PatW

Nearly there, not my favourite build, I've messed up in various places.. I had to put in a plasticard inner arch as no real area to attach the front wheels. Rear connects well.

A few decals, not totally happy,

25.01.24 First coat of yellow, yes and some further work to do, filling/undercoat/topcoat.

Thanks espo.

Really neat and clean, well done!

WOW! Neat decals, superb lay up!

A friend had built one of the first ones from the factory in Brighton that made various sports models in kit form, and this was the first 'utility' that was made. The friends two brothers (triplets) built one each and I followed on. It was sold to a competition glider pilot who upgraded it by fitting a bigger engine, and towed his glider all over Europe for competitions. Two of the friends go to various kit car shows across the UK using other cars they have since built and see 'my old car' on a regular basis. I enjoyed building it as I was 'an office waller' but as the brothers said 'do you know the difference between a spanner, a screwdriver and a hammer?' I said yes so they said just have a go, it was one of the best things I've done in life! Kit building just on a larger scale!

This was my finished project 35+ years ago. A Dutton Sierra kit car, based on mark one/two Ford Escort van/estate car parts. New steel box chassis and fibreglass bodyshell with twin skin interior. Our family car for about 3/4 years carting to two sons with their BMX bikes/spares and tools. I bought a MOT failed Escort Estate for a few pounds and built this in a garage in a block behind the house, running cable out over the back fence for lights and tools. It was built from the first week of January and was on the road on the 1st May.

First bit of fi ller and undercoat...

Thanks Zippi. Although there seem to be holes in the backs of the small front wheels for an axle, one is not included in the kit! My major problem is what colour to paint it? Do I find decal flames for the front and sides as others have suggested? Should it be two tone? Just Bright Yellow, or just dark boring black? I need to go to the hardware store in the morning (Saturday) to get a large grey undercoat rattle can to start with.

A 1/32 resin kit from Tarpit Toons/Jimmy Flintstone. The base has a thick resin layer which needs to come off, removed.. Showing body, smoking base and hood scoop. Cleaning up required with a bit of filler and sanding. I've not found anywhere one of these kits built, has anyone out there please?

From my previous pictures on the Del Aire, I've sliced the thick resin base so that the tyre smoke is now on the ground! A few hours carefully slicing with a new hacksaw blade without a handle.. This then shows up the tyre smoke... with the body and hood scoop... Yes a wee bit of filler here and there.

Started.. Just a quick wash and rub down, removing moulded extensions to from and rear bumpers, trimming wheels of excess alloy. A few pits and blemishes to fill and generally sanding down. I've never seen one of these ever built, anyone out there?

Finished!

Yes very nice indeed.

It became law soon after, so we put them on for safety and not to lose the licence!

I passed my driving test in 1966 and my mother had bought one of the first Mini Countryman cars with the wood side embellishments. My first job was to get it up on ramps and bolt in the lap and diagonal seat belts through the floor where the nuts had already been welded in at the Morris Cars factory. These made us feels so much safer!

Just the door handle to fit. The doors took a lot of adjustment to fit properly.

Yes Sean it certainly does!

11.01.2024 Update, as the attempt to matt off the dark red hasn't worked I've used more of the matt brown and added some rear side bars to keep the load in the back. Pluss added the wheels and tyres.

In the UK we put the day/date first!

Today, 10.01.2024. Painted a few bits, added the cab and test fitted the pick-up bed. I may well rub down the paint work for a used look. The wheels/tyres are weird as the tyres alone are four pieces!

Good lookin'. I should have stuck down the front door on the two I had it was such a pain and just too horrible!

Groovy colour!