Spottedlaurel

Great to see one built, it looks really good. I have one of these in my stash (and the standard version). I haven't yet thought of any alternative wheels that would look better, so I imagine I'll eventually build it straight out of the box.

Thanks guys. If you've built it three times you obviously like it ? It's a simple but good kit, I'd definitely recommend it.

Nothing on the first one I did as a teenager, which is now in the parts box, but here's the second example: From comments I've read, people who've compared/built both prefer the AMT but I was happy with how the Monogram offering went together - it looks like a '57, and I don't recall any fitment issues.

Looks great Gareth. I've never built the AMT '57, but have done a couple of Monograms over the years.

Had a trip out today to a coastal area of the country I've never spent any time in before, I was surprised how many older cars we saw. I doubt most of them will be of any interest here, but of those I've uploaded so far..... 1966 Chevrolet Chevelle SS by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr The DVLA datebase lists this as a 5.7-litre, which would be a small-block I think?, but the badges say SS 427. Whatever, it looked good. 1985 Ford Escort RS Turbo by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr These are rare nowadays, and were never very common when new. 1989 Nissan Bluebird 1.8 Premium Plus (T72) by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr Rather less sporting than either of the above! I've had a couple of these British-built models, they're super reliable even when getting on in years and don't rust too badly either. This particular one was in the film "About Time". Thanks to my wife for all of the above shots!

Aha, I had a bid on that one early on. Is it similar to the others in the series, quite basic but looks like it would build up nicely?

Looks good! Great to see that colour going on. I thought of this build when I went to a 1:1 car show last weekend and there was a T-based rod on display. It was a van, but still remarkably small (and comic in its proportions). The steering column was completely vertical, will yours be similar?

Sounds cool Gareth! Do you have any photos of it? Here's a rusty one I saw in a local scrapyard back then: 1979 Datsun 280C (330) by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr They were never a common car here. We used to get a few come along to shows, but most of those I saw in the '90s were at the banger racing: 1977 Datsun 260C saloon (+ estate) by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr I've been making a bit of progress with mine: 1:24 Aoshima Nissan Cedric kit by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr 1:24 Aoshima Nissan Cedric kit by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr 1:24 Aoshima Nissan Cedric kit by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr The TS-21 Gold went down nicely and has now been finished with TS-13 clearcoat. Since the above photos I've given it my favoured Micromesh then resin polish treatment and it's come out nicely. Despite the heavily sculpted shape I managed to avoid polishing through anywhere. I will try and get it a bit lower than the above mock-up, there's plenty of room in the arches so no surgery is required. Have also made a decision on the wheels, the Rays Volk Mesh wheels suit it well being 5-stud fitment. 1:24 Aoshima Volk Mesh wheels by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr 1:24 Aoshima Volk Mesh wheels by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr Looking at photos of 1:1 examples the centres should be painted: I'll probably go for more of a bronze finish than gold, as that could be too similar to the body colour and I don't want it to look colour-coded. If I'm feeling really keen and steady-handed it appears that I should also paint the bolts around the edge - we'll see about that one. Nothing too much to show on the interior yet, have started to get the basic brown and beige colour combination down with this as my inspiration: Nissan Cedric 330 brochure shot by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr Nissan Cedric 330 brochure shot by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

Very interesting to see you work your way through this Alan. I don't think I have the skill or guts to take on something quite so comprehensive, but your methodical, step-by-step explanation of how you're going about it makes it seem just a little more feasible....

Very nice, sounds like a great tribute and very cleanly built. The colour looks excellent. Did your dad keep the original for long?

Great work Tim, a clean, good-looking build. Well done for persevering with the glass/dashboard issue.

Cool! I wonder if there was a Fujimi version? Reminds me of this ex-Fujimi Skyline that I have: Revell 1:24 Nissan Skyline (R31) by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

Doesn't that come from old Custom Car days?

Very nice. Would be pleased to see that at a show at 1:1. Great colour choice, and being an 'out of scale' automotive metallic gives it the look of a funky metalflake. And well done to Steve for his part in this!

Great to see it finished, captures the look of the original really nicely! You were very lucky in finding the road and rally car versions to combine into one build.

Blimey, the Spitfire looks somewhat terrifying!

A bit different to the MR2, I picked this up at a 1:1 show today: Will probably build the convertible as some sort of mild custom and consider the wagon roof for another project.

Managed to get to my first car show of this strange year, a local one for customs. I suspect there were several other events on too, or at least people making use of a half-decent day before autumn/winter is upon us, on virtually all of the way home I was following or being followed by another old car. As I left the show, quite by chance this tidy 1988 Mazda drove past and we followed it for a while. I've seen it before and had a chat with the owner. 1970 Cadillac followed me in turn. This and the gasser had been at the show as well. The Ford ended up behind me for quite a while, great to see it on the move and certainly made for an imposing sight in my mirror. Just noticed that Focus travelling the other way is a fairly early example, how can they be over 20 years old now?! Turned onto another road, lost the gasser then ended up behind this Beetle. Was getting along well. Finally, this Alfa was following me. Fortunately my son was a little more adept at taking shots on the move than Mrs Geiger ? Got several hundred photos from the show, I'll eventually get them onto my Flickr account. Have only just uploaded those from last year......

It looks wonderful, all your thought, attention to detail and craftsmanship has really paid off.

Good luck! Sounds like there's a plan there, although you know you'll probably end up with another one, to make use of the leftover parts........

Great to see the engine assembled, looks really good.

Well done on getting back onto it so soon after your move, more great progress there.

Ah, that's interesting. I vaguely reall seeing the C&D version, didn't realise it was the Fujimi kit though. Makes sense, I have several Revell Europe kits which I know are reissued Fujimi. It's one of the few I'd consider building basically stock, OOB. Wheels and tyres might need a bit of attention however, they're a bit too wide and the box art above shows them sticking out too far.

Pleased to get one of these at decent price at last, especially as it's an early issue: 1:24 Fujimi Toyota MR2 kit by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr Bonus was it coming with the original sales invoice, when it looks like it was sold new by a Toyota dealer for £4.89 in 1987. It even had its own part number, and I have a Corolla GT with the following part number. It's a nice kit, even has some engine detail.

That worked out very well. With the long nose it makes me think of the Toyota Soarer/Lexus SC400.