Vintage 1/12th Scale Tamiya Martini Porsche 935 Car Kit Collectors Guide (c.1977 Original)

This is the third installment in a series of guides created to assist both Collectors, and Builders, of Tamiya's "Big Scale" Series of plastic model kits. As a "side" hobby of my Automotive interests at the Woodward Avenue Garage, I've amassed a substantial collection of Automobile and Motorcycle kits over the years. Along the way, I've learned quite a bit about these kits. None of this information is available in any other forum (that I am aware of), and so I've created this series of guides to assist collectors and hobbyists. Emphasis is always on kit History, Identification, Features, ect. Because this guide is more oriented to collecting, there is less information given to actually building the Kit. Of course, any build info forwarded to me will be gladly added to this Guide. Feel free to email with comments, corrections, and any requests or inquiries.

** "The Original c.1977 Tamiya Big Scale Series #21, Martini Porsche 935 Turbo Kit" **

IDENTIFICATION; A 1977 Copyright, original issue of this kit is relatively easy to identify from a quick look at the front of the box. The original kit had the Porsche Shield/Crest in the upper right front corner, right after the "935 Turbo". Re-issues do not have the Porsche Crest on the box (No Licensing?).  The second quick identifier is that the Box Top has Stapled Corners. Re-issues are glued. The Tamiya Address on the side corner of an original kit will be 628, Oshika, Shizuoka-City, Japan (Tamiya's address from 1974-1980). Re-issues will have the address of 3-7 Ondawara, Shizuoka-City, Japan (1980-2005). Although both issues of this kit carry the "Big Car Series #21", an original kit will have a "Black Sticker" kit number of BS 1223. Re-issue kit numbers are 12023**6000, and that number is printed onto the end of the box. Re-issues also have a Bar-Code and number (BIN) of T4950344120239. There are several more small differences, an original kit has large "PORSCHE" lettering in the center of the kit description on the side of the box (in Japanese). Re-issues, that had the copyright issues say "MARTINI PORSCHE 935 TURBO". This original issue kit, was of course a non-motorized "Static Display" kit. What many collectors do not know is that there was a "Motorized" version also! The motorized car kit number RA 1202 and was "suitable for remote control". The motorized kit was essentially the plastic body of this kit, with Tamiya's first generation 1/12 scale R/C chassis. A very expensive motorized kit "back-in-the-day", a nice and complete original today (NIB) is big bucks. **As a special interest note; Bandai also released a 1/12 Scale Martini Porsche 935/78 (Moby Dick) R/C car during the same time frame. For the ultimate 1/12 Porsche kit, you can use the Lexan body/parts of the Bandai 935/78 Moby Dick Body to convert the kit.

  Internal parts for an original issue kit are identical to the re-issue, with only a few minor things to look for. The "Silver" painted parts trees in the original kit have a slightly dull appearance. Re-issue "Silver" parts trees have an almost Chrome like shine (very noticable). The 2 small parts packages that were packed inside the body of original kits are in bags made of the same plastic the large parts trees are bagged in. In re-issues, the 2 small parts bags are made of cellophane that has more of a "fragile" feel. I know the differences small, but it can help you identify a re-stuff from a later kit. Additionally, the instructions for an original will have the BS 1223 kit number, and a date code on the lower left corner of the front page of 7710. Re-issues will carry the 12023**6000 number. Decals for an original issue kit will be printed on "White" paper, and will be date coded on the rear. In the case of my reference kit, the date code is '78 10 (October, 1978). Re-issue kits have decals printed on "Bluish" colored paper, and carry no code. All three cardboard inserts that hold the Body, Tires, and Hardware in an original kit will have Tamiya "Big Scale" kits advertised on their sides. Advertised kits in an original are from the 1978 era, and re-issues have ads from circa 1998 (easy to spot). Another key point on parts is that this kit actually shares approximately 80-85% of it's parts with the 1/12 Tamiya 934 Turbo RSR kit, # BS 1220. As with all Tamiya kits of this era, Rubber Tire degradation is a major issue. Replacements are hard to find, and if you contact Tamiya, you usually get the "We'll get back to you" treatment. Finding an original Martini kit in crisp collectable condition is tough now. Many were built when "The" super detail kit came out several years ago. If you are patient, eventually one will pop up for sale somewhere. Prices are all over the place, but at the time of this writing, $200.00 + is the normal range in price.

