Agora Models 1/8 '67 Shelby GT500 Super Snake Kit Pack 04 Build Review
By Michael Benolkin
| Date of Review | July 2020 | Manufacturer | Agora Models |
|---|---|---|---|
| Subject | '67 Shelby GT500 Super Snake | Scale | 1/8 |
| Kit Number | 03 | Primary Media | Die-cast metal, styrene, rubber, etc. |
| Pros | Beautiful details, prefinished parts, easy assembly | Cons | Nothing noted |
| Skill Level | Intermediate | MSRP (USD) | $129.99/month + $9.99 shipping per pack (see text) |
Build Review
- For a look at our build-up of Pack 01, look here.
- For a look at our build-up of Pack 02, look here.
- For a look at our build-up of Pack 03, look here.
- For a look at our build-up of Pack 05, look here.
With this pack, we get a full-length chassis complete with interior floor pans and the start of the front-end details.
Here's a closer look at Pack Four. This pack assembles:
- Middle Chassis
- Front Floor Pan
- Driveshaft
- Gearbox and Crossmember
- Front Chassis
- Front Fender Splash Guards
- Tie Rod Assembly
- Steering Assembly
Step 23: Middle Chassis - we pick up from Pack 03 by adding the middle chassis to the assembly built-up in the last installment and now the chassis extends up to the firewall area. This is one cast frame part that fits snugly to the assembly and mounts with four screws. As I mentioned last time, screws going into these cast metal parts that are then powder-coated can be challenging. Now I use a magnetic phillips screwdriver to get the screw started, then revert to a flathead tip screwdriver to thread the screw into place until it is tight.
Step 24: Front Floor Pan - this floor pan is plastic like the rear floor plan and screws into the cast metal middle chassis. Here is the first and only problem I encountered as the screw provided for the center pilot hole overlapping the front and rear floor pans didn't really fit well and stripped without any effort. I simply removed the screw, added a strip of plastic into the hole, then re-seated the screw until it was snug.
Step 25: Driveshaft - the drive shaft halves go together with three small screws, then one end slots into the differential before the mounting tabs fit into their mounting holes under the chassis and are held in place with two screws.
Step 26: Gearbox and Crossmember - here's the transmission that overlaps the drive shaft and then mounts to two holes in the chassis. Two screws later, and this kit has a drivetrain!
Step 27: Front Chassis - the front portion of the chassis mounts to the chassis assembly in the same way as the middle chassis and with no problems. This beast is now 31" long!
Step 28: Front Fender Splash Guards - each guard mounts to the chassis at the rear of the front wheel wells will be with two screws.
Step 29: Tie Rod Assembly - Each of these parts is powder-coated metal, and to keep things simple, I threaded each screw into place without any other parts, and with the threads cut, I removed the screws and assembled this tie rod assembly according to the instructions.
Step 30: Steering Assembly - This step is actually three smaller steps. The tie rod assembly receives another part, so again I pre-threaded a screw before assembly. The chassis receives two front end suspension arm mounts and the steering gearbox (silver) under the front end. Between the fuel filler neck on one side and the steering gearbox arm on the other, care will be needed to keep from damaging the chassis assembly during handling or setting down on the bench.
Stay tuned!
My sincere thanks to Agora Models for this review sample!