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In-Box Review
124
Model T 1913 Roadster
Model T 1913 Roadster American Passenger Car
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by: Darren Baker [ CMOT ]

Introduction

The following text is the introduction as supplied by ICM with this model.

One of the most numerous and famous cars in world history was the Model T produced by the Ford Motor Company. It became the first mass produced car. Affordable for the middle class, the first example of the model T was built on September 27th 1908. It had a four cylinder engine producing 22.5 hp. The mass production was launched at the Highland Park Ford Plant, Michigan from the beginning of 1914. There were 15,007,003 cars produced from 1908 to 1927. Model T cars were produced in various types, in particular some 1913 cars had open topped two seat runabout (roadster) bodies as replicated in this model.

Contents

This model is packaged in a very sturdy flip top cardboard box, I like this design as it should hold up to anything the postal service can reasonably throw at it. Inside you will find the following;
3 grey sprues
1 chromed sprue
1 clear sprue
4 vinyl rubber tyres
An instruction booklet

Review

First Impressions
An inspection of the kit parts leaves a positive impression. There are no obvious moulding faults present such as flash or sink marks to be found. There are of course some ejector pin marks that will need to be tackled, but that is to be expected and ICM are improving all the time when it comes to placing them in hidden areas and they are getting smaller both in overall size and prominence. There are some flow lines present on the larger mouldings but these have not caused any noticeable deformities that I could detect. Another plus is that the gates between the sprues and moulded parts are of a reasonable size and not excessive in number. All told, off to a very good start.

The Engine
The engine is fairly basic as they go, but that does not mean ICM have cut corners. Checking it against online images indicates that ICM has done a very good job of replicating the engine, right down to some very fine details being present, especially around the exhaust manifold. The addition of some wiring should bring this area right up to spec. While on the subject of the engine ICM has provided a chromed radiator front with a grey plastic rear. It is not chrome as in shiny silver; it is designed to replicate brass. The coating has been applied to tan plastic fortunately or by design, but it will be difficult to hide the area where it was connected to the gate on the sprue. The front half of the brass effect radiator has very nice raised detail of the Ford logo.

Chassis and Suspension
The chassis is an integral part of the vehicles floor pan and so there are no concerns about getting this area out of true. The suspension and drive are as you would suspect pretty simple in design, but again ICM has done a good job of replication here. My only complaint in this area is that I would have liked the ability to display the front wheels turned rather than having them fixed in dead ahead, this is just a personal thing as I feel it adds interest to the look of a finished model.

Wheels
The wooden spoke wheels are very nicely replicated and love them or hate them white vinyl rubber tyres. The white vinyl is perhaps best left unpainted as I feel it would be hard to apply a more realistic colour than the vinyl already is.

Interior
The floor pan is very well replicated in this model having the textured detail present for both the step plate and the cab floor interior. Also present again is the Ford Logo embossed on the step plate. The separate part of the floor pan where the foot pedals locate also has the nicely embossed Ford logo present. The steering column and wheel is surprisingly well detailed with throttle and spark levers present as separate parts. The handbrake quadrant and bellow for the horn also well replicated. The seat or should I say two seat settee is really nice, painted in a red leather colour with some thoughtfully applied washes will make this really stand out and catch the attention; the only detail I can see missing on the seat is the stud detail, but you could of course add that detail yourselves if wished. The only downside here is that there are some ejector pin marks that will need attention on inner faces of the body panels.

Exterior
The exterior body of the vehicle is reasonably detailed and should look the part. I will say I would have liked the option of having the doors opened or closed instead of being moulded as a one piece with the body, with that said I feel it would be possible to do a bit of scratch building and make it possible to have the doors displayed as you wish. The bonnet is supplied in two parts and so could be depicted open to display the engine, but I am sure that each half of bonnet has another hinged area which would need to be created by the modeller. The headlights and coach lights have been very well replicated with some very nice detail. The design of the lights could I believe be set up with working lights via the use of LED lighting. The soft top roof will need some ejector pin marks dealt with on its inner face, but otherwise should look the part.

Glazing
The glazing parts supplied with the model are of a reasonable thickness and have good clarity.

Conclusion

When I first received this model I was unsure about how I felt about it; car models do not always appeal and larger scale offerings are often a disappointment because detail is not better than can be found on smaller scale offerings, but that is not the case with this offering. The detail is mostly very pleasing with just a few negative observations mentioned in the review. With all aspects of this model considered I do think that it will for the most part please anyone who purchases this kit, plus don’t forget that ICM is going to release a set of three figures to specifically accompany this model.
SUMMARY
Highs: A very complete model offering that only really needs the addition of some wiring.
Lows: I would have preferred for the front wheels to have the option of showing them turned as I think it is a more interesting look.
Verdict: If you want a Ford Model T, this model is worthy of your consideration.
  Scale: 1:24
  Mfg. ID: 24001
  PUBLISHED: Mar 05, 2015
  NATIONALITY: United States
NETWORK-WIDE AVERAGE RATINGS
  THIS REVIEWER: 87.04%
  MAKER/PUBLISHER: 84.86%

Our Thanks to ICM Holding!
This item was provided by them for the purpose of having it reviewed on this KitMaker Network site. If you would like your kit, book, or product reviewed, please contact us.

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About Darren Baker (CMOT)
FROM: ENGLAND - SOUTH WEST, UNITED KINGDOM

I have been building model kits since the early 70’s starting with Airfix kits of mostly aircraft, then progressing to the point I am at now building predominantly armour kits from all countries and time periods. Living in the middle of Salisbury plain since the 70’s, I have had lots of opportunitie...

Copyright ©2021 text by Darren Baker [ CMOT ]. Images also by copyright holder unless otherwise noted. Opinions expressed are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of ModelGeek. All rights reserved.



Comments

Excellent review Darren. Looks like the fan and part of the stearing wheel is shortshot. Should be posible to fix. for me, this is a must have kit. The three figure set is a must as well. Thanks for doing this review Darren.
MAR 04, 2015 - 05:02 PM
Good review. But those are what I believe brass-plated not chrome-plated parts.
MAR 04, 2015 - 07:09 PM
I didn't see any short shot but will take another look Tim I did say brass coloured but I have not heard the term brass plated. regardless you are correct.
MAR 04, 2015 - 08:37 PM
   


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