Two german beauties... (300 SL in-depth progress)

This is my in-depth progress thread on one of the greatest cars ever made by the firm of the three pointed star... the Threehundred SL

As a classic car lover, I see this as my duty to make a tribute to this awesome car which was at the avant-garde of the car world.

The plan is to maketwo distinctively different cars,
the 300 Sl Gullwing (made by heller)
the 300 Sl Roadster (recently released by Italeri)


The two kits are more or less equal molding-wise , quite nice.

the kits were found at a good price, but I would expect one to want the heller kit badly to pay a lot ...


A few details were quite frustrating about the kits, and I show you in steps how to get by them .


The first thing to bust my balls was that the steering is fixed, which I hate, so I used some intelligence, imagination, superglue and alu rods to fabricate the next thing , pics speak for themselves.



http://files.automotiveforums.com/uploads/180123mercedes004.jpg

At the left, the original bits, at the right the bits changed to have steering.

http://files.automotiveforums.com/uploads/206670mercedes003.jpg

this is with the steering into place

http://files.automotiveforums.com/uploads/800114mercedes002.jpg


Two more things were bothering me in these otherwise more then good kits ...

the crappy tyres (if anybody got some dunlop's racing's spare, I ll be more then happy to pay for them

and the windscreen on the 300 SL is fully scratched... which is a very bad thing, but I need to cut out the glass anyway...

and another thing is the decals... the stars really do look ugly on them, and I was wondering if there were any Photo-etched stars around ???

http://files.automotiveforums.com/uploads/584333mercedes005.jpg


Here are the two bodies, with hoods that need to be cut-out to show the nicely made engines.

And you migth have guessed it by now, the Gullwing will be able to fly


:smile:
I 'm planning to cut out the doors and to hinge it , but I m still open to any suggestions about how to do this...
As I have to replace the glass with some clear plastic, I shouldn't have problems making that .. so why not hinge it, it's this car's key feature...



http://files.automotiveforums.com/uploads/124527mercedes001.jpg
http://files.automotiveforums.com/uploads/109908mercedes007.jpg http://files.automotiveforums.com/uploads/939042mercedes009.jpg

Well, that's it for today, I ll be firstly finishing my E-type and then I can fully concentrate on these to beauties.








For those who don't like to read throught the whole thread, here are the key questions..

Q1 : which colour for the cars (exterior -interior)
Q2: how to hinge the gullwing doors
Q3; how to cut out the gullwing doors
Q4: are there photo-etched mercedes stars and emblems available ?
Q5: Which tyres (rims?) could I use to replace these, and from what kit
Q6: can I fix the scratched glass easily


Ciao
and thanks
Olivier

Can't wait to see them done especially the opening gullwings.:bigthumb:

Looks like an intereesting build! I love these old Benzs. If you want to hinge the doors there are a few different tutourials in the Car modelling part of the two model forums. The colours are entirely up to you but I think one in gun metal with red interior and maybe a black one with cream interior would look good. I don't know about the stars because I don't get photo etched parts but there will most likely be some.

Old wire wheels would look good on them, would keep the theme. As for the windshield it depends on how badly the plastic is scratched, but people usually use very fine grit sand paper to get scratches out.
Good job with the steering :bigthumb:

Yes its easy to fix the glass! Ive done this a feew times on the bubble canopies on model jet fighters that often have an ugly seam running down the middle. Get some very fine wet+dry paper (the grey stuff) and rub till the whole screen is unifornly scratched all over and is a cloudy white colour (:eek:dont worry i promise this works) then get some silver/metal polish and rub the screen until its nice and clear again. Sorted

ok, thanks a lot, that's one thing I won't have to worry about !

Oh, and would sanding untill 1500-1600 be enough?

Oli

2 lovely looking cars that well look great when done.

I'm liking the colour that is already on them.....silver and a nice deep red.

Originally posted by primera man
2 lovely looking cars that well look great when done.

I'm liking the colour that is already on them.....silver and a nice deep red.

That's what I keep telling him! But does he listen? Noooo... :p

:iagree: At least one of them has to be silver.

agreed about the silver on the gullwing, but the other car??? don't like red on a merc.... sorry !

And here 's a little update, I did a trial , like a prototype version of the actual hinges, they're still drying with some superglue, but I m pretty confident they will do the trick.

Plus they seem to blend in nicely. The only thing that might be changed it the front attach, it's showing a bit through the front window , when looking carefully, or I could just put a sun-visor in front to camouflage it ... :rolleyes:


Oh, and about the German Beauties, I just gave the beautifull and classy Gullwing a name, from now on yuo can call her Claudia, mind you, she's mine though :tongue: http://files.automotiveforums.com/uploads/172651DSCN2004.jpg
http://files.automotiveforums.com/uploads/709994DSCN2005.jpg

tell me what you think and if you know answers to the first post, please, please post them !

Thanks Olivier

The Gullwing atleast should be silver, maybe with red interior? I think the roadster wouldn't look bad either with that combo, or maybe it could be white (ivory?).

