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Cars
Discuss all types of automotive modeling here.
Ferrari 250 GT SWB
Cosimodo
#335
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Auckland, New Zealand
Joined: September 03, 2013
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Posted: Saturday, November 03, 2018 - 08:20 AM UTC
A couple of weeks back it was a holiday day weekend here and we drove down to where my in-laws have a house, a couple of hours south of Auckland. It is a typical coastal town in NZ and they were having a market day where you see the usual array of junk being sold. I am not a fan of these events but went along, mainly to make sure we weren't the ones taking the junk home. On one table they had some kids toys including an old car kit.
I know some modellers love the challenge of old kits but after building an AMT truck for the Trucking Campaign earlier this year I am not one of them. But as we wandered around the thought of the kit kept circulating in my mind and I managed to convince myself it would be useful as a body shell to practice painting on.
I like the idea of building cars but always stayed away because my painting skills are not there. The finish required versus ships or planes is just a whole other level. But since I have been following the other builds here maybe I can get there.
Anyway, self-justification complete, (the hurdle is pretty low) I went back and bought for $10 some thing that was more amazing than I had guessed.

I had no idea that Gunze Sangyo had made kits. Always known them for their paints, fillers etc. But Google tells me they made a range of kits in the 1980s and 90s, especially cars. The date on this kit was 1986.
There was a reason it was only 10 bucks..


I guess some child had started it long ago and decided it was all too difficult. However the rest of the kit is amazing for a 30 year old piece (AMT never reached these heights )
It comes with a white metal chassis

The Borranis had already been assembled but I have never seen wire wheels this good


The kit plastic is still on its sprues and there is bag of metal parts


I haven't checked to see what's missing, I am sure there will be something that has disappeared over the years but instead of using as a practice body shell I think I will try and build it. I just have to follow Mr Willstein's how to guide on gloss finishes.

cheers
Michael
Littorio
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England - South East, United Kingdom
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Posted: Saturday, November 03, 2018 - 08:55 AM UTC
Michael, I’m following along and so glad you decided to build it. I for one looked hard for this kit but had to settle on the even older ESCI kit of the 250SWB.
So take your time and indeed follow Joel’s guide to painting, in no time we’ll have another automobile modeller.
Stickframe
#362
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California, United States
Joined: December 01, 2013
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Posted: Saturday, November 03, 2018 - 10:23 AM UTC
Hi Michael,

Lucky you! Great find - have fun with it

Cheers
Nick
Joel_W
Staff MemberAssociate Editor
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New York, United States
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Posted: Sunday, November 04, 2018 - 09:37 AM UTC
Michael,
Now there's one great find, and for just $10 even I would have bought it. I'll be following right along, and I'm only a pm or post away if you need a little advice on painting.

Just one small favor, please call me Joel, as Mr. Willstein makes me sound and feel even older then I am, which unfortunately will be 71 in a few weeks.

You might be interested to know that I've finished the 330 P4s clear coat through the entire Gravity system and their wax. OMG!! Anyone can get results like this just by following their instructions. Will be taking my pictures most likely tomorrow and posting my update right after that.

Joel
rdt1953
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New Jersey, United States
Joined: February 06, 2015
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Posted: Sunday, November 04, 2018 - 11:54 AM UTC
Ha - $ 10 for a Gunze hi tech kit - bargain of the century - enjoy !

Ricahard
Hwa-Rang
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Kobenhavn, Denmark
Joined: June 29, 2004
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Posted: Sunday, November 04, 2018 - 06:25 PM UTC
You've certainly found a jem there Michael. Will be looking forward to seeing it being build.
Cosimodo
#335
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Auckland, New Zealand
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Posted: Sunday, November 04, 2018 - 06:43 PM UTC

Quoted Text

Michael, I’m following along and so glad you decided to build it. I for one looked hard for this kit but had to settle on the even older ESCI kit of the 250SWB.
So take your time and indeed follow Joel’s guide to painting, in no time we’ll have another automobile modeller.



