DeTomaso Pantera Fujimi + Studio 27 PE detail

[beeRS]

Hello everyone,

I'm hoping to pick up on a long stalled project of mine. It was supposed to be a quick build, but I hit a snag and put it back in the box for another day. I originally started work on this one in 2013. Here's the build thread that I began. Shortly after this, I lost all the pictures stored by my host Imageshack ?.

First step was to remove the moulded in grilles. This will be replaced by parts from the PE set.

 

I wish someone would make PE door handles like these. I'm hoping to do Fujimi's Lotus Esprit at some point and it has handles like this too. I've made these from plastic sheet.

 

First coat of primer...

 

I'll post some more progress soon.

[espo]

Great idea on making the door handles. I'll be using that when building something with this type of door handle, would also work well for a custom style build also. 

[vamach1]

Will it have an engine?.  So disappointing the same Japanese molds have been rehashed for the last 40 years and not one has an engine.  It's not like it is the only mid-engine car ever made but it is one of the sexiest for sure.  Brad from HRM was working a transkit but I'm not sure where he's at with it.

[Dann Tier]

This is looking like its off to a great start!!! Excellent job on those SB door handles too!!...i will be following!!!  i need to get back to my Testors pantera.

[beeRS]

6 hours ago, vamach1 said:

Will it have an engine?.  So disappointing the same Japanese molds have been rehashed for the last 40 years and not one has an engine.  It's not like it is the only mid-engine car ever made but it is one of the sexiest for sure.  Brad from HRM was working a transkit but I'm not sure where he's at with it.

I didn't know about an HRM conversion. The idea of adding an engine did cross my mind. But, so many of my projects become too indepth, I lose motivstion, and the project stalls. 

This is the first bit of modelling I've done for nearly 5 years, so I'm going to ease myself back into it gently. I'm determined to get this one finished.

[Funkychiken]

it's going to look great! keep it coming...

[beeRS]

The first time I ever built a Pantera, I was about 12 years old. I found a kit made by Imia in my local news agents. It must be pretty rare now, as I have never seen one for sale since - I can't even find a picture of the box art on google. I built that one in dark blue with gold pinstripes. It was a pretty bad effort on a very basic kit. This time round, I'm using the Fujimi's kit...

 

This is the Studio 27 PE set...

 

This is the kind of look I like. Stock body with larger wheels...

 

But, I'll probably have to make do with the standard kit supplied wheels. I've stripped of the kit chrome with oven cleaner.

[Dann Tier]

Its a shame that that PE set is discontinued....i need to find one.

[89AKurt]

Understand about stalling, and rebooting!  Cheering you on, looks like a cool subject.

[beeRS]

On ‎9‎/‎25‎/‎2019 at 7:03 PM, Dann Tier said:

Its a shame that that PE set is discontinued....i need to find one.

I didn't know this was discontinued. To be fair, you're not missing much. The window trims in the PE set are not a great fit and I probably won't be using them and the grills could have probably been cut from a universal PE mesh.

 

On ‎9‎/‎25‎/‎2019 at 7:31 PM, 89AKurt said:

Understand about stalling, and rebooting!  Cheering you on, looks like a cool subject.

Thanks!

[Justin Porter]

Happy to see this getting built. Even as a curbside the finished model does have a lot of presence on the shelf. 

[Dann Tier]

10 hours ago, beeRS said:

I didn't know this was discontinued. To be fair, you're not missing much. The window trims in the PE set are not a great fit and I probably won't be using them and the grills could have probably been cut from a universal PE mesh.

 

Thanks!

I'm only interrested in the body scripts, and interior bits. I'm not one to use everything in these sets either, but i would NEVER use PE window trim..its looks about as fake as one can get. I think Acu-Stion made a set for this Pantera too, but thats Very hard to find as well.

[MININORTHFORDMAN]

can't wait to see the results been wanting to build a Pantera for awhile there cool cars.

[beeRS]

It's time to show a little more progress on this one. The colour is straight out of an acrylic spray can. it's nothing special - just a tin of Rover Java green from Halfords. It approximates to a colour I have seen on a 1:1 Pantera. The paint has had some time to dry now and, as always, I notice the initial 'wet look' gloss has disappeared. I think it will look better after polishing though.

 

Here is where I feel this kit really lets its self down. Just look at the glass! It feels flush to the outside surface (as it should), but its so thick and distorted it looks a little bit silly.  No matter how well I do the rest of the model, this will be what will always jumps out at me.

My thoughts are to cut the windshield away from the clear panel and then thin it down with a sanding disc, making sure that its a constant thickness throughout. Then I would polish the screen back to clear. Its a lot of work and it will mean gluing the screen in on its edges against the window trim. If anyone can recommend a glue for this method of fitting a screen I'd be grateful. The side glass can be cut from a clear sheet.

 

Edited October 9, 2019 by beeRS

[Jonathan]

18 minutes ago, beeRS said:

<--snip-->

My thoughts are to cut the windshield away from the clear panel and then thin it down with a sanding disc, making sure that its a constant thickness throughout. Then I would polish the screen back to clear. Its a lot of work and it will mean gluing the screen in on its edges against the window trim. If anyone can recommend a glue for this method of fitting a screen I'd be grateful. The side glass can be cut from a clear sheet.

I think I'd try to find a way to make a copy of the windshield from thinner plastic - perhaps using the original as a mold (with clay or something to back it to prevent cracking) and trying to make a thermoformed copy (vacuum-formed).   Your build looks great so far!

