Aoshima Nissan Cedric Hardtop (330)

[Spottedlaurel]

Another project started last weekend, after all my recent completions:

1:24 Aoshima Nissan Cedric 330 kit by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

I have a couple of these kits, plan for this one is mostly OOB but lowered, different wheels and painted Tamiya TS-21 Gold. Various shades of gold, copper and brown were the signature colours for these things.

1:24 Aoshima Nissan Cedric 330 kit by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

Fairly modest parts count, with no engine and relatively basic suspension.

1:24 Aoshima Nissan Cedric 330 kit by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

Initial mock-up, wheels possibly from an old AMT kit fitted into the Cedric's tyres. With their dated, late '60s American styling they suit that look well, this UK-spec pillared model (badged Datsun 280C here) owned by a friend looked good on steel spokes and that's another possibility:

Sadly we never got the 4-door hardtop in the UK, although at least one private import made it here as did a coupe:

I'm hoping my gold will be close to that colour.

1:24 Aoshima Nissan Cedric 330 kit by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

I cut the bonnet out, not that I need to for an engine but it was moulded with a partly open gap and just four attachment points which would have looked rubbish when painted.

If I'd have looked more closely at the bodyshell I would probably have chosen something else to start, or maybe my other issue of this kit. The panel lines were very shallow and have taken a lot of scribing (and adjacent filling due to the inevitable mis-scribe), and looking direct at the back end shows it be mis-shapen and slightly twisted. Hopefully the twist will be resolved when it's fitted onto the chassis, but I'll have to put up with the odd shape.

1:24 Aoshima Nissan Cedric 330 kit by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

1:24 Aoshima Nissan Cedric 330 kit by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

Anyway, I've persevered and it's now had an initial couple of coats of primer. I can see a little more filling is necessary

It's a car that really needs the chromework and metallic paint to give it its identity and make the most of its heavy styling, I look forward to getting to that stage.

[doorsovdoon]

Nice looking kit. I had one of these in the late 90's, it was grey with a red roof. Lovely car to drive but rotted like nothing I've ever seen before!

[Spottedlaurel]

On 8/21/2020 at 9:29 PM, doorsovdoon said:

Nice looking kit. I had one of these in the late 90's, it was grey with a red roof. Lovely car to drive but rotted like nothing I've ever seen before!

Sounds cool Gareth! Do you have any photos of it?

Here's a rusty one I saw in a local scrapyard back then:

1979 Datsun 280C (330) by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

They were never a common car here. We used to get a few come along to shows, but most of those I saw in the '90s were at the banger racing:

1977 Datsun 260C saloon (+ estate) by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

I've been making a bit of progress with mine:

1:24 Aoshima Nissan Cedric kit by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

1:24 Aoshima Nissan Cedric kit by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

1:24 Aoshima Nissan Cedric kit by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

The TS-21 Gold went down nicely and has now been finished with TS-13 clearcoat. Since the above photos I've given it my favoured Micromesh then resin polish treatment and it's come out nicely. Despite the heavily sculpted shape I managed to avoid polishing through anywhere. I will try and get it a bit lower than the above mock-up, there's plenty of room in the arches so no surgery is required.

Have also made a decision on the wheels, the Rays Volk Mesh wheels suit it well being 5-stud fitment.

1:24 Aoshima Volk Mesh wheels by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

1:24 Aoshima Volk Mesh wheels by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

Looking at photos of 1:1 examples the centres should be painted:

I'll probably go for more of a bronze finish than gold, as that could be too similar to the body colour and I don't want it to look colour-coded. If I'm feeling really keen and steady-handed it appears that I should also paint the bolts around the edge - we'll see about that one.

Nothing too much to show on the interior yet, have started to get the basic brown and beige colour combination down with this as my inspiration:

Nissan Cedric 330 brochure shot by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

Nissan Cedric 330 brochure shot by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

[afx]

Great color and nice wheel/tire combo.

Edited September 2, 2020 by afx

[doorsovdoon]

No unfortunately, I didn't think of it then. There are so many cars I've owned that I wish I took pictures of. The banger track is probably where it ended up. I remember the radio had a cassette stuck in it which prevented the radio from working. For nearly a year the only music I listened to was "The Impressions"  Lol. Madam Mary was one track I knew word for word,

"She said run to your grocery store
Find an old potato
Don't forget the buttermilk
Bring a ripe tomato"

 I was always singing along to that one, haha.

[TimJ]

Coming along well. Nice colour and wheel choice. 

[Dann Tier]

On 9/2/2020 at 5:23 PM, afx said:

Great color and nice wheel/tire combo.

I agree 100%!!! -cant get enough of these uniquely cool little cars!!!! -wish i could get a Princess in 1/24...

[Bugatti Fan]

There were some really funny car names like the Cedric and the Laurel for example. Not exactly dynamic names to tempt buyers!

But anyway the model featured in this thread is coming on well and a little bit out of the ordinary from the many Ferrari and Porsche models we see regularly. An interesting build none the less. Not many kits of more mundane cars, so this stands out as being a bit different.

[Spottedlaurel]

Thanks everyone, I'm hoping to make some more progress on it today.

