58151 Calsonic Primera Build Thread

[Mad Ax]

I'd wanted one of these for ages - so when a UK-based NIB came up on Ebay, I was only to eager to snap it up. It duly arrived a week later, the box a bit yellowed and dented but the contents perfect. In fact, hidden amongst the box was not only a lovely Tamiya postcard featuring both of their Primera FF01 models, but one of those miniature Tamiya statics too - the "Secret" model - an Avante! (More on that later).

Anyway, since NIB FF01s are getting harder to find these days, I thought I'd photograph my build process so you can share in the joy of a Tamiya build.

First up, Box and Contents:

Without further ado, I pulled out the manual and began construction.

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Step 22 omitted - this is going to be a shelfer so no radio or speedo was fitted

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Step 30:

Finally, the chassis is complete!!

Shell has not been painted - still waiting on original PS30 Brilliant Blue before I can spray it and finish the job. Keep your eyes glimmed for the finished article

[pagedm_f350]

very nice, I like the upgraded special parts. I always wanted to get an FF chassis car.

[Mad Ax]

very nice, I like the upgraded special parts. I always wanted to get an FF chassis car.

I love it so much I'm on the lookout for a second so I can have a runner, too

[007al]

I love it so much I'm on the lookout for a second so I can have a runner, too

Same here!

I got a nib Mondeo in december last year and had to build another FF01 to run.

You have the one i want next though

[Mad Ax]

Finally - the shell is now painted and decalled!!

Shell cut and masked ready for painting:

And painted:

And finally, the finished model can be seen here:

http://www.tamiyaclub.com/showroom_model.asp?cid=74565

[Berenger]

Very nice, I have quite a few NIB FF01's, including one of these which i'd quite like to part with.

One question though, since it's the upgraded special, where the paint that came with your kit?

Fraser.

[Mad Ax]

Was paint supposed to be part of the kit? There is a sticker on the box saying the paint required is PS-30 (which I got from Apex Models) but as it's in Japanese I couldn't tell you what it's supposed to say

Anyhoo, I did get some nice bits in the kit box. I got a lovely postcard with an action photo of the Calsonic Primera overtaking the green Castrol primera, and I also got one of those tiny Tamiya kit models of the "secret" Avante. I haven't got around to taking photos of that yet! I guess it was put in when it was shipped out of the East recently, although I bought it from a UK collecter (and he didn't mention anything about it, maybe he didn't even know it was in there).

The postcard is currently in a frame on my work desk, so I can enjoy the Tamiya goodness even when it's not nearby

[Berenger]

Maybe they didn't all come with paint, but my Upgraded Special did come with it and the box advertises that it does, along with the other bits that you did get, like the heatsink and the spring set.

Tamiya used to include those postcards with all their kits and what a shame it is that they stopped! I suppose it's just another cost-cutting ploy along with the smaller kit boxes. Remember they all used to be the size of the Primera box.

Fraser.

Edit: I'm pretty sure that sticker on your box actually says "Includes PS30..." but since it's Japanese we can't read it. Maybe it was removed when it was originally sent from abroad?

[Mad Ax]

Edit: I'm pretty sure that sticker on your box actually says "Includes PS30..." but since it's Japanese we can't read it. Maybe it was removed when it was originally sent from abroad?

Maybe this was the case - I know many suppliers don't like sending compressed cans by air. PS-30 doesn't seem to be too hard to get hold of tho.

[pagedm_f350]

......Tamiya used to include those postcards with all their kits and what a shame it is that they stopped! I suppose it's just another cost-cutting ploy along with the smaller kit boxes. Remember they all used to be the size of the Primera box......

I love the smaller kit boxes that the onroad kits come it, last trip away I could fit 2 in my suitcase instead of 1

[Berenger]

lol, right you are, I never thought of it that way

Then again, I never go away since I spend all my money on kits!

Fraser.

[pagedm_f350]

.....Then again, I never go away since I spend all my money on kits! ......

You are correct on that one, I am lucky enough to have stumbled into a job that sends me to most Asian countries and North America a few times every year, Hong Kong is my favourite!!!

Mad Ax, had a look in your showroom, you Primera looks awesome, I want one now In Australia they are called Nissan Maxima's

[irenL]

In Australia they are called Nissan Maxima's

Wrong. Primera is Primera, chassis codes associated with it are P10 (which is the version tamiya made), P11 (Protoform did a body of it, BTCC style), and the latest, P12. The Maxima, on the other hand, are coded J30, A31, A32, and so on. In my years of doing Nissans, I've owned a USDM P10 AKA infinity G20T, not a bad car to drive, quite zippy... but shares nothing in common with the Maxima. The Primera not-so-distant relative in Australia is the Pulsar. The J30 Maxima is essentially a stretched and widened U12 bluebird. The A31 maxima (AKA Cefiro), continues with the code A of the older RWD Cefiro (which was shared with the C33 Laurel), but are front heavy, under powered V6 FWD sedans, with utterly stupid rear suspension design.

I believe the P10 is a grey market import only in Oz. It's much more expensive than the N series Pulsar we got here.

Oh, the T at the end of G20T stands for touring edition, equipped with LSD transaxle, leather interior, etc... Not a single Turbo out of the factory.

[Mad Ax]

Pulsar

The Pulsar is available in Britain as the "Sunny" - don't know the chassis codes, but the Sunny GT has the same SR-20 motor block as the Primeras (various versions were made with single or multi-point injection; I believe the GT models have multi-point).

The Pulsar is a grey import only in the UK; a friend of mine has the 4x4 Pulsar GTi-R turbo model which I am very tempted to buy from him... Very fast little tin box! If not, I'm tempted to look for an Almera GTi, as I am a huge fan of the SR-20 motor - I love the way it sounds and the way it makes its power, and it's very economical for a 2 litre 16v - and I like Nissan's driving style and seating position. I've missed my 1:1 Primera ever since it got smashed

[Disco]

Was paint supposed to be part of the kit? There is a sticker on the box saying the paint required is PS-30 (which I got from Apex Models) but as it's in Japanese I couldn't tell you what it's supposed to say

My NIB kit has the paint included

[pagedm_f350]

Wrong. Primera is Primera, chassis codes associated with it are P10 (which is the version tamiya made), P11 (Protoform did a body of it, BTCC style), and the latest, P12. The Maxima, on the other hand, are coded J30, A31, A32, and so on. In my years of doing Nissans, I've owned a USDM P10 AKA infinity G20T, not a bad car to drive, quite zippy... but shares nothing in common with the Maxima. The Primera not-so-distant relative in Australia is the Pulsar. The J30 Maxima is essentially a stretched and widened U12 bluebird. The A31 maxima (AKA Cefiro), continues with the code A of the older RWD Cefiro (which was shared with the C33 Laurel), but are front heavy, under powered V6 FWD sedans, with utterly stupid rear suspension design.

I believe the P10 is a grey market import only in Oz. It's much more expensive than the N series Pulsar we got here.

Oh, the T at the end of G20T stands for touring edition, equipped with LSD transaxle, leather interior, etc... Not a single Turbo out of the factory.

ummmm, ohhkaaayyy, my mistake, it certainly looks like an older Maxima.

In any case Mad Ax, I like it, good job

[yamita]

In the US, these cars were sold as infiniiti g20.