[Dann Tier]

4 hours ago, beeRS said:

It's time to show a little more progress on this one. The colour is straight out of an acrylic spray can. it's nothing special - just a tin of Rover Java green from Halfords. It approximates to a colour I have seen on a 1:1 Pantera. The paint has had some time to dry now and, as always, I notice the initial 'wet look' gloss has disappeared. I think it will look better after polishing though.

 

Here is where I feel this kit really lets its self down. Just look at the glass! It feels flush to the outside surface (as it should), but its so thick and distorted it looks a little bit silly.  No matter how well I do the rest of the model, this will be what will always jumps out at me.

My thoughts are to cut the windshield away from the clear panel and then thin it down with a sanding disc, making sure that its a constant thickness throughout. Then I would polish the screen back to clear. Its a lot of work and it will mean gluing the screen in on its edges against the window trim. If anyone can recommend a glue for this method of fitting a screen I'd be grateful. The side glass can be cut from a clear sheet.

 

I have this kit too, and this is EXACTLY what i came up with for my solution too. Something else that will help with the issue, would be to paint a tint-strip accross the top of the windscreen after you cut it away from the rest of the part. For gluing it in, I'd slightly dilute canopy glue, and flow it around the inside perimeter with a brush.....works like magic!!....I would tape the windscreen in place by the A-pillars, flow the glue into the roof, and bonnet sides....when dry, remove the tape, and glue the A-pillar edges. I NEVER like to use the side glass bits....i make my own as well.

   By the way, yours is looking BRILLIANT!!!!

[vamach1]

The side windows have to go.  For the windshield, either replace with sheet plastic or use expoxy and hold it in with clothes pins.  I don't think all my older Pantera kits have glass this bad.

[beeRS]

Oh dear! This is one I'd forgotten about. I was so put off by Fujimi's mile-thick glass, that I put this one back in the box and left it there for a few years. Anyway, I'm back on it now. I have a plan to thin the glass windshield and use acetate sheet to replace the side glass. Here's some progress I've made with the body.

First is the masking - a job that always seems to take me twice as long as I think it should.

I applied Zero gloss black.

I've done the bottom half and the front luggage/spare wheel cover in gloss black, but not the rear engine cover. I know the engine cover is supposed to be black too on the GTS, but I just prefer it this way.

Then applied the decals and zero 2K clear coat. Mixing 2K is a chore, so I try to spray a couple of bodyshells at the same time. See if you can guess what the black one in the background is.

Let's see if I can progress a bit further with this one and not put it back in the box for another two years.

[vamach1]

Love the color combination.  It’s a shame no other company made a Pantera with an engine.  I have perhaps 8 kits and they are all basically the same except one has opening doors and headlight covers.

[dino246gt]

This is looking great already, and I do love the Pantera.

At one time there was a transaxle  transkit for it, engines are plentiful.

I had planned to open it up and do the conversion, but now I can't seem to find that transaxle!

As for "glass" I'd make my own from clear plastic, no complex curves, and use epoxy to hold it in.

Keep posting your progress pictures for all of us Pantera fans to enjoy!

[vamach1]

10 minutes ago, dino246gt said:

This is looking great already, and I do love the Pantera.

At one time there was a transaxle  transkit for it, engines are plentiful.

I had planned to open it up and do the conversion, but now I can't seem to find that transaxle!

As for "glass" I'd make my own from clear plastic, no complex curves, and use epoxy to hold it in.

Keep posting your progress pictures for all of us Pantera fans to enjoy!

The main hurdle I see with adding and engine is the lack of anything resembling the rear suspension and side panels.  I think there was a transaxle sold by Clearly Scale at one time that might work or perhaps use one from a GT40 kit.  You might also want to take a look a the Shelby Series One kit as a potential donor for some parts on the next project.   I know Brad from HRM talked about doing some sort of transkit but not sure if that project will ever see the light of day.

[Modlbldr]

Nice work on this. I like the different color. 

I think that black car in the background looks a bit like a wide body Mustang.

Later-

[beeRS]

15 hours ago, vamach1 said:

Love the color combination.  It’s a shame no other company made a Pantera with an engine.  I have perhaps 8 kits and they are all basically the same except one has opening doors and headlight covers.

Thanks Rex. Yes, it seems strange no body ever made a full detail kit of this. I dream one day Tamiya will offer one. That's wishing!

14 hours ago, dino246gt said:

This is looking great already, and I do love the Pantera.

At one time there was a transaxle  transkit for it, engines are plentiful.

I had planned to open it up and do the conversion, but now I can't seem to find that transaxle!

As for "glass" I'd make my own from clear plastic, no complex curves, and use epoxy to hold it in.

Keep posting your progress pictures for all of us Pantera fans to enjoy!

Thanks Dennis, Good luck with your project. I wonder if the trasaxle from the new Meng 1/24 GT40 kit would do the job? Maybe a lot of the suspension from that kit would work well for your Pantera.

14 hours ago, Modlbldr said:

Nice work on this. I like the different color. 

I think that black car in the background looks a bit like a wide body Mustang.

Later-

Thanks Tom. Good guess. Looking at it, it does look very much like a late model mustang. It's actually an Aston Martin. I'll create a separate WIP thread for that soon.

[Modlbldr]

7 hours ago, beeRS said:

Thanks Tom. Good guess. Looking at it, it does look very much like a late model mustang. It's actually an Aston Martin. I'll create a separate WIP thread for that soon.

Nice!! Yes, I want to see that!

Later-

[Sam I Am]

I have always loved the Pantera. 

Back in 1982-3 I was at the Portland Oregon swap meet and I spied a 1973(if memory is correct). Real rough condition.  You know the saying, "rode hard and...

$3500

Dad wouldn't even go and look at it.