Seeing as how this is my first post here, I'll start with a brief intro before I get to the model in question. After spending a lot of time on AF browsing some of the incredible projects here, I decided I should join. I've been building for a few years now, and have a couple dozen projects on the go, ranging from Ferraris to Hondas, most of which are not box-stock. :naughty:
Some of you may know me already-on all of my other forums I go by the name 'Twenty' (my nickname), but it turns out it was already taken here. The screenname I picked is actually the name of my business so as to avoid having a totally unrelated alias. It's something I run in my spare time, producing model car parts and selling kits and assorted oddments. And by spare time I mean the time not spent on my models, model railroad, studying for school, or travelling with family. :runaround: Busy...

Anyways, enough rambling. Seeing as how I'm making good progress on this particular project, I decided it'd be a good candidate for my first topic here. It started as a Tamiya 350z, but is being changed into this, but only on the outside:
http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g112/Twentyspics/Amuse350.jpg
Here are a few pictures of the scale version for now-more when my internet speeds up.
The hood has been cut up a bit,
http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g112/Twentyspics/P1050705.jpg
rear lip started (artistic license used here),
http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g112/Twentyspics/P1050706.jpg
exhaust changed to center-exit,
http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g112/Twentyspics/P1050727.jpg
and some painting has occured as of late-this week to be specific. The interior will have three main colours, all from Tamiya rattle-cans.
http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g112/Twentyspics/P1070203.jpg
http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g112/Twentyspics/P1070210.jpg
http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g112/Twentyspics/P1070212.jpg
In addition, the chassis has been painted white. This morning the dash and interior tub received their second colours, so when the tape comes off assembly can start.
I think this post is long enough for now, so I'll take a break from typing and finish getting my account set-up.
:wave:

Firstly, welcome to AF!

i see you're mod-delor too, never appreciate out-of-the-box type..hehe!
this is a very good mod to start with i must say. subject is proposeful & wild, good mod theme!

i'm no fan of nissan or any makes but ferrari & i'm a mod lover, so you know you'll have my attention on this one.

i presume you'll be using the rims in the pic? is the roof glass type or carbon laid? you did a good move on those bonnet lourves...simply cut the whole piece out & then do the smaller vents, i'll learn this here...

keep posting whenever you have any updates, there's no such thing as 'too long' a post can be...it's your own diary of the car building that you're writing!

i ever did a tamiya 350Z before, but i really hate the front fixed pose wheels, hope you can do something about it...make it posable in all directions.

good luck & enjoy your stay!!!:evillol:

Nice start on an interesting subject.
I'm not really into "regular" cars (more the F1 and rally type), but find this interesting nevertheless.
Always love to see how others cope with solving mod-deler's problems.

I'll definately be following this one. And as Rockinanko said, your post can never be too long (as long as there are enough pics in it...).

Oh, and the interior parts look already very promising !

20; a cool number in my book :sunglasse (7 is better! :icon16:) Welcome man!! Good to see you here!

Thanks for the replies guys!
rockinanko:If I can find a scale version of the wheels I will be using them-in my eyes they are simply gorgeous. The roof is carbon fiber. Whether or not it is entirely cf, or the stock roof with an overlay is unknown to me. As for the wheels, I haven't given much thought into posing them-I'll see as I go along.

DerXL:Thanks! Tomorrow the tape comes off of the dash and tub, so pictures will be coming of them too. I still have to paint the small details like the shifter and steering wheel, but overall the interior is coming together nicely. I also hope to round up some flocking and carbon decals to further detail it.

tonioseven: Thanks! I figured it was high-time I joined.

Here are a few more pictures of the 1:1 to feast your eyes on for now, until I get some new pictures taken and loaded.
http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g112/Twentyspics/PHA1.jpg
http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g112/Twentyspics/PHA2.jpg
http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g112/Twentyspics/PHA3.jpg

Nice project...hope it goes well.

those LM-R are soo damn sexy!!1

http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g112/Twentyspics/PHA3.jpg

Those Titanium Amuse exhausts are damn expensive. $4000 for just the exhaust and that's without the piping.

I've never really been drawn to the 350z, but that is pretty awesome, I love white/black combo on a car, and that looks terrific. I can't wait to see how yours turns out.

Update time. After going through my various reference photos, and remembering just how good-looking the real car is, I'm changing directions. I was going to build a similar version using the Tamiya 350Z Track edition kit, but that plan has gone out the window. It looks like I'll be picking up the Nismo version kit and instead modifying that body and make an exact copy of the 1:1. Plus, I'll get the new headlights and taillights I'll need. The only possible downside is all the unneeded parts that'll be left over. (Anyone need 350Z interior and chassis parts? Seriously-there'll be a lot left over.)

But, until I get the Nismo kit, I'll be continuing with the interior and chassis, since the parts in the new kit are exactly the same.

The center console has now been painted. I have never used so much tape and paper to mask a part before...:eek7: I apologize to any environmentalists here.
http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g112/Twentyspics/P1070219.jpg
http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g112/Twentyspics/P1070217.jpg
http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g112/Twentyspics/P1070218.jpg
I couldn't resist a mock-up of the interior, to see how it'll all look once completed.
http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g112/Twentyspics/P1070216.jpg
http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g112/Twentyspics/P1070215.jpg
http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g112/Twentyspics/P1070214.jpg
So far, so good. I'm pleased with how this is coming along. Next up the interior will be detailed, and all of the small parts that remain to be painted will be.
C & C welcome as always.

this ride is gonna be insane

ROLF at the Tamiya paint label. What do juvenile modelers paint with?

This is coming along swimmingly.

ROLF at the Tamiya paint label. What do juvenile modelers paint with?

Juvenile modelers use water colors and crayons with white glue, and tape! lol

Sweet, the rims that come with the fujimi f430 se, i think they are fujimi bbs re wheels are the closest match. Just make a lip for them, or you can try scaleproduction.de bbs lm resin wheels. Keep us posted.

Thanks for the replies everyone!
MidMazar: Thanks for the tips. I'll look into those sets of wheels and see if I can find something I like.
Update time again.
I spent a good bit of time today detailing the interior, and it's coming along pretty well. I wanted to do more decalling, but the plumber was here today and our water was shut off... http://forum.spc.org.uk/phpBB3/images/smilies/icon_confused.gif Oh well.
The dashboard was given a moderate smoke wash along the center console to highlight the faint panel lines, and the smaller buttons were lightly drybrushed to help them stand out. The three lower dials were painted with a toothpick and needle.
http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g112/Twentyspics/P1070224.jpg
The door panels have been fitted with handles, and decalling and detailling has helped bring them alive. I also just noticed that one decal is slightly crooked. Crud. The upper silver handle on the left panel was a pain-for some reason I went OCD (look it up) and spent a ridiculous amount of time trying to get it to look good. Maybe the paint and microset fumes were getting to me at this point...:cwm27:
http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g112/Twentyspics/P1070222.jpg
The speaker decals were also put in-microset is recommended here since the decals need to conform to a slightly convex surface.
http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g112/Twentyspics/P1070221.jpg
http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g112/Twentyspics/P1070225.jpg
That's all for now. Next up some of the smaller parts will be prepped for primer and paint.

I wish I could do interiors as good as yours. Looking very clean and liking all the little details. Looking forward to more...

Convincing modelling so far, congrats! I like the interior color combo. Keep us updated!

One piece of friendly advice for this build bro...
just make sure the styrene mods all add up to a smooth body flow(aerodynamics).

how to judge that?
oh, as long as you feel it's SMOOTH & LOGIC...you'll be doing fine.

cheers!:tongue:

Thanks for the replies everyone!
rockinanko: no need to worry. The body will not go into paint until it's perfect.
Updates soon hopefully; I'm out of grey primer so painting has temporarily stopped.

Wow, great stuff. The exterior of the car looks very challenging but it seems like you have it all under control! Great work, can't wait to see more~:smokin:

Thank you all for your continued interest!
Well, I was out running errands again today and got the Nismo kit. I also managed to get into a debate with my mother over how much time and money I spend at the hobby shop, while I was merging into heavy traffic. Thanks Mom..... :lol:
http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g112/Twentyspics/P1070242.jpg
http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g112/Twentyspics/P1070244.jpg
http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g112/Twentyspics/P1070245.jpg
I also wanted to try a mock-up with some wheels. I think I found a suitable back-up set, in case I can't find a scale version of the 1:1's wheels.
http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g112/Twentyspics/P1070248.jpg
http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g112/Twentyspics/P1070252.jpg
(My favorite picture)
http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g112/Twentyspics/P1070251.jpg
If I do go with the Advans, I'll paint the red plastic (spokes and back half of wheel), probably a variant of aluminum.
Over the weekend I'll take care of the mold lines and any other small imperfections, and then the fun can start.

SA3-R, excellent choice!

as for your debate with your mom...Simply tell her it's better than spending hundreds of dollars on drugs, or booze. Not only that, but it's somewhat educational, and mentally stimulating. These are things parents like to hear, specially when they are TRUE!

SA3-R, excellent choice!

as for your debate with your mom...Simply tell her it's better than spending hundreds of dollars on drugs, or booze. Not only that, but it's somewhat educational, and mentally stimulating. These are things parents like to hear, specially when they are TRUE!
That is literally the exact argument I use every time-and it works. She just likes to remind me. :runaround:

Another update. As of late I'm really in the mood to work on my 350Z.
I decided I'd start at the front and work back, which meant that the whole front bumper/lip/undertray assembly is first. Of that assembly I thought it'd be good to start on the grill and radiator. Here is a reference photo to show what it has to look like:
http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g112/Twentyspics/AmuseNismoradiator.jpg
And this is the scale version. Not quite the same.
http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g112/Twentyspics/P1070253.jpg
To start, the grill had to go.
http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g112/Twentyspics/P1070255.jpg
http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g112/Twentyspics/P1070256.jpg
By gluing the two halves to the body and lip, I could keep the original mounting points and assembly order.
http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g112/Twentyspics/P1070257.jpg
http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g112/Twentyspics/P1070259.jpg
http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g112/Twentyspics/P1070260.jpg
After some block-sanding, the upper half has almost been finished.
http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g112/Twentyspics/P1070265.jpg
Next up, the radiator, chassis, and front lip have to be modified to match the real versions.
The radiator, for instance, has to be reworked by extending the sides. Oh look, I've made more work for myself. :runaround:
http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g112/Twentyspics/P1070268.jpg
That's all for this update. I still have a good bit of sanding ahead of me to finish smoothing the front lip and bumper opening.

You can handle it! :sunglasse

very awesome dude.. like it..
why u change ur mind about the hood?

very awesome dude.. like it..
why u change ur mind about the hood?
I didn't. The original hood will be swapped onto the Nismo body at a later date.
And while I'm replying to this thread, I thought it'd be good to have a picture to go along with it. The front lip has undergone some work, so it's better than nothing. The two parts have been smoothed together as one using a strip of styrene to fill the gap. Only a small indent remains.
http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g112/Twentyspics/P1070309.jpg
Progress is slowed at the moment as much of my time is going into the Mini Cooper and my resin engine kit (it's driving me insane :screwy: ). Hopefully more sometime soon.

Very nice work so far! Very interesting progress...

Updates!
After a little 'disaster' with my R33, I was immediately put off of modelling for several days. All interest and motivation were gone. They've started to come back though, so I've tinkered a bit with a kit or two. :headshake
The front lip has had the last small dips filled with putty and the whole thing has been smoothed out. Next up the lip has to be extended, and an undertray has to be molded in as well.
http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g112/Twentyspics/P1070343.jpg
http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g112/Twentyspics/P1070344.jpg
The front of the chassis is still very rough at this point, but is gradually being smoothed out. With no grill to hide it the whole radiator assembly has to be show-quality.
http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g112/Twentyspics/P1070351.jpg
http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g112/Twentyspics/P1070350.jpg
The final update for today is of the radiator itself. The sides have to be extended as the 1:1 radiator is wider than the kit part.
http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g112/Twentyspics/P1070352.jpg
On another topic, I've started to think that the stock seats should be replaced with something...sportier.
These are one possibility, resin Ferrari 599 seats. Any thoughts?
http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g112/Twentyspics/kr24003a.jpg

I've been wanting an excuse to use those seats in something - I think that car would be as good an excuse as any. Though I'm sure the Ferrari folk will take none too kindly to it.

What is that going across the radiator in your reference picture? A chassis stiffener?

I've been wanting an excuse to use those seats in something - I think that car would be as good an excuse as any. Though I'm sure the Ferrari folk will take none too kindly to it.

What is that going across the radiator in your reference picture? A chassis stiffener?

