Airtrax 1/24 FERRARI 330 GTC

[360spider]

After building a few nearly box-stock Tamiya kits to remember how its done, hone some techniques, and feel the airbrush again, I decided it was time to do another serious, all-out, old-school, superdetail project. Long time ago I have purchased an Airtrax transkit to build a car that I consider one of the most beautiful Ferraris of the late 60’s – the gorgeous 330 GTC.



Traditional 2-seater coupe 330 GTC (Gran Turismo Coupe) was unveiled at 1966 Geneva autoshow as an additional model to the Ferrari lineup and sloted between 275 GTB (on which chassis it is built) and more upscale 330 GT 2+2. The body was designed and built by Pininfarina.





Over the 2-year period through the end of 1968, Ferrari made a total of 598 cars (both RHD and LHD). 330 GTC was considered by many to be the most elegant model in the Ferrari lineup. Beautiful body lines were complimented well by the powerful 12-cylinder engine and nicely appointed luxury cabin with spacious trunk. The car was no slouch and handled great too.





Transkit is very simple, and contains a body, few interior pieces, some external bits, and a fret of photoetched parts. Disclaimer: I’m in no way trying to bash people who made the trasnkit in my following descriptions of the parts and the quality overall – I’m thankful it exists and somebody made it.



The resin castings are pretty horrible, but overall correct as far as proportions go.





Quality of resin casting is pretty bad. Lots of bubbles, uneven and partially lost panel lines, parts that are not completely (fully) cast, and body shell thicker than my finger. Poop.



But, nobody did anything better since this was released, so we have what we have. There will be a lot of work to make this look worthy of calling a replica, like fixing bent parts like this:



The glass vacuuforms are very vague, the front does not fit.



Other parts are not much better, some are just wrong. Just look at the seats….



Luckily, photoetch is of great quality, and will be very useful:



That’s all for now. As a base for the model, I will use Italeri 275 GTS kit.



There will be obviously any other things and sets used, like wheels, etc. Not decided 100% on the color as of right now. Wish me luck.

[Kjenjak]

I will watch this one with great interest.
I can remember very well when I built mine, it was a true PITA.
But it is worth the effort, it will be a beauty when you make it to the end.

[360spider]

Originally Posted by Kjenjak

I will watch this one with great interest.
I can remember very well when I built mine, i was a true PITA.
But it is worth the effort, it will be a beauty when you make it to the end.

Thank you! I didn't know you built this - any pictures of the finished model? I'm having a hard time to find anything or anybody who built this kit! George's model is the only one as far as I know.

[nniemi]

I built one long time ago...

Sorry for the inconvenience and no offence taken. After all i did not cast them. Great to see that you have decided to take this as your next project.

Edit:
Some pics here: https://s20.photobucket.com/user/nni...?sort=3&page=1

-Niko

[Kjenjak]

Originally Posted by 360spider

Thank you! I didn't know you built this - any pictures of the finished model? I'm having a hard time to find anything or anybody who built this kit! George's model is the only one as far as I know.

I didn't take any back then.
Took just 2 quick ones from my showcase.


Paint is Zero's Oro Chiaro.


If you decide to go full detail I recommend to change the head lights for some different ones. The clear resin isn't "clear" at all.

[360spider]

Originally Posted by Kjenjak

I didn't take any back then.
Took just 2 quick ones from my showcase.


Paint is Zero's Oro Chiaro.


If you decide to go full detail I recommend to change the head lights for some different ones. The clear resin isn't "clear" at all.

That looks great! Fitting color.
Did yours come with those wheels? Mine came without any wheels! I'm still contemplating whether to use wires for an early version, or find and cast some Compagnolos. And yes, the lights are junk and will be replaced. Along with many other things!

[360spider]

Originally Posted by nniemi

I built one long time ago...

Sorry for the inconvenience and no offence taken. After all i did not cast them. Great to see that you have decided to take this as your next project.

Edit:
Some pics here: https://s20.photobucket.com/user/nni...?sort=3&page=1

-Niko

Niko, I know you did not cast it, no apologies needed! You did great job with the master, like I said, the proportions almost spot on! I think I might have gotten a late copy, the molds must have started to deteriorate on this one. But it will get done and will be a good looking lady

Thanks for the pictures, the car looks great built! Now that you mentioned it, I do remember seeing your build back then.

[afxracing]

Look forward to see this come together. A beautiful Ferrari but aren't they all (at least most of them).

[360spider]

Originally Posted by afxracing

Look forward to see this come together. A beautiful Ferrari but aren't they all (at least most of them).

Haha, so true - old Ferraris are all beautiful!

