Vintage 1/12th Scale Tamiya Porsche Turbo Type 934 RSR Car Kit Collectors Guide (c.1976 Original)

This is one 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 the information supplied in this guide is available in any other forum (that I am aware of), and as a result, I've created this series of Guides. Emphasis is always on kit History, Identification, Features, ect. Because this guide is written with the Collector in mind, less information is dedicated to the actual "build" of the kit. Of course, any build info emailed to me will be gladly added to the guide. Feel free to email with comments, corrections, inquiries, or requests.

** The Original c.1976 Tamiya Big Scale Series #18, Porsche Turbo RSR Type 934 **

IDENTIFICATION: An original c.1976 issue of this kit is a little harder to identify, than most early Tamiya kits. Even reissues use the same box art, so at first glance, there are two key things to look for. First, look at the corners of the boxtop. If they are stapled, rather than glued, you have an early kit. Also, look to the Kit Number on the end of the box. The kit number will be BS1220. The kit number will be followed by number 5500, but this number is the price of the kit in Japanese Yen. I.E; BS1220 - 5500. An additional identification point is that first issue kits were Pre - Bar Code. If you see a Bar Code, the kit is a later issue. The Tamiya address on the corner of the box will read 628, Oshika, Shizuoka-City, Japan. This was Tamiya's address from 1974 to 1980. Re-issue kits will have the address of 3-7, Ondawara, Shizuoka-City, Japan, and this was Tamiya's address from 1980 to 2005. Later issue kits will carry a kit number of 12020**6000. Internally, original kits and later re-issues are nearly identical. There are however, a few subtle differences that will help to identify "new" parts, in an "old" box (see photos below).

The "Silver" painted parts tree in the original kit will have a slightly dull appearance. Re-issue kits have "Silver" painted trees with an almost Chrome appearance that is very bright (a noticable difference). The original issue kit will have (2) sets of instructions, One in Japanese and One in English. On the lower left front cover of both instruction books is a 4 digit date code. In the reference kit used for this guide, the date codes are 7612 (December 1976) for the instructions in Japanese, and 7701 (January 1977) for the instructions in English. Both sets have laid-in parts sheets. The original decal sheet is printed on "White" decal paper, and on the rear is a date code of  '76 11 (November 1976). Re-issue and replacement decals are identical, but are printed on "Blue" decal paper and are not date coded. All 3 cardboard inserts in an original issue kit containing Tyres, Hardware, and Body Components, will have Tamiya "Big Scale" kits advertised on their sides. Advertised kits will be from the c.1976 era. Later re-issues will advertise kits from circa 1998. As with many Tamiya kits of this era, beware of Tire Degradation. The reference kit used for this guide had a mild case of tire-melt to all 4 tires (still sealed in factory blister). A set replacement Front & Rear "Slick " Goodyears and a second set of "Treaded" Dunlops were found on the internet but the cost is very high. Finding an original issue Porsche Turbo RSR Type 934 kit in unbuilt condition is getting tough. They are out there, and with some patience, one will come around sooner or later. At the time of this writing (June 2008), any issue of nice unbuilt kits are pricing at upwards of $200.00. 

** 1/12th Tamiya Porsche Turbo RSR Type 934 Kit History **

Tamiya set the Modeling world on it's ear when it released the Turbo RSR Type 934 back in 1976. It was Big! It was loaded with features! Also, it was expensive! Tamiya in 1976 was already "The" leader in fine 1/12th "Big Scale" kits, but this kit took plastic car kits to another level. For starters, the kit had 100's of parts, molded in White, Black, Gray, Silver, Chrome, Faux Fiberglass, and Clear. Fully detailed from bumper to bumper. Opening Doors, Hood, Trunk. Real Rubber-Like Dunlops with realistic treads. Fully detailed and "sprung" suspension. Working scale steering. The most accurately detailed Porsche Flat Six Turbo the world had ever seen. The kit even had Mesh Screens for the Grill and Flexible Hoses for Disc Brake cooling. The kit came in a huge box, and that box was loaded. As a testament to the kit, it is now over 30 years later, and the kit is still in a class by itself. No one has created a better 1/12th scale Porsche kit, before or since. Period! All I remember about the kit back-in-the-day, was that I couldn't afford one, but still drooled over the pictures in the Tamiya catalog. Tamiya set another standard in 1976 with the release of kit number RA-1201. That kit was Tamiya's first 1/12th Scale Motorized kit Suitable For Remote Control, and was a Porsche Turbo RSR Type 934. The body for the RC kit was nearly identical to the static kit #BS1220 with minor changes for mounting the body to the RC chassis. Soon thereafter (1977), Tamiya released a 1/12th scale Porsche Martini 935 "Slantnose" static display kit # BS1223, and another RC car, the 1/12th scale Porsche Martini 935 #RA-1202.

