Tamiya Mercedes AMG 500SL

[galaxyg]

Background:

Found in the bargain-bin of a secondhand model kit shop in Tokyo as it'd been lightly started. I've always liked this shape of Mercedes SL - sleek and elegant. Buying it was an easy decision.

Pros:

Great shape, full engine, very detailed chassis, removable roof and poseable roll hoop - the whole works. If this were a later production Tamiya kit, they'd have put it in a black box instead to indicate its premium-ness.

Cons:

The wheels are horribly chromed, and need to be stripped. The bonnet doesn't sit perfectly without the help of something like blu-tack to hold it down. On my build - the wheels on the drivers side did not all sit straight and given there's really only one way to build a Tamiya kit, I wonder if this was me or just the kit. Rear locating tabs for chassis->body are weak and small. Mounting points for rear bumper are also small. The entire roof is made from transparent plastic, I'd have preferred this solid plastic with a separate rear window.

Verdict:

It's a very comprehensive and detailed kit from Tamiya with just a few niggles that stop it being called perfect.

Build notes:

Built over the course of about 7 weeks in December 2023 - January 2024. Painted in Tamiya Mica silver with a Peugeot Antelope beige interior. I've made few additions to what came in the box aside from a few extra wires and cables in the engine bay, plug the cross member at the front of the engine bay/ grille area. I have made adjustments to the driver's side wheels hubs (some grinding) to get the wheels on that side to sit straight.

 

[Hi-Po]

Nicely done!  Neat and clean.

Edited February 12, 2024 by Hi-Po
Added more text.

[kelson]

Beautiful!!

[Jim B]

Great looking Mercedes.  Really well done.

[PappyD340]

Looks great!

[Yeah Nah]

Nice job Michael!

[Chinacar]

So clean, well photographed. Overall excellent!

[Intmd8r]

Good looking Benz-one of my favourites 

[espo]

Great looking build and you would never know of the issues that you were faced with in the beginning. 

[Rattlecan Dan]

Very nice build. Neatly done.

[Spottedlaurel]

Another great build from you Michael.

[karbuildr]

Very well done build, good color choice, excellent details.

[Steve H]

Beautiful Mercedes Michael. I still like the lines of that body style, they have stood the test of time. I built one years ago, and thought the entire removable top being clear was a poor idea. Great colours and clean build. ??

[slusher]

Sweet looking Mercedes, well done!

[ChrisR]

Great build and photography!