Kit: Tamiya Toyota Celica GT-4 (Snorkel Version) 1/24 Scale
![](https://johnspangler.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/1992_Toyota_Celica_Rally_Snorkel-1.jpg)
I did this model sometime just after I started college in 1996. I will forever remember building this model because it was the first one I ever put together that had photo etched parts in aluminum. This was a new level of quality in a kit for me.
![](https://johnspangler.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/1992_Toyota_Celica_Rally_Snorkel-5.jpg)
Everything went together the way it was supposed to and it’s holding up quite well.
![](https://johnspangler.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/1992_Toyota_Celica_Rally_Snorkel-9.jpg)
The main gimmick with this model is the insanely detailed interior. The aforementioned photo etched parts were seatbelt latches and loops. I had to tie my own friggin’ seatbelts!!
![](https://johnspangler.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/1992_Toyota_Celica_Rally_Snorkel-11.jpg)
They gave you this length of red plastic and you had to loop it through all the little latches and whatnot and make your own 5 point seatbelts which tied to the structure in the very back. Amazing.
![](https://johnspangler.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/1992_Toyota_Celica_Rally_Snorkel-3.jpg)
The decals were out of this world. I love the Castrol color scheme and the decals just called me. Problem is, none of them stuck worth a damn, not even for a few minutes.
![](https://johnspangler.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/1992_Toyota_Celica_Rally_Snorkel-6.jpg)
I ended up making a solution of white glue and water and running them all through that. And after several months of work getting everything just right, I hit it with my usual clear coat and it BAM all of a sudden it shrinks everything up and it’s all full of wrinkles. Years later I would have done everything differently but for me back then this was a new and unpleasant experience.
![](https://johnspangler.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/1992_Toyota_Celica_Rally_Snorkel-8.jpg)
But I give myself credit for the outstanding build, and the metal antenna and mesh grille guard brings it up a notch.
![](https://johnspangler.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/1992_Toyota_Celica_Rally_Snorkel-2.jpg)
Still a really cool build and it’s still on display (though the stupid antenna is too tall for my display case.)