Thanks Luciano, I hadn't realised the kit was special. I think I got a fair way to go before I hit the heights of Joel's Ferrari red finish.

cheers
Michael
Cosimodo
#335
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Auckland, New Zealand
Joined: September 03, 2013
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Posted: Sunday, November 04, 2018 - 06:45 PM UTC

Quoted Text

Hi Michael,

Lucky you! Great find - have fun with it

Cheers
Nick



Cheers Nick! I hope I learn a few things from it and have some fun along the way.
Cosimodo
#335
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Auckland, New Zealand
Joined: September 03, 2013
KitMaker: 1,808 posts
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Posted: Sunday, November 04, 2018 - 06:51 PM UTC

Quoted Text

Michael,
Now there's one great find, and for just $10 even I would have bought it. I'll be following right along, and I'm only a pm or post away if you need a little advice on painting.

Just one small favor, please call me Joel, as Mr. Willstein makes me sound and feel even older then I am, which unfortunately will be 71 in a few weeks.

You might be interested to know that I've finished the 330 P4s clear coat through the entire Gravity system and their wax. OMG!! Anyone can get results like this just by following their instructions. Will be taking my pictures most likely tomorrow and posting my update right after that.

Joel



Ha Joel! It was my form of an honorific
Watching your 330 has sent me off to Gravity, in Spain this time, for the necessary paints and finishers. I am looking forward to trying them on this. (One day my Vaillant Green for the Porsche may turn up from the other Gravity).
Looking forward to any tips that come this way.

cheers
Michael
Cosimodo
#335
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Auckland, New Zealand
Joined: September 03, 2013
KitMaker: 1,808 posts
Auto Modeler: 701 posts
Posted: Sunday, November 04, 2018 - 06:53 PM UTC

Quoted Text

Ha - $ 10 for a Gunze hi tech kit - bargain of the century - enjoy !

Ricahard



So it seems. After these comments I checked out ebay and they have few GS kits on there. They must have been something in their day.

cheers
Michael
Cosimodo
#335
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Auckland, New Zealand
Joined: September 03, 2013
KitMaker: 1,808 posts
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Posted: Sunday, November 04, 2018 - 06:54 PM UTC

Quoted Text

You've certainly found a jem there Michael. Will be looking forward to seeing it being build.



Thanks Jesper. I hope I can do it justice.
Joel_W
Staff MemberAssociate Editor
AUTOMODELER
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New York, United States
Joined: December 04, 2010
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Posted: Monday, November 05, 2018 - 03:43 AM UTC

Quoted Text


Quoted Text

Michael,
Now there's one great find, and for just $10 even I would have bought it. I'll be following right along, and I'm only a pm or post away if you need a little advice on painting.

Just one small favor, please call me Joel, as Mr. Willstein makes me sound and feel even older then I am, which unfortunately will be 71 in a few weeks.

You might be interested to know that I've finished the 330 P4s clear coat through the entire Gravity system and their wax. OMG!! Anyone can get results like this just by following their instructions. Will be taking my pictures most likely tomorrow and posting my update right after that.

Joel



Ha Joel! It was my form of an honorific
Watching your 330 has sent me off to Gravity, in Spain this time, for the necessary paints and finishers. I am looking forward to trying them on this. (One day my Vaillant Green for the Porsche may turn up from the other Gravity).
Looking forward to any tips that come this way.

cheers
Michael



Michael,
My latest order from Gravity of Spain arrived 4 days after I placed it on a Saturday afternoon, which was mid evening in Spain. They're great, have live customer service chat, and their products are just 1st class/world class as far as I'm concerned.

Their 3 part polishing system is fantastic, as it their synthetic wax. All of those products are very expensive per oz, but you use so little that it lasts for a ton of car builds. The only product that I found which wasn't worth it was their polishing cloths. They're nothing but car micro fiber towels cut into smaller pcs. I'm always buying some in bundles of 5 for $5 at my discount auto store, so I took a new one and cut it into 4 sections, and it works just as good. I do wash them as I only use them once before a washing is needed.

