LHD Seven

I wasn't planning on it, but then I didn't plan to make a lot of things I already did...

I used SMS C/F decal for the dash, but it was too light and a bit coarse/high contrast for the look I wanted. So I tinted it with Tamiya Smoke and Clear Blue lacquers before clear coating it.
https://i.imgur.com/YqkU4XV.jpg

The gauges are installed in the dash…
https://i.imgur.com/nFuNS6Y.jpg

The master cylinder needed to be converted to left-hand drive too, but it instead of modifying the existing part I made a new one from brass, aluminum and resin. I had a leftover resin copy I made years ago; I cut the reservoir off and fitted it to a hand filed and cut brass cylinder body. The flange was milled from aluminum.
https://i.imgur.com/jIQUz6h.jpg

Textured and painted…
https://i.imgur.com/dpKZQKX.jpg

Finished the dash. Machined all the switches and warning lights in aluminum.
https://i.imgur.com/EEjjk1L.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/cbATvY2.jpg

It wasn't until after I painted the upper frame (after converting it to left-hand drive) I noticed the Tamiya BDR factory build I cannibalized was built with the JPE version part that has a big boss to mount an overflow tank in the middle of the forward X brace.
Keeping the Ford over GM (Vauxhall) theme I filled, whittled and filed the "error" into a correct configuration.
https://i.imgur.com/5m2xEmr.jpg

The parking brake lever was at the wrong angle for a LHD application so I cut it off the boot and machined a new one. The handle is rubber.
https://i.imgur.com/WDaJp5Z.jpg

Hmmm… What will this be…?
https://i.imgur.com/j6qFbwL.jpg

I milled the top of the battery so it snaps onto the brass body of it.
https://i.imgur.com/psGN5vk.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/n66AeV0.jpg

That's very cool. Clean milling too!

I so much enjoy your seven threads...sorry for not commenting before.
Have a question thou since you like those Seven's very much, I recently bought re-issue and wanted to get other wheels since I don't like ones in kit.
Since there is't a lot of 1/12 wheels in aftermarket I took ones from studio Rosso 16" Watanabe, do you maybe have those and tried for fit, will they be too big.
Anyhow, sorry for intrusion and not commenting, but I follow closely every new post. Great Optima battery btw ;)

I so much enjoy your seven threads...sorry for not commenting before.
Have a question thou since you like those Seven's very much, I recently bought re-issue and wanted to get other wheels since I don't like ones in kit.
Since there is't a lot of 1/12 wheels in aftermarket I took ones from studio Rosso 16" Watanabe, do you maybe have those and tried for fit, will they be too big.
Anyhow, sorry for intrusion and not commenting, but I follow closely every new post. Great Optima battery btw ;)

No apologies needed.
I have not used aftermarket parts for my Sevens as I enjoy creating my own parts, so I don't have a definitive answer for you. The Tamiya tires are 15's in the BDR kits, but they may stretch over a 1/12 scale 16 inch rim.

"Made" this for it today. Designed a Mallory ProMaster Coil in SolidWorks.
https://i.imgur.com/3Moe92K.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/BaAfy0B.jpg
Then I made the factory mount to go with it.
https://i.imgur.com/18M2s5r.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/HJyNzG9.jpg

I'll have them grown separately and assemble them to this configuration, and then add my own milled hardware and wiring.
https://i.imgur.com/LATk6Ub.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/Lcgtfiq.jpg

The ribs around the top and bottom (with correct notches) have been added as well as the end details (flat panels).
https://i.imgur.com/itXOOrH.jpg

Today's project was to make this Mallory HyFire6 ignition box in SolidWorks.
https://i.imgur.com/UwN8a75.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/4yUrDYR.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/WEugTUU.jpg

I added the side terminals to the top and notched the rib in the main body to match.
https://i.imgur.com/4IjaE6A.jpg

I finally got around to bolting the starter onto the engine. Just needed to make the hardware…
https://i.imgur.com/VrS1n9V.jpg

The master cylinder is done. The cap was machined as were the fittings and mounting hardware. The seals between the reservoir and cylinder were made from soft vinyl. The decals were drawn and printed by me.
https://i.imgur.com/wbnDDU9.jpg

The header had already been modified to work with the other LHD converted pieces from when I wrote the Scale Auto article chronicling how to do it.
It was in two pieces still as it comes in the kit. I cemented them together and filled the seam and ejection pin holes. The flanges have been drilled to accept the mounting hardware (that I still have to make).
https://i.imgur.com/eZuC9XN.jpg

Side terminal connectors for the battery made from brass.
https://i.imgur.com/ICUtZMK.jpg

Heat shield for the muffler rough cut from brass and reinforced with aluminum rings.
https://i.imgur.com/rWcJYZ2.jpg

Wow, how did you cut that pattern on the muffler?

Machined it by hand on my mill.

Very cool.

Thanks!

The muffler was machined and etched with the logo.
https://i.imgur.com/lI6wYSB.jpg

The pipes were bent from brass tubing. The rear bracket is brass sheet.
https://i.imgur.com/cZaMauQ.jpg

I milled flanges to attach the exhaust system to the header.
https://i.imgur.com/NHN41Vm.jpg

I finished making the battery cables for the side terminals. (The hex heads are the correct size.)
https://i.imgur.com/HxHsA4o.jpg

The battery is done, slightly weathered/dirtied up. (I can't attach the cables until I know how to route them after I install it.) The top terminals are scaled correctly so the positive one is a hair larger diameter than the negative post. I drew all the art and printed the decals.
https://i.imgur.com/TKN50jI.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/590C2KG.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/1zlEsEF.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/IKkkPjS.jpg

The connector pipe between the header and muffler is done. I machined the hardware (with lock nuts) and made a gasket too.
https://i.imgur.com/JcVI726.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/wyZDP9b.jpg

Your level of detail and scratch building skill is more and more amazing...

