i've always liked the italia, but if i were to do one for myself i would heavily modify the kit.
first off, like mr. woolery says, i would open up the wheel openning some. that is one part of the kit that really makes the car look dinky. i would probably also slightly flare out the back. just slightly where you notice it, but nothing really wide. that little width adjustment would make a world of difference.
second, i would modify the headlight package. i would keep the shape of everything and keep the lexan covers, but i would change the actual lighting units and do something like the way the ferrari F360 and f430 have with smaller light units in custom molded buckets. this mod would bring the kit a little more up to date in style. the lights would be a little expensive, but they would be legal lights as you could use something from the hella lineup. i mean if you really wanted to spend the money you could get the hella 90mm bi-xenon headlamp units and just do some custom molding and add in small marker lights within the bucket as well. the hella bi-xenon units are like $550 each, and they are hid and include just about everything.
Lastly i would probably modify the taillight section as well. for me i would probably upgrade to a completely different light unit, again probably something from the Hella lineup as their products are excellent. i would flush mount the lights in the rear panel. i would also change the backup light to something a little nicer. maybe instead of the single light in the middle of the bumper, you could probably get a smaller round backup light, use two, and mount them just to the inside of the taillights, again flush mounted, or possibly slightly recessed.
as for the rest of the body, i would probably find a way to lower the side sills some. maybe use a side skirt package thats simple for whatever car and modify it to fit. the side of the car just looks unfinished to me. i would also do something similar to the front of the car as well as i don't think the front is low enough and the grill opening shape just doesn't go with the flow of the car. i would heavily modify the front to be a bit more agressive. with these two mods, the rear would need some kind of skirt package as well, but that could be kep to something minimal.
it probably sounds like i want to make a complete new kit and leave the italia behind, but thats just the way i would build an italia for myself. i know its alot of crazy modifications, but thats just the way i am.
alex
