Spottedlaurel

Would be very pleased to see that one available here. A few years ago a friend had this very tidy example: 1982 Hyundai Pony 1400 GLS by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr 1982 Hyundai Pony 1400 GLS by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr It got sold and sadly now sits festering away on a driveway.

That Cadillac looks fantastic. There's almost always something interesting to be seen in this car park, even in lockdown, and it was great to see this today. For any of us in the UK of a certain age they were the iconic family car of their time: 1971 Ford Cortina 1300 by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr My dirty Lexus in the background. 1971 Ford Cortina 1300 by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr We had three of them as family cars at various points during the '70s.

Great to see it finished Roger, looks very sharp.

Thanks, and yes they do. Some would say their range is a bit limited, but when I consider their older releases there's plenty to keep me happy.

Looks really good. And not silver!

First completion of the five kits I'm building to replace a batch of originals that got damaged on a sunny day. WIP thread here: When I first built this Toyota over 10 years ago it ended up looking like this: Tamiya 1:24 Toyota Sprinter Trueno GT-Z by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr Then post-damage: 1:24 Tamiya Toyota Sprinter Trueno kit by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr Got it finished today, my second build to be completed this weekend. 1:24 Tamiya Toyota Sprinter Trueno kit by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr Changed the colour this time round to Tamiya TS-54 Light Metallic Blue with TS-13 clear. Suspension lowered very easily, just redrilled the holes for the metal rod axles. Re-used the Longchamp XR-4 wheels from my original build as well as a few minor components. 1:24 Tamiya Toyota Sprinter Trueno kit by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr 1:24 Tamiya Toyota Sprinter Trueno kit by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr 1:24 Tamiya Toyota Sprinter Trueno kit by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr 1:24 Tamiya Toyota Sprinter Trueno kit by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr 1:24 Tamiya Toyota Sprinter Trueno kit by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr We didn't get this car as a 1:1 in the UK, it's basically a coupe version of the late '80s FWD Corolla. Tamiya use the same floorpan for their hatchback, but the coupe has an extra piece which clips onto the back end to suit the longer overhang. Although it's a snap-fix kit it doesn't suffer significantly, it was an enjoyable thing to put together. Thanks for looking.

Thanks everyone! Not a day for outside photography today, weather was a bit rough and I was concentrating on finishing off another build. This one is now in the cabinet and sits well alongside my other Japanese cars.

A very sharp build there, the all-important brightwork is really nicely done and the whole thing just looks 'right'.

That's very nice, cleanly built and the finished result looks excellent.

Nice bit of lateral thinking! I like the subtle look outside, with no hint of what powers it.

A big series of questions there, and some interesting answers already. Here are mine....... What makes you decide to buy a certain model kit? Usually subject matter, my preference being Japanese and American stuff from the 1960s to the '90s but I also have a few European kits from the same era and others that are a bit newer/older. Sometimes price, I'm more likely to take a chance on something cheap, even if ends up being a donor for another build, likewise I'm happy to spend a bit more on a kit that has a few options, alternative wheels etc that I can add to the parts box. Does the box art sometimes make you purchase something you really didn't plan to, if so, give an example of such a kit? Sometimes, yes. I'd rather buy an older issue which dates back to how I remember then when I was young even if there was a modern reissue available. I'll always a prefer a box which has a little bit of wear and has lost its shine over a crisp new one. Does the manufacturer brand influence your buying choice, and if so, which is your preferred and least preferred and why? I prefer the Japanese kitmakers, largely because they're more likely to build the cars that interest me. I'll go for Tamiya for quality, then Aoshima and Fujimi for subject matter even if they need a bit more work. Of the American makers I've traditonally preferred Monogram, as I generally had good experience of them when I was young, but I wasn't so keen on AMT. Had an enjoyable build of a relatively modern Revell US kit so would happily do more of them. What do you love about building a model kit and what's the least favorite part of the process? Playing around with suspension and wheels/tyres to get the ride height and overall stance to match the image I have in my head is something I particularly enjoy. Getting a half-decent paintjob without polishing through to the primer is of course very satisfying, as is final assembly and fitting those last few components. Panel line washing and BMF is something I don't rush to do, but my least favourite task is painting black inside the window edges on modern cars. Does a high parts count scare you as too much of a challenge, or does a low parts count make you feel the product could be toylike? I'm happy with either. Many of the Japanese kits I like date back to being little more than motorized toys in the '70s, but there's some satisfaction to be had in getting them to look good alongside other builds on the shelf. What type of kit do you prefer (glue, snap, full detail, curbside)? Whatever is available for the subject, I have no preference. I'm currently building several Tamiya snapfix kits and the way they're designed achives results which are just as effective as traditional assembly. To me it's trying to come up with a build which matches the concept I have in my head, realistic engine and/or chassis detail isn't necessarily part of that. Do you like building options, and if so, what (engine upgrade, choice of wheels, decals, other)? Yes, but not always for the kit in question - as mentioned above, it's always good to add new pieces to the parts box. If you wish to give manufacturers a "non-subject matter" suggestion what would it be? I share Les's dislike of the Revell Europe boxes, my preference is for the style used by Tamiya etc which has room for pieces to be laid out as they're assembled. Now, something totally different, let's assume you had all the money in the world, a very understanding wife, thus no boundaries whatsoever and would like to start up an automotive collection, which 7 (real, NOT model kits!!!) vehicles, one for each day of the week, would you like............... A big question there, the answer will probably change next week but for now: 1970-75 Opel Manta A 1976-ish Datsun Laurel 1980-ish Datsun Laurel hardtop (pillarless version of what I have now) 1990-ish Nissan Laurel with a subtle RB engine upgrade Original version of the Honda NSX Ditto Lexus LS400 Something American, full size from 1967-68. Buick Lectra 225 or the like.

