Tamiya 1/24 NISSAN Silvia K's (S13)

[360spider]

Since I finished with Miata, time to pick another quick box stock to keep the ball rolling. I have a few kits that I do want to build and put on the shelf, but I don't want to superdetail or spend way too much time on them - so these Tamiya box-stockers are perfect way to do just that.*

This is another Nissan that I have built close to 20 years ago when I just started getting hooked on these Tamiya kits, and it also did suffer at the hands of my nephews long time ago and was blown to bits probably at some point. Time to build another one.



When I buy kits that were re-issued at some point, I always try to get an original release - for the history of it first, and the fact that molds are usually much better than subsequent re-releases. The only case where that might not be the best way to go is with older race cars, where original decals might be a problem - they usually do deteriorate over time. This one doesn't have many decals, thank fully. Just like I like it - original Tamiya release of 1989 in a grey bottom box with original catalogs, crinkly tamiya plastic, yellowed instruction sheet and that unforgettable smell of a 90-s kit!



The kit is curbside, rather simple, but that is not the point here. S13 is a legend, and look at that shape! 80-s minimalism at its finest!



Will be painted factory Bluish Silver with gun-metal skirts. Wish me luck!

[Captain Mark]

Wow I remember getting the odd kit back in the day with all the Tamiya 'extras' in it.
So is the blue-silver you're planning the colour of the car on the box top, or different?

[360spider]

Originally Posted by Captain Mark

Wow I remember getting the odd kit back in the day with all the Tamiya 'extras' in it.
So is the blue-silver you're planning the colour of the car on the box top, or different?

They do this nowadays too, just different stuff in the box. That is why old ones are cool

Bluish silver is not on the boxart - that's Light Green Pearl. Bluish is what I painted it - see below.

Cleaned up all the parts and washed them to prep for primer and paint:



Painted the body. Bluish Silver metallic with gunmetal skirts. Not polished yet. Love the color!

[360spider]

Masked off the trim:

IMG_1697 by Italian Horses, on Flickr

Sprayed matt black:

IMG_1698 by Italian Horses, on Flickr

Also painted inside the body shell:

IMG_1699 by Italian Horses, on Flickr

Took off the masks, polished the body - almost done!

DSC_0006 by Italian Horses, on Flickr

DSC_0004 by Italian Horses, on Flickr

DSC_0001 by Italian Horses, on Flickr

Painted suspension bits:

IMG_1670 by Italian Horses, on Flickr

Chassis plate painted and weathered a bit:

IMG_1671 by Italian Horses, on Flickr

Ready for assembly:

IMG_1669 by Italian Horses, on Flickr

Front suspension:

DSC_0026 by Italian Horses, on Flickr

Rear:

DSC_0027 by Italian Horses, on Flickr

Completed chassis:

DSC_0024 by Italian Horses, on Flickr

Painted, washed, and assembled the wheels:

DSC_0032 by Italian Horses, on Flickr

Mocked up to check the stance. A bit higher than I want - will fiddle with it a bit once I will know the clearance for the interior tub:

DSC_0015 by Italian Horses, on Flickr

DSC_0013 by Italian Horses, on Flickr

DSC_0009 by Italian Horses, on Flickr

DSC_0021 by Italian Horses, on Flickr

DSC_0020 by Italian Horses, on Flickr

DSC_0018 by Italian Horses, on Flickr

[360spider]

Wow, I didn't think this kit was particularly exiting, but geez...crickets.

Moving on to the interior.

Picking the color for S13 was easy - seemingly it was offered in gray, or... dark gray. Was probably easy to keep clean

Painted everything in base colors:

IMG_1677 by Italian Horses, on Flickr

Detail-painted all the bits and pieces:

IMG_1680 by Italian Horses, on Flickr

Finished dashboard:

IMG_1689 by Italian Horses, on Flickr

Completed interior:

DSC_0037 by Italian Horses, on Flickr

DSC_0039 by Italian Horses, on Flickr

I'm on a home stretch with this one now.

[potsie]

Very nice progress. The chassis weathering is beautifully subtle as usual.

[Captain Mark]

I agree with Potsie, it's a shame some of these builds aren't turned upside down as the chassis is coming up real nice!

Enjoying the build, reminds me of the S13 my missus used to own!

[kohula]

really nice may I ask you about your color scheme for air vents in the dashboard? I mean the opening + plastic around. I like it a lot, couldn´t manage it myself on my models. Thank you

[360spider]

Originally Posted by potsie

Very nice progress. The chassis weathering is beautifully subtle as usual.

Thank you!

Originally Posted by Captain Mark

I agree with Potsie, it's a shame some of these builds aren't turned upside down as the chassis is coming up real nice!

Enjoying the build, reminds me of the S13 my missus used to own!

Is there any Nissan you didn't have? Funny how this things happen.

Originally Posted by kohula

really nice may I ask you about your color scheme for air vents in the dashboard? I mean the opening + plastic around. I like it a lot, couldn´t manage it myself on my models. Thank you

Thanks! Its just a black wash with Tamiya acrylics over gray base.

S13 has a pretty complex optics, but Tamiya gave it all as a simple one-piece, had to sweat a bit to paint that "silvia" logo. Turned out fine in the end.

IMG_1750 by Italian Horses, on Flickr

Assembled taillights, put on wing, badges. Can't really see silver Silvia decal on a light color:

DSC_0057 by Italian Horses, on Flickr

Lights, wipers, mirrors up front:

DSC_0056 by Italian Horses, on Flickr

Its DONE!

DSC_0045 by Italian Horses, on Flickr

DSC_0052 by Italian Horses, on Flickr

DSC_0050 by Italian Horses, on Flickr

DSC_0048 by Italian Horses, on Flickr

More pics in the completed section soon!

[potsie]

Great result!

[Captain Mark]

That's a super clean finish, it's come up awesome! You did very well on those rear lights, I've built an Aoshima S13 and the lights were a real PITA...!

Originally Posted by 360spider

Thank you! Is there any Nissan you didn't have? Funny how this things happen.

Haha... Yes! I've got a 370Z in my sights which I haven't owned before, waiting to see if the NISMO version drops in price when the 400Z comes out and in the meantime I'll keep putting the sheckles away... fingers crossed!!

[petesy]

Originally Posted by 360spider

Picking the color for S13 was easy - seemingly it was offered in gray, or... dark gray. Was probably easy to keep clean

You'd think so but the light gray tweed fabric actually attracts dirt and wears easily.


Love the nice clean lines of the S13, more so than the R32 myself. You are doing it great justice.


For some odd reason Tamiya omitted the washer nozzles for the Silvia, the 180sx and the R32 Skyline. And good thing your original issue body is straight; this era of Tamiya kits are notorious for badly deformed A pillars. I have several original issue 180sx and Skyline where the A pillars twisted forward and backward at the windshield corner, rendering them unfixable.

[360spider]

Originally Posted by petesy

You'd think so but the light gray tweed fabric actually attracts dirt and wears easily.


Love the nice clean lines of the S13, more so than the R32 myself. You are doing it great justice.


For some odd reason Tamiya omitted the washer nozzles for the Silvia, the 180sx and the R32 Skyline. And good thing your original issue body is straight; this era of Tamiya kits are notorious for badly deformed A pillars. I have several original issue 180sx and Skyline where the A pillars twisted forward and backward at the windshield corner, rendering them unfixable.

One of the reason I try to buy original issues - the parts are much better as a rule. Thanks!