One thing I should mention is that when I need American car colors, whether for Indy cars or Nascar (very rarely these days), or even classic street/sport cars, I head on over to MCW paints, as they specialize in those types of colors, while Gravity is mostly European types only with the exception of USA road racing cars.

Joel
RussellE
#306
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Victoria, Australia
Joined: June 27, 2010
KitMaker: 3,959 posts
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Posted: Tuesday, November 06, 2018 - 12:28 AM UTC
This looks super interesting Michael. Following with interest
Cosimodo
#335
_VISITCOMMUNITY
Auckland, New Zealand
Joined: September 03, 2013
KitMaker: 1,808 posts
Auto Modeler: 701 posts
Posted: Tuesday, November 06, 2018 - 06:53 PM UTC

Quoted Text


Quoted Text


Quoted Text

Michael,
Now there's one great find, and for just $10 even I would have bought it. I'll be following right along, and I'm only a pm or post away if you need a little advice on painting.

Just one small favor, please call me Joel, as Mr. Willstein makes me sound and feel even older then I am, which unfortunately will be 71 in a few weeks.

You might be interested to know that I've finished the 330 P4s clear coat through the entire Gravity system and their wax. OMG!! Anyone can get results like this just by following their instructions. Will be taking my pictures most likely tomorrow and posting my update right after that.

Joel



Ha Joel! It was my form of an honorific
Watching your 330 has sent me off to Gravity, in Spain this time, for the necessary paints and finishers. I am looking forward to trying them on this. (One day my Vaillant Green for the Porsche may turn up from the other Gravity).
Looking forward to any tips that come this way.

cheers
Michael



Michael,
My latest order from Gravity of Spain arrived 4 days after I placed it on a Saturday afternoon, which was mid evening in Spain. They're great, have live customer service chat, and their products are just 1st class/world class as far as I'm concerned.

Their 3 part polishing system is fantastic, as it their synthetic wax. All of those products are very expensive per oz, but you use so little that it lasts for a ton of car builds. The only product that I found which wasn't worth it was their polishing cloths. They're nothing but car micro fiber towels cut into smaller pcs. I'm always buying some in bundles of 5 for $5 at my discount auto store, so I took a new one and cut it into 4 sections, and it works just as good. I do wash them as I only use them once before a washing is needed.

One thing I should mention is that when I need American car colors, whether for Indy cars or Nascar (very rarely these days), or even classic street/sport cars, I head on over to MCW paints, as they specialize in those types of colors, while Gravity is mostly European types only with the exception of USA road racing cars.

Joel



Well I have ordered all the necessary gear, the only disappointment being I had thought about doing it in Ferrari Yellow but they only have more modern versions so it will be in trad. red. As for arriving in four days that would be a great effort from Spain to NZ but we will see.

cheers
Michael
Cosimodo
#335
_VISITCOMMUNITY
Auckland, New Zealand
Joined: September 03, 2013
KitMaker: 1,808 posts
Auto Modeler: 701 posts
Posted: Tuesday, November 06, 2018 - 06:54 PM UTC

Quoted Text

This looks super interesting Michael. Following with interest



Thanks Russ, it's a great diversion from all that heavy metal for E.

cheers
Michael
Cosimodo
#335
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Auckland, New Zealand
Joined: September 03, 2013
KitMaker: 1,808 posts
Auto Modeler: 701 posts
Posted: Thursday, November 08, 2018 - 06:29 PM UTC
I cleaned up the body shell

which lead me to notice the first of what I am sure will be a few issues.
Both A pillars were damaged. I think the box was squashed some time of had something heavy sitting on it.
One side was broken but was easily fixed and the chip can be filled

The other side is bent so a bit more problematic for me

I was going to heat the tip of a knife and see if I could flatten it out but I am certainly open to other suggestions to fix this.

