Tuesday February 05, 2008

by Matt Stricker

"9CarFan"

Like everyone else I have been excited to get my hands on the new Carrera COT cars. Didn't really want a digital version but decided to get one. This one is the Kyle Petty #45. Took it out of the case, admired it for about 30 seconds then got busy tearing it apart.

I really like this body, it is very accurate and sturdy. The rear wing is not permanently attached and pulls right off. Carrera probably did this so the wing will fall off instead of breaking off. There is a black insert in the front that fills in the vents above the splitter. I placed the body in a vat of 91% alcohol and right away the paint started to dissolve. I left it soaking over night and this morning most of the paint was gone, a toothbrush scraped off any paint that was still clinging. As far as stripping I give it an A+.

The interior has seven parts, I like the way the dash is a separate piece. This will make it easier to paint the interior light gray. I use Testors Gloss Gull Gray spray.

The windows are the bad news if anything. Each window and duct are separate! I used a chisel blade in my Exacto knife to slice off the melted pins that hold the windows.

The side windows and air ducts remove from the inside but the front and rear windows pop out! I pushed at the top of the windows and they popped out fairly well but be careful here that you apply equal pressure so the windows don't crack.

Overall, very happy with the body. Another thing I like is that the camera pod on the roof is a separate part. I removed it and will put it on after decals. Also the gas port is a separate piece. For this Avenger COT I'm thinking '08 Budweiser 9.

CLICK HERE   COT REPAINT PART 2    CLICK HERE