I didn't realise that Heller has managed to do so good looking Gullwing:eek: After buying their crappy 205T16 I swore I'd never buy Heller again, but I guess I'll have to rethink if I ever see their Gullwing for sale:smile:

-Mikko

Hm, thanks for the comments Mikko, well, the colour of the interior of the gullwing will Red.:smile:

And the door has been tried, and it does work like a charm, except that I will have to replace the hinge , it should be almost against the top of the door.. atleast my test worked .


Oh, another question for merc fans ; IF you have got pics of the trunk of this car, I couldn't find any, could you post them, so I can see if it 's do-able .

Thanks

Olivier

Hope these help.

http://files.automotiveforums.com/uploads/733134mercedes-benz_300_sl_gullwing_03450_0039_02_08_15.jpg
http://files.automotiveforums.com/uploads/501929mercedes-benz_300_sl_gullwing_03450_0039_02_08_18.jpg

Senor! Let me just tell you how amazed I am with your choice here. I have those 2 exact same kits in my shelf, waiting for some inspiration on how to do the Gullwing doors... So you're first :wink: That's good, now I can steal some of your ideas.
Oh wait a minute, I won't steal them, I'll pay for them, with reference pics. How's that? Cause it happens to be, that I just bought - at Goodwood - this book:

http://files.automotiveforums.com/uploads/549878cover1.jpg http://files.automotiveforums.com/uploads/997080cover2.jpg

ISBN: 0-7603-1213-3
Published by: MBI Publishing Company
Author: Dennis Adler
It describes the 300SL in the US, but I think spec-wise there aren't any differences.

Here are some idea's for the colours. First a family shot. Silver Gullwing with blue interior, Red Gullwing with tan interior, Black Roadster with hartop and Red Roadster, both Roadsters with tan interior.

http://files.automotiveforums.com/uploads/227323slfamily.jpg

Detail of the door

http://files.automotiveforums.com/uploads/235317gullwingdoor.jpg

Blue interior of Gullwing

http://files.automotiveforums.com/uploads/717494interiorblue.jpg

Tan interior - here on red Roadster, but identical on black.

http://files.automotiveforums.com/uploads/808603roadsterinterior.jpg

Bigfrit questions on 300SL
Q1 : which colour for the cars (exterior -interior)
Q2: how to hinge the gullwing doors
Q3; how to cut out the gullwing doors
Q4: are there photo-etched mercedes stars and emblems available ?
Q5: Which tyres (rims?) could I use to replace these, and from what kit
Q6: can I fix the scratched glass easily

A1a: Silver Gullwing with blue interior
A1b: Red Roadster with tan interior - there's nothing wrong with a red Roadster, in fact it is a typical colour for it.
A2: No answer, you're well on the way in doing it - keep going
A3: drill a small whole and use some nylon wire (naaidraad - dutch word for it, sorry guys) it'll cut through the plastic :wink:
A4: Never seen them, still a problem for me as well.
A5: maybe you could look for tyres like Tamiya uses for the Super7 kit, but I'm not sure :dunno:
A6: Like stated, you can use a very fine grid paper for that, and then polish it. I use a product called "The final touch" manly developped for jet canopies, but it works on car as well of course. Bought it a an IPMS meeting once, but forgot from whom.

Hope this helps. If you need pics on the engine, trunk, chassis, etc. I'll scan them and e-mail them to you

:biggrin:

Oh I almost forgot:
Always good to see a Benz being build on the forums

:biggrin: :biggrin:

those are 2 beauties :cool:

You could've avoided a lot of grief on the Gullwing if you'd bought the AMT kit. It's wholly accurate and has everything opening.

But, since you're you, I'm glad you didn't find the easy route because now I get to see more of your masterwork. Keep at it!

Huudo, those reference pics are awesome! Thanks a whole lot, and I hope I can make these models anywhere worthy of teh real benzo's .


Octacon; Didn't know about the AMT kit, but hey, what the hell, I m having a whole lot of fun on this one, so I 'll just let it be and make this one at my very best.

Here are the current progress pictures.

Hope I don't bore you too much!

http://files.automotiveforums.com/uploads/861299mercedes011.jpg
http://files.automotiveforums.com/uploads/381367mercedes013.jpg
http://files.automotiveforums.com/uploads/595658mercedes015.jpg

as you migth see, I m still in the preliminary phase ,trying to get everything sorted out and planning ahead (which I love to do !


Today' mods include improved underside of the tub, which wasn't flat , as it should be
I added a lip to the uperside of the interior so it wouldn't show the "holes" through

I cut out the interior flaps , the ones connecting the interior to the exterior you know the door's interior... I m not finiding it easy to explain, but the red stuff inside the car has been cut and replaced lower and farther to the back , to make sure the doors will stay open and closed without seeing any gaps.

And I made a booth place, which still isn't finished , but you get the finished pic, right ?

Oh, and almost forgot to mention, I cut out both the doors and the trunk and I made some schematics , which according to me will be the perfect hinges for this car .

(and in the meanwhile I m slowly working on my E-type... :smile: )

To be continued


Oli

Who's this kit by? I've read through but haven't found anyone say who it's by, sorry if I've missed it.