A full examination of the rest of the kit showed only a couple of pieces missing, a suspension arm which I can make out of plastic rod and brass by copying the other one. The other piece is an exhaust tip, one four ends that are meant to be chromed. Since they are all soft white metal I will buy some aluminium tube and use that instead. Should look slightly sharper.
Also missing are the instructions for the interior so it will be a jigsaw without the picture.

And as suggested by Joel, Gravity of Spain, amazingly delivered in four days!! From Spain to NZ!! However my luck with Gravity products remains, as Michael from NY, USA will be missing his Ducati Rosso, Lamborghini Celeste Phoebe plus others but enjoying a full set of goodies for a Ferrari and others plus all the finishing bits I also ordered. Sigh.

cheers

Michael
rdt1953
_VISITCOMMUNITY
New Jersey, United States
Joined: February 06, 2015
KitMaker: 1,098 posts
Auto Modeler: 52 posts
Posted: Friday, November 09, 2018 - 11:30 AM UTC
Hi Michael- I would be inclined to try very gentle heat from a source not in contact with the A - pillar and gentle squeezing with plain jaw pliers - ideally with a jaw width nearly spanning the length of the pillar - any lost detail can be rebuilt afterwards. Watching this one with interest .

Richard
Joel_W
Staff MemberAssociate Editor
AUTOMODELER
_VISITCOMMUNITY
New York, United States
Joined: December 04, 2010
KitMaker: 11,666 posts
Auto Modeler: 2,974 posts
Posted: Friday, November 09, 2018 - 12:03 PM UTC

Quoted Text


Quoted Text


Quoted Text


Quoted Text

Michael,
Now there's one great find, and for just $10 even I would have bought it. I'll be following right along, and I'm only a pm or post away if you need a little advice on painting.

Just one small favor, please call me Joel, as Mr. Willstein makes me sound and feel even older then I am, which unfortunately will be 71 in a few weeks.

You might be interested to know that I've finished the 330 P4s clear coat through the entire Gravity system and their wax. OMG!! Anyone can get results like this just by following their instructions. Will be taking my pictures most likely tomorrow and posting my update right after that.

Joel



Ha Joel! It was my form of an honorific
Watching your 330 has sent me off to Gravity, in Spain this time, for the necessary paints and finishers. I am looking forward to trying them on this. (One day my Vaillant Green for the Porsche may turn up from the other Gravity).
Looking forward to any tips that come this way.

cheers
Michael



Michael,
My latest order from Gravity of Spain arrived 4 days after I placed it on a Saturday afternoon, which was mid evening in Spain. They're great, have live customer service chat, and their products are just 1st class/world class as far as I'm concerned.

Their 3 part polishing system is fantastic, as it their synthetic wax. All of those products are very expensive per oz, but you use so little that it lasts for a ton of car builds. The only product that I found which wasn't worth it was their polishing cloths. They're nothing but car micro fiber towels cut into smaller pcs. I'm always buying some in bundles of 5 for $5 at my discount auto store, so I took a new one and cut it into 4 sections, and it works just as good. I do wash them as I only use them once before a washing is needed.

One thing I should mention is that when I need American car colors, whether for Indy cars or Nascar (very rarely these days), or even classic street/sport cars, I head on over to MCW paints, as they specialize in those types of colors, while Gravity is mostly European types only with the exception of USA road racing cars.

Joel



Well I have ordered all the necessary gear, the only disappointment being I had thought about doing it in Ferrari Yellow but they only have more modern versions so it will be in trad. red. As for arriving in four days that would be a great effort from Spain to NZ but we will see.

cheers
Michael



Michael,
To NZ would really be pushing it. Just saw your post. 4 days to NZ. Gotta be a world's record for sure.

You could have used live chat and see what Yellow shade they would have recommended for the Ferrari Red.

Looking at that pillar, there also seems to be damage to the roof line right behind it. That needs to be pulled out1st or the Pillar will never correctly align.

As for straightening the pillar, if the plastic is somewhat movable with pressure, I'd tape a flat piece of metal behind it, forcing it back into position, then several dunks in boiling water. Let it cool, and hopefully it will hold it's new shape. I'd google the boiling method looking for a vid on You Tube for the specifics.

