Hasegawa Ferrari 328 GTS

[galaxyg]

Background:

I am of that generation where the 328 GTS is the answer to the question "What does a Ferrari look like?". That and it's similarity to to the 308 (Magnum's car), the 512 BB , 365 BB and the 288 GTO makes you wonder if Ferrari could've got stuck in the same groove as Porsche - making every car look basically the same. Fortunately not. I regard the 328 GTS as the ultimate development of the classic Ferrari shape. It's a beautiful car, a work of art.

Pros:

Great proportions, clean mouldings and little cleanup required. A full engine is included and the interior is nicely detailed as well. Also comes with a Photo-Etched fret for some of the more detailed parts and badges. The plated wheels look very good.

Cons:

Parts of it are fiddly to put together, especially the front and rear suspension and the exhaust system, the latter of which is a small 3D puzzle to get the parts into place. The instructions are only so-so, certain parts are not easy to follow and the assembly order isn't always logical. Some of the engine parts would have been easier to assemble if not plated. No Italian number plates included, only German ones which seems odd. The passenger side wiper does not conform to the shape of the windscreen at all, as it's entirely straight.

Verdict:

Very good. Builds into a beautiful model of the 328GTS.

Build notes:

I've added seatbelts and retainers, carpeting, plus quite a bit of extra detail to the engine bay by way of hoses, pipes and most noticeably, the oil filter on top. I also changed the rear number plate and swapped the useless passenger windscreen wiper for one from a Daihatsu Move CS kit. The side Ferrari shields are also aftermarket additions. Undercoated with Tamiya pink primer and painted in Tamiya TS-8 Italian red, with a TS-46 Light sand interior.

 

[Roger U]

A beautiful cleanly built  model. The detailing and paint are excellent. Nice  photographs also.

[TransAmMike]

That looks great Michael, beautiful work and that engine......wow?

[rrb124@sbcglobal.net]

Looking like a real automobile.

[1959scudetto]

Excellent model of one of the last really good-looking (classic) Ferraris - fantastic details and photos of the engine!

(I also have this in my stash)

Edited August 20, 2022 by 1959scudetto

[iamsuperdan]

Looks great! This is still the era I first think of when someone mentions Ferrari.

 

[Anglia105E]

Nicely done Ferrari, Michael and I have found Hasegawa kits to be of good quality. Having built their Suzuki Jimny, I might fancy building a Ferrari myself !

I agree that the 328 GTS is indeed a truly beautiful motor car. Your paint colour is just right, and the engine detail is excellent. The photography really works with the black background, and of course good lighting. You must be very proud of this build, and rightly so.

David

[70 Sting]

Very beautiful build. Great that you photographed the engine separately.?

[Rich Chernosky]

Excellent  build of a very nice kit.  Really like the engine, nice job

[Ulbo]

Super built and the engine details... cool?

[ChrisR]

Looks great!

[WizPorsche944]

I have 3 of these in my stash, after seeing this I may have to build one.

[Bainford]

That's a fine looking Ferrari, Michael. You've done some nice work here, and that engine is fantastic. As you mentioned, the 328 certainly didn't stray too far from the 308 recipe. 

[galaxyg]

Thanks to everyone for the comments - probably the most commented-upon car/build I've posted.

[BeakDoc]

Beautifully built! The detail you put into her is staggering. I suppose that I, too, am of the age that when someone says “Ferrari,” the 328 is the first mental image that arises. Outstanding rendition! And not for nothing, I enjoyed your well thought out and written synopsis of the kit, build, etc.

[ATHU]

Wow!! Fantastic build with excellent attention to detail!!

[spencer1984]

Beautiful work on this! For me the 308 remains the quintessential "Ferrari," but the 328 is the better car by pretty much any metric and I will never argue against your statement of it being a work of art. If nothing else, you've proven it such here.

[beeRS]

This is a stunning Ferrari. I am surprised we don’t see more of these Hasagawa Ferraris on here. You have really made a great job of it. 

[Funkychiken]

Beautiful build, love the engine, looks real! 

[Dragonhawk1066]

Very nice!

[Street Rod]

Fantastic build! Great paint work and the attention to detail makes this an outstanding Ferrari!

[Dann Tier]

Killer details!

[slusher]

Beautiful Ferrari!

[Twokidsnosleep]

Awesome build???

I have one in the stash so at least know it has potential