In Box Review of Platz-NuNu 1/24th Scale
BMW M3 E-20 Gr.A ’91 Auto Tech Race Car
Kit no. PN24014
By Ray Mehlberger
Copyright 2020
MSRP: 4080 Yen ($37.30
By Ray Mehlberger
Copyright 2020
MSRP: 4080 Yen ($37.30
HISTORY:
BMW has been deeply involved in motor sports since the early days of its establishment. BMW won a number of victories when they started motorcycle racing in 1935.
The racing pedigree has been inherited since BMW started to manufacture four-wheeled vehicles, and BMW kept actively concerned with motorsport. Among the racing categories, BMW has distinguished achievements in touring car racing. Headquarters was in charge of the production of the vehicles.
One of the machines that supported the BMW Group A touring car racing era is the BMW M3, based on the BMW E30-3 Series. The BMW M3 E30 was developed by the BMW Motorsport GmbH, the BMW’s motorsport division.
The body was equipped with blister fenders on the front and back to accommodate wider tread and larger tires. Moreover, the rear side window was designed as inclined to improve aerodynamics, and the trunk was made accordingly to a high deck. Other changes included a rear wing and front spoiler to enhance aerodynamics.
With a displacement of 2.3 liters, the engine was based on the six-cylinder engine of BMW’s super sports car M1, and was reduced by two cylinders to make it a four-cylinder, in-line fitted at the front.
The BMW M3 E30 was homologated for Group A racing and with high-turning to produce 300 hp for maximum output. After that, the Evolution Model was also developed, and performance was upgraded, such as enlarging the displacement to 2.5 liters. In order to qualify the production of 5000 units per year required for Group homologation regulations, the engine was manufactured by BMW Motorsports, and the BMW headquarters was in charge of the production of the vehicle.
In 1987, the BMW M3 E30 acquired homologation and participated in the race, and immediately proved itself to win the DTM and the WTCC races. The BMW M3 E30 also participated in the Group A Race in Japan , from the end of 1987, and showed its ability in the Division 2 Class, which was contested by a machine with a displacement of 1.6 to 2.5 liters, and sometimes performed better than the Division 1 machine.
A lot of M3’s competed fiercely on the circuit, in 190 and 1991,. Auto Tech Racing M3 Team won the Division 2 class championship in Japan. One of the drivers, Rolan Ratzenberger, run with the Auto Tech Racing Team in the Macau Guia Race in 1991 and made a step toward success in the world.
BMW has been deeply involved in motor sports since the early days of its establishment. BMW won a number of victories when they started motorcycle racing in 1935.
The racing pedigree has been inherited since BMW started to manufacture four-wheeled vehicles, and BMW kept actively concerned with motorsport. Among the racing categories, BMW has distinguished achievements in touring car racing. Headquarters was in charge of the production of the vehicles.
One of the machines that supported the BMW Group A touring car racing era is the BMW M3, based on the BMW E30-3 Series. The BMW M3 E30 was developed by the BMW Motorsport GmbH, the BMW’s motorsport division.
The body was equipped with blister fenders on the front and back to accommodate wider tread and larger tires. Moreover, the rear side window was designed as inclined to improve aerodynamics, and the trunk was made accordingly to a high deck. Other changes included a rear wing and front spoiler to enhance aerodynamics.
With a displacement of 2.3 liters, the engine was based on the six-cylinder engine of BMW’s super sports car M1, and was reduced by two cylinders to make it a four-cylinder, in-line fitted at the front.
The BMW M3 E30 was homologated for Group A racing and with high-turning to produce 300 hp for maximum output. After that, the Evolution Model was also developed, and performance was upgraded, such as enlarging the displacement to 2.5 liters. In order to qualify the production of 5000 units per year required for Group homologation regulations, the engine was manufactured by BMW Motorsports, and the BMW headquarters was in charge of the production of the vehicle.
In 1987, the BMW M3 E30 acquired homologation and participated in the race, and immediately proved itself to win the DTM and the WTCC races. The BMW M3 E30 also participated in the Group A Race in Japan , from the end of 1987, and showed its ability in the Division 2 Class, which was contested by a machine with a displacement of 1.6 to 2.5 liters, and sometimes performed better than the Division 1 machine.
A lot of M3’s competed fiercely on the circuit, in 190 and 1991,. Auto Tech Racing M3 Team won the Division 2 class championship in Japan. One of the drivers, Rolan Ratzenberger, run with the Auto Tech Racing Team in the Macau Guia Race in 1991 and made a step toward success in the world.
THE KIT:
Platz is an old prolific model company based in Shizuoka, Japan. They manufacture all manner of model subjects in the popular scales. The NuNu name has not been seen before on any Platz’s kits that I have reviewed here in the past. I assume they are a new- associate of Platz’s ?
This kit comes in a tray and lid type box that Is not shrink-wrapped.
The cover art shows a BMW M3 E30 posed against a background that has a light-grey, 4-view line drawing of the car number 18 on it.
