Just Announced: Kyosho 1/18 Lightweight Ferrari F40 in Black

Will there be a red version in 1:18? and when is the red 575 GTC coming?

 

sweet, and sweet... I've been waiting for the red GTC for a LONG time... can't wait to get the red lightweight either... thanks.

 

Looks awesome, got any more pics?

 

Maybe a stupid question but has there ever been a "light version" in 1:1 scale? I can't remember ever seeing one (except for the LM racers).

 

I think this was talked about when the 1:12 came out and if I recall right, the answer was no... anyone remember for sure..?

 

There is no official F40 light version named this way from the factory. However quite few cars like the one the model represents DO exist. The main thing is that when F40 was introduced it was kind of like the Fxx is today but for the street. All F40s continued to evolve throughout their production. This is why many of them are different. When it was originally introduced, the European models had all windows (save for the windshield) made from Plexiglas and had the sliding windows which is also why their doors were completely hallow and had the slots cut out to save weight. I believe those doors weigh something like 5 or 6 pounds total. Those early cars had no air conditioning and no radio either. Many people fitted lightweight wheels on them and many fitted Tubi exhaust.
This is what the "lightweight version" from Kyosho represents. An early EU car fitted with some light goodies. It is only my best guess, but I believe Kyosho is calling it "lightweight version" just for lack of anything better.
Actually there is an exact same 1:1 example (black w/black wheels) of this car in Japan. I am sure you can find plenty of pics of it here on F-chat. It is part of a great collection.
I also believe we are going to run into the same questions when Kyosho comes out with their Testarossa. It is announced as 1st generation and 2nd generation of the '84, or something like that. What probably this would mean is that the one kind will have the center bolt wheel caps and only one mirror and the other one would have the five bolt wheels and two mirrors.
Hope this puts your worries to rest.

 

Pretty good breakdown....

As stated there was no "Light Weight" version. Kyosho calls it this simply to make it different from the other F40s they make.

As for the sliding windows and red inner door panels. They did come on many early cars, but some later cars also had these features. Plus many owners added them as well.

There was a few errors in your post though , as all F40s have A/C and none have a stereo.

 

You may be right about the A/C but I personally sat in a Florida F40 with a stereo. I know tho that none came with it. They did not come with a roof mounted bike racks either but we have seen this too.
I recently saw a picture of a huge F40 gathering and I was surprised to see how many of them had black lightweight wheels on them, just like the ones on the Kyosho "lightweight version".
I read an article somewhere about the Kyosho die cast design department. They (Kyosho) pretty much explained that they can not make some models simply because they can not get the real car to study or because they can not make enough different versions of it afterwards to gain proffit. It is funny how (probably because of these reasons) they made the black on black "lightweight" F40 that is infact in Japan.
Either way I am getting one. I am still mad at myself for not getting the 1:12 "lightweight version"

 

Well anyone can add anything they want....I was refering to production F40s....

I have the 1/12 F40 "Light Weight", it is my favorite model. By all means get one if you can!