I know Initial D attracts a lot of weird merchandise, but this 1/3 scale Trueno AE86 shifter model got my eyes wide open and exclaim a loud WTF?! Why would you spend 229 dollar on a scale model of the AE86 shifter model?
Why create a 1/3 scale model?
I can understand if it were smaller scale, let’s say 1/8 or something. It would make sense as then it would be quite remarkable and accurate for its scale. It would also make sense to create it in the exact same scale as it’s supposed to be. But 1/3rd of its size? Why bother? It will be too large to fit anywhere in the cupboard to show off and too small to be of any use for kids to toy around with it. I could have understood if it would have been a Black Limited shifter. I simply just can’t wrap my head around it!
Accuracy
I must say the model is pretty accurate. The console has the right shape, correct sloping angle at the bottom, Defi gauges that are correct, the correct ashtray, the correct cigarette lighter and also the small round vent where the little chime is hiding behind. It makes me wonder if there would be a hidden battery compartment that allows you to use the cigarette lighter and do a no-hands-drift like Bunta?
Oh yeah, it’s just a model without a steering wheel. Of course you can do no-hands-drifts all day!
The gear shift knob is a very accurate representation of the TRD shift knob. The original:
Versus the one in this scale model:
Even heater controls appear to be correct for a JDM model, but it is missing the A/C and Econ buttons.
This means the model isn’t based upon the GT Apex model as that got air conditioning standard. So maybe it wasn’t meant as Initial D merchandise after all?
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