As it happens, I’m very enthusiastic about the project for a few days, so this is the time to accomplish a lot if you want to advance in the build beyond “I’m burned out on this” stage 😊 The body was cleaned up, all bubbles filled, panel lines corrected and re-scribed, body block-sanded, smoothed, corrected in spots, and overall made ready for test fitting the rest of the components:

IMG_1479 by Italian Horses, on Flickr

IMG_1480 by Italian Horses, on Flickr

IMG_1481 by Italian Horses, on Flickr

IMG_1482 by Italian Horses, on Flickr

IMG_1483 by Italian Horses, on Flickr

IMG_1484 by Italian Horses, on Flickr

There is still a lot of work on the body, but at least I can start working with other bits knowing general proportions and shapes.

IMG_1486 by Italian Horses, on Flickr

IMG_1485 by Italian Horses, on Flickr

IMG_1487 by Italian Horses, on Flickr

IMG_1488 by Italian Horses, on Flickr

A 12-cylinder Ferrari should have a motor! And what is the point in putting a motor in a model, if you can’t see it, right?

IMG_1464 by Italian Horses, on Flickr

The new hood will be made out of .010 brass. The overall shape was done by beating the brass into shape (like Pininfarina in the 60-s!)

IMG_1466 by Italian Horses, on Flickr

IMG_1467 by Italian Horses, on Flickr

Got the overall shape right:

IMG_1465 by Italian Horses, on Flickr

In this process it is imperative not to rush and check your work often:

IMG_1468 by Italian Horses, on Flickr

IMG_1470 by Italian Horses, on Flickr

IMG_1469 by Italian Horses, on Flickr

Then I spent some time re-shaping and perfecting the curve:

IMG_1474 by Italian Horses, on Flickr

After the general shape was right, I cut the resin hood out:

IMG_1490 by Italian Horses, on Flickr

The thickness of the casting is crazy!

IMG_1492 by Italian Horses, on Flickr

IMG_1493 by Italian Horses, on Flick

Test fit to make sure the curve is right:

IMG_1494 by Italian Horses, on Flickr

Then I ground the resin from the back side to make the opening appear like sheet metal – more or less. It will be thinned some more later on.

IMG_1502 by Italian Horses, on Flickr

IMG_1503 by Italian Horses, on Flickr

Then I cut the brass piece to fit the newly reshaped opening:

IMG_1506 by Italian Horses, on Flickr

IMG_1507 by Italian Horses, on Flickr

Then spent some time making sure all the gaps are right and tight, and the shape of the hood is correct. Preliminary coat of metal etch and gray primer to see the result:

IMG_1527 by Italian Horses, on Flickr

IMG_1529 by Italian Horses, on Flickr

IMG_1530 by Italian Horses, on Flickr

IMG_1532 by Italian Horses, on Flickr

IMG_1533 by Italian Horses, on Flickr

Texas chainsaw massacre! More soon!

[Kjenjak]

Great progress!
Seeing this feels so good, just like the good old days!

Originally Posted by 360spider

That looks great! Fitting color.
Did yours come with those wheels? Mine came without any wheels! I'm still contemplating whether to use wires for an early version, or find and cast some Compagnolos. And yes, the lights are junk and will be replaced. Along with many other things!

Yes, mine came with these wheels. Borranis would look good as well, but all my other cars from that area have wire wheels, so I liked to have something different for a change.

[360spider]

Originally Posted by Kjenjak

Great progress!
Seeing this feels so good, just like the good old days!

Yeah, it does, doesn't it? Now we just need everybody to start building and posting again! Sadly, AF feels like a shell of former self these days. Thank you!

Originally Posted by Kjenjak

Yes, mine came with these wheels. Borranis would look good as well, but all my other cars from that area have wire wheels, so I liked to have something different for a change.

Weird, I wonder why I didn't get the wheels!

[360spider]

One of the reasons I made the hood out of brass is the fact that you can solder stuff to it! That comes handy when you need to solder a hinge to the hood
IMG_1576 by Italian Horses, on Flickr

Cleaned up the solder a bit, will still do more before painting:

IMG_1577 by Italian Horses, on Flickr

IMG_1578 by Italian Horses, on Flickr

IMG_1579 by Italian Horses, on Flickr

Refined the hinge saddle inside:

IMG_1580 by Italian Horses, on Flickr

IMG_1581 by Italian Horses, on Flickr

Checked the clearance - all looks good!

IMG_1583 by Italian Horses, on Flickr

Next is the chassis mod to fit the body!

[nniemi]

Great looking progress!

Originally Posted by 360spider

Weird, I wonder why I didn't get the wheels!

I might still have some sets. Too bad i have no idea how to access my Shapeways account after six years...

-Niko

[360spider]

Originally Posted by nniemi

Great looking progress!



I might still have some sets. Too bad i have no idea how to access my Shapeways account after six years...

-Niko

Haha, its ok Niko, I was half-joking anyway. I think I have settled on building an early version with some photoetched wire wheels to set it off.

[quadzero]

Metal work is amazing. Looking forward to more of this.