Tamiya 1/24 Honda CR-X 1.5i Ballade Sports

[Italianhorses]

Next was the interior - and this is where I wanted to make some changes to the old kit.

Interior tub was cleaned and ejector holes filled:

IMG_0911 by Italian Horses, on Flickr

A quick coat of primer to check:

IMG_0913 by Italian Horses, on Flickr

Back to sanding! 

Kit sets had no backs, so they were filled with some putty and sanded smooth.

IMG_0909 by Italian Horses, on Flickr

The rest of the seats was cleaned up:

IMG_0910 by Italian Horses, on Flickr

The rear jump seat folds down in the real car to make the flat cargo area, so I wanted to replicate the on the model. I drilled holes in the bottom of the interior tub, and inserted small pins to serve as pivots:

IMG_0922 by Italian Horses, on Flickr

I also drilled holes in the seat:

IMG_0921 by Italian Horses, on Flickr

After painting, I would just mount the seat, slide in the pins, and secure them with the glue.

IMG_0920 by Italian Horses, on Flickr

But the seat worked fine and stayed in the position:

IMG_0917 by Italian Horses, on Flickr

IMG_0916 by Italian Horses, on Flickr

IMG_0919 by Italian Horses, on Flickr

Rear cargo area is really open and can be easily seen through the rear window, so I wanted some nice carpet there. But first I needed to make a template:

IMG_0915 by Italian Horses, on Flickr

I had this nice blue MFH self-adhesive carpet that I decided to use for the job:

IMG_0923 by Italian Horses, on Flickr

Using my template, I cut the carpet:

IMG_0924 by Italian Horses, on Flickr

Then everything was painted in a custom mix of blues of XF18:XF8 in 3:1 proportion.

Untitled by Italian Horses, on Flickr

IMG_0926 by Italian Horses, on Flickr

Made templates for the seats, and cut the decals out. The tiny sheet I used was meant to do nails, so it was barely enough!

IMG_0929 by Italian Horses, on Flickr

Decals applied to the seats:

IMG_0936 by Italian Horses, on Flickr

With lots of Microsol they conformed fine, but were too shiny. Gave it a good coat of flat clear to dull it up a bit:

IMG_0955 by Italian Horses, on Flickr

Then I detail painted the dashboard and all other small interior pieces:

IMG_0959 by Italian Horses, on Flickr

IMG_0958 by Italian Horses, on Flickr

IMG_0960 by Italian Horses, on Flickr

And mocked-up the interior:

IMG_0966 by Italian Horses, on Flickr

IMG_0967 by Italian Horses, on Flickr

IMG_0964 by Italian Horses, on Flickr

IMG_0961 by Italian Horses, on Flickr

Now it was time to apply the carpet:

IMG_0925 by Italian Horses, on Flickr

IMG_0969 by Italian Horses, on Flickr

IMG_0973 by Italian Horses, on Flickr

Unfortunately, my template was not precise, and it wouldn't let the seat fully fold when the back piece of the carpet was glued to the seat back. I have re-done it later, but didn't take the pix!

IMG_0975 by Italian Horses, on Flickr

The rest of the interior was assembled together, also made some carpets for the front to cover the holes in the interior tub:

IMG_0986 by Italian Horses, on Flickr

IMG_0981 by Italian Horses, on Flickr

IMG_0980 by Italian Horses, on Flickr

It is ready to go into the car!

[kelson]

Outstanding work on the interior!

[oldrevellfan]

So nice!!

[Italianhorses]

Thanks fellas!

[Italianhorses]

The wheels were treated to some black wash, and assembled:

IMG_1009 by Italian Horses, on Flickr

Test fitting chassis and interior together:

IMG_1003 by Italian Horses, on Flickr

IMG_1002 by Italian Horses, on Flickr

IMG_1001 by Italian Horses, on Flickr

IMG_0999 by Italian Horses, on Flickr

Looks good!

Rear lights and front blinkers were painted:

IMG_1007 by Italian Horses, on Flickr

And rear end assembled:

IMG_1031 by Italian Horses, on Flickr

Front assembled as well:

IMG_1030 by Italian Horses, on Flickr

And its DONE!

IMG_1017 by Italian Horses, on Flickr

IMG_1020 by Italian Horses, on Flickr

IMG_1014 by Italian Horses, on Flickr

IMG_1012 by Italian Horses, on Flickr

IMG_1021 by Italian Horses, on Flickr

IMG_1027 by Italian Horses, on Flickr

[OldNYJim]

Your work is such a joy to watch - it’s looking great!

[peekay]

Thanks for an inspiring WIP and the finished model is just beautiful! (And that's quite a pace you keep up!)

[Funkychiken]

Ths CR-X is a great pocket rocket, and your build is fantastic, that paint finish is amazing!

[ChrisR]

Looks great!

[markbt73]

Wow, you really nailed that mid-80s Honda blue interior color... looks great!

[Italianhorses]

22 hours ago, CabDriver said:

Your work is such a joy to watch - it’s looking great!

Thank you!

19 hours ago, peekay said:

Thanks for an inspiring WIP and the finished model is just beautiful! (And that's quite a pace you keep up!)

Yeah, surprising myself with this pace here...

4 hours ago, Funkychiken said:

Ths CR-X is a great pocket rocket, and your build is fantastic, that paint finish is amazing!

thanks!

4 hours ago, ChrisR said:

Looks great!

Appreciate it!

1 hour ago, markbt73 said:

Wow, you really nailed that mid-80s Honda blue interior color... looks great!

Yeah, looked at some pictures, tried to get close. Thanks!

[Just Jim]

This is fantastic! Thanks so much for taking the time to post all the pics. Just found one online for a "reasonable" price but wasn't sure what I would be able to do with it. Now I know it can be awesome.

[Hawk5.0]

I Love it. Such a great looking build. Where do you find that carpet?

[titino]

Excellent, beautiful. Congratulations.