The world of HOBBY expands from Prelude [Tamiya Edition]

The world of HOBBY is an effective way to fall in love with vehicles. Plastic fashions and miniature vehicles are beloved by many individuals, no matter age or gender, from younger kids to the aged. We heard that the HOBBY business was getting excited concerning the launch of “Prelude” this fall, so our editorial crew visited the “Shizuoka Pastime Present” held in Could.

Shizuoka, the world capital of mannequin making
On the Tamiya sales space, which was my vacation spot, I used to be stunned to see the precise “New Prelude Prototype” automotive and the event supervisor, LPL Yamagami.

–Yamagami-san, why are you right here?

Yamagami LPL:  Truly, Tamiya might be releasing a plastic mannequin of the automotive at roughly the identical time because the precise automotive. So after I heard that Tamiya was going to unveil the brand new Prelude plastic mannequin on the Shizuoka Pastime Present, I recommended, “Why not additionally exhibit the precise automotive?” and so they did, so I got here to the venue to see it.

–What was the response from the individuals on the venue?

I’m particularly glad that not solely the adults at Yamagami LPL  but in addition many kids come to the venue. The response can be good.

— Ueno-san:
These days, there are only a few coupe-type vehicles, so I’m very glad to see this type of automotive come out, and I hope it sells properly. The inside is sort of a cockpit, so it seems thrilling to drive.

— Onishi-san:
I assumed the retractable headlights used within the second and third era Preludes had been very cool, and the brand new mannequin can be cool.

–Shin-san,
the flowing strains on the edges are actually lovely, and the black strains beneath make the entire thing look extra toned and sharp. With a plastic mannequin, you possibly can verify each little element, so it’s good to get an concept of ​​what it’ll appear to be before you purchase it.

–Ichiro:
I felt that this design was one thing new that Honda had by no means finished earlier than. And but, the sense of luxurious, or quite, the sense of luxurious, has been correctly inherited from the second and third era Preludes. This automotive makes you’re feeling one thing like Honda’s DNA.

–Hikaru:
Honda is a producer that is excellent at easy however high-quality designs. That’s why I would like Honda to work tougher. I really feel like I would like them to convey again the passionate concepts of the previous, like “Hondaism.”

–Ami:
I’m at the moment driving a FIT RS, however I believe the brand new Prelude can be cool. I heard it’s geared up with a brand new hybrid, so I’d love to check drive it.

–Tera:
I wished to purchase the brand new Prelude, so I got here all the way in which to the Shizuoka Pastime Present to see it. The brake calipers are lovely and blue, and so they instantly caught my eye. The design that makes use of blue as an accent is one thing that Honda hasn’t had a lot of prior to now, so it was refreshing.

–The “New Prelude Prototype” that was specifically exhibited on the Tamiya sales space was properly obtained. However why was the plastic mannequin unveiled earlier than the precise automotive was launched? The editorial division was curious, so we spoke to Yamagami LPL and Ishiguro, who’s answerable for product growth at Tamiya.

-Why was the plastic mannequin accomplished earlier than the precise automotive was launched?

Yamagami LPL:  Truly (laughs), I went to pitch it myself. I went to a pastime present.

–To promote?

Yamagami LPL:  My very own childhood expertise with Tamiya plastic fashions gave me a powerful feeling for them, so I assumed that if I ever grew to become a growth supervisor, I want to do a simultaneous launch. Additionally, I used to be pissed off to seek out out that Honda hasn’t launched a brand new mannequin for four-wheeled automobiles for practically 10 years for the reason that NSX, so I went to the occasion.

Tamiya Co., Ltd. Planning and Growth Division, Takeshi Ishiguro
Mr. Ishiguro:  After we had been making a mannequin of the brand new Prelude, earlier than the precise automotive was launched, we got helpful drawings and supplies below confidentiality. I used to be stunned as a result of I had by no means had such an expertise earlier than. We had been additionally capable of interview the analysis heart in Tochigi and even toured the manufacturing unit.

