Model Car Display for Show NOT Diarama

[Ralphie]

Can I see some ideas on a displays for a Model Show. Something with maybe has mirror, light or lights, glitter floor bottom, etc . I know a lot of shows don't allow these but I like seeing them and want to do a couple. Not talking about diaramas. Just to show off the car, paint, and maybe undercarriage. Thanks!

[peteski]

Here are 3 different versions:

https://scalemotorsport.com/collections/showtime-display-stands

[StevenGuthmiller]

1 hour ago, peteski said:

Here are 3 different versions:

https://scalemotorsport.com/collections/showtime-display-stands

I use one of those.

 
 

 

 

 

Steve

[Ralphie]

I was thinking of displays that are home made for shows.

[peteski]

Home made?  You will need some glass (or acrylic) cut and polish the edges, then a piece of mirror.  Connect them with a framework similar to what Scale Motorsports uses. You can use Plastruct styrene shapes for that.

In the end I'm not sure if that will actually save you any money compared to buying the the Scale Motorsports bases.

Edited September 24, 2024 by peteski

[TonyW]

I use a number of different bases. All are quick and easy to do.

 

The easiest is to spray the underside of a bit of glass with black paint. Sit the model topside and the job is done.

 

 

A bit of heavy card covered in PVA glue or spray glue then sprinkled with sand and small stones, plus a piece or two of railway modelling scenic stuff is fine for a 4x4 or off road display. There's a P40 on this one, but the ideas the same whatever sits on it.

 

 

White foamboard can be sprayed any color and cuts real easy for very quick displays.

 

 

 

Patterns or textures can be found on the internet, printed off and spray mounted to card for yet more easy displays.

 

 

 

A bit of imagination goes a long way.

 

Tony.

 

 

 

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[NOBLNG]

Here’s a couple from a local meet.

[Ralphie]

Those are ideas but was thinking of something along these lines.

[webestang]

Don't have photo but I had an oval mirror underneath and the model was on scale jack stands with the hood propped open with a thin paper clip to replicate a hood prop. 

[Muncie]

The local hobby shop or model railroad store has Evergreen Plastic sheet with different siding and sidewalk patterns that can be cut to shape and painted

[NOBLNG]

22 hours ago, Ralphie said:

Those are ideas but was thinking of something along these lines.

That looks like a mini diorama to me. 

[peteski]

On 9/24/2024 at 9:26 AM, Ralphie said:

Those are ideas but was thinking of something along these lines.

In your initial post you asked for mirror - something that shows undercarriage. This has neither, and it is more like a mini-diorama, but depending on the people running the contest might be allowed just as a display stand for a model.  That would be something you would have to ask about before entering the contest.

[TarheelRick]

If you are considering mirrors, as mentioned in your initial post, they can be purchased fairly reasonably at Walmart and Hobby Lobby. To raise the model above the mirror some people use regular automobile lug nuts painted and placed one under each tire or maybe two if you are adventurous. Personally, I use communion cups turned upside down and placed on a mirror. I have rectangle and oval shaped mirrors. The communion cups are leftovers from my years as a minister.

[Paul Payne]

Here's an idea- an old, cracked display case bottom with some spray paint and a couple of figures.

[Ralphie]

I was thinking something like this , just looking for ideas what others may be doing.

[StevenGuthmiller]

If you want my opinion, there is such a thing as a display being “too busy” and “distracting”.

Of course, in a contest atmosphere, maybe some people are looking for something to distract attention away from the model......if you catch my drift.

Personally, my philosophy is to keep it simple and let the model do the talking.

 

 

 

Steve

Edited September 26, 2024 by StevenGuthmiller

[iBorg]

2 hours ago, StevenGuthmiller said:

If you want my opinion, there is such a thing as a display being “too busy” and “distracting”.

Of course, in a contest atmosphere, maybe some people are looking for something to distract attention away from the model......if you catch my drift.

Personally, my philosophy is to keep it simple and let the model do the talking.

