Ferrari 575M track Day Car ( Fujimi 1/24 )

( I'm new to the forums and I have also posted this at "work in progress" ... please forgive! )

Here is my version of a Ferrari 575M track day car.

I started this build after I found Helico's awesome build ( posted here )of his all carbon bodied 575M track car. I really liked what i saw and was very interested in creating my own all carbon bodied car exactly - one that was just like his. I started in ernest... but when I got to the point in the build that it was time to actually paint the carbon look on the parts, i gave up on that idea, and just finished the build off in a way that I thought looked awesome without the carbon look. I LOVE Helico's artwork - don't get me wrong! I would have replicated his efforts to the T if I could have done so. But I could not figure out how to get panty hose to wrap around the body and smaller parts for both an inside AND outside fit. Therefore, it became frustrating to finish off the build the way I wanted to, paint-wise. I gave up on that idea, and instead I came up with a paint scheme for my model using tape, one I thought up on my own. And I used my own home made custom logo decals, too, of course.

With my model, I did create a widened rear body section, my own roll cage, added a circular gas cap cover, and came up with my own version of venting for the hood. ( That part wasn't easy at all! ) I created a custom made splitter, and a rear diffuser, also. I added the aftermarket wheel hoops and tires like Helico did, and extended the rear spoiler upward, also. These mods were the same that Helico performed with his 575M build... but my build differs in a few extra ways. I added a 3 panel wink mirror, working head lights, tail lights, and side parking lamps. I made a custom base for it, and that's where the batteries for the lights are hidden. the car is removable from the base. The electric current runs upward through two steel dowels that poke up from two holes and run through the rubber tires, touching the aluminum rims... from there the power runs into the car and directly to the lights. So, the car is quite easily removable from the base for contests, if need be, and the lights are very easy to activate when the car rests on the base when I can display it with a base at contests.

SO! I hope you like my work. It took me about six months of work, on and off, as I got a chance to build. I'm quite excited about what I've created. And I need to thank Helico for his comments and help with body mod ideas. ( Thank you Steve! ) if it wasn't for his awesome all carbon body creation, I may have just passed up on buying and building this kit all together. Let's face it - this Fujimi kit lacks a great deal of detail for the price it sells for. I got my kit when it was on sale a DragonUSA. But! With a little creativity thrown at it... This kit can really shine!

Thanks for viewing my work.. and if you want to see more images of this model than I've posted, you can go to my smugmug website to see all the photos, up close.

http://smu.gs/15fA7yX

( Again, thanks Helico! )

Keith Bailey
Bailey Supercars, Inc.

Nice execution.

Cool idea, and very nice result.