Scale-Master

If the Kammback you are waiting for from Ebay is made from this AMT kit that I'm using, you won't be able to use much from the hatchback kits. The interior is different on the real cars between a hatchback and wagon, plus the MPC hatchback interior is way too long for the stubby AMT Kammback body.

Thanks guys, I'm doing my best to make something my friend will really like. I shot the body with Dupont Le Mans blue last night and foiled all the trim this morning.

Thanks Carl. It's getting close to being prepped for paint already. The front bumper was not uniform on the ends so I reshaped it. The sprues fed into the top edge as well so I sanded all the chrome off when I cleaned it up. The ’73 Vega was unique from the ’71 & ‘72s in that the front bumper was moved three inches forward (to meet the 5mph impact laws) and a filler panel was added behind the bumper. I made the filler piece from sheet styrene and rechromed the bumper with BMF.

Thanks Guys! I started making the sunroof. I shaped and scored a piece of sheet styrene to make the outer frame. Since it will be a slammer, the glass area doesn’t have to be clear. I reused the “blank” I cut out of the body earlier and shimmed it on each of the four sides for a snug positive fit.

Yes, we drive on the right side of the road in America. Plus I wanted it to be as different from the Tamiya based ones as possible.

Mocking up the “suspension” and the stance.

I made the Ansa exhaust tip out of brass and aluminum.

Thanks Chris! I decided to go for a slammer instead of full detail on this model, at least for now… I scratched up this chassis with the thought that I might change my mind and go curbside later. Mostly made of sheet styrene, I repurposed some short-shot resin rims I cast for a 1/12 scale model for the inner wheel wells.

The rear valance is molded in one piece with no provision for the license plate. On the real car the rear valance is a two piece affair. The bumper is too tall and is also missing the detail where the plate should be. (Note how far the bumper fits to the right.) Additionally, the mounting points molded to the bumper are not centered. They fit the holes in the valance, but that doesn’t put the bumper in the middle either. I hogged out the holes and made new ones sleeved with brass. Then I cut out the areas on the bumper and valance to more closely resemble the real car.

It's actually because the amount of solvent being a higher percentage in silver and gold cans than other colors. The more pigment the less room for solvents. Consider it a higher octane paint. This info comes from my cop/DA neighbor, not firsthand experience.

Thanks for the translation Jim. Fits the car much better than what I had.

I was told once that the phrase on the license plate means "Go die now". Is that correct? If not please share what it does mean. I like that blue.

Here are some comparison shots that show the overall size differences between a Tamiya Seven and my scratch-built version; both are 1/12 scale. Gotta go start on #8...

This is the latest one, (not the last). No kit or any kit parts used, purely scratch-built, just to see if I could build it that way.

The second JPE kit I was provided with was heavily modified into this, (Seven #6), the Superb Seven. I did more scratch-building and machining for this one than ever before. It was finished in 2007 and did very well at the ’07 GSL earning both best of shows and my first Augie along with several other best of awards.

I was provided with two complimentary JPE Super Seven kits by a friend at Tamiya in 2003. One was built into a copy of the JPE I had already built and given to Mr. Tamiya. That would be Seven #4. I don’t have any photos of it handy. It looks just like the JPE I have, but with a cleaner, uniform, less green tinted fluorescent yellow exterior color. Super Seven #5 was built from a standard kit (like the red one) and done in a predominately orange scheme with several machined and aftermarket parts added. It was provided by and built for a private collector. I have this photo of it from my files.

Number three (Red Seven) was built from a kit I bought at the first GSL I competed in. The seller gave me a great deal (he said since he knew I’d build it). I added more to this kit and machined more parts for it than any other before it. It won the Judges Grand Best of Show at the 2003 IPMS Nationals.

The second one is the JPE. Ironically I won the kit at the 2000 TamiyaCon raffle. (Lucky first number called!) This one benefitted from some machined parts I made and earned me my first trip to Japan via the 2001 TamiyaCon. Sadly the Floquil fluorescent paint I used turned out to be unstable in the long run and the shades of the panels are now uneven in color. I used a different paint (Pactra) for the copy I built (in every other detail) for Mr. Tamiya and I think it has fared better over the years.

I thought it might be worth sharing a little about each one as well. It bears mentioning just these five models comprise about ten years of work to construct. The “one that started it all” for me (regarding the models of Sevens) is the Carbon Fiber Cycle Fender Special. The second in the Tamiya series of 1/12 Caterhams. I built it Out-Of-The-Box. I added decals that I made, but that’s all.

I have been asked more times than I can count to share photos of all my Super Sevens together, especially since finishing my latest and seventh 1/12 scale Seven. I have been cleaning my display cases over the last couple weeks so I thought the time was right, and the sun was out for the most part... Unfortunately I can't show all of my 1/12 Sevens. I gave one to Mr. Tamiya (Sr.) a dozen years ago, and another is in a private collection. But I have these five in my collection.

I think a "factory stock" version of the Perentti would make a cool model.

After a while we take for granted all the cars we see on the road regularly "out here". Then when a car enthusiast from another state visits us they seemed amazed at the amount of exotics, new and old, and just cool cars in general that are driven normally. I haven't seen an i8 on the road before though, guess I need to walk down to the beach and watch the parade of cars on PCH...

This is the same kit Mike, I'm just changing it into a '68. I personally prefer the Marina Blue over the Le Mans Blue. The dash is done. And the interior tub is built.

Thanks guys. It is done and here is a link to it: http://www.modelcarsmag.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=101783

Just quickie club build put together out-of-the-box. Im not much of a fan of the real truck, but the kit is a pleasure to build. The colors are all Tamiya straight from the spray cans. The flame decals are from a sheet I drew and produced several years back. This kit fits very well and the engine and transmission are detailed very nicely. I know the wheel color will not be liked by some, thats fine with me.