Spottedlaurel

Wow, that's rather impressive! Very neat how you carried the paintwork through onto the dashboard.

Yup, but even allowing for that there's a fair difference. A bit like how some Monograms are on the 'generous' side of 1/24.

Luckily I was able to dig out my T-top version to compare it with the '90s issue AMT that I have. Both are old kits, the difference in scale between them is very noticeable but I don't know if it's that the Tamiya is a bit big or the AMT is on the small side. Tamiya was intended to be motorized so has a metal rod back axle, also the engine detail is top half only with sump/gearbox detail moulded into the floorpan, whereas the AMT has more detailed suspension and a full engine/transmission. Tamiya has separate wipers front and rear, on the AMT they're moulded-in and a bit delicate. Tamiya has nicer OE wheels, but the AMT has an accessory set of mesh wheels and bigger tires (albeit the wheels are 5-stud). Given that I'd probably change them that doesn't bother me. AMT is LHD, Tamiya RHD. With a bit of care and attention I think both will build-up to give a decent appearance, I've certainly got plans for each of them. And both are far better than Fujimi's attempt at a 280ZX - I have one of them too, but luckily my plans for that one don't require much more than the top half of the bodyshell...

Technically I won't have this one until the 25th, but I got a sneaky glimpse when it arrived at work today before being whisked away when I got home.... I have a couple of examples of Tamiya's T-top version (original plus recent reissue), but I was lucky to successfully bid on this fixed-head model. Came with the motor and a separate sheet translating the instructions into French. I wonder if this one came first, then they modified the tool to create the T-top? The latter was released later (and recently reissued), as was the Pace Car version which also had the removable panes. I am not aware of the fixed-head ever having been reissued. This fixed-head 2-seater might be good for a more performance-oriented build, perhaps even enjoying an engine transpant as it has an opening bonnet (then I can use the top part of the ZX's engine in a special Datsun project I have in mind).

Glad you persevered with it, the end result looks excellent!

I'd be very happy with the Radwood theme. I have loads of suitable subjects in the stash, and cars from that era represent three quarters of my 1:1 car fleet (1980 Datsun, 1993 Lexus and 1996 Toyota). To take me out of my comfort zone a little perhaps it's time to do something with those Thunderbirds and Fox Mustangs I've picked-up, or maybe even the Citation X or Ford EXP?!

I now own a '93 Mk1, and I've previously had a '96 Mk3. My daughter's boyfriend has two '98-ish Mk4 models, so all my experience is of the 400s. I think they're great! Even mine, bought very cheaply and maintaind to a far lower standard than it deserves, is a lovely thing to drive. So smooth. The impression I've got about later 430s and 460s is that they're not built/designed to quite the same standard, so despite being newer they can suffer issues that don't affect the 400s. I personally prefer the look of the Mk1/2 models, especially the Mk1 on its 15" wheels, and happily it's an early one that Tamiya represent with their very nice kit. Great news that the Lexus version will also be reissued!

Thanks, would be way beyond my 1:1 mechanical skills sadly! I did contemplate that, with a dividing screen behind the front seats, no internal cover and the clear rear glass. Would be good for a show/go car, my concept for the Cannonball Run was something that looked like nothing more than a tidy Accord, not one with the heart of a supercar ?

That's very nice, you've captured the look of the real thing very well.

A super-clean build, what a tribute.

I admired your work on this in the WIP thread, the finished result looks excellent.

