MotorMax 1/24 Metal-body Saleen S7 kit

[malsheem]

I was wandering around the mall during lunch today and went to Kaybee Toys. Found this metal body kit of the Saleen S7. Looked decent, metal body, plastic other stuff, build it yourself kit. Since to my knowledge there isn't any S7 kits in 1/24 (a few 1/43 race cars), I decided to pick it up. $8, no biggie.

I'm going to do one of two things. Strip the paint off everything(it's terrible, orange peel everywhere). Repaint it in the orange metallic color seen in the brochures, and detail the hell out of whatever I can. Downside is being metal, I can't open up the various vents on the car.

The other option was to resin copy the body and then build it up from there. That way I can open of the vents, make it look more real.

Still not sure what to do about decals? Maybe swipe some from Revell's Saleen 281.

Anyone else bought or built this kit? Any thoughts/comments on how to proceed in making this a good model?

[86_SR5]

no, but I'm definetly gona get it! I've been looking for a ford supercar. I know the Saleen Stang S351W has some good decals. Post some pics of it and the box, so I know what I'm looking for.

[Ferrari TR]

While I don't have that kit, I have built and re-built a few metal cars.
The easest way to get an idea of what needs attention is to build the car right out of the box. Just be careful of snap on parts that may be hard to get off when it comes time to take it apart.
Now that it's finished look at what you might like to improve upon.
Take it back apart and get started.
You might be surprised how much better these look with just a little paint detail inside and out !

[malsheem]

Here are some pics. The body and the doors are metal. The rest is plastic. While the box says 1/24., measurements show it's actually 1/25. It's curbside, but the top of the engine visible through the rear window is provided. The rest is pretty basic. The wheels look a bit too small, not like the 19's on the real car.

[Fastphil]

I have about 20+ reference pics of the candy apple red one from the Gillette commercial...

[86_SR5]

Nice kit. Don't like the fact that it's curbside, but at least it has the top part viewable. I'm definetely getting it. How big are the rims, about?

[mike@af]

I am a die cast modeler, and I have a suggestion to make on what you can do to open up the sides.

I am assuming you have a rotary tool of some sort, such as a dremel. Use the dremel to open up the vents. I scratch built saleen S7 vents on a die vast once, and used a dremel to open it up then used some styrene to make the individual slots. PM if you need help.