Friday November 17, 2006

NINCO Mosler MT900 "Gulf"

 & NISSAN 350 Z "G'ZOX"

The latest releases by NINCO might be vastly different from each other on the track, but they also have plenty in common. Both the Mosler and NISSAN have proven themselves to be very popular among enthusiasts for good reasons. Not only do they look great, but both of them are excellent performers. These latest re-livery releases have been eagerly awaited by many so it is time to give you a closer look.

Both of these models have already been reviewed and nothing inside has changed. So, instead of repeating myself here you can click on these links for the Mosler and NISSAN to get a more in depth look.

The NISSAN featured here is adorned with a very attractive paint scheme which is near perfect in the overall finish departments. In fact this is one of the best I have seen on the NISSAN. The number 3 on the hood is very close to another famous #3 that many will see immediately. NINCO has improved their level of detail in this area over the last few years and this model is just as good as any other to prove it. Tampo stampings and paint are as flawless as I could ask for as I found no runs or fades and a very clean clear coat.

The level of detail here should be enough for most enthusiasts. Although some prefer a full interior with more smaller details, I like this design better. For me it strikes a good balance between scale detail and functionality. Many enthusiasts like to tune and adjust their models, and having an interior likes this allows more room to work with, plus makes disassembly very simple.

Wheels and tires on this model were very round and true. I still perform the basics on these models with some light sanding on both the wheel inner rib and then of course the tires. I have virtually stopped using any after-market silicone tire as I feel the compound on these models work well enough for my home racing. When properly sanded and clean, these hook up very well on both plastic and wood. On wood they can be a little hard to handle at first, but once you get used to them you should enjoy the racing it delivers.

If there has been one NINCO model I have personally waited impatiently for, it is this version of the Mosler. I suppose I am like many others in this hobby and simply admire any model in the Gulf livery. There is just something about the famous blue and orange that just seems to scream auto racing.

I think NINCO has done very well with this release. Some have made comments about the colors not being very accurate but they have done well enough for my eyes. Only you can decide if they have done well enough. Given the popularity of this car and how quickly some dealers were quickly sold out of it speaks volumes.

The wheels and tires were again very round and true. I have seen prototype photos that indicate a different front wheel than what comes with our model, but I have also seen photos indicating these are very accurate. In any case I personally feel they play the role well in our scale and look even better at SPEED where both these machines belong.

Performance of these models differ of course but both are very fun to pilot. I prefer the Mosler for reasons that are hard to explain. I just enjoy the feel/handling of a model such as this. The NISSAN is a quick one though, and very tough to beat in this series. I have dialed in both models to where 4.2 second averages on our road course is common.

Practice, Practice. The best upgrade you can make in this hobby is yourself. I am not sure how many hours I have put on the original Mosler and NISSAN but it is safe to say I have plenty of mileage on both. In our racing I still choose the Mosler quite often and can manage to stay right with other releases in the series.

As popular as these models are, I wonder how slot racing enthusiasts will look back on them? I have my fair share of models by NINCO that I am very glad I decided to acquire at the time they were released. I can also admit my hindsight is 20/20. Recently I have been on this "quest" to find old favorites that I passed on years ago because I am discovering today just how much fun they are. No, I am not a collector by any means, but when I find models that I truly enjoy to drive I seem to want every one I can get. Today I am doing my best to have as many of these cars as possible because someday they might be all gone.

If you are just joining us in the slot car hobby, I can safely recommend you take a close look at this series of models. It has become one of the most popular lines by NINCO to date and it appears to just keep growing. If you have passed on any of the prior releases before I think you owe yourself at least one to find out just how much fun they truly are.

- Harry

As always feel free to contact me about this article or just the hobby in general at harry@homeracingworld.com, or better yet drop into our Message Forum and share your thoughts with other enthusiasts!

Thanks Go To MRC For Providing Us With These Great Models!