1/16 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL by Italeri

[Mittagskind]

This will be my new project...

 

...and this is what it could look like.

 

I'm not a big fan of Mercedes automobiles, but this model, built since 1954, is simply special.

In Germany, a 300 SL is currently causing headlines and scandal. A German car dealer bought a 300 SL in Switzerland (certainly for a lot of money). When he wanted to register the car in Germany, it was discovered that such a car with the same chassis number already existed. That can not be really. Only one car can have this number, it is effectively its birth certificate. An investigation revealed that the car from Switzerland is the original. So the one that already exists in Germany is a fake. The police and public prosecutor are now investigating fraud.

Now I build my model significantly smaller than the original. Then no one can say I want to cheat.?

[dino246gt]

Can't wait to see what you do with this one!

 

[Pierre Rivard]

This should be fun and challenging with all the weathering involved. Something curious about this car. I've never seen this style of shifter arm (long, curvy) on a SL before. 

[Mittagskind]

1 hour ago, Pierre Rivard said:

... I've never seen this style of shifter arm (long, curvy) on a SL before. 

You are right. Maybe an early version. Look here.

[SpikeSchumacher]

This is going to be good ??

[absmiami]

really cool  wonder if its a runner ??

[Mittagskind]

A few first sample parts. This is how it could work.

[dino246gt]

WOW!  It already looks fantastic, well at least those parts do! Great weathering skills!

[Mittagskind]

11 minutes ago, dino246gt said:

WOW!  It already looks fantastic, well at least those parts do! Great weathering skills!

Thank you Dennis. I would like to deflate a tire, but I don't know how to do it yet. Does anyone have any ideas on how to get the tire flat without burning off the rubber?

[peteski]

If you have an old electric iron (the one you iron clothes with), and if you don't mind getting some melted plastic on it (or just buy a cheap one), then you should be heat it up then push the tire against it to soften, then distort it.  You have to adjust the temperature to just before melting the vinyl. Just hot enough to soften it enough to be able to squish the tire.  At least that is something I would try.

But this will only work with vinyl tires if the tires in this kit are made from real rubber, that will not work. Rubber does not soften or  melt like vinyl

Edited September 22, 2023 by peteski

[Mittagskind]

17 minutes ago, peteski said:

Rubber does not soften or  melt like vinyl

Thanks Peter, but exactly that is the problem, the tires are real rubber. I think they will burn before melt.

[peteski]

35 minutes ago, Mittagskind said:

Thanks Peter, but exactly that is the problem, the tires are real rubber. I think they will burn before melt.

I agree. in this case I don't see a good way to realistically create a flat tire.

[Pierre Rivard]

Hanjo, the weathering you have done on these first few parts is absolutely gorgeous. Please share how you have done this.

Please please please?

[Mittagskind]

9 hours ago, Pierre Rivard said:

Hanjo, the weathering you have done on these first few parts is absolutely gorgeous. Please share how you have done this.

Please please please?

Oh thank you Pierre, but my weathering skills are not so high yet. I always try to use simple and inexpensive tools and materials. On the following photo you can see these.

 

Here my working steps:

Tires:

Only sanding/rubbing

Rims:

1. Primer

2. Color spray

3. Black washing/ rusty coloring

4. Clear coat flat

Rim caps:

1. Clear coat flat

2. Primer or zinc powder spray

3. Sanding/rubbing to make chrome parts visible again

4. Rusty coloring

5. Clear coat flat

Seats:

1. Primer

2. Color spray black flat

3. Primer or zinc powder

4. Rubbing/sanding to make black areas visible

5. Black washing

Window frames:

1. Clear coat flat

2. Black washing/rusty coloring

3. very very slightly spray burst primer or zinc powder

4. Clear coat flat

That´s all?

[Pierre Rivard]

Taking notes my friend...as I want my Alfa 8C to have a bit of a end of race look to it.

Thanks for sharing your methods. Always something to learn.

[Mittagskind]

13 minutes ago, Pierre Rivard said:

Taking notes my friend...as I want my Alfa 8C to have a bit of a end of race look to it.

I'm very excited to see how your 8C develops, Pierre.

[sjordan2]

On 9/21/2023 at 11:11 AM, Mittagskind said:

You are right. Maybe an early version. Look here.

The curved "gooseneck" shift lever was used only on the first 50 examples of the Gullwing.

[sjordan2]

I'm a bit confused by the photo. The dashboard looks like it came from a 300SLR or prototype. Not used in production cars.

[Mittagskind]

More parts completed. Feels like a restoration going backwards.

[Mattilacken]

Nice progress!

[dino246gt]

I think if you slice the tread out of the tire, just a small part, then you can fold the remaining sides and fill with something to keep them looking like a deflated tire might be the way to go. Of course try it on spare tires from other cheap kits first to get the right look. I can't believe how cool this project is! I love it!!

 

[Mittagskind]

5 hours ago, dino246gt said:

I think if you slice the tread out of the tire, just a small part, then you can fold the remaining sides and fill with something to keep them looking like a deflated tire might be the way to go. Of course try it on spare tires from other cheap kits first to get the right look. I can't believe how cool this project is! I love it!!

This is a very good idea with the tire, thank you Dennis. I have some tires for trying.

[Pierre Rivard]

I love this build Hanjo. Inspirational!

[Mittagskind]

5 minutes ago, Pierre Rivard said:

I love this build Hanjo. Inspirational!

Thank you Pierre. It's really a big fun testing ways and techniques to get the wished result. But I'm a little afraid of the engine and the dashboard.

[Mittagskind]

On 9/22/2023 at 9:42 PM, peteski said:

If you have an old electric iron (the one you iron clothes with), and if you don't mind getting some melted plastic on it (or just buy a cheap one), then you should be heat it up then push the tire against it to soften, then distort it.  You have to adjust the temperature to just before melting the vinyl. Just hot enough to soften it enough to be able to squish the tire.  At least that is something I would try.

But this will only work with vinyl tires if the tires in this kit are made from real rubber, that will not work. Rubber does not soften or  melt like vinyl

 

On 9/26/2023 at 4:46 PM, dino246gt said:

I think if you slice the tread out of the tire, just a small part, then you can fold the remaining sides and fill with something to keep them looking like a deflated tire might be the way to go. Of course try it on spare tires from other cheap kits first to get the right look. I can't believe how cool this project is! I love it!!

 

I found a way. I compressed this tire with a pliers and held it in boiling water for a few minutes. After cooling the rubber remains deformed.