1981 Datsun 280 ZX Turbo

[Nick Winter]

Kit: AMT/Matchbox

Aftermarket parts: None

Built for: JDM Build

Modifications: Added a set of factory style Slotted wheels and Polyglas Tires, Slightly weathered underside and engine bay. Deepened exhuast holes.

Problems Faced while Building: Nose is hard to align when vehicle is built, I was missing my Intake.

Comments: It was a fairly fun build, of a sum-what overlooked Vehicle, and certainly a Vehicle Subject I don't normally build. I decided to build it like most '80's cars in Ontario that have been Undercoated for 13 Years ('94 Ontario Plates).

Nick

Edit: Yes, that is a Rust Check sticker on the back window.

Edited February 18, 2011 by Nick Winter

[Poncho-Power]

nice build, i have one still in the box and one rebuilt, these are fun kits!

[Foxer]

Nicely done!

Edited February 19, 2011 by Foxer

[RodneyBad]

I think the body and paint looks really good.

Nice weathering on the chassis.

I do think the engine could've use a bit more color tho.

Over all, Very nice looking Datsun..

[wreckless666]

nice datsun dude. i like the color you chose. but it looks to me like the engine bay is weathered a little too much unless its a problem you had with the paint. it looks very lumpy for some reason

[Nick Winter]

I think the body and paint looks really good.

Nice weathering on the chassis.

I do think the engine could've use a bit more color tho.

Over all, Very nice looking Datsun..

Yes I broke the #1 rule of weathering :if you think you can add just a bit more stop.

nice datsun dude. i like the color you chose. but it looks to me like the engine bay is weathered a little too much unless its a problem you had with the paint. it looks very lumpy for some reason

Actually that was real spray can undercoat, and it does have some texture to it.

Nick

[Nick F40]

I gotta admit, you certainly are improving man! You did a nice job on one of my favorite Datsuns and second, this is nicer than most you find nowadays

[Nick Winter]

I gotta admit, you certainly are improving man! You did a nice job on one of my favorite Datsuns and second, this is nicer than most you find nowadays

Thank you, yes that's very true, I ended up seeing a orange Datsun 240Z, and it was not pretty, by any stretch of the imagination.

Nick

[TheCat]

nicely done.

[larrygre]

The vintage-1982 AMT 280ZX Turbo is a very nice kit indeed. In fact, so are the two VWs that were issued by AMT under the Lesney/Matchbox stewardship: the 1978-issue Rabbit, and the 1979-issue Scirocco. And the 1981-issue Subaru BRAT was also a nice little kit as well. Granted, they don't have the sex appeal of a Hemi Challenger or Z28, but they are great little kits and certainly worth reissuing (and except for the Datsun, none of them were been reissued under the Ertl stewardship of AMT) - how about it, Round2?

[Nick Winter]

nicely done.

Thanks

The vintage-1982 AMT 280ZX Turbo is a very nice kit indeed. In fact, so are the two VWs that were issued by AMT under the Lesney/Matchbox stewardship: the 1978-issue Rabbit, and the 1979-issue Scirocco. And the 1981-issue Subaru BRAT was also a nice little kit as well. Granted, they don't have the sex appeal of a Hemi Challenger or Z28, but they are great little kits and certainly worth reissuing (and except for the Datsun, none of them were been reissued under the Ertl stewardship of AMT) - how about it, Round2?

I could go for another (speaking of Hemi....................)

Edited February 21, 2011 by Nick Winter

[Olskoolrodder]

Good loking Z car!

[RobH]

I've quoted these pics so that I could give you some 'constructive criticism' that you can use in your future builds.

Starting w/ Pic #1:

Surface prep is EVERYTHING!!! there are still some mold seams on the rear fender corners , both top and bottom. I cannot tell if the bottom valence (above the bumper, but below the taillights) it just rough, or if those are paint runs. Neither is good, and should be cleaned up.

I don't know if those taillights were transparent red or clear to start with, but they do not look realistic the way you painted them. I see you were trying to replicate the amber lens & if they were molded in transparent red, that's nearly impossible. But the transparent red would still look much better than being painted on the outside.

Next time you BMF an emblem or nameplate - try doing it first, then trimming the BMF as close as possible to the lettering. paint as usual. after the paint has dried, scrape, sand, remove the paint the paint from the BMF, exposing the lettering. this will allow the lettering to look much cleaner & less like a chrome rectangle with letters under it.

The BMF in the bottom corners of the rear window does not continue all the way down.

the license plate light holder / trunk lid lock and that area in general could be detailed better.

Pic #2:

First off - the hood vents. Obviously painted by hand. take the time to mask these off & then paint. they will look 100% better.

BMF on the Emblem - needs a bit of trimming (it's slightly off-center)

Turn signals - in this case - I think those were part of the Chrome on the bumper - I suggest you try some clear orange paint for those , which will go over the chrome & give the appearance of an amber lens.

Pic #3:

Oh Boy, Where do I start?

the particular finish in the engine compartment seem to be 'heavy' and it's monotone. there is no life. it's bland.

Liven it up by detail painting:

Silver - Radiator cap, air cleaner hold downs, battery strap, evap canister

Steel - Intake runners, strut caps, brake booster

rubber - hoses, belts

Aluminum on the cam cover, oil cap can be black

various other colors could be used in there to make it way more presentable.

_____________________________________________________________________________

I know it's a lot to take in.

you can do some of these things on this one to make it more presentable & also incorporate them into your next build.

I second that!

[Nick Winter]

I've quoted these pics so that I could give you some 'constructive criticism' that you can use in your future builds.

Starting w/ Pic #1:

Surface prep is EVERYTHING!!! there are still some mold seams on the rear fender corners , both top and bottom. I cannot tell if the bottom valence (above the bumper, but below the taillights) it just rough, or if those are paint runs. Neither is good, and should be cleaned up.

I don't know if those taillights were transparent red or clear to start with, but they do not look realistic the way you painted them. I see you were trying to replicate the amber lens & if they were molded in transparent red, that's nearly impossible. But the transparent red would still look much better than being painted on the outside.

Next time you BMF an emblem or nameplate - try doing it first, then trimming the BMF as close as possible to the lettering. paint as usual. after the paint has dried, scrape, sand, remove the paint the paint from the BMF, exposing the lettering. this will allow the lettering to look much cleaner & less like a chrome rectangle with letters under it.

The BMF in the bottom corners of the rear window does not continue all the way down.

the license plate light holder / trunk lid lock and that area in general could be detailed better.

Pic #2:

First off - the hood vents. Obviously painted by hand. take the time to mask these off & then paint. they will look 100% better.

BMF on the Emblem - needs a bit of trimming (it's slightly off-center)

Turn signals - in this case - I think those were part of the Chrome on the bumper - I suggest you try some clear orange paint for those , which will go over the chrome & give the appearance of an amber lens.

Pic #3:

Oh Boy, Where do I start?

the particular finish in the engine compartment seem to be 'heavy' and it's monotone. there is no life. it's bland.

Liven it up by detail painting:

Silver - Radiator cap, air cleaner hold downs, battery strap, evap canister

Steel - Intake runners, strut caps, brake booster

rubber - hoses, belts

Aluminum on the cam cover, oil cap can be black

various other colors could be used in there to make it way more presentable.

_____________________________________________________________________________

I know it's a lot to take in.

you can do some of these things on this one to make it more presentable & also incorporate them into your next build.

Thanks Mike, I'll be sure to check for mold lines better in the future, and I'm still getting the hang of BMF.

Nick

[gray07]

Looks great Nick, around here i dont think there are anymore of those cars on the road anymore, i think there all dust now