In the foreground there is a color side view profile of the car.
It is overall bright yellow, with racing no. 35 on it and Auto Tech logos. More about this scheme later.
At the bottom edge of the cover art there is permission by BMW to use their name and logo in the kit.
One side panel of the box begins with a suggested paint color listing of Mr. Color brand hobby paints, followed by: This kit is an unpainted and unassembled plastic model kit of the BMW M3 E30 L of Auto Tech, which won the class championship in 1991 Japan Touring Car Championship (JTG) and competed in 1991 in the Macau Guia Race. Scale in 124th. It finishes up to 180mm in length (7”) and 70mm in width (2 ¾”). The powerful body is reproduced realistically. The interior parts, such as the roll cage, are reproduced precisely, and the suspension under the chassis is reproduced realistically by separate parts. Marking for the BMW M3 E30 machine of Auto Tech team’s 1991 Macau Guia Race and the 1991 JTC race are provided.
Platz’s telephone and FAX numbers and their street address are provided .
Some parts may be too sharp. More caution and care are needed for families with infants. When using adhesives or paints do not use near fire to avoid flammability.
NuNu’s e-mail address is given.
Kit made in Macau.
All of the above is in both Japanese and English.
Platz is an old prolific model company based in Shizuoka, Japan. They manufacture all manner of model subjects in the popular scales. The NuNu name has not been seen before on any Platz’s kits that I have reviewed here in the past. I assume they are a new- associate of Platz’s ?
This kit comes in a tray and lid type box that Is not shrink-wrapped.
The cover art shows a BMW M3 E30 posed against a background that has a light-grey, 4-view line drawing of the car number 18 on it.
In the foreground there is a color side view profile of the car.
It is overall bright yellow, with racing no. 35 on it and Auto Tech logos. More about this scheme later.
At the bottom edge of the cover art there is permission by BMW to use their name and logo in the kit.
One side panel of the box begins with a suggested paint color listing of Mr. Color brand hobby paints, followed by: This kit is an unpainted and unassembled plastic model kit of the BMW M3 E30 L of Auto Tech, which won the class championship in 1991 Japan Touring Car Championship (JTG) and competed in 1991 in the Macau Guia Race. Scale in 124th. It finishes up to 180mm in length (7”) and 70mm in width (2 ¾”). The powerful body is reproduced realistically. The interior parts, such as the roll cage, are reproduced precisely, and the suspension under the chassis is reproduced realistically by separate parts. Marking for the BMW M3 E30 machine of Auto Tech team’s 1991 Macau Guia Race and the 1991 JTC race are provided.
Platz’s telephone and FAX numbers and their street address are provided .
Some parts may be too sharp. More caution and care are needed for families with infants. When using adhesives or paints do not use near fire to avoid flammability.
NuNu’s e-mail address is given.
Kit made in Macau.
All of the above is in both Japanese and English.
The other side panel of the box shows two color side-view photos of the car made up. Followed by a repeat of the information on the other side panel and the kit is intended for modelers age 15 and above.
WHAT’S IN THE BOX:
This kit holds a white chassis part, 5 white parts trees, a clear tree, two chrome-plated trees, black vinyl tires and poly-caps and a section of black screen and 3 decal sheets, in 6 self-sealing clear cello bags.
The instructions consists as an staple-bound booklet of 12 pages in 7” x 10” page format.
Page 1 begins with a black and white side profile illustration of the box art scheme, over the history of the car in Japanese and English. At the bottom- of the page there are READ BEFORE ASSEMBLY instruction, in Japanese and English.
Page 2 begins with a repeat of the suggested paint color listing of Mr. Hobby brand paints, over decal application instructions and international assembly symbol explanations in the 2 languages.
The bottom of page 2 through to page 9 gives a grand total of 15 assembly steps.
Pages 10 and 11 are black and white painting and marking guides.
Page 10 has a 5-view of the ’91 JTC race car no. 35 (the box art scheme).
It is overall bright yellow. It has a white square with a black no. 35 on it, on top of the roof, on the forward edge of the two doors and at an angle on the left side of the hood.
On the doors, the white square is followed by the black Auto Tech logo. This consists of an upside-down letter “V” that Is co-joined to a letter “S”. It is also below the angled square on top of the hood. The Auto Tech logo again appears on the rides of the rear fenders, atop the air foil and on the rear of the truck lid.
A small Total Lubricants logo is on the sides. Small Auto Tech Racing Team logo on sides of front fenders. Across the door sills there are logos for Winmax and Bridgestone. Bridgestone is also on the front bumper between Auto Tech which appears twice more. In the center of the rear there is a small white square with black 35 on it.
At the top edge of the windshield there is a white strip with black Auto Tech, followed by diagonal bars of red, navy and light blue.
