Monster Miata MX-5.0L

[89AKurt]

Tamiya's Mazda Miata meets Ford Mustang 5.0 V8.

I started this in 2001, been sitting in the box until this month.  I made most of the difficult modifications long ago, but stalled when I needed to figure out how far to go for engine mounts, and filling in the matching points.  I have photo-etch engine accessory parts, which I have never tried before, so hope to find a thread that shows what to do.

Meanwhile, I've done the hood with hinges, really easy since the real car is so simple.  I have the trunk hinged, with a latch and spring-loaded to stay open.  Last night I made the Mustang wing operable as an air brake.  So that's where I'm at today after joining this forum.
 

[Foxer]

Nice work there.

[Daddyfink]

Wow! That looks almost like the one I never finished, yet! I used a combination of the Revell and Tamiya kits. I look forward to seeing you finish this beast! 

[Jonathan]

That's pretty cool!

[carl63_99]

I remember when the Monster Miata came out, 1:1 scale.  They smoked the tires like crazy.  It'll be interesting to watch this build.

[JTalmage]

Amazing! LOVE IT!

[89AKurt]

Wow! That looks almost like the one I never finished, yet! I used a combination of the Revell and Tamiya kits. I look forward to seeing you finish this beast! 

I know the feeling.   LOL

[89AKurt]

I remember when the Monster Miata came out, 1:1 scale.  They smoked the tires like crazy.  It'll be interesting to watch this build.

Yes, I have the Autoweek issue that featured the car.
I know a guy who stuffed a Corvette engine into his car.  I had started my model before him, but he took *only* 3 years to complete his.

[OldNYJim]

This is really cool Kurt! Is there more on this one somewhere?

[89AKurt]

On 10/20/2019 at 5:54 AM, CabDriver said:

This is really cool Kurt! Is there more on this one somewhere?

Oh man, started this thread when I began on this forum, and plain forgot to continue, thanks for asking. ?  I can pretend I'm building this now, and milk it out. ?  It's done, won a few awards too.

I added some details to the body, to add some more jazz.  The hood is inspired by the recent Shelby, and Ferrari GTO nose vents.  Opened the trunk, which has a spring to keep it open, push the license plate to unlatch; should have used a thicker stronger wire for the hinge.   Lowered the windshield.







 

[beeRS]

Awesome work. I love the GTO style nose vents.

[89AKurt]

The most intimidating part of this project, was mounting the engine, into the bay that never had detail.  I will admit making up the engine mounts, but when it was all done, you can't see them.  Running the exhaust was a challenge too, slight modification to the cross member was required.

I always planned on this muffler setup, Mustang cans with copper wire pipes.  I'm using solder now for exhausts, much easier to bend.

One major thing that was not planned from the beginning, was the rear cover.  I love to use Corian (kitchen countertop).  First shape was the plan profile:

After getting it to fit, drew the elevation profile, back and sides:

Rough profile done with the disk sander:

The Dremel with a spiral cut bit was almost burned out:

Filed and sanded until I was happy with the shape.
I shall continue!

[89AKurt]

11 minutes ago, beeRS said:

Awesome work. I love the GTO style nose vents.

Thank you.  Classic design, worked with this car (IMHO).  Used Plastistruct tubing, also for the driving light tunnels.  Filled the back with JB Weld, but would recommend the original flavor instead of the "new & improved".  A typical custom detail is to open the turn signal light openings, I have scavenged LEDs from electronic devices next to CD laser reader for headlights.

[89AKurt]

I wanted to use the Mustang wing, but not in a normal way.  I thought making it operable, to act as an air brake, would be boss.  The concept is having it hooked up with the brakes, either a via brake line to hydraulic ram, or electrically to a hydraulic actuator, that detail is moot.|

The factory Dumbo mirrors needed to be changed, shaping those tiny parts required fingernails cut just right!

The transmission tunnel needed to be opened up, Mustang cross member is used.

I *had to* fill the wheel arches, a pet peeve is seeing daylight through a model.

Added screws, to mount the chassis to the body.  Steel clips added to the custom cover.

Convertible top need modification because of the chopped windshield.

Second coat of white primer.

Gloss black base coat, before the nail 'polish' pearl paint.  This is when the story Of Mice And Men comes in.

The kit has the simple steering link, which is representative and not really accurate.  Plus the engine interfered, so needed to modify.

The rod is flattened at the ends.

Made half lap joints, so the plastic ends could be glued on.  Bent wire after putting through Plastistruct tube.  Drilled through the boots.  Made a mount for the rack.

Made the rest of the exhaust from solder.  The tips are smashed brass tube, scavenged from a radio antenna, it's a trick to not make an 8, these go through holes in what was the front Mustang bumper.  I superglued on with baking soda to set and fill.  Started on the sway bar.

Edited October 23, 2019 by 89AKurt

[89AKurt]

The best laid plans of Mice and Men stage..... the nail 'polish' looked like white with purple pearl, but came out like this, which was planned.

I picked this Scale Motorsport copper carbon-fiber decal, not knowing it was going to be a major PITA.

Should have picked this one:

It was brittle, broke a lot, Solvaset melted it in spots, just looked like frisbee rabbits.  I'll spare posting more pictures, it looked okay before clear coat.

I considered a couple of ideas to camouflage it, found that tape pulled it off, so there was only one solution:

I keep the smaller parts with the carbon-fiber that weren't too screwed up.  The headlight buckets are one thing, the wing another, air dam and mirrors were saved.  The Scale Motorsport upholstery decals are great!

