Fiat 131 Abarth

[Volvoman]

Hi folks, just finished this one up today, Italeri's Fiat 131 Abarth. As far as kits go, this was on absolute nightmare to put together. Originally an Esci kit that has since been rereleased by Italeri and Revell, it certainly shows its age. It took me about 2 hours to clean up the body from all the mould lines and flash before I was happy enough to put primer and paint on it. Colour is Fiat white from a spray can and the Cartograf decals were a dream to use although a bit tricky to settle down in some places so a lot of decal fix was used. I scratchbuilt some rear mudflaps to finish the car off and I must admit that although I am pleased with the overall build of the model, I shall not be building another one in a hurry!

As usual, all thoughts and comments are most welcome.

[Mauricio Meyer]

I like it, nice job. the effort was worth it! I almost can hear the engine in my head. also nice pictures, i'll steal your idea!

[Erik Smith]

I kind of like challenging builds like that. You did a great job on the Fiat, it looks very clean.

[Scuderia]

For all the fighting it gave you, it turned out great!

[IMSANUT]

It turned out very nice. Making me think I need to return to the 1/20th scale version of this car I started and never finished almost 40 years ago..... Yes, I suffer from noncompletionitis.....

[Volvoman]

Thanks for your comments guys, when you her positive comments like these, it makes a difficult build more worthwhile.

[GeeBee]

Well you can turn a sow's ear into a silk purse ......beautiful build !

[Brizio]

Beautiful car!!!

[doggie427]

Great build !

[PistonDog]

Its a shame it was such a p.i.t.a., however the end product is beautiful!

[Brudda]

Nice Build!

[stevehansen]

Well Done

[gasser59]

Nicely done.

[Simon]

Mark, the problems you had certainly don't show through the finished build, it looks great. I like how you have achieved a natural alloy look for the racing wheels and added valves. The decals have settled well, are Cartograph decals included or are they some after-market ones you found?

I often fancy doing the Mk2 Escort, but based on your experience with part fit of the Fiat I imagine the Escorts are no better.

[Helix]

Good job, like how you blended the pics with the outside surrounds

Edited November 18, 2012 by Helix

[James2]

That is a good looking rally car right there!

I like your photography also. If you placed a black shingle upside down on the rail, under the car, it would all most match the street color.

[Volvoman]

Many thanks once again guys for all your kind remarks regarding my Fiat and also my photography skills. All the photographs were taken on the wall outside my house using the camera on my mobile phone; I tend to get better pictures using that than I do on my digital camera!

Simon, as for the decals, the ones that you get in the Italeri kit are Cartograf decals which I must say are some of the best that I have ever used but you will need a lot of decal fix around some of the more tricky areas on the body. As for the MK2 Escort, I have built a couple of these and I have one part built in the Rothmans livery and I must admit, it certainly shows its age in the same way as the Fiat does.

[Davewilly]

Looks great! I built the 1/20th version of it about 12 years ago....It was won a couple awards for me and made it in the scale auto 2 or 3 years ago. I want to do another one someday....Yours really looks great and I love the outside overcast weather...gives it a pretty real look!

[Duntov]

Well done on this one...

[wagoneer]

Oh yes. A whole load of want there. Those transfers must have been fun. Even Cartograph quality still takes some effort around those curves. I had the road going 131 SuperMirafiori in the 80s (a real one!) and it was a superb car, just prone to rust after just a few years.

[Volvoman]

Thanks guys, Davewilly, the overcast look is quite normal for us in the UK at this time of year. I was dodging rain showers whilst taking the outdoor pics; if you look closely, you will see very fine raindrops on the car in a couple of pics.

Wagoneer, thanks for the comments. As for Fiats legendary rust problems, a friend of my late grandad years ago bought a brand new Fiat 131 mirafiori estate on a 1979 T plate and when it went for its first MOT 3 years later, the floor needed welding and the sills needed patching up!! Needless to say, he didnt keep it for much longer....!!