59 Impala Posted February 5, 2018 Posted February 5, 2018 My next victim. While I was stationed on Okinawa I had a 63 Datsun Bluebird. I found this 61 1/32nd model on e-bay and I'm going to attempt to build it as a replica of that car. I had to convert it from right hand drive to left hand. This is the first time that I've tried to do this. The dash isn't perfect but it will do. I made a resin copy of the original dash. I also had to move the windshield wipers to locate them fro left hand driving. This is the beginning and I'm not used to 1/32nd scale (to small) ha ha.
Erik Smith Posted February 5, 2018 Posted February 5, 2018 Totally cool. Love the photos of your car. What year were you stationed in Okinawa? I did a full detail conversion on that kit a few years ago - it was kind of difficult finding reference photos online. The kit is actually one of the nicer 1/32 ARII kits.
59 Impala Posted February 5, 2018 Author Posted February 5, 2018 Thanks Erik. I was stationed on Okinawa from Nov 67 to Jun 70. I loved it over there. If you still have your kit, I'd like to see a picture of it. I'm not going to really detail this. I'm just going to put it together and paint it like the one I owned. This company also made a Toyota Publica like another car I had over there. If I can find one of them, I'll build it like the one I had. Dan
Erik Smith Posted February 5, 2018 Posted February 5, 2018 (edited) Thanks Dan. I love the patina of your old Bluebird. From what I gathered, these were pretty rare stateside - cool you got the chance to cruise around in one! Here are two photos that,hopefully, aren’t too bad of quality - the real ones are someplace in the PhotoBucket hole... Edited February 5, 2018 by Erik Smith
59 Impala Posted February 5, 2018 Author Posted February 5, 2018 I like it Erik. It's pretty cool. Where did you get the engine for it? I hear ya about Photobucket. Pretty bad when you can't even get there to remove your own pictures.
Erik Smith Posted February 5, 2018 Posted February 5, 2018 The main block was from a Tamiya Mini and the rest was scratch built.
59 Impala Posted February 6, 2018 Author Posted February 6, 2018 I got some paint on it tonight. I painted the interior two tone Blue and I think the one I had was originally Blue and it was painted Green with the Blue interior. She's almost done. Nice little car. Dan
59 Impala Posted February 7, 2018 Author Posted February 7, 2018 Got-er-done and I'll post pics in the Under Glass section.
NYLIBUD Posted February 7, 2018 Posted February 7, 2018 Anyone know how far back Datsun cars go?I didn't think they went back to 63.
59 Impala Posted February 8, 2018 Author Posted February 8, 2018 This kit is actually a 61, but it looks identical to the 63. I think that Datsun goes back before WWII. The company is actually Nissan. the cars were sold in America as Datsuns. I forget when they changed their name to Nissan here in the U.S.. They may have sold the cars in other countries as Datsuns also, not sure.
Erik Smith Posted February 8, 2018 Posted February 8, 2018 6 hours ago, NYLIBUD said: Anyone know how far back Datsun cars go?I didn't think they went back to 63. Oh, “son of Dat” was early thirties with Nissan name started in 30s. Have to look it up for exact dates - but quite a while... I’ll look over in “Under Glass” for the finished product Dan! Fun little kit, isn’t it? Do you have photos of your Publica? I’ve never bought the model but thought about it a few times.
NYLIBUD Posted February 8, 2018 Posted February 8, 2018 Holy sh#%,they were founded in 1931.I would love to see sone of those really old Datsun's.Like the 40s,and 50s cars.Ive never seen one of those.They were simply not available in the states back then..I did have a Datsun,I think it was an 83,then I bought a Nissan Stansa.In 86,Nissan dropped the Datsun name.I actually thought it was early than that,like 82.
59 Impala Posted February 8, 2018 Author Posted February 8, 2018 Sure do have a few pics of it. Here are some of them. You can tell how small it is by it setting next to a 49-50 Ford at my apartment. I hope that I can find the model of this car. 2 Cylinder, air cooled and apposing cylinders. Flat 4 that is. 600 cc and a four speed on the tree. This was a fun little car to drive. Sounded like a motorcycle. Dan
HDDan Posted February 8, 2018 Posted February 8, 2018 Love this build. I look forward to seeing it finished
GlueTube Posted February 8, 2018 Posted February 8, 2018 Are these kits readily available? Regards Brian Kroon
59 Impala Posted February 9, 2018 Author Posted February 9, 2018 I found this on e-bay. I also found the Toyota a few minutes ago on e-bay. I just typed ARII owners Club kits and there are a bunch there. They are 1/32nd scale and I really like 1/25th scale, but I made an exception for these two cars cause they aren't available in 1/25th. I'm really glad to be able to build these cars because of the fond memories they give me. Dan
ChrisBcritter Posted February 9, 2018 Posted February 9, 2018 Tom Piagari and I were discussing your cars today - he says he might scratchbuild a 1/25 Publica starting with a Revell Trabant!
59 Impala Posted February 9, 2018 Author Posted February 9, 2018 That sounds great. The two cars are similar in looks. Although I think the Toyota is smaller, not sure though. I have one of the 1/32nd kits coming from Japan later this month or the beginning of March. Dan
El Caballo Posted February 9, 2018 Posted February 9, 2018 Reminds me of the Premier Padminis in India, the ubiquitous taxis in Mumbai.
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