So this is an ongoing project of mine that has been slowly creeping along. All I wanted to do is build a 1/24 replica of one of my garage queens. It is my custom widebody VW 337 GTi that I treasure as if it were my first born. Grab some popcorn and a beer, it is going to be a long read.

Anyway, here are some of the progress as well as pics of my actual car.

Here are some pics of my weekend car:


Tamiya 1/24 VW Golf, 18" BBS RSs and Recaro Sportster CSs.



So, some things I need to modify or scratch build:
5 Door to 3 Door conversion
Euro R front bumper
R-line Rear bumper
Widebody/wider rear quarter panels.
Rear hatch blend
Scratchbuild sideskirts
Modify wing mirrors to 25th anniversary short mirrors
Scratchbuild VW vortex wing spoiler...
Modify headlamp housings to HID projector style housings.

Cutting the bumpers out was PITA.
I didn't want to do any damage to the details yet so I just grabbed a new blade for the xacto and started scribing the actual bumper lines. This took forever of course but it keeps the cut clean and will easily come back together later on.

Looks like it is time to make some templates for these bumpers and turn them into R bumpers:




Front bumper progress pics. It is far from complete. However, you can see the huge difference between the stock Golf bumpers and the R bumpers. The lower section on the R bumpers definitely stick out way more. After I get the overall shape and surfacing of the bumper exactly how I want it, I will start working on the vents. Cutting out the openings first and then going back and surfacing the inside:



Still have some details to fix and some smoothing.
I drew out the vents and grill openings. The lines need to be adjusted and moved over slightly to one side actually but this is a start. I am pretty happy with the form of the bumper, its definitely getting there:






It's getting there! I am pretty excited:




This 3 door conversion definitely takes time. I snapped a few pics of the progress:




Next up is cleaning up the 3 Door conversion as well as building the widebody fenders. Getting the form just right as well as keeping the OEM fender lines is important as I want to replicate it perfectly to my car. After the fenders get done, I will build the side skirts and the rear bumper.

Another thing I noticed that I have seen in most 3 door conversions with this kit is that everyone keeps the 5 door moldings the same after they cut the rear out. However, the 3 door moldings are actually shorter than the 5 door. You would have to sand it back correctly:

That is a major project there Calvin. Looks good so far.

Very nice work so far on a complex conversion. I will be following you on this one.

Cheers, D

Wow, this requires some thinking ahead. Clean consistent work.