Just finished this one, WIP thread here: Aoshima kit I've had in the stash for few years now, along with a set of their Volk Mesh accessory wheels. Painted with grey automotive primer, Tamiya TS-21 Gold and TS-13 clear. Suspension lowered using parts supplied in the kit. It actually has some fairly basic springing along with provision for a motor and lighting. It is somewhat toy-like so I tried my best to create an effective kerbside build which will look good on the shelf and complement my other Japanese kits. 1:24 Aoshima Nissan Cedric 330 kit by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr Finished it way too late to get outdoor shots, I'll try and take some soon so for now it's had a quick photoshoot amongst my wife's pot collection: 1:24 Aoshima Nissan Cedric 330 kit by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr 1:24 Aoshima Nissan Cedric 330 kit by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr 1:24 Aoshima Nissan Cedric 330 kit by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr 1:24 Aoshima Nissan Cedric 330 kit by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr 1:24 Aoshima Nissan Cedric 330 kit by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr 1:24 Aoshima Nissan Cedric 330 kit by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr Despite my fondness for the 1:1 car it took me a while to get into it. The bodyshell has a slight distortion around the back end (also apparent in a newer issue I bought recently) and because of how the major styling elements like the front grille fit together it's eventual look and identity was difficult to see until final assembly and detailing took place. Now it's done I think it nicely captures the heavy, stylised look of the real thing and it's something I'd happily have in my garage. Thanks for looking.

Nice work. Good to have a 1:1 example to follow as inspiration, your build captures it well.

I've been continuing to chip away at these simple builds, only made complicated by doing five at once. 1:24 Tamiya Nissan Skyline Coupe R30 kit by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr The Skyline coupe suffered least of the five, presumably the silver paint helped reflect the worst of the sunlight. I can use the chassis and interior, hopefully even the front 'screen which is good as the replacement kit I'm using has smoked glass and it looks a bit OTT. 1:24 Tamiya Nissan Skyline Coupe R30 kit by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr I used Tamiya TS-30 Silver Leaf and TS-13 clear, which has now been polished out. Given the re-use of components this one should come together pretty quickly. Main job is the various pieces of dark trim and BMF brightwork on the bodyshell. 1:24 Tamiya Toyota Sprinter Trueno kit by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr I wanted to open up the door windows on the Toyota, so after a careful bit of sawing this is what I ended up with. I left painting the inside window surrounds until pretty much the last job, as I don't enjoy it. No masking pieces in this kit, so I had to spend some time cutting tape before I could brush-paint it. I used to do it by hand without masking, but I'm getting older..... 1:24 Tamiya Toyota Sprinter Trueno kit by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr Final round-up before I finish it off, possibly tonight.

Looking good! The interior looks very effective. I have a bid in on one at present (the AMT/Ertl GTU 3 in 1 kit).

Thanks David. The clear paint could be a useful tip for the photo-etch badges - I haven't got anything at present that I could apply with a brush, I need to have another go with the PVA for now. Thank you Les. It would be quite something in pink! I will probably do the other kit I have as something a bit more silly, but this gold one is how I'd like it as a 1:1. Last WIP pic's for now, on track to finish it tomorrow. 1:24 Aoshima Nissan Cedric 330 kit by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr 1:24 Aoshima Nissan Cedric 330 kit by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr Panel line washing went well and the completed body, chassis and interior all fitted together without too much issue. Just bits and bobs to fit and detail then it should be seen Under Glass.

