Pierre Rivard

Jason Hupin (Jack Modeling) has taken on the design of out-laced wheels for this project and here is his latest design iteration. I think we are there but please comment if you think we have missed something. The idea is to design and print a wheel that would also be a good fit for other cars (Maserati, Ferrari etc) that used out-laced Borranis. First pic is for comparison/reference, then the design from Jason. Next step will be printing prototypes.

Wow Shawn. How hou have used the AMT Ferrari SWB and integrated it into the diorama is masterful as all the good parts of the body are there to see and the not so good parts (the butt!) are smartly covered. The fabrication of the diorama, the creative use of materials, the finishes, textures and weathering would indicate expertise and experience... yet this is your first weathered car and diorama? Blown away!

Beautiful Mark, as all your builds are. It's great to see well researched and fabricated replicas at 1/43 scale, not too many to marvel at in a world of 1/24 and 1/12 scale. Keep them coming sir, they are wonderful!

Thank you Larry, support much appreciated. Thanks Russ. Difficult transformation but I persevered and happy that I did. I'd love to build a MFH but have yet to find the courage to pull the trigger on one of these intimidating kits. These days I am more into finding old simple kits and trying to add a bit of detail and realism to them. Just pulled the trigger on an old (sealed) Lindberg Mercedes SSK...

Matt, are you taking all of it from the suspension & half shafts or are narrower rear tires also in play?

Thank you Jim, appreciate your feedback That would have been the sane way to do it, but I could not resist the challenge offered by the so way off ESCI/AMT kit. Check that box...never doing this again. The wheels and tires have been developed by Jason Hupin and they are superb. Jason is now developing out laced Borranis at my request. Stay tuned! Thanks Gary. Hope you'll post more updates on the 904 project. I have one in the pipeline so very interested in your work on it. Thanks Helmut. I have learned a lot about the 250 SWB with this project and it has become a favorite of mine as well. Happy this one is done, not an easy one to do with the ESCI as a starting point. Thanks Rich. I only started believing in it's feasibility when I put a coat of primer on the body. Definitely a challenging transformation. Thanks David. Now I want to do a Rolls Royce in 1/24 scale and don't mind starting with a kit that needs some love. Tell me which one I should get? Patience...and doubling up on the happy pills. Thanks Dave, eagerly awaiting to see your next project. Thanks Donato. Something about a yellow Ferrari. It's a good color for it. Thanks Maxx. I like old kits in need of love. This one needed a lot of it... Thanks Bruce Thank you Chris Thank you brush painter buddy. it was a fun challenge. Yellow is not a big color for me but somehow it appears to be a great fit for this Ferrari. Thank you David Thanks Phil. Honestly it came out better than I was expecting. Definitely the most elaborate body job I ever attempted.

Thanks Randy. This one was a head scratcher but came out good in the end.

Thank you fellows. I have posted the finished build.

Ferrari 250SWB chassis 1931GT entered by Chinetti's NART enterprise for the 1960 le Mans where it finished 5th overall (2nd in class). It ran 300 laps, only 14 less than the winner (a Testa Rossa), 4030km at an average of almost 168 km/hour. Impressive. This build started as the infamous ESCI/AMT kit but it received many body alterations to fix a wide fat butt, flat roof profile, wrong side glass shape and front grill and lots of other smaller changes. I also added a mix of scratch built or aftermarket components, the most important being the substitution of the kit wheels & tires with Jack Modeling 3D printed Borranis and Dunlop Racing tires.

Last part to be made for this build is the cabin vent scoop. On regular SWB's venting was through the roof (I filled that on the body) and the competition models had the vent through the rear glass. I made the scoop with 0.25 x 1.5 mm Evergreen. So this one is done. Posting of the "beauty shots" in the showroom section later today.

Spectacular build, with full engine, unique body configuration and delightful detailing. Been a while since we've seen such a beautiful rendition of a GT40. Bravo!

Arthur looks delightfully British! No doubt in my mind, cream and black, black wire wheels and no whitewalls. It oozes elegance.

Great work Matt. The body transformation and paint look superb.

I too love the Martini livery. Good save on the decal issue. Your build is excellent!

So true Helmut. They have reasonable shipping cost and moved stuff quick. Their catalog of goodies is unequaled.

Thank you my friend. Because I had my nose so close to it for so long I can see so many defects on it but considering the carnage of the body transformations and all consequences following it... it is pretty good. Still a few bits to do and then posting the finished build.

I second that, a great effort in realism, both from the research side of this specific car and the extensive detailing.

The big stuff takes time but so does the little stuff. I used the kit parts for tail lamps and front turn signals. The rears were colored using tamiya clear orange and red. I used small wires to make the bezel trim (same idea as the instrument panel dial bezels). Some other lighting elements (see pictures) done with aftermarket parts from my new friends at SpotModel. Lightweight racing style sliding side glass was scratch built with food container clear plastic. adding front and rear shots of the body showing all lighting elements in place. I still have to do the fuel filler and passenger compartment venting scoop. Getting close...

Thank you Charles, this one was a tester but I can now see the light.

Beautiful Cobras Allan. Wheelbase may be short on the Gunze but it still looks formidable. Sorry to hear about your brother. I can relate as I, like many of us, am going through this. Caught early so all should be ok. Get tested guys!

Thank you Donato, considering the amount of body cutting, gluing and puttying it has come out as good as I could hope for.

Le Mans decals, quality is a bit marginal but they are workable if handled carefully.

You've made good use of that old/started kit and shaped it into a very nice replica of an important car. Thank you for sharing it.

Remarquable looking at them side by side (model and picture of real car). They look identical.

Body has received decals and QuickShine sealant coat. Livery is for NART entry at 1960 Le mans. Still some work with glass (with all the body mods...😳) and various trim pieces. Interior has been finished. Resin seats from Carraramodels, turned metal shifter, 3D printed steering wheel from D.A.B. (the kit wheel is beyond bad) and I made my own instrument dial bezels with thin wire. Roll cage made with 1.5mm Evergreen.