A large portion of my stash consists of stuff like this, it's what I've lived and breathed at 1:1 for the last 25-30 years. The 1980 Datsun Laurel I have now is slightly smaller than the Cedric, and uses a similar straight-six engine. I have owned several examples of a later Cedric (badged as 300C here in the UK) and I have kits of that generation to build someday.

I don't know why, but I've always preferred 'normal' cars to sporty stuff.

[e30lover]

Love the cedric! Older JDMs with straight six makes amazing sounds. I built a few aoshima kits consisting 70-80s JDM and found getting the chrome bits right was always difficult, as Aoshima molded most of them to the body.

 

[VanSpence]

On 9/2/2020 at 2:09 PM, Spottedlaurel said:

 

OMG, I am in awe! This is beautiful. 

[Spottedlaurel]

On 9/11/2020 at 12:51 PM, e30lover said:

Love the cedric! Older JDMs with straight six makes amazing sounds. I built a few aoshima kits consisting 70-80s JDM and found getting the chrome bits right was always difficult, as Aoshima molded most of them to the body.

 

Thanks, and yes all that moulded chrome trim is my next battle.......

On 10/2/2020 at 2:35 AM, VanSpence said:

OMG, I am in awe! This is beautiful. 

Thank you Spence - not often anyone describes these things as beautiful, but the 4-door hardtop in particular is a handsome old thing even if it was very dated when new.

I have slowly been making progress on it one since my last update. As reported elsewhere, the roof picked up a scratch that wouldn't polish out so I ended up adding more colour and clearcoat.

Windscreen has also got marked, I don't know how. For an easy life I shall probably pinch one from my other issue of this kit, then worry about that problem in the future......

1:24 Aoshima Nissan Cedric 330 kit by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

1:24 Aoshima Nissan Cedric 330 kit by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

Rear wheels are fitted to the axle, I lowered the back end a bit by cutting out some little plastic nibs (I think they were provided for this purpose). Front is just mocked-up for now.

1:24 Aoshima Nissan Cedric 330 kit by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

1:24 Aoshima Nissan Cedric 330 kit by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

Much of this rear panel will end up with a combination of silver paint and foil.

There's a lot of foilwork to do, so far I've just done the door handles so I can say I've made a start.....

1:24 Aoshima Nissan Cedric 330 kit by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

Wheel centres all now painted, now have to go back and detail the nuts. Door trims finished, some fiddly BMF work there.

1:24 Aoshima Nissan Cedric 330 kit by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

1:24 Aoshima Nissan Cedric 330 kit by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

Interior has good detail in some parts, but is also a bit crude in other areas. There's a battery box to go under the bonnet which would power the motor and lights. I shall be fitting neither.

1:24 Aoshima Nissan Cedric 330 kit by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

Rear suspension! Although there is a moulded-in solid axle, separate leaf springs etc, the wheels are fitted to a metal rod axle which is secured by this sprung plate inside the floorpan. The front struts also have real springs.

Hoping to get more done on it today.

Edited October 4, 2020 by Spottedlaurel

[espo]

I have enjoyed looking in from time to time at your build. I like seeing a main stream car like this get some attention. The color shows the body lines well and with just a little suspension work and the wheels and tires you have a great looking car. Very cleanly built by the way.

[Spottedlaurel]

5 hours ago, espo said:

I have enjoyed looking in from time to time at your build. I like seeing a main stream car like this get some attention. The color shows the body lines well and with just a little suspension work and the wheels and tires you have a great looking car. Very cleanly built by the way.

Thank you David. Getting the 'right' combination of colour, suspension and wheels and tyres can make most cars look better and is what I spend a lot of time pondering on a build.

Since the earlier photos I got the front suspension installed, complete with kit-supplied spacers to lower it around 4-5".

The bonnet needs some tabs so it sits correctly, and the front grille will make more sense when it's fully assembled and detailed - there are a couple of horizontal inserts not present above. It will also have whacking great bumpers front and rear.

I also need to see if I'm feeling brave enough to cut open the side windows - the glazing is a single-piece unit, but I think having the sides open will accentuate the pillarless shape.

[espo]

Nigel,    Your body color almost matches the color of my old '67 El Camino and I have always liked the look of it. An idea on your side windows. I recently cut up the side windows on a build. I'm not sure just how thick your windows are but the usually need some support when you're cutting them. I've used thick masking tape on both sides of the cut line. This helps a little to support the material and offers a little protection if your blade slips. I scored the cut line with a #11 blade and then went the rest of the way a fine toothed saw blade in my X-Acto handle. Slow and steady wins over speed in this type of work. 

[TimJ]

Great work on the interior and the ride height looks just right.

[VanSpence]

On 10/4/2020 at 3:43 AM, Spottedlaurel said:

 

1:24 Aoshima Nissan Cedric 330 kit by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

Those rear seats! I can't imagine they would be comfortable with those wheel well bulges right in the middle of them! 

 

Everything is looking amazing. Always thought the front of these looked a little odd but the colors are just right and make it look awesome so far. 

Hurry and finish....please?

??

[Dann Tier]

I'm lovin EVERYTHING about this build!!!!  -cant wait for more!!!

