Bernard Kron Posted June 17, 2019 Share Posted June 17, 2019 Porsche 904 GTS Carrera This project was based on the old Aurora 1/25th scale Porsche 904 kit first issued in 1965, re-released in 1991 by Monogram and once again by Revell of Germany in 2003. It has a reputation for being “fiddly”, and indeed it is. But that’s because it is extraordinarily finely detailed and because the Aurora designers engineered the kit to assemble much like the original 1:1 car would have. Unfortunately much of the beautifully rendered detail is eventually buried under subsequent parts and will never be seen once the model is completed. But what a delight to assemble! It’s a 3D journey through one of the most significant sports racing machines of the postwar era. It was a true road licensed GT with over 100 copies produced to comply with the FIA Gran Touring regulations of the era (the car was first introduced in 1964). Many were raced, but perhaps just as many were used on the open road. The version I modeled is based on a fictitious privateer team, “Ecurie Lutéce”, in the tradition of the great mid-century privateers like Ecurie Ecosse from Scotland and Scuderia Serenissima from Venice, Italy. The decal scheme is based on the layout from the Serenissima 904 with the large rondels, but that car was, of course, Italian racing red. This car is French racing blue (Tamiya TS10). It is inspired by a 904 currently being run by the French business man and collector Jean-Marc Bussolini. Like his car, I went with the upper body panels in blue with the lower bellypan molding in silver. “Lutéce” is the ancient Roman name for the city of Paris, home base for my make-believe privateer. This model is virtually 100% out of the box. The complex detail you see is entirely the handiwork of those inspired Aurora designers back in the day. Definitely not the kind of kit we would normally associate with that brand. The parts fit is very good. The only reason it’s “fiddly” is because of high parts count. But the result is well worth the work. The only additional parts I added were the wiring and plumbing, a couple of ignition coils from Morgan Auto Detail, a rudimentary throttle linkage and some seat belts. Otherwise, it’s all in the box! And with virtually no flash in the 1992 vintage Monogram edition I used. The decals are a mixture of homemade (the French racing stripe down the middle, the Ecurie Lutéce badge and the Dunlop logo), and numbers and rondels from Go-Fer Decals. Thanx for lookin’, B. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
89AKurt Posted June 17, 2019 Share Posted June 17, 2019 Nice to see one of these old kits built! BTW: Love #. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zakdoggi Posted June 17, 2019 Share Posted June 17, 2019 You do great work Bernard! ???? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Straightliner59 Posted June 17, 2019 Share Posted June 17, 2019 Excellent work, Bernard! Your building style and your tastes, much reflect my own. Dig it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bbowser Posted June 17, 2019 Share Posted June 17, 2019 Very nice! Great to see some of these old kits built with skill. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim N Posted June 18, 2019 Share Posted June 18, 2019 Great work! Would love to see this series of race cars re-released. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bernard Kron Posted June 20, 2019 Author Share Posted June 20, 2019 Thank you everyone. Your comments are much appreciated. In retrospect this was quite a challenging build, even though it was pretty much Out-Of-The-Box. This isn't a reflection of the original kit, which is extremely detailed and quite well engineered. It has more to do with the fact that this style of build is not what I usually do (I'm a confirmed kit-basher, working mainly in hot rods, kustoms and staightliners). But I intend to do more projects in this vein and I suspect I'll become more accustomed to the discipline it demands. Again, thank you all! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ATHU Posted June 20, 2019 Share Posted June 20, 2019 Looks great, well done!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrmike Posted June 21, 2019 Share Posted June 21, 2019 Looks great Bernard! I think you are getting the use to the discipline of this different type of build! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rider Posted June 21, 2019 Share Posted June 21, 2019 The amount of detail is fantastic, pleasure to look at it all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dann Tier Posted June 25, 2019 Share Posted June 25, 2019 BRILLIANT!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phildaupho Posted June 26, 2019 Share Posted June 26, 2019 Good looking racecar. I especially like the under skin photos. A son of a past 904 racer has built a every convincing replica which I have recently seen locally so I have a rekindled appreciation of these significant cars. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bernard Kron Posted June 26, 2019 Author Share Posted June 26, 2019 Once again, thank you all so much. Among you are some of my favorite modelers. Again, much appreciated! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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