This was our first time visiting Mr. Ishiguro’s  manufacturing unit and analysis lab, so truthfully, our Tamiya crew was excited.

–However simply since you go to Tamiya doesn’t essentially imply that they’ll have the ability to flip it right into a product, proper?

Ishiguro:  In fact we mentioned it in our planning conferences, however because it was a giant subject on the final Mobility Present and the sports activities car-like design is cool, there have been no objections and the choice to show it right into a product was made with none issues (laughs).

Yamagami LPL  : Truly, I used to be enjoying a prank. After I invited Tamiya to the Mobility Present, I made a package deal with an image of the brand new Prelude in a dummy Tamiya field and took it with me. There are quite a lot of plastic mannequin lovers in Honda’s analysis lab, so I made it with enthusiasm and offered it to Tamiya.

Mr. Ishiguro  was stunned (laughs). It’s true that Honda’s enthusiasm was conveyed because of that.

–That’s the story behind the precise automotive and the plastic mannequin, which had been launched virtually concurrently. Evidently the collaboration was unveiled on the Shizuoka Pastime Present.

Ishiguro:  This mannequin additionally features a first for Tamiya. We’ve recreated the rear of the brand new Prelude opening like a hatchback. It is a first for the 1/24 sports activities automotive collection.

Yamagami LPL:  They even managed to recreate the inside so as to match a suitcase or golf bag in there. What’s much more wonderful is that in addition they meticulously recreated the inside, and even included a decal (sticker) for the brand new know-how “Honda S+Shift” that might be put in within the new Prelude. (This decal is simply about 1mm in measurement!)

Ishiguro:  I had heard the ideas and tales of the individuals who developed the precise automotive, so I did my finest to reside as much as their enthusiasm (smiles). However essentially the most troublesome half was the undercarriage. It was onerous as a result of we didn’t have the precise automotive within the early levels of mannequin growth. Additionally, Tamiya fashions are molded with components separated as a lot as doable in order that the portray course of shouldn’t be sophisticated, however with out the precise automotive, it’s troublesome to know the colour divisions intimately, so this was additionally troublesome. It was truly my first time to straight talk with the builders of the particular automotive every time.

Yamagami LPL:  I actually apologize for the onerous work, however in a manner, my dream has come true, so I’m actually glad. Right now, the venue was full of youngsters, a sight you don’t see at a automotive exhibition. There’s nothing extra pleasing than seeing the kids who will reside in the way forward for Japan.

Ishiguro:  Truly, I drive a Honda S660 in my personal life! Honda vehicles are like a dream, and I can think about a enjoyable way of life. Personally, I’d wish to see them work tougher on their sports activities vehicles (smiles).

Yamagami LPL:  Tamiya’s plastic fashions are first engaging with their packaging illustrations. Then whenever you open the field, you get excited seeing all of the components lined up. That pleasure and the varied tales packed into them won’t change even 20 or 30 years after the mannequin is launched. Should you hold it within the field with out assembling it, you possibly can really feel the story and expertise the emotion for many years to return, like a time capsule. That could be a huge attraction that’s completely different from our precise vehicles. I believe Tamiya’s packing containers are great treasure chests full of such ideas.

Ishiguro-san,  wow! I really feel like crying!

–The 2 of them appeared to be as glad as kids as they talked passionately about their story. The editorial division felt that behind the shock of the plastic mannequin being launched similtaneously the “New Prelude” was the synergy of the builders’ ardour that went past the boundaries of the corporate.

Should you see details about Tamiya’s launch this fall, we hope you keep in mind this story behind the scenes. Whether or not you assemble the plastic mannequin instantly or hold it within the field, that’s as much as you. Nevertheless, don’t neglect that the field is full of the fervour of many growth workers members, together with Honda’s Yamagami LPL and Tamiya’s Ishiguro-san.

Supply in Japanese language: Honda