[Spottedlaurel]

Thanks for the interest and kind words.

On 10/4/2020 at 10:32 PM, espo said:

Nigel,    Your body color almost matches the color of my old '67 El Camino and I have always liked the look of it. An idea on your side windows. I recently cut up the side windows on a build. I'm not sure just how thick your windows are but the usually need some support when you're cutting them. I've used thick masking tape on both sides of the cut line. This helps a little to support the material and offers a little protection if your blade slips. I scored the cut line with a #11 blade and then went the rest of the way a fine toothed saw blade in my X-Acto handle. Slow and steady wins over speed in this type of work. 

David, I had your advice in mind as I cut the glass yesterday.

1:24 Aoshima Nissan Cedric 330 kit by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

I don't know if it's apparent here on the uncut side, but the front door glass has a line moulded into it to aid cutting it out. That kind of worked, although I did end up with a small crack on one side. I decided to take out the rear door glass as well to emphasise the pillarless bodystyle, and a brochure shot showed that the shallow window dropped fully into the door to leave a complete opening.

1:24 Aoshima Nissan Cedric 330 kit by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

Looks OK when installed, that's another thing done as is all of the main body brightwork.

I've got the week off work but for various reasons I didn't get any modelling done in the first few days. Now trying to make up for that and get this build and one or two other projects finished. Other progress:

Nissan Cedric 330 by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

With this JDM brochure shot as very useful reference, I detailed the front end:

1:24 Aoshima Nissan Cedric 330 kit by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

They've engineered it with the chrome mouldings on the outer grille surrounds rather than the bonnet and wings (sorry, hood and fenders), but it looks effective enough once everything is in place. Just noticed I have a little bit more chrome to add. I also had to add BMF to the edges of the small grilles in the middle.

Indicators (turn signals!) have since been added to the bumpers. I used BMF on the back to hold them in place as the fit wasn't completely positive and I was doubtful whether PVA would be enough.

1:24 Aoshima Nissan Cedric 330 kit by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

Back end also saw quite a bit of work. Given how much of this rear panel ends up with foil, it would have been easier if they'd have plated it in the first place. I think there should be some small chrome trims within the light units, separating the various functions, but I might forget about them for the sake of my eyesight/sanity. Started on the photo-etch badges here.

1:24 Aoshima Nissan Cedric 330 kit by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

Overhead console detailed and installed.

1:24 Aoshima Nissan Cedric 330 kit by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

Photo-etch badges. My first time working with them, I didn't find it an enjoyable process and I shall be careful about how and where I use them in future. Started off with a tiny bit of superglue on the back end, then changed to PVA as I could see that wasn't going well. Just about to go out to the shed and see how it went, at least with PVA I should be able to pull them off and try again.

1:24 Aoshima Nissan Cedric 330 kit by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

Admittedly I do need reading glasses (varifocals are on their way to me), but as I didn't have a magnifying glass to hand to work out which way up some of them went I had to take a photo and zoom-in. In doing that I noticed that these badges were a mirror-image of what they should be. I'm not sure what the 'F' stands for, maybe something to do with "Little Lord Fauntleroy", as the main character Cedric was apparently the inspiration behind the car's name.

Panel lines need a wash of something, probably a thinned brown so the tone is similar to the gold bodywork, then it's onto final assembly.

As ever, macro shots show up a few edges that need trimming and tidying which I'll attend to if they look significant enough to worry about.

Edited October 30, 2020 by Spottedlaurel

[espo]

Great looking interior and I like how clean all the trim items on the body are done.  You mentioned gluing lenses in place and what can be done is to use clear paint as a glue. I have even gone over the lens its self with a thin coat of clear as this will make the lens a little shinier and help hold the part in place. Some normal glues will leave any access glue visible when it dries while the paint is just clear.   

[stitchdup]

Looking good Nigel, I like your colour choices. I did mine in bright pink

[Spottedlaurel]

4 hours ago, espo said:

Great looking interior and I like how clean all the trim items on the body are done.  You mentioned gluing lenses in place and what can be done is to use clear paint as a glue. I have even gone over the lens its self with a thin coat of clear as this will make the lens a little shinier and help hold the part in place. Some normal glues will leave any access glue visible when it dries while the paint is just clear.   

Thanks David. The clear paint could be a useful tip for the photo-etch badges - I haven't got anything at present that I could apply with a brush, I need to have another go with the PVA for now.

3 hours ago, stitchdup said:

Looking good Nigel, I like your colour choices. I did mine in bright pink

Thank you Les. It would be quite something in pink! I will probably do the other kit I have as something a bit more silly, but this gold one is how I'd like it as a 1:1.

Last WIP pic's for now, on track to finish it tomorrow.

1:24 Aoshima Nissan Cedric 330 kit by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

1:24 Aoshima Nissan Cedric 330 kit by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

Panel line washing went well and the completed body, chassis and interior all fitted together without too much issue. Just bits and bobs to fit and detail then it should be seen Under Glass.

Edited October 30, 2020 by Spottedlaurel

[Dann Tier]

Love it!!!......STUNNING!!!!