1979-ish Tamiya Datsun 280ZX - Quick Refresh

[Spottedlaurel]

I bought this built kit off eBay recently, thinking it would be something I could strip and rebuild (eventually). As purchased:

 

 

Built completely OOB, brush-painted enamel bodywork, some parts loose, but glass clear of glue. The paint was at a similar level to what I'd have been doing in the mid '80s, and it was dusty from years of display/storage. But, it was intact and I wondered if there was a chance of salvaging it and getting it on display rather sitting in a box awaiting its turn.

Engine neatly done.

Minimal detailing on the interior. It had been built with the motor - I popped in a couple of AA batteries, switched it on and it scooted across the garage floor with a fair turn of speed! Good job I'd set it heading for something soft....

I spent a couple of weekends on it while I was finishing off another build. I removed the body and gave it a wash and resin polish. The glass wasn't going to come out, so I worked around that. I applied BMF to the window trims, replaced the wheels and tyres with those from a different Tamiya issue of the 280ZX, located the missing rear light inside the body and painted the lenses with clear red and orange, then put it all back together.

After:

Applying foil with the glass in place was an interesting experience, but I manged to do it without any collateral damage.

 

 

I'm pleased with how it turned out, a nice testament to the original builder. It looks good on the shelf and with the worn pinstripes it has the look of a slightly timeworn 1:1 survivor. Makes for a neat comparison with the 240ZG I completed the same day:

I still have an unstarted version in the stash for when I want to build one my own way:

Thanks for looking!

Edited April 23, 2024 by Spottedlaurel

[Jim B]

Nice looking Fairlady. Good save.

[karbuildr]

Ya done good. Looks a hundred percent better now, well done.

[spencer1984]

Nice looking Z!

[PappyD340]

Looks great!

[titino]

I built one like it a long time ago, back in 2000, the tires were missing, I also painted it black. I like how you painted the wheels. Congratulations for her.

[RACINE ISHRAQUR RAZA]

Nice restoration!