DeAgostini AE86 Issue 3 & 4 – Packaging & Parts Review

DeAgostini AE86 Issue 3 & 4 — Packaging & Parts Review (Early Look)

Following up on my earlier look at Issue 1 and Issue 2, I now have both Issue 3 and Issue 4 of the DeAgostini Toyota Sprinter Trueno AE86 on hand.

This article continues the same approach — a simple, photo-based review focusing on packaging, parts presentation, and first impressions.

It is still not a build diary. For now, this is purely about seeing what arrives in each issue and how DeAgostini presents the components.

Continuing the Early Issues

At the time of writing, the availability of the DeAgostini AE86 series in the Malaysian market is still uneven.

Some larger bookstores are still only displaying Issue 1, while a few have started receiving Issue 2 or Issue 3. The rollout clearly varies depending on location.

With Issue 3 and Issue 4 already on hand here at DeToyz, I thought it would be useful to document what comes next — especially for collectors who are still deciding whether to follow this series long term.

As with the earlier article, this is not a build diary. The focus remains on:

• What arrives in each issue
• How the parts are presented and packaged
• What kind of progression to expect as the series moves forward

Issue 3 — Front Wheel Assembly & Early Engine Components

Issue 3 is the first issue where the build clearly starts moving into mechanical territory.

According to the magazine, this issue covers two main areas: assembling the left front wheel and beginning work on the engine’s internal components.

The parts included in Issue 3 are:

• Tyre
• Outer rim
• Inner rim
• Wheel center cap
• Camshaft (L)
• Camshaft (R)
• Cylinder head
• Actuator
• AM screws (1.7 × 4 mm) ×3 (plus spares)
• BM screws (1.7 × 3 mm) ×5 (plus spares)

All parts are presented in a clear blister tray, similar to Issue 1 and Issue 2, allowing collectors to see everything without opening the box.

The tyre feels firm and realistic, while the wheel parts are cleanly molded with sharp edges. The engine-related parts — especially the cylinder head and camshafts — add a surprising amount of visual weight for such an early issue.

This is also the first time the series introduces internal engine components, which helps set the tone for how detailed this AE86 build will become over time.

I’ll include a short magazine flip video here, just to show the general layout and instruction style without revealing readable content.

Issue 4 — Suspension, Intake Components, and Sealed Packaging

Issue 4 marks a noticeable change in how the AE86 series is packaged.

Unlike Issue 1 to Issue 3, the contents of Issue 4 are no longer visible from the outside. The box is fully sealed, a format that will be familiar to collectors who have followed other long-term DeAgostini projects such as the Millennium Falcon.

Because of this sealed packaging, I did not open the box and am unable to show the actual parts inside.

What is visible is the detailed parts list printed on the back of the box, which gives a clear idea of what this issue focuses on.

According to the printed parts list, Issue 4 includes the following components:

• Front member
• Steering rack
• Bracket
• Front lower arm
• Fuel delivery pipe
• Fuel injectors ×4 (with injector runners)
• Pulsation damper
• Pressure regulator
• Intake manifold (Left)
• Intake manifold (Right)
• Gasket
• AM screws (1.7 × 4 mm) ×3 (plus spares)
• BM screws (1.7 × 5 mm) ×3 (plus spares)
• CM screws (2.0 × 5 mm) ×2 (plus spares)
• AP screws (1.7 × 4 mm) ×4 (plus spares)

From this list alone, it’s clear that the series is moving deeper into the mechanical foundation of the car.

Suspension components, steering parts, and intake-related engine pieces begin to come together here, signalling a shift away from exterior highlights and toward the underlying structure of the AE86.

The move to sealed packaging also makes sense at this stage. As parts become more numerous and interconnected, keeping everything sealed helps protect smaller components and preserves the intended build sequence.

Packaging Evolution: Issue 1 to Issue 4

Looking at Issue 1 through Issue 4 side by side, a clear pattern emerges:

• Issue 1–3: Transparent blister packaging, allowing collectors to see all parts without opening.
• Issue 4 onward: Fully sealed boxes, more in line with traditional DeAgostini long-term projects.

This change makes sense.

As the series progresses and the parts become more technical and interconnected, sealed packaging helps protect smaller components and keeps the build experience structured.

Why the AE86 Series Still Feels on Track

Even without opening Issue 4, a few things remain consistent:

• Clear progression — from exterior presence to mechanical foundation.
• Serious treatment of small parts — wheels, suspension, and intake are not treated as afterthoughts.
• Collector-focused packaging — especially for those who like to store issues before starting the build.

At this point, the AE86 project feels less like “collecting parts” and more like slowly assembling a real car, one subsystem at a time.

For Collectors Following the AE86 Series

If you are collecting this AE86 series through DeToyz, Issue 3 and Issue 4 are a good reference point.

They show:

• Where the build direction is heading
• How packaging evolves over time
• How DeAgostini balances display appeal with long-term project planning

For those still deciding, seeing this transition may help set expectations for what future issues will feel like.

Closing Thoughts

For now, I’m continuing to observe this AE86 series issue by issue.

I enjoy seeing how each box arrives — sometimes with visible parts, sometimes sealed — much like receiving new components at a workshop.

If you are already collecting, I hope this review helps you understand what is coming next.

If you are still on the fence, these early issues should give you a clearer picture of the scale, seriousness, and long-term nature of this DeAgostini AE86 project.

More updates once the next issue lands at the shop.