 

 

 

Steve

I think Steve is right. Is the display part of an overall model or is it a distraction. For example I built the Bates mansion from Psycho. The base was built to match outside still shots from the first movie. The base is part of the model. I've seen other models where it seems like the base is trying to distract you from deficits of the model. Of course that can be a good thing. At a contest a person had a really nicely built GT40. the builder asked why it seemed to get ignored then the discussion came around to the left side door being opened (driver sits on the right. The judge suggested he get a mechanic filter to be looking into the car. The mechanic would be a distraction from the non driver's side door being opened.

[carrucha]

Very useful tips guys!

[oldcarfan]

If you want something easy to make and cheap, I go to Hobby Lobby or Michael's and look through their scrapbooking paper section. They have 12x12 inch sheets of paper, some embossed and some just printed in all sorts of styles. For a friend's kid, I built a model and since she liked purple, I found a sheet of glittery purple paper and glued it to a piece of 1/2 inch foam board. Total cost about $3. They also make it in a wood print that looks pretty good as a weathered backdrop for photos. Hobby Lobby also sells 12x12 sheets of adhesive vinyl for Cricuts which can be stuck to a base. I think they even have a chrome finish one.

[TonyW]

For a clouds worth of Angel Hair, and what car show display doesn't need Angel Hair?,  pull apart a plush toy or a cushion. Blame it on the dog...

The Hurst Olds I built a while back has a sort of car show display made out of the kit box. There's also a shot of it sat on wool stuffing used a tire smoke. The same stuff makes perfect Angel Hair.

 

 

[Chariots of Fire]

I'm with Steve on this one as well.  But I do on occasion use a round flat plate that I have glued green (any color will do) felt to and which rotates on a simple ball bearing base.  One can turn the plate and see all sides of the model without touching it.  The model sits on the felt and the edge of the plate is slightly raised so that the model does not fall off.

[StevenGuthmiller]

37 minutes ago, Chariots of Fire said:

I'm with Steve on this one as well.  But I do on occasion use a round flat plate that I have glued green (any color will do) felt to and which rotates on a simple ball bearing base.  One can turn the plate and see all sides of the model without touching it.  The model sits on the felt and the edge of the plate is slightly raised so that the model does not fall off.

Yeah, I think sometimes people feel that if they come up with some sort of wild, elaborate base that it's somehow going to sway the judges into giving their project more consideration.

Any judge worth his salt is going to zone out what the model is presented on and give all of his attention to the model itself, as should be the case.

The ONLY reason why I included a simple mirrored base with with my model in this season's shows, was so that people would be able to at least somewhat view the chassis without picking up the model.

Anything else is just unnecessary window dressing if you're competing in a reputable show.

 

 

 

Steve

[carsntrucks4you]

When I look back on more than 50 years of truck and car modeling I saw so many excellent build models on various model car shows in the USA, UK, Canada, Belgium, Netherlands or Germany that were destroyed by a figure that looks so awful. If you can't paint a figure never ever put this piece of junk next to or inside the model. Typical failures on these figures are eyes bigger than a  squash compared to the size of it, painted without any shadowing, highlights or depths, glossy shine or  painted figures from American Diorama etc..  Those figures will get more attention than your perfect, high detailed model. Specially when you are on a show where also figures are on display. If you want to place a figure next to your model learn how to paint the. Have a look to the military and figure modelers. Ask them how to paint a figure. That is how I learn it. Nowadays I can't do it any more due to the fact that I'm getting older and the magnifier can't be big enough ?

Your model gets more attention compared to others if display it on a mirror, a piece of wood or even on a real carburetor or valve cover. Friend had loaned me a cracked Weinand blower were I displayed a funny car on it.

Another idea is to build big models in 1/12 or 1/8 than you get a lot of attention, because the average people just see the size.

Edited October 10, 2024 by carsntrucks4you

[Nicholas]

not sure it has been mentioned but the show i was at last weekend a lot of people had 4-5 inch circle vanity mirrors with 4 small medicine cups and the car sitting on them...pretty neat and simple idea..it will be my go to at the next show

[Chariots of Fire]

I was at a show last weekend and helped judge a category that was a club challenge table.  All the same in terms of pickup trucks.  But some had all kinds of 3D printed gardening and landscape tools with them.  We had to completely ignore all of that stuff including the "grass" bases and just concentrate on the truck builds themselves.  The only way to do it right.