1979 Datsun 280 ZX Paul Newman Driver

[Reeves Racing]

I started back up with this one. I had started with the AirFix kit but it is so bad and I wanted more detail. So I got an AMT 280zx. I got it a few years ago so I paid a good price for it. Of course Round 2 recently re-popped it and its much cheaper now. Oh well.

The AirFix is 1/24 and the AMT is 1/25 so some of the parts will need to be slimmed down. 

I am still looking for the right wheels for this build. The AirFix wheels and tires are the worst and the AMT kit is a street car so, I am perusing eBay for something more suitable.

[Reeves Racing]

I found some wheels and tires in the ole parts box that will work.

I have the body work done, the base white paint on and I am starting on the interior. I used a parts box cage as a start then scratched up some of the bracing and reengineered the back of the cage.

BTW...  Does anyone have a set of the AirFix decals from the Paul Newman Kit? I just tried one of mine and it disintegrated...

 

[Mister 4x4]

Holy Smokes!  You're not playin' around at all.  Nice work!!

I saw this kit at Hobby Lobby yesterday and thought about picking it up (I always liked the Z cars).

[afx]

Looks like a great project Mitch.

[Dann Tier]

Love these cars!!.....I will be looking-in!, great start!!

[GlueTube]

Great start on an ambitious build!

Regards

Brian Kroon

[Reeves Racing]

Thanks for the encouragement guys.

I have the basic paint job down. It's not my best work as far as quality right from the unmasking. Some bleed through, some tape lift but I have had worse and made them look good. This one doesn't have any metallic colors so touch up and blending will be much easier.

The basic scheme is down and and I am going to keep moving forward.

I was able to get some reproduction decals from Dave Van. So I am pretty happy and will be able finish this one instead of just putting it back in the box.
I wish the blue on the decals matched the box art more. I like the darker blue better but I want the 33 on the hood to match the color of the blue on the car.

[Reeves Racing]

A little polishing and some touch up. Trim painted and a small amount of BMF.

Still not perfect but good enough for me. This one is fighting me a little.

[Mister 4x4]

I think it's coming along nicely.

[Reeves Racing]

Thanks, this one stalled for a bit. The aftermarket decals I got were a bust. The were printed with the ink on the lightest setting I think. They were so see through and they rubbed off very easily even with a light coat of sealant. Very disappointing.

But I found another kit on eBay and paid too much for it and now I have a very good set of kit decals again and even better the blue is the correct darker color so I masked it off and repainted the blue to the darker shade.

I assembled the interior and the engine and have the body and chassis mated so I can fine tune the ride height. So it's coming along. It isn't my best work but I am happy with it.