Nitto VW Mk1 Golf "BBS"

[iamsuperdan]

I don’t do a lot of WIP threads, mainly because I usually forget to take pics. So lets see how this one goes.

I’ve been a VW fan for years. Literally since I was a kid, before starting school. My fav toy when I was 4 or 5 was a green diecast Beetle. A few years later, I got a job detailing cars for a local VW/Porsche dealer. I got to drive not only new Porsches, but also new GTIs, Corrados, etc. In the years since, I’ve owned a few VWs, and will probably see another show up in my garage sooner rather than later.

So when I was able to purchase a handful of VW kits from a friend who was clearing out his collection of VW merch, I jumped at the chance. 

 

This is the VW Golf BBS kit by Nitto

 

This is an older kit, and is certainly indicative of the time. Originally issued in 1983, this is Nitto’s Golf BBS Kit Type. Odd name to be sure. This is a very simple kit and like many of the Japanese kits of the 80s, was originally designed to be motorized. It has a very basic interior, and what looks to be a well proportioned body. It also appears to be accurate, as this does look like the BBS aero kits that were available in the 80s, and are highly sought after now.

 

 

I find it interesting that Nitto included ABT, Zender, and Oettinger decals. For those unaware, ABT are a VW/Audi tuning company and have been around since the 70s. What’s even more interesting is that a 1986/1987 reissue of this kit had it branded as a BBS Oettinger Golf, with Oettinger being another German tuning company. Zender where also huge into body styling on Euro cars back in the 80s.

 

The kit is molded in white, black, and clear plastic. There is a chrome tree, but it’s just wheels and two lights. The tires are a soft rubber, and have held up well over the years. Decals are full colour and will hopefully be useable.
As I received it, the kit had been started. Poorly. Luckily, no paint was used, but whoever started it used glue quite liberally, so disassembly took a bit. 

 

First, I focused on the body, sanding off mold lines and attaching the side skirts. I shaved the front marker lights too, as they looked too big in my opinion.

I hit it with some Tamiya white primer, resanded, primed again, resanded, then shot the Tamiya Gloss White paint. 
 

 

 

[stitchdup]

yay, very cool build and very on point for the current vw tuning scene. the oetinger bbs golf was a french edition they got about a year before the1.8 GTi was released but it didn't have the kit, just 3 piece bbs rs but the engine is pretty secial and very rare now. Most of these engines ended up being used for motorsport

 

[Bullybeef]

Well you had me at VW, I have the base version of that kit, I’ve actually had it since 1987. It’s followed me across the country and multiple moves. It’s in a semi unfinished state. Maybe your build will entice me to finish mine.

[Bainford]

Interesting kit. Never heard of this one, but the body shell looks right. I'll be watching to see how this one goes.

[Bainford]

1 hour ago, stitchdup said:

Most of these engines ended up being used for motorsport

 

What's that big lump in the fore-ground? An intake plenum?

[Bullybeef]

1 hour ago, Bainford said:

What's that big lump in the fore-ground? An intake plenum?

Correct

[cobraman]

Body looks good. May I suggest you coat the decals before you use them if you have not already.

[iamsuperdan]

The kit wheels are horrible. Just terrible in every way.

So it was off to 3D print some options. I printed a few styles to try out. First up was a 5-spoke wheel, followed by a set of BBS RS wheels. Then I tried a set of VW Orbital wheels.

 

 I thought they all looked pretty good, but as this is a “BBS Edition” car, I chose to go with the BBS wheels. 

My first set scaled out to be around 17” diameter. I hit them with gloss black paint, then with some Duplicolor chrome. The tires were painted with Tamiya Rubber Black.

Whoa.

I initially thought I’d go with a chrome lip and gold mesh, but after spraying this, all chrome was the way to go. I thought these turned out great.

 

But then I mocked them up with the body, and they looked too big.

 

 So it was back to the computer, resized them and I'm printing a slightly smaller set, should be set closer to 16” diameter. I'll refinish them in the same way. Then I'll compare and see which size works best.

 

 

[iamsuperdan]

7 minutes ago, cobraman said:

Body looks good. May I suggest you coat the decals before you use them if you have not already.

Decals are done! Details coming soon.

 

[iamsuperdan]

Did some detail painting on the underside of the chassis. Not going too nuts, because no one will ever see it. Then I flocked the floor, which turned out nice.
 

 

The kit seats are a disappointment.

I went through the stash and found a set of GTI bucket seats from Clearly Scale. Huge improvement.

These are two piece seats, as the headrests are separate.

Going to look so much better.

 

[SpikeSchumacher]

Looking really good Dan! Those Clearly Scale items are top-notch. Wonder if Jeremy will ever be "back in business"...

Cheers

[Bill Mc]

Whoa, nice improvements with the wheels and seats!