Exotics_Builder

First start of 2022. I need a break from heavy detailing after the last few models. I also put the in work 69 Camaro Pace Car away for a bit while I decide what to do on the stripes. The decals are not quite Hugger Orange (and the Fred Cady decals I have are even more Orange). So, I decided to pull out the Alpha Models Ferrari GTC4Lusso for a build. For those of us unfamiliar with Alpha, they are the full model division of Hobby Design. They do high quality resin replicas of cars, mainly European. The kits are curbside, so limited chassis/suspension detail and engine detail only on cars that are midship with engines viewable from the rear hatch. And, in those cases, the engine is simplified. I would enjoy more detail in the engine area, even for a few more dollars. But modern engine bays are usually crowded and shrouded, so detail is limited. The same goes for suspension. Many modern high-performance cars have aerodynamic chassis “trays” to manage airflow, up to and including diffusers. Other manufacturers such as Tamiya, Aoshima and Revell of Germany have included more chassis detail in their styrene cars, and it would be nice to see Alpha do it as well. However, I would rather have the subjects available to build. Alpha does, in my opinion, do a great job in providing interior detail. This is an area where it would be nice to have a door opening option. The bodies are thick and attempting to open a door would be a major undertaking. So, I will concentrate more on visible detail. I have included photos of the resin parts (very well cast and looks as good as styrene). There is also an extensive PE set plus pre-cut windows with the blackened areas already applied (kudos there). I have cleaned the parts with soap and water plus an alcohol wipe and getting ready to prime. The panel and door/trunk lines are a bit soft and needed to be scribed deeper. Newer kits from Alpha have much crisper panel and door/trunk lines. Even though the kit comes with two different sets of 19” wheels, I opted to go with Hobby Design Novitec 20” with Hobby Design Michelin tires. I am still deciding on color scheme. I have three different choices and will narrow down after first primer coat and clean up.

Yes. First Rally car. Next one will be this one. Now, working on a Alpha Models GTC4Lusso. Stay tuned for a WIP posting ?

The Tamiya one may not have been reissued but the Fujimi version has.

Very nice. Are those wheels from Scale Production? Or just the wheels in the kit?

That is the first pic. It is a resin custom wagon that uses the Revell 49 Mercury Custom

Only got 4 done, but a lot better than the last couple of years. Also, one about 50% done.

I did find a minoir glitch when waxing that I need to fix (or just let be)

Just got a chance to get photos of the finished kit. See it in Under Glass-Model Cars

E-Tron GT is interesting

My Christmas gift to myself arrived just a couple of days late. I am still not too sure about the front grille changes BMW did, but the M3 is a darn good auto.

Update 5 – Enough on the engine I’m calling it done on the engine detail. Need to paint the transmission and glue to the chassis. Looking at the model, I do not think it would be worth adding lines from the power steering pump to the gear box and add any lines from the alternator and starter. Then again, it is a manual transmission and there is clutch fork or linkages to any pedals. Anyway, some pix of the engine before placing in the chassis (and yes, there is a non-working dip stick included).

Nice!!!

Wheels and engine would a great start for that. Definitely on my radar. Now for decals, etc.

I would tend to agree with you. An interesting concept though, regardless of roof

Have not yet been to that event. Hopefully things will open up more. We just moved back to Washington state about 4 months before COVID hit. Be nice to see.

Thank you. So, you are on Vancouver Island. Been awhile since I've been to Nanaimo or Victoria. But just a couple of hundred miles south of you.

Update 4 – A bit more progress I sanded out the grill section from the back and then applied the Model Car Garage PE grill set. Glued the lights in and ran some paint in the “slot” between the grill and the bumper. It is quite evident on the 1:1 car but the chromed single piece grill and bumper of the kit means you need to do some extra steps (if it matters to you). Just need to cut it from the sprue and touch up the chrome and grill inserts and this part is ready for assembly. Started the engine detailing. Ran the fuel lines and linkage for the tri-carb setup plus started wiring the distributor. In this model, I am using the Replica and Miniatures of Maryland distributor that includes vacuum advance. I added the wires to the distributor caps and got cylinder routing order through the first loom. I’d say about 50% done on the engine at this point.

My original 68 Z/28 came with that type of exhaust. So, it may have been model/engine specific. I'd have to see if I have any references

At last night's SABA Christmas Party, I got this in the gift exchange Plus, I have gotten these over the last few weeks

Got one unbuilt down in the stash. And just got the 63 Nova Wagon. Now, which to build first?

Getting Closer. Working on engine detail, painting the engine compartment and wheel wells, polishing out body followed by BMF, laying out emergency brake, final assembly and polish/wax.

Precisely

Remember, in 1/25 scale, 1 mm is approximately 1 inch (close enough in this case). So, it doesn't take much build up to get a door handle spacing or window crank to stand proud. To stand off a door handle about 2 inches would need roughly 7/64 inch spacing. So, think that out in planning your layout. And be patient.

They build the part up dimensionally. You wind up positioning the parts to get a ferule and knob in some cases. It takes a steady hand. Detail Master also now sells stand offs for handles. The other part of this is removing existing handles/cranks molded into the door cards (if they are there). An example: