1/12 Tamiya Mini Cooper **Progress**

After the disaster of my last project (http://models.magietec.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=16&Itemid=30), I started an "easier" project.

I got this kit for $38 on ebay. A steal ! I was looking for this kit for a while, but the shipping always killed the price.. but at this price, I jumped on it.


The first step of this 1991 Mini build is the 1.3 liter engine.

I first join the two main part and filled the small gap with putty, so the lines don't show. I then painted the engine block with Testor flat red enamel and ModelMaster Metalizer Steel. I drilled holes where the cables should go. I used some home made decals on the wires and alternator.
http://www.models.magietec.com/images/stories/mini/1.jpg (http://models.magietec.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=32&Itemid=30)

I hope you like it..

looks great so far. a local Diecast store has one of these in stock for $99 bucks, Its real tempting to say no everything I see it

ooh, i've had my eyes on one of those for a while. nice touch with the home made decals. cant wait to see more progress

wow, it looks real!

looking good!

lookd good!

Very nice start and a neat idea with the decals on th eplug wires!

More we cry............Off to a grerat start

Best of luck Eric. I had no idea your carbon Porsche GT1 was dead, very sorry to hear it. Engine is looking good so far. Gotta love the Mini! :)

Vric,

Sorry to hear your Test Mule full carbon Porsche ended in disaster. It really does **** me off when something goes wrong, especially when you’ve invested time, money and effort, to then end up with it being thrown back in the box.

I’ve not seen a 1/12 mini being built before. Anyhow, great start.

oh i really love the carbon GT1 you did...hope this big mini can console us,nice progress so far.

Looking good so far. Thank goodness you don't lose heart easily. Can't wait to see what you can do here.

More progress on the engine. I filled parts where there was hole. I also realigned the wires a bit so they are more realistic. I remade the decals on the second wire, since it was unrealistic before. Added few home made decals to the engine again.

http://www.models.magietec.com/images/stories/mini/2.jpg (http://models.magietec.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=32&Itemid=30)

nice work. VERY realistic

I used to work with someone who used to rebuild is mini engine more times then i'd had a shower... It was amazing how often he'd have the thing on his kitchen table.

Anyhow, the block and head looked just like what I'm looking at now.. It's Very Realistic looking. I'm pretty impressed actaully..

Vric, can you do a pic with that engine next to a 1/24 (non-mini) engine?

Vric, can you do a pic with that engine next to a 1/24 (non-mini) engine?

once the engine is done, I will

Vric, can you do a pic with that engine next to a 1/24 (non-mini) engine?

Should be double the size :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

Great progress! decals look very nice.:thumbsup:
Keep it up!

Stunning work! Keep it comming.

Long time since the last update.

Here is the engine mostly done.
http://www.models.magietec.com/images/stories/mini/3.jpg (http://models.magietec.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=32&Itemid=30)


And few people asked me to take a picture of the engine with my 1/24 Mini (that won the 2004 BMOM Rally contest) (http://models.magietec.com/index.php?option=com_gallery2&Itemid=28&g2_view=core.ShowItem&g2_itemId=373)
http://www.models.magietec.com/images/stories/mini/4.jpg (http://models.magietec.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=32&Itemid=30)

As always, you can have more info on my Web Site (http://models.magietec.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=32&Itemid=30). If you like it, support me with the sponsor on the right side.

I hope you like it..

Looking good. You know, you should put the 1/12 engine in the 1/24 Mini. It wont be so mini anymore. :)

Good work mate, I really like the engine details!

Can't wait to see how this big mini will turn out.

this is really coming along great. nice work on all the engine decals. putting them on the wires must have been difficult. the engine looks impressive sitting next to the equally impressive 1/24 mini.

Here is a little update.

The frame (nothing fancy here)
http://www.models.magietec.com/images/stories/mini/5.jpg (http://models.magietec.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=32&Itemid=30)


And the Engine :naughty:
http://www.models.magietec.com/images/stories/mini/6.jpg (http://models.magietec.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=32&Itemid=30)

Very Nice detail work :bigthumb:

Looking great! Love the engine detail ;)

Looking good. Nice detail on the engine.

looking good

To say that it looks good is a bit of an understatement! :D

Engine bay is superb. Somehow the brake discs look disproportionate with regards the calipers, but maybe that's just the angle of the shot.

Looking forward to the next update.

Looks great Vric but where's the rubber glove over the distributor to keep the water out? (just kidding of course - the old Marigold gloves used to be a 'must have' accessory at one time)

Looking good so far but the firing order is wrong, it should be; 1,2,4,3. You've got it wired up; 1,2,3,4, it won't run very smooth like that :nono:, plus the plugs are entering the cylinder head at the wrong angle, apart from that, nice.

Not much to update.
I painted the body tonight, it's too early to take picture of it.

Here is the progress on the interior (flocked) Actually too contrasted picture. It's much softer in real.
http://www.models.magietec.com/images/stories/mini/7.jpg (http://models.magietec.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=32&Itemid=30)

how to glue sand paper on the floor pannel? kinda want do it on my skyline too. thanks in advance!

That's a great "sandpapering" job you did there Vric :thumbsup: :rofl:

guys, it's flocking (http://www.scalewiki.com/wiki/index.php?title=Flocking), not sand paper :rofl: :screwy:

simply gorgeous

Awesome Vric!!!

very good work.

Stunning detail work, this is a great project. :bigthumb:

Small update, this project is going slowly.

http://www.models.magietec.com/images/stories/mini/8.jpg (http://models.magietec.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=32&Itemid=30)

Engine is finished, will take picture later.

That's a beautifull blue body..

Great colour and paintwork! Looking forward to seeing more :)

I'm a bit surprised though that Tamiya only gave it an opening bonnet at this large a scale.

Great colour and paintwork! Looking forward to seeing more :)

I'm a bit surprised though that Tamiya only gave it an opening bonnet at this large a scale.
yea

but anyway, there isn't much to show inside. It's 1/12, but interior use less parts than most 1/24 I made...

Color is hard to take in picture. Metallic + pear = camera going crazy.

that color is really gorgeous,slow always makes perfect.

Finally some update. The project is nearly finished (I will take some picture of the end result soon)

Working on the interior. I airbrushed some Humbrol light blue (89) and some Semi-gloss black. I then painted the lines with Acrylic Red (which is ticker and easier to work with) Once completed, I sprayed a coat of Microscale Semi-Gloss (Satin) over everything to give a more uniform look.
http://www.models.magietec.com/images/stories/mini/9.jpg (http://models.magietec.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=32&Itemid=30)

Working on the interior. I airbrushed some Humbrol light blue (89) and some Semi-gloss black. I then painted the lines with Acrylic Red (which is ticker and easier to work with) Once completed, I sprayed a coat of Microscale Semi-Gloss (Satin) over everything to give a more uniform look.
http://www.models.magietec.com/images/stories/mini/10.jpg (http://models.magietec.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=32&Itemid=30)

Here is a shot of the interior. Floaking was applied a bit everywhere and every parts arei n place (it's quite a basic interior with not much detail, but the floaking and leather give it a better look)
http://www.models.magietec.com/images/stories/mini/11.jpg (http://models.magietec.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=32&Itemid=30)

Here is a shot of the interior with the body in place. I was a bit scared about the doors fitting, bit they fit perfectly in place.
http://www.models.magietec.com/images/stories/mini/12.jpg (http://models.magietec.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=32&Itemid=30)

Hope you enjoy.

That looks really cool :) Nice interior work :bigthumb:

Great work, Love how the seats came out! :thumbsup:

that`s cool.

Completed kit here: http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=613277

Thats one nice mini!