Thank you Kjenjak!

Muffler & tail pipe.
https://i.imgur.com/8rFSMYc.jpg
With heat shield and connector pipe.
https://i.imgur.com/FEF8MK2.jpg

I finished the header. Added the studs/washers/bolts to the head flanges as well as a gasket.
https://i.imgur.com/aFTIyj5.jpg
The welds were added to the joints where the tail pipe and connector pipe meet the muffler.
https://i.imgur.com/olEWj7H.jpg
The finished exhaust system.
https://i.imgur.com/vSMBCP4.jpg

Wow, no words. This is top notch.

Thank You!

I got the ignition parts back from the grower. I'm impressed with what he could do with my files.
The coil actually slides onto the mount as a full sized one would. I still need to make some hardware and the decals.
https://i.imgur.com/D8lJQDP.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/JXYoY55.jpg

A little paint and a couple custom made decals and they are coming to life.
https://i.imgur.com/eBk8eDG.jpg

I machined the oil tank and all the ancillary parts for it.
https://i.imgur.com/v562NoR.jpg

Very nice little bits!

Thanks! When I made the overflow tank I went minimalist and did it in 5 pieces.

Painted the fittings and assembled it…
https://i.imgur.com/Ky2YPeI.jpg
Made the overflow tank too.
https://i.imgur.com/f4K4VpU.jpg

I milled the mounting hardware for the intake manifolds and then added them to the engine.
It's almost ready to install into the chassis.
https://i.imgur.com/vVxoBmD.jpg

Very cool engine. All the little milled bits/bolts make it look like a real thing.

Thanks! I'm trying...

Brass mounting bracket for the tank. I acid cut the ears/tabs and soldered them onto the ring.
https://i.imgur.com/AzX3ESq.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/DjmWL9A.jpg

I installed the engine; it might stay, or it might have to come out if I can't get access to everything I need to attach to it…
https://i.imgur.com/GFLgOkB.jpg

I fully expect this to fire up and run when you're done, it's that detailed. Any idea what octane it will need to run on?

I fully expect this to fire up and run when you're done, it's that detailed. Any idea what octane it will need to run on?

100 * 1/12 = 8,33 octane :smooch:

I did have to remove the engine once to finagle the header in. But it is in for good now…
The scratch-built Left Hand Drive footbox has been installed too.
https://i.imgur.com/yMX1cyx.jpg

The proportioning valve was milled from an aluminum impregnated resin blank I cast. The five fittings and knob were milled from aluminum.
https://i.imgur.com/KRniKrY.jpg

The proportioning valve is installed to the firewall and plumbed to the master cylinder and out to the brake lines. The hard lines were made from aluminum rod.
https://i.imgur.com/3FHsWVk.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/v1xtmPK.jpg

Very nice details!

I made the mounting and detail hardware for the ignition box. I also made rubber insulators for the four mounting bolts. The (correctly colored and sized) wires have been added with a grommet where they are connected to the box. The larger wires connect to the battery and already have the clamps installed to the ends.
https://i.imgur.com/KJtZ3oV.jpg

I formed and added the front brake hard lines and connected them to the flex lines that were installed with the brakes. The upper frame and scuttle have been installed permanently and I started to install the ignition system and wiring.
https://i.imgur.com/FmJ0Agv.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/x4diDC0.jpg

I installed the battery and connected it to the starter solenoid and the ignition box. There is heat shielding on the positive cable where it snakes past the header.
Also wired the master cylinder.
https://i.imgur.com/Y8zl4u2.jpg
Wired the coil into the system and made the little brass hardware for the signal wires.
https://i.imgur.com/VUsFUpI.jpg

I finished the radiator and oil cooler. I machined some bolts and washers to hold it all together as well as a drain petcock, cap, plug and oil line fittings.
I made a framework that is mounted to the oil cooler brackets to support the stone shield. It is bound to it with .002 thick wire. I also made all the decals.
https://i.imgur.com/Ry4NPlg.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/JubYg8S.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/VIBuZDU.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/PvbPvhM.jpg
Sorry for the bad shot of the shield frame, didn't notice the wrong setting before I assembled it permanently.
https://i.imgur.com/dfoFOdX.jpg

Time to get back to work on the scratch-built brass roof. I used Faux Fabrix for the texture on the exterior but it wasn't as uniform as I wanted so I sanded it off. (That's what the red is.)
I reworked the mount that attaches to the roll bar and had to fine tune the fit of the lower side edges where they meet the body by adding more material. (Note the little tab that fits into the body above the rear springs.)
https://i.imgur.com/PL5L55h.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/kiASj18.jpg

With the amount of time and effort you have put into this beautiful build, you could have built a showstopping real one. Always love your updates, gives me food for thought in my own builds.

Thanks! I have heard that before, but I have enough real cars already.

I retextured and final painted the exterior of the roof.
https://i.imgur.com/6uEnbKA.jpg

The beginning of the license plate. Acid cut brass.
https://i.imgur.com/tAeVokU.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/BKjeVCL.jpg

Incredible commitment to detail!

Thanks! Yes, at this point I am committed to trying to keep the level of detail on par with the rest of it. Or is it I should be committed?

Front latches for the securing the roof were milled out of resin and the rear mount for the roll bar was built out of brass then they were "fiber glassed" in before painting.
http://i.imgur.com/ZGkkvKU.jpg
I milled the roof lock pins from aluminum.
https://i.imgur.com/5fWgS3K.jpg
And I acid cut the lock levers from brass. They are really small.
https://i.imgur.com/mgj17dZ.jpg