Porsche 356a 1500gs Carrera Speedster

Porsnatic · 03-18-2008, 08:14 AM

This project has been one waiting to be done in the model line up of my rack for long time. It will be adding a spot to the Late '50's-early '60's Convertible Sport car series I had been building for the last five years. I was started with my Italeri Ferrari 250GT California Spyder. Followed by the Testors Mercedes Benz 300SL Convertible. Something common on them it's that they are convertible cars, they are from the late '50's- early '60's(1958-1962)period, and something special on these cars, all of them are red. I consider the color choice has been the right one on all of them until now, but, the Mercedez could be painted in other color like silver or white. On the Ferrari, as everyone here knows, red it's almost the obliged color. After the current project, I plan to do the Alfa Romeo Giuoletta, you already knows it, an Alfa...deep red, later, a Corvette, obvious, candy apple red.

The Italeri Ferrari 250GT California Spyder

The Testors Mercedes Benz 300SL Cabriolet

Looking to this series, I noticed that I didn't have one of my favorite car maker...PORSCHE. I didn't think it twice, it has to be a 356, but, which one? The choice wasn't a difficult one. I guess I picked one of the most replicated car of the world, the 356 carrera Speedster. This Fujimi kit it's a great one, besides, it's one of the few full detailed kits available. I'm thinking make a high detailed version of this one, so, let's see what happens in the following months...or year!...let's start!

After give the bathtub, I mean the body a light sanding, I proceded to airbrush my favorite primer for a first coat, Gunze Sangyo's Mr. Surfacer 1000. This a fine flat light gray primer that can reveal any imperfection an needs no sanding. All the parts that will be painted as the same body color, were painted at this time.

As you guys can see here, any minor detail hasn't been covered, as can be seen in this closeup picture.

Only at the rear, I had to putty something and after I airbrshued my another option everything vanished. At this spot I used Gunze Sangyo Mr. Surfacer 500. After this, I airbrushed another light coat of Mr. Surfacer 1000 only to this spot to eal everything. Since it was done in the morning in my garage, I put the model body and parts in the dehydrator to keep everything warm every time I painted a something.

Porsnatic · 03-18-2008, 08:15 AM

After take sometime working with the bodywork, I proceed to do one of the most enjoyable part of any modemaking...painting. For color,like I told before, it will be red. I will use a beautyfull red I picked up last year at the GSL. This is the House of Kolors Euro Red. Since the Gunze primers are lacquers, I won't have any problem with any lacquer, even with this automotive one. Here you can see how well the lacquer performed.

[IMG]http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y288/Porsnatic/SSC_0428.jpg[/IMG

Ahh, the magic of lacquer!...with a model with so much lines in the detail, I consider, lacquer it's a must. As you guys can see, even with all the coats of primer coats, any detail still can be seen like these pictures of the door egdes and the windshield washer valve.

Even the tiny parts hasn't loose any detailed after all the paint coats.

godfather23 · 03-18-2008, 08:44 AM

These 356s are fantastic and a pleasure to build. Have much fun with the kit. The work you covered up to now looks very promising...and this color combination (i guess red ex and black int) will be great.

Robert

Joe Blyth · 03-18-2008, 09:12 AM

Nice work so far. I agree with you as far as lacquers go, nothing works better!

kenyap83 · 03-18-2008, 12:39 PM

This is a nice car to build. I had some experience with this and the model is very detailed as well. Unfortunately when I built mine. My skills were not as good as I had come to accomplish with the my new builts. I really look forward to seeing more progress coming.

andybmw7272 · 03-18-2008, 01:41 PM

Growing up my neightbor had a '57 speedster and a '76 Carrera. It has me partial to Porsches to this day and forever more.

With that said, I cant wait to see this one come along!!

The red is an interesting choice, but I will say ift looks very pleasingly good!

Andy

BVC500 · 03-18-2008, 02:19 PM

Nice work! Can you post more pictures of the California Spyder and 300SL roadster?

Porsnatic · 03-18-2008, 02:48 PM

You can see more on them here:

http://www.modelcarsmag.com/forums/i...=ferrari+250gt

http://www.modelcarsmag.com/forums/i...des+benz+300sl

Thanks for take a look.

Quote:

Originally Posted by BVC500

Nice work! Can you post more pictures of the California Spyder and 300SL roadster?

andybmw7272 · 03-18-2008, 04:08 PM

Man, if this Porsche end up like the others, it is going to be badass!

Porsnatic · 03-26-2008, 09:39 AM

Here's something more, not much, but, here's how the body being after the polishing process. Like I told, both the House of Kolors and the Finishers Clear coats performed so well that I though the polishing steps would an easy one, and this was what happened. With a little effort I got a smooth nice and glossy surface. Note that some Bare Metal Foil has been added.

to be continued...

Porsnatic · 03-26-2008, 09:46 AM

Here are some closeup pictures of the polished body.

to be continued...

BVC500 · 03-26-2008, 06:12 PM

Its coming along great. I also enjoying seeing more pics of the Cal Spyder and 300SL. Thanks!

cinqster · 03-26-2008, 07:01 PM

Really beautiful job so far. Should be silver though!

Baxter! · 03-27-2008, 05:36 PM

Nice job so far! can't wait for more.

Porsnatic · 03-29-2008, 02:57 PM

I wonder if some of you guys have parts #70 and #71 from tree LETTER D and that for any situation will not use them. These are the tiny rouded chrome bases for the rear stop and turn signals. Also if someone won't use the license plate decals. I will aprecciate it a lot. They were missed in the kit and I need them to finish the body. A copy in resin or other material would be OK.

Let me know.

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