VW-Miura

[GerN]

A build inspired by a really bad kit: the Eidai Miura, labeled as 1/24 scale, but really about 1/29. Also, I started with a glue bomb. I decided this was really a model of the incredibly rare Miurette kit car, a fiberglass shell for a VW chassis. (Don't search for Miurette; I'm making this up.) Since the Miurette company didn't want to chance being sued by Lamborghini, they changed the design a little: one piece (plus doors), no B pillar intakes, no pop-up headlights (all making it cheaper as well). The windshield was from the Avanti (no 0.85 Miura windshields available), requiring a change to the A pillars. To cool the VW engine, ventilation was added behind the rear glass (a flat piece). That's my back story; now some photos.

The wheels and tires are my cast resin from modifying the two part wheels with the old Revell Porsche 356, the chassis pan my copy of the Revell Beetle, the engine, suspension pieces and seats from a built-up Revell dune buggy. A few of my molds are shown in the last photo. The fan belt is made from aluminum tape (actual aluminum).

[GerN]

The second photo shows the generator from the glue bomb - typical. Had to modify the suspension to fit the Miurette's width.

[Ace-Garageguy]

Great story, great concept, love it already !!

[jaymcminn]

What an awesome idea. I love the seats and the changes to the body to make it look more "fiberglassy". All those kit cars had really thick A pillars compared to their steel counterparts, so the Avanti windshield mod really works. I can absolutely see this in a sparkly metalflake finish and maybe some "Miurette" decals for the rocker panels... can't wait to see where this goes!

[cobraman]

Very interesting concept.

[PappyD340]

Very NICE start, I like it!!

[TimJ]

Great idea and nice work on the cast parts.

[Ira]

Great Start!

[Gluhead]

Cool idea

[PatW]

Over the years we've had kit car companies in the UK, make various fibreglass shells copied from sportscars and mounted on Beetle chassis. This was easy as the aircooled engine needed little ventilation for it to run efficiently and subsequently no radiators and all the piping. We had open jeep, ferrari, gull wing sports, and even a scaled down mercedes 1930's replica.

Keep up the good work, I shall keep an eye on your progress and the finished article!

[Matt T.]

Outstanding! What an imaginative use of a sub-par kit. Love it!

[hjracing]

Great idea, keep it coming.

[espo]

This is good. A kit of a "kit car". look forward to how this comes out.

[GerN]

Thanks for the interest and comments. I hope to have the body in primer sometime tomorrow - always so much body work with any custom. I should do a box stock build for a change. But I love customizing, and the Miura is one of my favorite designs (why I bought the Eidai glue bomb in the first place). I admit, the idea to use this as a VW kit body took about a year to come to me. I'll try to get more photos on tomorrow PM.

[Jeremy Jon]

Interesting idea, looking forward to seeing it progress!

[GerN]

A decent coat of primer. Still need to inscribe the front trunk lid, add the rear engine vent, fit the engine lid and add some tail lights. But progress is being made!

I need to decide on a wheel coating; these two are quite similar. Also considering chrome (Spaz Stix), gloss black or a color to contrast with the body color (which I haven't picked yet, either).

[sports850]

Looks great , and I love the back story you've put to it

[FASTBACK340]

Cool build!!!!! Great use for an odd-ball kit!

[Scale-Master]

_{You've added just the right amount of weirdness to the shape that it looks very believable as a VW kit car.}

[Dominik]

thats a cool idea -looks good so far!