The rest, as they say, is history. As for the kit in this guide, the Porsche Turbo RSR Type 934, is based on the factory built (Race Car) Turbocharged Sports Cars sold to the public in 1976. The RSR was based upon the earlier 930 Turbo, and used the same basic engine. Displacement was 2,993 cc and was rated at 480 hp. Several improvements were made over the earlier 930 engine, including changing the cooling fan from the vertical to the horizontal position above the engine. Additionally, the RSR added an Oil Cooler for the engine, and an Intercooler for the Turbocharger that lowered the intake air temperature by 100 degrees. The body was pure production Porsche 911, with mildly flared wheel wells, front air dam, and rear "Whale Tail" spoiler. The whole package was produced to compete in Group 4 GT International Sports Car Racing. The kit decals are for the Porsche Factory Sponsored Max Moritz / Jagermeifter Cars #24 or #25. Building the Turbo RSR gives you an almost limitless number of options, paint schemes, and aftermarket add ons. Most 934's were raced by Privateers, and several companies offer decals for different cars. Scale Details offered an incredible detail set for the 934/935 kits. The price is around $500.00, but builds an "over-the-top" car with turned aluminum wheels, turned and functional wheel hubs, tons of photo-etched parts, ect.

** Kit Features **

** Hundreds Of Parts Molded In White, Black, Gray, Silver, Chrome, Fiberglass, and Clear

** Super Detailed Porsche Turbocharged Flat Six Engine

** Movable Front and Rear Suspension

** Semi-Pneumatic Rubber-Like Dunlop Tyres with Realistic Tread Patterns

** Steerable Front Wheels through Rack-In-Pinion Steering

** Opening Doors, Hood, and Engine Cover

** Real Wire Mesh Screens For Air Intakes

** Realistic Hoses, Wires, and Hardware

** Kit Pros And Cons **

Lets start with the Pros. A Benchmark kit from Tamiya in 1976. Still a Benchmark kit from Tamiya in 2008. This kit still sets the standard for "Big Scale" kits. Kit quality is very high. Build quality is very high. The kit has been around for over 30 years, and aftermarket add-ons are plentiful. Even though the kit is now out of production, there appears to be an available supply of unbuilt kits in the second hand market (for now). As of this writing, Tamiya is re-releasing this kit in late 2008 with a photo etch sheet. Well illustrated instructions and parts list make construction relatively easy for a high parts count and highly complex kit.

Cons. An original issue kit is now over 30 years old. Finding unbuilt kits is getting more difficult by the day. As always, original kits are highly susceptible to the mysterious Tamiya "Tire Melt". Replacement Tires are out of production, and have to be located from donor kits or Vintage Tamiya Spare kits. Prices can be very high. As with all vintage plastic model kits, decals do not age well. Even in the best of conditions. For now, Tamiya decals appear to be readily available from limited sources. Aftermarket decals can be found for alternative builds. Due to the limited nature of Vintage kits, prices can be prohibitive. Especially if you are looking to build. A search in the vintage market usually finds re-issue kits being sold out of the Orient, with shipping charges in the $50.00 range. Prices for all vintage Tamiya 934 & 935 kits are on the rise, but the 935 has recently been re-issued with photo etch parts, and the 934 will soon be out (once again!).

I hope this guide has been helpful in identifying the different issues of this kit. If you have found it informative, take a moment to give a vote below. As always, I welcome input and comments. Look for more guides in the future.