Volvoman Posted November 16, 2012 Share Posted November 16, 2012 Hi folks, just finished this one up today, Italeri's Fiat 131 Abarth. As far as kits go, this was on absolute nightmare to put together. Originally an Esci kit that has since been rereleased by Italeri and Revell, it certainly shows its age. It took me about 2 hours to clean up the body from all the mould lines and flash before I was happy enough to put primer and paint on it. Colour is Fiat white from a spray can and the Cartograf decals were a dream to use although a bit tricky to settle down in some places so a lot of decal fix was used. I scratchbuilt some rear mudflaps to finish the car off and I must admit that although I am pleased with the overall build of the model, I shall not be building another one in a hurry! As usual, all thoughts and comments are most welcome. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mauricio Meyer Posted November 16, 2012 Share Posted November 16, 2012 I like it, nice job. the effort was worth it! I almost can hear the engine in my head. also nice pictures, i'll steal your idea! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Erik Smith Posted November 16, 2012 Share Posted November 16, 2012 I kind of like challenging builds like that. You did a great job on the Fiat, it looks very clean. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scuderia Posted November 16, 2012 Share Posted November 16, 2012 For all the fighting it gave you, it turned out great! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IMSANUT Posted November 16, 2012 Share Posted November 16, 2012 It turned out very nice. Making me think I need to return to the 1/20th scale version of this car I started and never finished almost 40 years ago..... Yes, I suffer from noncompletionitis..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Volvoman Posted November 16, 2012 Author Share Posted November 16, 2012 Thanks for your comments guys, when you her positive comments like these, it makes a difficult build more worthwhile. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GeeBee Posted November 16, 2012 Share Posted November 16, 2012 Well you can turn a sow's ear into a silk purse ......beautiful build ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brizio Posted November 16, 2012 Share Posted November 16, 2012 Beautiful car!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doggie427 Posted November 16, 2012 Share Posted November 16, 2012 Great build ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PistonDog Posted November 17, 2012 Share Posted November 17, 2012 Its a shame it was such a p.i.t.a., however the end product is beautiful! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brudda Posted November 17, 2012 Share Posted November 17, 2012 Nice Build! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevehansen Posted November 18, 2012 Share Posted November 18, 2012 Well Done Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gasser59 Posted November 18, 2012 Share Posted November 18, 2012 Nicely done. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Simon Posted November 18, 2012 Share Posted November 18, 2012 Mark, the problems you had certainly don't show through the finished build, it looks great. I like how you have achieved a natural alloy look for the racing wheels and added valves. The decals have settled well, are Cartograph decals included or are they some after-market ones you found? I often fancy doing the Mk2 Escort, but based on your experience with part fit of the Fiat I imagine the Escorts are no better. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Helix Posted November 18, 2012 Share Posted November 18, 2012 (edited) Good job, like how you blended the pics with the outside surrounds Edited November 18, 2012 by Helix Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
James2 Posted November 18, 2012 Share Posted November 18, 2012 That is a good looking rally car right there! I like your photography also. If you placed a black shingle upside down on the rail, under the car, it would all most match the street color. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Volvoman Posted November 19, 2012 Author Share Posted November 19, 2012 Many thanks once again guys for all your kind remarks regarding my Fiat and also my photography skills. All the photographs were taken on the wall outside my house using the camera on my mobile phone; I tend to get better pictures using that than I do on my digital camera! Simon, as for the decals, the ones that you get in the Italeri kit are Cartograf decals which I must say are some of the best that I have ever used but you will need a lot of decal fix around some of the more tricky areas on the body. As for the MK2 Escort, I have built a couple of these and I have one part built in the Rothmans livery and I must admit, it certainly shows its age in the same way as the Fiat does. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Davewilly Posted November 19, 2012 Share Posted November 19, 2012 Looks great! I built the 1/20th version of it about 12 years ago....It was won a couple awards for me and made it in the scale auto 2 or 3 years ago. I want to do another one someday....Yours really looks great and I love the outside overcast weather...gives it a pretty real look! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Duntov Posted November 20, 2012 Share Posted November 20, 2012 Well done on this one... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wagoneer Posted November 20, 2012 Share Posted November 20, 2012 Oh yes. A whole load of want there. Those transfers must have been fun. Even Cartograph quality still takes some effort around those curves. I had the road going 131 SuperMirafiori in the 80s (a real one!) and it was a superb car, just prone to rust after just a few years. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Volvoman Posted November 20, 2012 Author Share Posted November 20, 2012 Thanks guys, Davewilly, the overcast look is quite normal for us in the UK at this time of year. I was dodging rain showers whilst taking the outdoor pics; if you look closely, you will see very fine raindrops on the car in a couple of pics. Wagoneer, thanks for the comments. As for Fiats legendary rust problems, a friend of my late grandad years ago bought a brand new Fiat 131 mirafiori estate on a 1979 T plate and when it went for its first MOT 3 years later, the floor needed welding and the sills needed patching up!! Needless to say, he didnt keep it for much longer....!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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