My entry for this year's CBR Community Build on here, merging these two kits: Not really sure why, at some point mention was made of the theme possibly being wagons or mid-engined, and I decided to do something that would tick both boxes. In the end it was RWYB, and it certainly qualifies as that. Quick check with a previously-built NSX. It confirmed that around 8mm needed to be added to the NSX's floorpan, which tallied with the 8" difference at 1:1. Found the easiest place to make the cut and used graph paper to keep it square. Front overhang was about right, rear needed extending and I had to narrow it slightly - the NSX has a distinct taper out towards the back wheels. Completed chassis, with the NSX interior and dashboard, rollcage from a Tamiya Toyota Corolla rally car, approximation of an engine cover and rear loadbay salvaged from the Accord's original interior tub. NOS bottle from a Scale Production set. Bride seats from a Hobby Design set, belt decals from a Belkits rally car. Brake discs with Brembo calipers came with the Fujimi wheel set. Luckily the NSX came with the LHD dashboard option. Stock NSX suspension front and rear, and the stretched portion of floorpan pretty obvious. Finished result: Basically stock bodywork,with Monogram Chevy Citation side vents and front lip spoiler being the remnant left over from the Mazda RX7 kit I built earlier in the year. Colour is BMW Boston Green, quite similar to the Honda Sherwood Green, straight from a Halfords automotive can complete with their clearcoat. Went through Micromesh polishing sheets then a fine compound, but I wish I hadn't bothered with that and I'd gone straight to the resin polish after the Micromesh. Wheels are 18" BRS M10 from a Fujimi accessory set, trimmed to suit the staggered tyres which came with another set from a different maker. The kit came with tinted glass for the rear end, which saved messing around with smoke paint. Rear exhaust outlets are from another Fujimi accessory pack. Back in the studio: Not entirely sure how feasible it would be in real life, but Renault managed to convert a couple of small FWD hatchbacks to mid-engined configuration and I thought this would be a more sophisticated version of that. Would hopefully make for a good sleeper with 350-400BHP in a much more reliable, docile package than a FWD screamer with the same power output. Thanks for looking!

I was wondering about their 1990s Hilux bed, that would also give the smaller headlamps seen on the 1:1 in the original post.

I don't believe they ever offered a pickup version, but Aoshima's Terrano D21 could be a useful starting point?

Another one makes it to the starting line.... Aoshima 1996 Honda Accord Wagon, on Tamiya Honda NSX floorpan complete with the mid-mounted V6 engine and suspension front and rear. Like a bigger, more sophisticated version of things like the Renault 5 Turbo or Clio V6. Bodywork largely standard, just a lip spoiler added to the bottom of the front bumper and side vents taken from a Monogram Chevy Citation. Paintwork is BMW Boston Green and clearcoat straight from Halfords automotive cans onto a generic grey primer. The colour is close to Honda's Sherwood Green of the time. Fujimi aftermarket 18" BRS M10 wheels, with staggered tyres from a Scale Productions set. Brake discs came with the Fujimi wheel set. Fujimi accessory tailpipes were grafted onto the ends of the NSX exhaust system , with an extra slot cut into the bumper for the dual outlets. Rather neatly the Accord kit includes two sets of glass, one clear and the other tinted, so it was easy to incorporate privacy glass to avoid anyone noticing what was different in the back. The NSX floorpan was stretched by around 8mm (8 scale inches), and its width was trimmed towards the back end. I had to extend the length of the rear overhang to suit the Accord, but at the front end it worked out just right. I was able to utilise the full NSX suspension front and rear, why change what Honda had worked so hard to develop? If anything I imagine the longer wheelbase will make it even more stable. This is where I did most of the work, and now it's the bit that's hardest to see. But I suppose that's the point of a sleeper isn't it? Added an aftermarket sports filter, which together with a bit of remapping and gentle tuning to focus on reliability rather than massive power I'd expect to give around 350-400BHP. I added the Scale Production NOS bottle for a bit of extra go when needed in an emergency. Interior tub was taken from the NSX complete with the LHD dashboard (to ensure good visibility for overtaking), with the side panels removed as I've kept those from the Accord inside the doors. Added Bride seats by Hobby Design with belt decals from a Belkits Opel Manta. Rollcage was cut down from a Tamiya Toyota Corolla rally car, which also donated a fire extinguisher. Folding engine bay cover fabricated from sheet styrene, with the rear of the loadbay cut from the Accord's original interior tub. All ready for the start, hopefully looking like little more than a nicely modified Accord Wagon and not something with the heart of a high-performance but docile supercar.

Thanks Carl. I had it next to me at work today, as I took it in so I could get some daylight shots. Must admit I like how it's turned out.

