Datsun 240Z Monte Carlo

I've just completed an Ocar kit bought off eBay a couple of years ago.  This is a classic Datsun 240Z, modelled on the one driven by R. Aaltonen and J. Todt which came 3rd in the Rallye Monte-Carlo in January 1972.  The original car, pictured below, is maintained in the Nissan Heritage Collection.

The kit comprises resin bodyshell, metal parts for bumpers, lights, decals, plastic interior and windows.  I put it with a PCS chassis, a fast Scalextric motor and some suitable wheels.

The paint and decals went on well although I'm disappointed by the finish after applying the varnish.

This has always been a favourite car since I owned a diecast version as a child.  And the slot car version runs great.

Morgan 4/4

At last year's Slot Festival, I found a nice Morgan kit - a resin body shell with cast metal pieces for radiator, lights and bumpers.  I used a Pendle chassis with Cartrix wheels, using one of the wheels that came with the kit as the spare on the rear of the car.  The other additions were a driver and a piece of plastic for the windscreen.

After priming with grey, I painted the TR3 in white.

Triumph TR3

Summer holidays are providing some time to catch up with some scratchbuilt kits.  First one completed is a 1950s Triumph TR3, a kit from Andy.

This is the first car I've sprayed in the new spray booth, trying to match an original Triumph colour called Apple Green.  I dremelled off the front lights and petrol cap so that I could glue on scale items.

My MGB Roadster

I bought an MGB Roadster a couple of years ago and have finally got round to making a replica 1:32 slot car.

Scalextric do sell an MGB ready-to-race but it has a hardtop and is the wrong colour.  I found on eBay on old Airfix kit.

I modified the chassis and sprayed it up with a can of Inca Yellow that came with the full-size MG.

I cut down a PCS slot car chassis and fitted it into the Airfix chassis, and cut out the base of the cockpit tub to allow space for the motor.

I started fitting it together and painted the engine, dashboard and chrome parts.

I selected a driver but he had to undergo some liposuction on his left leg and backside in order to fit around the protuding motor.

I put the car together with the same style wheels as my car.

And made a tonneau cover.

Lights were painted and fitted, along with a radiator badge and number plates (reg not shown).

The bonnet opens and provides a view of the engine, with twin SU carburettors, fan and radiator.

So a perfect match for my real car and now ready to race...

Italian Job Alfa

Another kit from Pendle, this time the Alfa Romeo Guilia Ti Super used by the police in the original Italian Job film.

I wanted the car to run on Andy's digital layout so as well as the chip, I had to wire up a bridge rectifier (four diodes in a particular configuration) to get the correct power to the flashing blue LED I bought for the roof.

I painted the interior to match the film, including the shades on the passenger.

And the body was primed in grey before a test fitting.

I sprayed the body a pretty good match for the green and painted up the lights, grille and bumper, as well as a tiny Alfa Romeo badge.

Final additions were the number plates.

Ready to chase some Minis...

Outside Broadcast Vehicle

I wanted to do something special with this Land Rover kit from Pendle.

I'd seen a resin mould of a TV outside broadcast vehicle based on a Land Rover and thought I'd scratchbuild something similar.  I built a box for the rear from plasticard, and found an old Scalextric cameraman and camera, which were mounted to a disc cut out of the roof (thanks Phil!) so they could be rotated to face any direction.

The Land Rover and box were sprayed in a dark blue and I added BBC Sport livery.

The finished article:

It all comes apart so that the Land Rover can be raced on the track.

And then put back together to record the action...

Mazda 787B

I caught up with Stuart yesterday for the first time since his 40th birthday, so I can finally blog about the car I personalised for him.  The basic kit is a Mazda 787B from MrSlotCar in Canada, and comes with all the various parts loose.

The first step was to spray the kit with a gloss white, and to design a set of decals.  I found an image of decals for the car but then modified them to personalise it to Stuart and his hobbies.

A quick test printing on paper to check the sizes of the decals.

Then all the decals were attached, and after a few coats of lacquer, the lights, cockpit, antennas, wing mirrors and windscreen wiper were all fitted.

Designed by a top slot car champion, these cars are designed for racers with high-spec components, including machined bronze axle bushings, hardened steel axles, adjustable motor pod for spring suspension, and adjustable front axle height, so the Mazda handles really well on the track too.  I've got a version in matt black with a red spoiler but it couldn't keep up with Stuart.