I too have been looking for a good reason to use them-I'm also considering making some one-off racing seats. It all depends on how quickly I want this done. :grinno:

The bar is part of the radiator assembly. What it is specifically I'm not yet sure, but it's included in the Nismo kit.

I've been back at work on the 350Z today. The front lip is still my current project; there's a fair bit of work to do, even though it's just a small part of the car.
After spending a good bit of time comparing my reference photos, I pulled out the styrene and putty. Amuse's front lip is very similar to the standard Nismo unit, except certain features have been enlarged. The side 'winglets' are larger, and while the front of the lip has the same contours, it's deeper.
Here's a quick teaser picture to give you all an idea of what I did. Better pictures will come once I get more work done.
http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g112/Twentyspics/P1070385.jpg
Styrene was added to the main three areas, follwed by a bit of putty to close in any gaps. The winglet in the foreground has been sanded a bit, but the putty isn't entirely cured yet so I can't do anything else. After all of this is done I still have to build the undertray and finish the radiator setup. A lot of work, but it'll be worth it.

Just to let you all know that work continues on the Z-work and school together have seriously cut into my building time, but I always try to find a few spare minutes to sit down and tinker.
The driver's side of the front lip is shaping up. It's hard to show the true form of it without a shot of primer, but the weather isn't allowing that.
http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g112/Twentyspics/P1070502.jpg
http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g112/Twentyspics/P1070505.jpg
I also have something special for the interior under construction at the moment. More on that when I finish it-probably in a few weeks' time if my current time-crunch continues.

I also have something special for the interior under construction at the moment. More on that when I finish it-probably in a few weeks' time if my current time-crunch continues.
And here it is; I think. :screwy:
I worked faster than expected and couldn't resist showing some pictures of the 'surprise', unpainted. A one-off 4-point rollcage. I planned for a 6-point (or even more) but now I'm stuck between keeping this one or extending it forward. As I look at it I'm really pleased with how it is now, so it's a hard choice. We'll see...
Anyways, here's the skeleton of it all. The seams will all be smoothed away (thus the gray putty) to create a show-quality cage once the paint comes. Taking inspiration from High End's 350Z, it includes the rear cross brace and a harness bar (which will most likely be used).
Pictures! I apologize for the messy desk-this week has been hectic and I haven't had time to clean up. :frown:
http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g112/Twentyspics/P1070526.jpg
http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g112/Twentyspics/P1070528.jpg
http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g112/Twentyspics/P1070532.jpg
http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g112/Twentyspics/P1070536.jpg
http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g112/Twentyspics/P1070535.jpg
More whenever I can. Tests are coming up and with orders to ship, personal building time is taking more and more hits.

great job on the roll cage maybe you should make a small cam to sit on the cage too but then again its up too u if u making it as a racer or just show car

great job on the roll cage maybe you should make a small cam to sit on the cage too but then again its up too u if u making it as a racer or just show car
You read my mind. :lol2: That's coming.

good when u do a small how too would be great i been meaning to make one but dont seem to look right

Just to show that the 350Z is still being worked on, here is a small update. I moved back to the rear spoiler since it needs a lot of reworking, and frankly I was getting bored of sanding the front lip. The first step here is to reshape the lower half of the wing, and once that's done the upper half can be started. I went with putty for this instead of styrene since the complex shape of the part makes gluing styrene in place challenging, and the colour variation allows me to see if I've sanded too far.
Enough typing for now, here are a few snapshots.
http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g112/Twentyspics/P1070655.jpg
http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g112/Twentyspics/P1070656.jpg
http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g112/Twentyspics/P1070657.jpg
The top has to be flattened a tad more, and some areas need a little tweaking, but the basic shape is there. Next up I want to get to the chassis and do something with that, but I first need to do some measurments to see if what I have in mind will work or not.
In addition, I have a certain item coming from the UK for this build, to really set it apart from the others and add some detail. More on that when it comes.

Sorry for the messy desk. Haven't had time to tidy it up this week.

Mmm, it's starting to look tasty. Keep it up, and give me some pointers on my project as well. :)

The PE set I'd ordered came today. The two full sheets give plenty of parts to work with, so I can improve some of the poorer areas of the kit.
http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g112/Twentyspics/P1070666.jpg
More updates as I get some work done.