Worked on other thinks while I recovered.  Top was given a fabric look using brass screen as a mask.

I use insurance stickers for the lights.

Made the driving light reflectors using thick foil.  I use J B Weld on the back so they won't get dented.

Exhaust is painted.

Used magnets to ensure the hood stays down.

Made the steering wheel moveable.  Photo-etch pedals, otherwise the most stock part of the model. ?

Oh yea, kit door panels are super plain, perfect for the racer look, and the decals came out okay there.  Wire pull handles, and seat belts added.  Scavenged the window cranks from a Chevy door panel.

Edited October 23, 2019 by 89AKurt

[89AKurt]

Whoops, pictures a little out of order..... the exhaust in place before painting.  Sway bar links are done.

I was inspired by some dude who is famous for painting Alcad, so I tried it, polished aluminum.  The real car has an aluminum hood.

Cordless drill used as a lathe, to make the fire extinguisher bottle.

Small parts painted, engine accessories, battery box, fire extinguisher bottle and pull handle, nitrous bottle.

Drilling the mount for the bottles.

The trunk is lined with holiday packaging, flocking on plastic, that was red and I painted.  Mirrors have LCD screen backing that was scavenged from broken camera.  Electrical switch shaft is another scavenged part, made the lever.

Shocks are scavenged from cheap cigarette lighters (not Bic), slightly modified.  Front sway bar is now done.

Finally, getting to painting parts!

Painted flat black underneath.

Cigarette package foil for insulation, and easy way to hide the transmission tunnel work.

Headlights are scavenged CD laser reader, LEDs also electronic device that sacrificed itself for the greater good.

Rear sway bar installed.

Front sway bar, and can see the shock unit.

A normal person would say that looks complete.

Trunk needed finishing.

[89AKurt]

Made a prop rod for the hood, pet peeve is seeing a killer model with wired engine, with a toothpick holding the hood up.  Even made a steel clip to keep it in place when the hood is closed.

I was considering using turned aluminum pulleys, be decided not to, instead cut apart the kit unit, and reconfigured with strip styrene belt.  Can hardly see it anyway.  Added some wiring, and the fire extinguisher nozzle.

I used the Mustang decals that were in the engine bay, and the important blue oval in the grill.

Lightly weathered underneath.  But it looked too normal.

I like the colored plastic flaps that rally race cars have.  Used a nut can lid, and aluminum sheet, to fabricate the air dam, and aero flaps of my design.

Still needed more, fabricated control arms using railroad railing parts and brass tube.  Also added differential A-arm bracing with aluminum rod.

Last item, very important bling, tow hooks.

Used AZ MVD website to create a license plate.

I did finish it, forget if I bothered to post in Under Glass.

I had started this last century, was a good feeling to finish, just have three more to get done.  This picture was taken 2003, the Bus is still waiting, but the others are finished.

Edited October 23, 2019 by 89AKurt
stupid spillchick

[OldNYJim]

What a stunning build!  So many interesting and smart techniques used to put this together - like the cigarette lighter shock bodies!  
 

Outstanding building talent - I’m really glad you posted these pics and details on this build, thank you!  I’ll be referring back to some of your great ideas in this thread for a while to come I’m sure!

[espo]

Amazing fabrication and attention to detail. After a while looking at these pictures it really does look almost like a 1:1 build. 

[Dann Tier]

Not only do you excel in imagination, and attention to detail, you know how to put it all together so that it flows, and looks pleasing to the eye!!!!

[beeRS]

Great build thread. So many fantastic ideas and techniques for me to 'steal'. Never thought of using Corian as a material.

[89AKurt]

On 10/23/2019 at 4:30 AM, CabDriver said:

What a stunning build!  So many interesting and smart techniques used to put this together - like the cigarette lighter shock bodies!  
 

Outstanding building talent - I’m really glad you posted these pics and details on this build, thank you!  I’ll be referring back to some of your great ideas in this thread for a while to come I’m sure!

Thanks, you're too kind.  That's why I'm glad you left a comment asking about it.  The cool thing about this forum is learning things, not just showing off.

On 10/23/2019 at 6:38 AM, espo said:

Amazing fabrication and attention to detail. After a while looking at these pictures it really does look almost like a 1:1 build. 

Thank you.  Yea, if you blur your vision, I guess so. ?

On 10/23/2019 at 11:22 AM, Dann Tier said:

Not only do you excel in imagination, and attention to detail, you know how to put it all together so that it flows, and looks pleasing to the eye!!!!

Thank you very much!  I do ugly cars too, for variety. ?

On 10/24/2019 at 9:50 PM, beeRS said:

Great build thread. So many fantastic ideas and techniques for me to 'steal'. Never thought of using Corian as a material.

Thank you.  It helps that it's consolidated into a shorter topic, doesn't it.  Thought I had created a topic about using Corian, if not I should.

[Dann Tier]

3 hours ago, 89AKurt said:

Thanks, you're too kind.  That's why I'm glad you left a comment asking about it.  The cool thing about this forum is learning things, not just showing off.

Thank you.  Yea, if you blur your vision, I guess so. ?

Thank you very much!  I do ugly cars too, for variety. ?

Thank you.  It helps that it's consolidated into a shorter topic, doesn't it.  Thought I had created a topic about using Corian, if not I should.

LOL, i dont think you can say, "ugly" cars ....it offends people...

[89AKurt]

Sorry, only wanted to post this video, since I just thought of posting on UToob.  ?  Learning curve....

 

[maltsr]

Just seen this thread, amazing work!