This Incredible Toyota Celica Model Takes Two Years To Make

By Elliot Wood Jan 09, 2019

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By Elliot Wood Jan 09, 2019

It may cost around $2000, but this subscription model series enables you to build a painstakingly accurate Celica LB 2000GT.

If you were picking an automobile for a passionate and skilled model maker, you would without a doubt choose one that would take a great amount of their time to complete, but without frustration. Something that has complexity but also beauty, and that would look splendid on a mantlepiece.

How about a 1973 Toyota Celica LB 2000GT? Not the obvious candidate, but the company behind this model, Hachette, has history of using Japanese classics for its high-end subscription models.

The Celica is a hugely popular car, and one of those vehicles that made a company’s reputation abroad. The Hachette model will be a 1:8 scale creation identical in every way to the real thing, from the chassis to the interior trimmings to the DOHC engine. When fully built it will be 52.7cm in length and 16cm tall, a process which will take two years and $2000. Yeah, this is proper model building territory.

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As with all great models there are moving parts, as well as working lights. You can open and close the doors, and a light turns on so you know where to put your 1:8 scale luggage when you open the boot. The other lamps, and indicators, can also be used via remote control for different weather conditions.

You don’t need a magnifying glass to see many of the other fine details that grace the model and bring it closer to its roadgoing big brother. There is treading on the tyres that matches what would’ve been possible with the material of the time, a scale replica of the engine, with batteries, radiators, engine mounts and wiring of the original, also designed with as similar materials as possible, and an interior with functioning seat belts to save your model passengers.

There’s countless emblems and insignia on the car the road vehicle would’ve been branded with, and you can actually read the instruments on the dash. Much of this was done through 3D scanning to ensure as accurate a match as possible, with recordings of the car’s engine, indicator and horn performing different functions meaning the model also has a sufficient array of accurate sounds too. The only thing it doesn’t really do is drive.

To check out this mindboggling model, the first part of which goes on sale today (January 9) and continues for another 106 segments, visit Hachette’s website.