Very sharp build. Got to love what they were up to back then in dressing-up these things. Stripes over the roof, and a 3/4 vinyl top? Yeah, why not?!

Looks great. If you'd have just shown the photos without describing the various parts that went into it I'd have assumed it was a nicely done, out of the box build, but you've incorporated everything very cleanly.

Very nicely done. Also, I like your use of the word accurizing!

Nice one. They're an attractive car at 1:1 and your build does it justice.

Thanks for the interest and kind words. David, I had your advice in mind as I cut the glass yesterday. 1:24 Aoshima Nissan Cedric 330 kit by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr I don't know if it's apparent here on the uncut side, but the front door glass has a line moulded into it to aid cutting it out. That kind of worked, although I did end up with a small crack on one side. I decided to take out the rear door glass as well to emphasise the pillarless bodystyle, and a brochure shot showed that the shallow window dropped fully into the door to leave a complete opening. 1:24 Aoshima Nissan Cedric 330 kit by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr Looks OK when installed, that's another thing done as is all of the main body brightwork. I've got the week off work but for various reasons I didn't get any modelling done in the first few days. Now trying to make up for that and get this build and one or two other projects finished. Other progress: Nissan Cedric 330 by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr With this JDM brochure shot as very useful reference, I detailed the front end: 1:24 Aoshima Nissan Cedric 330 kit by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr They've engineered it with the chrome mouldings on the outer grille surrounds rather than the bonnet and wings (sorry, hood and fenders), but it looks effective enough once everything is in place. Just noticed I have a little bit more chrome to add. I also had to add BMF to the edges of the small grilles in the middle. Indicators (turn signals!) have since been added to the bumpers. I used BMF on the back to hold them in place as the fit wasn't completely positive and I was doubtful whether PVA would be enough. 1:24 Aoshima Nissan Cedric 330 kit by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr Back end also saw quite a bit of work. Given how much of this rear panel ends up with foil, it would have been easier if they'd have plated it in the first place. I think there should be some small chrome trims within the light units, separating the various functions, but I might forget about them for the sake of my eyesight/sanity. Started on the photo-etch badges here. 1:24 Aoshima Nissan Cedric 330 kit by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr Overhead console detailed and installed. 1:24 Aoshima Nissan Cedric 330 kit by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr Photo-etch badges. My first time working with them, I didn't find it an enjoyable process and I shall be careful about how and where I use them in future. Started off with a tiny bit of superglue on the back end, then changed to PVA as I could see that wasn't going well. Just about to go out to the shed and see how it went, at least with PVA I should be able to pull them off and try again. 1:24 Aoshima Nissan Cedric 330 kit by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr Admittedly I do need reading glasses (varifocals are on their way to me), but as I didn't have a magnifying glass to hand to work out which way up some of them went I had to take a photo and zoom-in. In doing that I noticed that these badges were a mirror-image of what they should be. I'm not sure what the 'F' stands for, maybe something to do with "Little Lord Fauntleroy", as the main character Cedric was apparently the inspiration behind the car's name. Panel lines need a wash of something, probably a thinned brown so the tone is similar to the gold bodywork, then it's onto final assembly. As ever, macro shots show up a few edges that need trimming and tidying which I'll attend to if they look significant enough to worry about.

Got this last week: 1:25 AMT Ertl Ghostbusters Ecto 1A Cadillac Ambulance by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr At £25 including shipping it was an expensive way of buying a replacement windscreen for my stalled hearse conversion started 25 or so years ago, but not a bad price given what these usually go for. Despite appearances the contents inside the box are fine, including that all-important piece of glass! I can now finish the hearse in a future round of Snake's Bring Out Your Dead, and the remains can be built as a banger racer (demo derby car).

A nice pair of builds you have there. I'm amused that attempting to finish off one kit ended up with you starting a completely new one. I like the look of these Torinos, must try and find a kit someday.

Looks excellent Gareth, the interior colour choice and woodwork goes very well with the gold. I've never tried metallic inside a car, but having seen it on a few builds on here I have something in mind which would suit it well. Some years ago I had a 1973 Datsun 180B that had lots of sparkly blue vinyl inside.

Very nicely done. I like how you've kept it stock-looking with the brightwork and stripes etc, but subtly updated with the pearl white - just a hint of the modifications under the skin.