In 1988, a car etched a brilliant page in the history of Japanese motorsports. That car was the “Mugen MOTUL Civic (EF3).” The legendary machine that won the Division 3 class in the All Japan Touring Car Championship (JTC) has finally been revived as a plastic model kit. This isn’t just a race car model. It’s a “witness to the golden age of Japanese touring cars.” For car enthusiasts, it's the kind of piece that makes you want to recreate the entire atmosphere of the era.

The first thing that draws attention is the beautifully white-colored body parts. This color conveys both a sense of cleanliness and racing spirit. It’s not flashy, yet it somehow captivates the eye—perhaps because the memory of the actual car is deeply imprinted in our hearts. Stickers are included that allow you to accurately color in the windows, enabling a highly realistic finish with impressive visual results. Even those who struggle with painting can achieve a precise and satisfying result, which is a welcome feature.

The appeal of this model goes beyond its exterior. Additional plastic parts—such as exhaust pipes, seats, and the steering wheel—are included, allowing you to fully recreate the interior and mechanical elements. As you assemble it, you get a sense of reliving the engineering and design philosophy of that era. This isn’t just a collection of parts—it’s the experience of gradually bringing a race car from the special year of 1988 to life with your own hands. That process elevates the model into something more than just a hobby.

One element you can't overlook when discussing this model is the decals. They feature the names of Car No.16’s drivers—Osamu Nakako and Hideki Okada—who competed in the 1988 All Japan Touring Car Championship. These markings aren’t just decorations. They quietly yet unmistakably speak of the machine’s racing legacy, the laps the two drivers built up, and that moment when they became class champions. After assembly, the finished model feels like a “monument,” and that sensation is something unique to this product.