CrazyCrank Posted September 9, 2022 Share Posted September 9, 2022 This one has been finished in April 2020 7.5 months, probably more than 150 worked hours, 3 same kits, a lot of patience, several homeric angers, 3 cans of Tamiya TS10, and many more will have been necessary for the finalisation of this complex build of a (very) poor quality Heller kit I bought 25 years ago ! But it was worth it ! I'm rather proud of the result I got, and this legendary car deserved it ! Throughout this build, I've had to learn and master several techniques I hadn't in my hands and/or mind before, and all this work will be very useful for further projects, particularly my Bugatti T50 Coupé de Ville POCHER 1/8 build. I've enhanced this kit, which had OOB 124 parts, not counting the decals, scratching and adding more than 120 parts, so this car count now more than 250 parts. Two bodys have been built, the chassis has been repaired several times, because of the weakness of the Heller plastic parts, even on the 2 recently re-released kits. One chassis is OOB, trunk lid not opening, and the one I'll show you below has an opening trunk lid and opening bonnets with a real handmade piano hinges. Hereunder a non exhaustive list of the improvements I did: In the engine bay: - Wiring of the ignition coil and spark plug wires, with the flute to canalize the wires - Gasoline inlet piping to carburetors - Wiring of the battery - Fuse box -Retaining system for opened bonnets - metallic cross-pieces In the cabin: - Aerators - Stowage compartment for front passenger - Car radio - Modification of the inner part of the doors and rear panels, to match to the original car - Rear view mirror for the driver - New scratch built handbrake lever - Control levers for lights and horn , and gear lever - Floor mats On the body: - opening and reclosable trunk lid with moveable handle, retaining system for opened lid - Fabrication of the interior of the trunk, carpeting with flocking powder - Fabrication of the stand for the spare wheel, and of the leather straps to retain it. - Fabrication with chrome BMF of trims for rear fenders - Replacement of OOB chromed plastic strips for the body sides by nickel plated brass strips - Fabrication with brass sheet, brass tube, and piano string of workable piano hinges or the bonnets. It has been the more difficult part of this build ! And I certainly forget what else! Except for the bumpers and grill, all chromed parts have been de-chromed and painted chrome to get a better and realistic shine The French blue paint hasn't be clear coated, only sanded with Alclad Mesh form 3600 to 12000 grit, and then polished with Tamiya compounds, plus Carnauba wax Hope you'll appreciate it If you're interested in, you can follow my WIP build, following this link: Talbot Lago Record 1950- Heller 1:24 WIP 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kah puts Posted September 9, 2022 Share Posted September 9, 2022 Although the design is a bit dated for 1951 your execution of this kit hilights your skills especially the hood stays, very elegant. Bravo. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bbowser Posted September 9, 2022 Share Posted September 9, 2022 Nicely done! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chuckyg1 Posted September 10, 2022 Share Posted September 10, 2022 Like you other current build, it's just stunning. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hoffman Posted September 10, 2022 Share Posted September 10, 2022 Magnificent work! Thank you for the excellent photographs and sharing with all of us. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ace-Garageguy Posted September 10, 2022 Share Posted September 10, 2022 Outstanding. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CrazyCrank Posted September 10, 2022 Author Share Posted September 10, 2022 11 hours ago, Kah puts said: Although the design is a bit dated for 1951 your execution of this kit hilights your skills especially the hood stays, very elegant. Bravo. 8 hours ago, bbowser said: Nicely done! 6 hours ago, Chuckyg1 said: Like you other current build, it's just stunning. 6 hours ago, Hoffman said: Magnificent work! Thank you for the excellent photographs and sharing with all of us. 5 hours ago, Ace-Garageguy said: Outstanding. Thank you so much, gentlemen, for those huge praises ☺️ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChrisR Posted September 10, 2022 Share Posted September 10, 2022 Looks great! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1959scudetto Posted September 10, 2022 Share Posted September 10, 2022 Another fantastic model of a classic French car from a long gone make, Thierry. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slusher Posted September 11, 2022 Share Posted September 11, 2022 Outstanding! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spencer1984 Posted September 14, 2022 Share Posted September 14, 2022 Beautiful work on this! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CrazyCrank Posted September 20, 2022 Author Share Posted September 20, 2022 Thank you guys (ChrisR, 1959Scudetto, Slusher and Spencer1984) for your kind comments ! Much appreciated as always 😎 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bugatti Fan Posted September 20, 2022 Share Posted September 20, 2022 A really nice build! It shows what can be done with a Heller car kit! Those Heller car kits are a bit challenging. They do some really odd things on some of their kits. The Delage kit I built some years ago had a join right across the top of the rear wings. It really made it difficult to correct, fill and smooth it out to hide where the join was. I would imagine most of those Delage kits got built with that unsightly join line showing. It was really poor kit design by Heller, that was a pity considering the unusual car subjects they kitted. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mustang1989 Posted September 20, 2022 Share Posted September 20, 2022 Lots of great detailing throughout the build that no doubt took a lot of patience and dedication to accomplish. Your efforts on this build are to be commended. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CrazyCrank Posted September 20, 2022 Author Share Posted September 20, 2022 2 hours ago, Bugatti Fan said: A really nice build! It shows what can be done with a Heller car kit! Those Heller car kits are a bit challenging. They do some really odd things on some of their kits. The Delage kit I built some years ago had a join right across the top of the rear wings. It really made it difficult to correct, fill and smooth it out to hide where the join was. I would imagine most of those Delage kits got built with that unsightly join line showing. It was really poor kit design by Heller, that was a pity considering the unusual car subjects they kitted. Thanks @Bugatti Fan yes it's a shame that Heller is so negligent in the molding of those kits, knowing that It's the only brand which is interested in vintage European cars ! 1 hour ago, mustang1989 said: Lots of great detailing throughout the build that no doubt took a lot of patience and dedication to accomplish. Your efforts on this build are to be commended. Thank you so much for this huge praise 👍 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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