Final shots to come in the completed builds thread, but I'm there with my Accord/NSX mutation: For the engine bay cover I took inspiration from the folding boot floor in my 1:1 daily driver. With it opening up like this I figured they could access the engine either through the rear doors, or the tailgate. And it's a Honda, so why would they need to look very often?! And with it closed for normal running. Still got some loadbay at the rear plus there'd be space under the bonnet (sorry, hood). Got a final bit of cleaning-up to do before I get some better completed shots, but I can rest easy knowing I've got it finished two days before the deadline. Exhaust tailpipes have since been fitted, unusually they were the last thing whereas I normally make it the licence plates.

I like the ideas being floated around, I have kits in my stash patiently waiting their turn to be built that would work for all of them.

Very pleased to see the Celsior back, I first built one back in the '90s and I've very slowly been doing a freshly painted body for a reshell of it (then giving me that lovely V8 engine for another project). Would be great to get hold of another one or two. As I have a 1:1 '93 LS400 it's a car I'm particularly interested in, and for that reason I'd echo the desire to see the Lexus version come back again. It's expensive/hard-to-find at present.

Looks fantastic! Love the contrast between the rusty bodywork and purposeful chassis and running gear. Probably the last WIP update from me. Probably not going to finish it in daylight hours today, and to be honest it is rather grey out there so it's not worth rushing. Hopefully I can do a lunchtime photoshoot during the week. Apart from decals this is it. The exhaust parts are from a Fujimi accessory set, once it's assembled I need to work out some longer tailpipes as the Accord has a longer rear overhang than the NSX. Roof rails and sunroof dropped into place, not yet fitted. Cage worked out OK and I fitted a fire extinguisher that came with the same Corolla kit. Engine cover is in progress. Brakes are fitted, wheel installation 95% sorted - I'll leave final fitment until the body and chassis are together so I can make sure they're in the right place relative to the arches. Panel lines need a bit more work - unfortunately the polish residue is rather stubborn....

Looks like it's been a busy day for some of us. I didn't spend quite as much time on mine as I'd hoped, but I should be good to finish it tomorrow - I'd like to get some photos in daylight. Full cage from Toyota Corolla rally car mocked-up. And after some surgery. Windows trims etc all painted, which was the job I was dreading. Just the engine bay cover to fabricate, then hopefully final assembly.

More progress on the Honda, I'm managing to do something every day: Largely complete on the interior. Bride decals came with the Hobby Design aftermarket seats, belt decalsfrom a Belkits Manta rally car. Real material and PE fittings would have been the ideal, but not something I have time to do at present. Need to fabricate some form of engine cover. Rear loadbay painted-up, made use of the space to add the NOS bottle. Might be necessary when that little bit of extra go would be useful? Not quite there yet on the wheel fitment, and I need to get the brakes in place. Inner portions of the wheels have been trimmed and lights/indicators have since been fitted as I had some PVA out. Have made a start on the external window trim painting, that's to be finished when I have some daylight at the weekend. Not seen is the mocked-up rollcage (hence the PVA). That was quite a fiddle, but I need it to be complete to see how well it will fit and what needs to be removed. It's from a Corolla rally car and it seems like it might might just work (or at least part of it anyway).

Nice one, that looks pretty tough doesn't it?

Good to seesome more making it to the line. Managed to move mine on a bit with some work in the evenings: NSX's interior tub fitted into place on raised pieces so the dashboard height ties in with the Accord's door panels (which are glued to the body). I found that the rear portion of the Accord loadbay would fit, when suitably trimmed. Seats need decals and then belts to liven it up a little bit. Rollcage to fathom out, engine cover to fabricate. With all of that in place and the glass taped into the bodyshell it was time for a mock-up: Given that it's a merger of two different kits it's actually fitting together better than some cars that came from one source. Ignore the loosely placed sunroof being wonky and the rear wheel not yet in the right place, they will be addressed. Window trims still to be painted and the panel lines need a wash. Found some staggered tyres in an accessory set, they match the width and overall diameter of the NSX's originals very well. Now to do some trimming of the Fujimi wheels they're fitted to. Centres had a second coat of gold paint, they still need detailing (and maybe a wash?) plus the big disc brakes fitting.

It's certainly got me thinking!