** 1/12th Tamiya Martini Porsche 935 Turbo Kit History **

Tamiya initially released 2 versions of the 1/12th Scale Porsche 934 RSR Turbo kit in 1976. The first was the non-motorized kit BS-1220, and the second was Tamiya's very first R/C Car kit, number RA-1201 (considered a motorized kit - suitable for remote control). Both kit's shared the same plastic body, with a few minor revisions for the R/C car (the body is one piece). Both kits were a hit, and Tamiya immediately tooled the "Slantnose" 935 body, and pretty much came up with the kit for this guide. Tamiya also used this tooling for a 935 Turbo R/C car, and instantly doubled their 1/12th Scale R/C lineup. The actual car used to model the 935 Turbo kit appears to be a very early Factory/Martini sponsored car initially raced in Europe. Although not included in the kit, rumor is that the Euro cars were delivered with running boards below the doors. Also, the kit is modeled as a car that did not have the water cooling found on the very first cars. Both Tamiya Porsche 934 & 935 kits from 1976/77 were a quantum leap in detail over Tamiya's already impressive 1/12th scale car line. Simulated fiberglass parts, Crisp molded parts. The kit had it all. Probably the reason the kits are still hot today. The quality really stands up. Even today, over 30 years later. If you decide to build one of these kits, your options are limitless. Scale Details released a numbered & limited detail kit that can be used for a 934 or 935 kit. Price is $500.00 + retail, but includes Turned Wheels, Hubs, Hardware, A Stack Of Photo Etch Sheets, Hoses & Fittings, ect. For the ultimate, as mentioned earlier in this Guide, there is a heavy Lexan 1/12th Scale 935/78 Moby Dick body done by Bandai from their rare R/C car kit.

There are companies who offer/offered photo etch details, decals, Wheels, and with a little hunting, you can come up with many different subjects to model. The majority of 935 Turbo's were raced by Privateers, and the cars are still raced competitively today.

** Kit Features **

** Hundreds of parts molded in White, Black, Silver, Chrome, Fiberglass, Clear, and more.

** Super Detailed Turbocharged Flat 6 Engine.

** Movable Front and Rear Suspension.

** Semi-Pneumatic Rubber Like Dunlop Racing Tyres.

** Steerable Front Wheels through Rack and Pinion Steering.

** Opening Doors, Hood, Engine Cover.

** Real Wire Mesh Screens for Air Intakes.

** Realistic Hoses, Wires, and Hardware.

** Kit Pros and Cons **

Let's start with the Pros. A highly detailed kit with virtually limitless build possibilities. Kit is molded to the highest quality typical of Tamiya kits. The large 1/12th Scale includes incredible details, and is very easy to add additional details. Being such a popular kit, there is a very good selection of aftermarket decals and detail items available. The instructions and included parts list is illustrated, and makes it easy to identify parts. Even though this is an extremely complex kit, the instructions do a very good job of guiding you through the build process.

Cons. An original kit is now over 30 years old. Availability is very limited for an unbuilt and mint kit. As always, be wary of the mystical Tamiya Tire Fairy. Due to some little understood quality control problem in Tamiya's tire manufacturing process, Tamiya Rubber Tyres can degrade over time. Some get hard, some distort, some seem to melt, and some have no problems at all. It is probably due to an error in the rubber vulcanization process. Vintage 934 & 935 Turbo kits are likely to have degraded tire(s). Replacements are vintage and rare. Remember that tires off an old built-up are likely to be "Flat-Spotted" just like a real car. The two large decal sheets do not age well. New replacements are easy to obtain (for now). Being an out of production kit always makes demand go up, and as a result, tends to make nice kits skyrocket in value. The high value and prices are a major concern if you are looking to build this kit. If you do decide to build one, this kit is as complex as you can get. The instructions are very detailed, but there are several "gray" areas. For an example; One mis-step in engine construction will show up later when the rear engine cover won't close completely. You really have to pull out all your skills on this one.

Hope this guide has been helpful in identifying the differences in issues of this kit. If you have found this guide helpful, take a moment to give it a vote below. As always, I welcome input and comments. Look for more guides in the future and let me know if the is a particular kit you would like to see a Collectors Guide for.....