Collectors of scale-model JNCs have come to expect beautifully detailed 1:18 pieces from AUTOart, though new releases can come along with maddening infrequency. Thankfully, news from the 2019 Shizuoka Hobby Show indicates that the coming year will be a veritable boom era for classic Japanese diecast.
Perhaps the biggest news out of Shizuoka is the upcoming release of a 1:18 Kenmeri Skyline GT-R. Photos of AUTOart’s hand sample show a fully opening model, complete with engine and interior detail. The prototype model sits on RS Watanabe rims, suggesting that AUTOart may apply a lightly modified touch to the Kenmeri not dissimilar to their immensely popular treatment of the Hakosuka Skyline GT-R.
Also presented in hand-sample form was the Honda NSX NA2. AUTOart previously made early NA1 NSXes in R specification, which are now sought-after collectibles. Photos of the pre-production NA2 show a high level of detail in the car’s front compartment, a possible sign that the car will be offered as a part of AUTOart’s high-end “Millennium” series, so a retail price around $200 is a reasonable estimate.
AUTOart’s teaser card at Shizuoka offered a pair of tantalizing hints at future releases for the JNC faithful: a four-door Hakosuka GT-R (finally getting its proper due from the diecast world) and an RA28 Celica Liftback. Also of interest to JNCers might be the R34 Skyline GT-R and Suzuki Jimny. As no physical prototypes were presented at Shizuoka, we can only speculate that these models might not see release until 2020; we will keep a close eye out for any future developments.
Patrick Strong is founder of Model Citizen Diecast, specializing in 1:43 and 1:18 collectible scale models.
Can’t wait for the JNC/JDM castings.
Put me down for that RA28 liftback
God I love AutoART models. The detail on them is just astounding. I’m lucky to have two JGTC 350Z models.
please don’t make the NSX my NA1 value will be affected…
or at least don’t make them in white.
Meh….I prefer the Kyosho Samurai 1:18 models. They look way more realistic and the paint colors match the real 1:1 cars. Autoart paints don’t match the real 1:1 cars.