I really don't have a quick fix for that roof line.

Joel

Joel
kpnuts
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United Kingdom
Joined: December 20, 2013
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Posted: Saturday, November 10, 2018 - 09:04 PM UTC
A great find and one I will be following too.
Szmann
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Netherlands Antilles
Joined: September 02, 2014
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Posted: Sunday, November 11, 2018 - 06:04 AM UTC
Michael I've heard only about Gunze kits and I've never seen one before. That was a very lucky find indeed. The "kid" that started the kit must be in his fifties now

For the front pillar I would try hot air from a heat gun (carefully) or you can soak the bent with Tamiya extra-thin and try to straighten it back after the glue acts for couple of minutes or so.

Very interesting build for sure!

Cheers!
Gabriel
RussellE
#306
_VISITCOMMUNITY
Victoria, Australia
Joined: June 27, 2010
KitMaker: 3,959 posts
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Posted: Sunday, November 11, 2018 - 09:57 PM UTC
oh, man, this kit is going to be a challenge no two ways about it Michael!

I'm sure you'll succeed in the end though! We have faith!
Cosimodo
#335
_VISITCOMMUNITY
Auckland, New Zealand
Joined: September 03, 2013
KitMaker: 1,808 posts
Auto Modeler: 701 posts
Posted: Monday, February 25, 2019 - 06:55 PM UTC
Three months...don't know where that went.
I haven't done much but tinker away since I finished the Porsche before Xmas. So a post tinker update if you like.
One of the things about this kit is the great detail provided but it takes work to display it, old style modelling I guess.
A good example are the bumpers, in steel, but 30 years have not been kind to them and they are pitted with corrosion, which can be filled and sanded away.


Using the back as an example, the front have the same issue, is the body.

No attachment points, no indication of where it should go. Also once it was painted I wouldn't want to try and glue it on. So a bit of testing, looking at few photos, I taped it in place and marked it up.



Holes drilled and at the same time noticed I should open up the rear vents



Put a couple of brass pins in the steel

and it fits really well, nice gap as per the photos, and a sense of satisfaction of having achieved a bit of building


Another trying piece is the chassis and suspension which was designed for another Gunze Ferrari, the 250 GTO. Since this is a short wheel base you need to cut the chassis, cut the interior and narrow the wheel track. The suspension pieces where made of soft white metal, some which had been lost, but the metal had to be replaced in places with brass rod to stay together. I didn't take any photos of this, but narrowing the wheel base means currently I have left off the disc brakes otherwise the rear wheel won't fit inside the arch.
Anyway, here it is on it's Borranis


Next was the famous Ferrari grill, a nice bit of photo etch for that.




That's where we're at. Need to finish the interior, there is not much too it other than the dash is chromed for some odd reason and the windows and interior doors are one piece and they can only be attached by the window with door section left hanging.

cheers
Michael
Hwa-Rang
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Kobenhavn, Denmark
Joined: June 29, 2004
KitMaker: 6,760 posts
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Posted: Monday, February 25, 2019 - 11:24 PM UTC
Hi Michael

Looks good.

Love the look of that PE grill. I have lot's of builds that would have benefited, from a PE grill, like that.
Szmann
_VISITCOMMUNITY
Netherlands Antilles
Joined: September 02, 2014
KitMaker: 1,977 posts
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Posted: Tuesday, February 26, 2019 - 02:30 AM UTC
Hi, Michael! It turns out to be a nice if quirky kit. I loved the way you have dealt with the issues so far and I see you have a very good "feel" for small but very effective improvements.

Gabriel
AussieReg
Staff MemberAssociate Editor
AUTOMODELER
#007
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Victoria, Australia
Joined: June 09, 2009
KitMaker: 8,156 posts
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Posted: Tuesday, February 26, 2019 - 02:36 AM UTC
Hi Michael.

This looks like one of those kits that will be both very challenging but ultimately very rewarding when you get those modifications and details just how you want them.

Following with much interest here.

Cheers, D
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