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Heller Talbot Lago GP


Twokidsnosleep

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So the kit is a bit basic.

The wire wheels are passable and I did think or re-lacing the spokes but will invest time in other areas. Sorry the photos are a bit dark/off...winter light is killing my photography.

So the mods so far:

Wiring the motor:

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Valve stems into the wheel rims

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Opened ALL the vents on the body and rivet sites drilled out

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 I found a little Jimmy Flintstone driver who may just fit in there perfectly

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I am having some fun with this little French Babe so far. Lots more mods to go

Thanks for looking B)

Scott

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1 hour ago, Miatatom said:

I'll be interested to see how you solve the issue of the seam down the middle and still make the louvers on top look right.

Yes good eye there.

There is space between those central louvres so I think I can fill and sand that....taping over the louvres while finishing will help.

I will  approach this like making an aircraft model where the cockpit is fully made and cemented into the fuselage which is subsequently finished.

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Ya thanks guys for posting comments and interest:D:D:D:D:D....it is really motivating

 I am a solid sucker for Heller's box art...I have a Porsche 917K and a Bugatti T50 solely b/c of the gorgeous box art:wub:...despite knowing the kits are ummm, not great??

This TL GP kit, it isn't horrible, but it has some soft detail and questionable engineering. Certainly not a shake and bake kit, but I rarely build like that anyways. The instructions are laughably simple and poorly done.

A  kit like this, on subjects I love, are just jump points; a start to make them something better. I will try to show as much as I can so others can avoid the tiger traps. Body seams are the biggest hurdle evident so far.

S

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Don't know how I missed this one, bud!!, but like everybody says; I cant believe how nice this kit really is!!!...and those spokes ARE very nice!!...I woulda used them too!!

Just opening those vents alone is a daunting task by itself!! I agree with how you plan to deal with the body seam, and I too use tape to protect surrounding details as well....just did it for my Reventon recently. Keep up the outstanding work, bud!!!

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22 hours ago, Twokidsnosleep said:

Yes good eye there.

There is space between those central louvres so I think I can fill and sand that....taping over the louvres while finishing will help.

I will  approach this like making an aircraft model where the cockpit is fully made and cemented into the fuselage which is subsequently finished.

Not a good eye, just talking from experience. :rolleyes: I started one of these and wasn't satisfied with the results. Biggest problem was the louvers. To get the seam right, most of the detail of the louvers was gone. I might make my own louvers, just sand it smooth and apply them.

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Thanks guys:D

I jumped off into the deep end last night and have started modifying the body 

Razor sawed the mid cockpit section away from the rest. I may have to do some framework mods for the rear suspension..we shall see.

My though is that this gives me access to install the cockpit, sand and seal the seams better and paint things easier.IMG_1589.thumb.JPG.ea337ef9b687b453a516b0dcf7b28eec.JPG

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Edited by Twokidsnosleep
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1 hour ago, Twokidsnosleep said:

Thanks guys:D

I jumped off into the deep end last night and have started modifying the body 

Razor sawed the mid cockpit section away from the rest. I may have to do some framework mods for the rear suspension..we shall see.

My though is that this gives me access to install the cockpit, sand and seal the seams better and paint things easier.IMG_1589.thumb.JPG.ea337ef9b687b453a516b0dcf7b28eec.JPG

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Sounds good...that's exactly what i'd do, and have done before on my two D-Type Jags.

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After having built another Heller kit, I've been right put off them permanently. . . I'm glad you're taking even more steps on this kit to make it look good than I did on my own project (I started a WIP thread here, but largely abandoned it as I finished the kit. . . 3/4ths of the car are in weathering pigment now :lol:)

 

This is looking quite good with all the extra work you're putting into it.

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24 minutes ago, Dann Tier said:

I got your back, bud!!…..have you given any thought on how you're gonna "deal" with the front grill?

Well funny you should ask.Quiet snowy  friday night, some rum and coke and a couple razor saws

voila, la nez is removed and some brass mesh tested. Some refining to do but not bad

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Thanks guys, not bad indeed.

I managed to get the round center piece added as well

Then I started in on the air intake grills for the carbs..tried the plastic but they broke so made them from aluminum with the same mesh

 

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You can see them here on this car. Mine are a bit wider gauge, but it will be ok975F406A-FDE5-4C5D-8F9C-1D5B0949D69D.thumb.png.e37ca339fbbd4c9b87c45efbff4e0dc3.png

Edited by Twokidsnosleep
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