battery box, ect). All later kits were made by the same molds created for this kit. Plastic parts aside, there are many unique items in an original issue kit. The well illustrated instructions are written in Japanese, and come with an additional supplement in English. The instructions are unique for this kit and include the build sequence for motorizing and lighting the kit. The parts blister is unique from all later kits because it has the Mabuchi RE-26 Motor, The Drive Gears, (2) Bulbs for the working headlights, and all the electrical hardware. Photo's of the Motorized kit contents are below.

Parts are molded in off-white, gray, black, chrome, and "blue" tinted clear parts. The Decals provided give the builder options of either white or black stripes. The motorization is by a gear set and electric motor that build up inside the Porsche Flat Six Engine. Two bulbs are provided for the Front Headlights, but the tail-lights are not lighted. The on/off switch is hidden inside the spare tire in the front trunk area and appears very scale. The battery box is another story. It builds and installs behind the spare, and no attempt was made to hide it as in all other Otaki Motorized kits. An addition item that stands out is the Porsche Fuchs Wheels. In the first two motorized 1/12th scale kits from Otaki, the wheels were cast in metal. In this kit, the Fuchs are molded in plastic. The second issue of this kit from Otaki was not motorized in order to reduce costs, but it was Lighted. That kit is very rare today also. Keep in mind that the first two Big Scale kits (#1 Mach I Mustang & #2 Pontiac Trans Am) were made by "Peerless/Otaki". Big Scale kit #3, The Porsche 911 Turbo in this guide, was the first made by "Otaki". The "Peerless" name was dropped when the partnership with Otaki ended. All issues of these 911 Turbo kits are out of production. The last kit to be made was done by Doyusha (static), and prices average above $200.00. Earlier issues become much harder to find, usually have many problems with condition, and with high demand, will have high prices. A first issue Motorized and Lighted kit will be next to impossible to find. If you do locate one for sale and it is complete, break open the piggy bank......

** 1/12th Otaki Porsche 911 Turbo Kit History**

From all indications, the Peerless/Otaki alliance was very short lived. The first (2) Motorized and Lighted kits were of a 1971 Ford Mustang Mach I 429 SCJ 4 Speed (kit #1), and a 1972 Pontiac Trans Am 455 HO 4 Speed (kit #2) These kits were released in 1973/74 and were totally unique in the 1/12th Big Scale Automotive category. The main drawback was the very steep price. The kits had all the options builders were looking for, and more, but price killed these kits almost immediately. By the time Otaki released the 1974 Porsche 911 Turbo kit (kit #3), Peerless was no longer in the picture. Otaki released this kit exclusively under their name. Quality of the Porsche kit was of the same quality as the first two big scale kits. The standout change to this third kit in the 1/12th scale line of cars was the Porsche had Plastic Molded Fuchs Wheels, rather than Cast Metal Wheels of the earlier kits. Otaki was still releasing extraordinary 1/12th scale Car kits into the market, and the 911 Turbo was the first European Roadgoing Sports Car in their series. Of course, the first two kits had been American Big Block Muscle Cars. The Otaki 911 Turbo was the only Porsche kit available in 1/12th scale until Tamiya released the now legendary 934 Turbo in 1975. As for the Otaki kit, it had all the options; Opening Hood, Trunk, Doors, Reclining and Adjustable Seats, it was Motorized & Lighted, had Rubber-like Tyres, Working "Sprung" Suspension, Semi-scale Working Steerable Front Wheels, and the very detailed Porsche Turbocharged 2140cc Flat Six Engine built up with all plug wires and hoses. The Tamiya kit had more detail, but was "static". What the Otaki kit lacked in detail, it made up for in "functions". As mentioned earlier, the only drawback was price. All later issue kits from Otaki scaled back on the options and were non-motorized to reduce the price. After Otaki went out of business, the original molds were used for re-issues by Entex, and lastly, Doyusha. All later issues are "static" display kits.

The 1/12th Scale Porsche 911 Turbo was the first European Sports Car kit modeled by Otaki, and to this day is the only kit in this scale of a Roadgoing 911. This includes later issues by Entex & Doyusha using the same molds. Quality is very high considering the time it was introduced, and the kit has aged well. The original Motorized kit has some shortcomings, but it has so many functions and details that it is very easy to overlook the flaws. The accuracy to scale is very good. The standout is the aspect (profile) of the tires, and this is a problem with all Otaki 1/12 kits. The functional Steering makes some compromises to scale, as well as the working Suspension. The electric motor and gears build up inside the Flat Six Engine and drive the rear wheels in a scale manner. The battery box holds (4) AA Batteries and installs behind the spare tire (on/off switch) in the front trunk. Two 6v bulbs install in the Front Headlights. Overall, the kit builds to a very impressive Car. As is the case with all these original Motorized Otaki kits, they are so rare now that it is difficult to justify building one. If you are a builder, go and locate a later issue from Otaki, Entex, or Doyusha. They are the same kit, but are "Static", and are much more affordable.

** Kit Features **

** Over 200 Parts Molded In Six Colors

** Fully Motorized Porsche 2140cc Turbocharged Flat Six Engine

** Functioning Drivetrain Through Scale Half-Shafts

** Functioning Steering and Fully "Sprung" Suspension 

** (4) Rubber-Like Tires with Realistic Tread Pattern

** Working Headlights

** Opening Hood, Trunk, and Doors

** Fully Detailed Interior with Reclining (and adjustable) Bucket Seats

** Kit Pros And Cons **

Let's start with the Pros. Even though this kit is almost 40 years old, it's still a great kit. The kit has a very high parts count and several build possibilities. Mold quality is high, and accuracy to scale is good. Being a large 1/12th Scale kit, adding detail is easy. Later Tamiya Porsche 934/935 kits have had photo etch sets released for them, and several are easily adapted to the Otaki kit. Plenty of functions like opening doors, hood, trunk, and working suspension are great features. Add the motorization & lights, and this is a stand alone kit.

Cons. Motorized & Lighted first issues of this kit are extremely rare today. If by chance you do locate one that is unbuilt, the rarity makes it a tough decision to build. Tires in kits of this vintage are prone to deterioration (even in the blisters). If your kit has tire problems, the only replacements would be from a later issue donor kit. Tire profile is not correct. The kit makes changes to accuracy of the steering in the name of functionality. The body has a recessed panel line in the roof for the Sunroof, but it is non-functional. The kit comes with bulbs for working Headlights, but not for the Taillights. Hinges for the doors, hood, and trunk are not scale. Instructions are in Japanese, and even with the English supplement, some details get lost in translation. 

Hope that this Guide has been helpful, and I welcome any comments or input. If you have found it useful, take a moment to vote below. Look for more Guides in the future.....