Page 11 has a 3-view of the no. 18 car. It holds all the same logos in the same places as on the no. 35 car. In addition there is a small orange rectangle with Japanese lettering on it. The tires all have white Bridgestone Potenza on them. High on the sides of the front fenders is the driver's name R.Ratzenberger from Germany, again with a flag illustration.
High on the side of the front fenders are the names of the two drivers of this car. From Finland -T.Danelson. From Germany-R.Ratzenberger. Each name labeled with a small color illustration of the flag of their countries. These 2 drivers also drove the no. 34 car.
This is the car that was used in the Macau Guia Race.
Mention is made of the white Squares with no. 18 on them as being for a 3rd car that was used, but not much information other than that.
Page 12 is the parts-trees illustrations. Some parts are shown shaded out. Meaning they are excess and not needed to complete the model.
Trees are alphabetized.
First is the chalk-white body shell (1 part)
This kit holds a white chassis part, 5 white parts trees, a clear tree, two chrome-plated trees, black vinyl tires and poly-caps and a section of black screen and 3 decal sheets, in 6 self-sealing clear cello bags.
The instructions consists as an staple-bound booklet of 12 pages in 7” x 10” page format.
Page 1 begins with a black and white side profile illustration of the box art scheme, over the history of the car in Japanese and English. At the bottom- of the page there are READ BEFORE ASSEMBLY instruction, in Japanese and English.
Page 2 begins with a repeat of the suggested paint color listing of Mr. Hobby brand paints, over decal application instructions and international assembly symbol explanations in the 2 languages.
The bottom of page 2 through to page 9 gives a grand total of 15 assembly steps.
Pages 10 and 11 are black and white painting and marking guides.
Page 10 has a 5-view of the ’91 JTC race car no. 35 (the box art scheme).
It is overall bright yellow. It has a white square with a black no. 35 on it, on top of the roof, on the forward edge of the two doors and at an angle on the left side of the hood.
On the doors, the white square is followed by the black Auto Tech logo. This consists of an upside-down letter “V” that Is co-joined to a letter “S”. It is also below the angled square on top of the hood. The Auto Tech logo again appears on the rides of the rear fenders, atop the air foil and on the rear of the truck lid.
A small Total Lubricants logo is on the sides. Small Auto Tech Racing Team logo on sides of front fenders. Across the door sills there are logos for Winmax and Bridgestone. Bridgestone is also on the front bumper between Auto Tech which appears twice more. In the center of the rear there is a small white square with black 35 on it.
At the top edge of the windshield there is a white strip with black Auto Tech, followed by diagonal bars of red, navy and light blue.
Page 11 has a 3-view of the no. 18 car. It holds all the same logos in the same places as on the no. 35 car. In addition there is a small orange rectangle with Japanese lettering on it. The tires all have white Bridgestone Potenza on them. High on the sides of the front fenders is the driver's name R.Ratzenberger from Germany, again with a flag illustration.
High on the side of the front fenders are the names of the two drivers of this car. From Finland -T.Danelson. From Germany-R.Ratzenberger. Each name labeled with a small color illustration of the flag of their countries. These 2 drivers also drove the no. 34 car.
This is the car that was used in the Macau Guia Race.
Mention is made of the white Squares with no. 18 on them as being for a 3rd car that was used, but not much information other than that.
Page 12 is the parts-trees illustrations. Some parts are shown shaded out. Meaning they are excess and not needed to complete the model.
Trees are alphabetized.
First is the chalk-white body shell (1 part)
Chalk-white letter A tree holds: the floor, inner side panels, roll bars, floor, steering wheel etc. (13 parts)
Chalk-white letter B tree holds: the chassis, axles, dashboard, brake drums etc. (20 parts) 5 parts are excess.
Chalk-white letter C tree holds: the hood, grill and rear bumper (3 parts)
Clear letter D tree holds the windows and light lenses (8 parts) 3 parts are excess.
Chrome-plated letter E tree holds headlight bezels (5 parts)
Chalk-white letter F tree holds: the seat, springs, bumper, air foil etc. (13 parts) 3 parts are excess.
There are no letter G or H trees.
There are no letter G or H trees.
Chalk-white letter I tree holds: more brake drums, muffler (7 parts) 3 parts are excess.
Lettering now jumps to the to the letter W chrome-plate wheel rims (4 parts)
Next is the 4 black vinyl tires and the 5 black vinyl poly-caps and the section of black screen.
The decal sheets are also alphabetized.
The large letter A decal sheet holds: sponsor decals and car numbers.
The large letter A decal sheet holds: sponsor decals and car numbers.
Medium-sized letter B decal sheet holds black bar shaped markings.
Small letter C decal sheet holds the white tire markings used on the no. 18 car.
Great detail, No driver figure or engine detail is provided. Making this car what is said to be a Curbside Model.
Highly recommended.
I sincerely want to thank Platz for this review sample.
All Platz products can be viewed on their web-site at:
Highly recommended.
I sincerely want to thank Platz for this review sample.
All Platz products can be viewed on their web-site at:
Very highly recommended.