1986 Nissan Laurel Hardtop

[Spottedlaurel]

A slightly older build, completed this one back in late 2013. It was based on a combination of a couple of 1:1 examples I had previously:

1986 Nissan Laurel 2.4SGL (C32) by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

Horrible UK-spec model which I bought for £25 and then had to spend a few hundred getting it roadworthy.

Nissan Laurel 2.0 Medalist Hardtop (C32) by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

Much nicer JDM hardtop, this is now with an enthusiast in Holland.

1:24 Arii Nissan Laurel Hardtop kit by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

Arii kit, and reference material. Mine had the same opulent maroon interior as that brochure shot above.

Arii 1:24 Nissan Laurel Hardtop C32 kit by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

Like many Japanese kits it has no engine and the underside is relatively basic, so I concentrated on doing a half-decent job on the interior and bodywork.

1:24 Arii Nissan Laurel Hardtop C32 kit by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

No plated parts apart from the wheels, so the grille etc was done with BMF - quite a fiddle, as I recall. Lights suffer slightly from being given the ability to fit bulbs.

1:24 Arii Nissan Laurel Hardtop C32 kit by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

Colour was Tamiya TS-58 Pearl Light Blue, which went down really nicely. Looking forward to using it again on another project.

1:24 Arii Nissan Laurel Hardtop C32 kit by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

Accessory wheels fitted, I can't immediately remember what this style is called. It was lowered quite a lot.

1:24 Arii Nissan Laurel Hardtop C32 kit by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

1:24 Arii Nissan Laurel Hardtop C32 kit by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

1:24 Arii Nissan Laurel Hardtop C32 kit by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

I recently got another copy of this kit. Maybe I'll build it as a more faithful replica of my white car, or try something else......

[mustang1989]

That didn't turn out bad at all Nigel. 

Looking forward to that second "go" at it.

[Spottedlaurel]

22 hours ago, mustang1989 said:

That didn't turn out bad at all Nigel. 

Looking forward to that second "go" at it.

Thanks Joe, but don't hold your breath for the second attempt - too many others in the queue to do first time around!

[Italianhorses]

Nice job!

Wait, you bought a real car for 25 quid?

[Spottedlaurel]

16 hours ago, Italianhorses said:

Nice job!

Wait, you bought a real car for 25 quid?

Thanks, and yes! It was pretty horrid though, the previous owner was obviously a heavy smoker so it stunk inside, the driver's seat was back was broken and it had all sorts of bodges. Reliably got me around for a year after I spent some money on it at the garage, before eventually breaking it for spares (some of which I still have, like the engine under a tarp in the corner of the driveway).

Older used cars (but not classics) are pitifully cheap here. At one point I had four cars on the driveway that had cost me a total of £125.

Edited July 2, 2020 by Spottedlaurel

[Italianhorses]

6 hours ago, Spottedlaurel said:

Thanks, and yes! It was pretty horrid though, the previous owner was obviously a heavy smoker so it stunk inside, the driver's seat was back was broken and it had all sorts of bodges. Reliably got me around for a year after I spent some money on it at the garage, before eventually breaking it for spares (some of which I still have, like the engine under a tarp in the corner of the driveway).

Older used cars (but not classics) are pitifully cheap here. At one point I had four cars on the driveway that had cost me a total of £125.

that is pretty unbelievable, if you ask me. I don't think I've seen a car for less than $300 stateside. And those are usually non-driving, dilapidated piles of junk.

[slusher]

Looks great!

[TimJ]

Great job. I look forward to the other one, especially if it has the maroon interior. 

[Sandboarder]

Awesome build!!

[Mr. Turbo]

Nice one!  The wheels, I think, are called Work Equip 02's or Silhouettes.  I was just about to put a slightly different set on a Fujimi 1980 Crown, glad to see they look right!

[Mr. Turbo]

Yep Silhouettes, aka Impul D-01.  The Work Equip 02/"3Negative" is a little different.  Kyusha Shoes is one of my favorite parts sites.