Originally posted by Bangai-o
Who's this kit by? I've read through but haven't found anyone say who it's by, sorry if I've missed it.

1st page 1st post 5th and 6th lines ;)

Thanks :redface: I overlooked the brackets. I don't know if you've ever played the Geoff Crammond Grand Prix games or computers but that just reminded me of the password system. You needed the manual so you couldn't just copy the game.

Oli, I thought you were gonna finish the E-type first? :confused: But at this pace, the Mercs will be finished first! :biggrin: I see the trick with the wire did work out well. Nice. I'm really keen to see how the hinges are gonna come out :wink:

Off course I m not forgetting the E-type, and the stratos for that matter, they are being worked on simultaneously, as I think I m a fast builder, but I like to take my time to think about stuff.

And I was out of tamiya Primer, as was the shop, so I couldn't do the interior of the E-type, but look here , it's primered!

hehe http://files.automotiveforums.com/uploads/548224a001.jpg

And for the e-type, I ll be making a detailed dashboard, including choke , ignition key with Jaguar keyring :tongue: , and everything will be spiced up and improved by using tamiya bits and pieces, like handbrake, shifter...

And I m trying to make some flocking on the floor, maybe using some baking powder ...
as you might see , the bits and pieces are ready for the paint job.


And here 's the info you requested.

I tried several sorts of hinges, but came to the conclusion that this type was the perfect shape for the gull-wing doors, a compromise between functionality and uglyness, as it won't show through when finished, it would look the real deal.
How it looks done, using some thin alu rods, and placed them into a Plasic tube , similar to the RC antenna's, then glued together.


http://files.automotiveforums.com/uploads/196984a002.jpg
http://files.automotiveforums.com/uploads/127869a003.jpg

on the car, closed, then opened position.

http://files.automotiveforums.com/uploads/143727a004.jpg


I m pretty happy with the final result.

First to installing them, I will have to putty and sand imperfections in the car, chassis, interior and bodywork...

And now, on to the trunk , which to mee seems a whole lot more intricated... has an odd shape..

Also, Claudia (her name :wink: ) will be silver and red interior.

Only problem occuring for the moment is to get my hand on some BMF to finish off this awesme car and my jag... can somebody tell me where to get some in Belgium , not using internet?


Oli

Nice project, the door system is ingenious... I've a question, what is the price of your primer spray can? Because I use primer for real cars (10€... is the same price?)

For info this is my favourite weapon for modeling :biggrin::

http://files.automotiveforums.com/uploads/832440Disk.JPG

oh, & the second weapon :wink: :

http://files.automotiveforums.com/uploads/517937Cutt.JPG

Good job man! :bigthumb:

Great progress bigfrit.:bigthumb:

I think this two will looks awesome, can't wait :smile:

Sofar, I ve done some massive sanding on both of the cars, because there was a nasty line going the long of the front and back buper that needs to be filled, to get good results.

Lots of puttying and sanding also has been done on the interiors , especially on the gullwing, which also has been modified to sit wider and lower, to accomodate the doors.

The chassis's also received a favour treatment, removing seam lines along the tubular chassis.

sofar the progress pics....

http://files.automotiveforums.com/uploads/439209DSCN2027.jpg

http://files.automotiveforums.com/uploads/248669DSCN2028.jpg
Oli

Ahhh, I can't wait to see the Gullwing finished! I love that car! :biggrin:

As for the color - silver with blue interior looks cool, but I also like the black version with a tan interior.

-Pille-

Great progress Olivier!
hope you to everything be a success. keep goin'!! :thumbsup:

Very nice "Atlantische Oceaan" worldmap you got there. :biggrin: oeps looking at the wrong subject. Looking good! Looking good!

I'll scan some more pics and mail them 2morrow. :bigthumb:

Somehow overlooked this thread until now :bloated:

Great stuff Olivier, some really ambitious ideas you are trying out! Can't wait to see the finished articles.

That is one impressive production line you have in your workshop, Jags, Lancias, Mercs :smile:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v215/bigfrit/jaguar/progress006.jpg

Here 's an update on this long-lost project of mine, I m trying to focus on this one, try to finish it without getting too distracted by other cars calling out.

What I did to it is just paint, polish ,and voila. It just needs a bit of waxing , and a fairly detailed interior and chassis.

I ll keep you updated, thanks for looking
Olivier

Very nice progress

Is the colour blue Oli, or black with a reflection coming from the blue screen of death on your computer monitor? :D Thanks for the update.

It's black.

Figured as much ;)

Beautiy, simply sleeping beauty.
Nice work

Great builds on these zwei deutschen Schoenheiten. Did you already decide ont he colour for the gullwing? No? Then go white, make it white with a red inetrior, that would be my alltime favorite, but maybe that´s just only my :2cents: to the color issue.

Nevertheless, absolutely lovely what you did to hinge the doors and evberything else, can´t wait to see more progress!

How did I mist this thread before?
Amazing build!!!!
I'm making the same Gullwing kit with open doors and trunk too, It looks like a decent kit to me and I have the same problem with the windshield, must be a manufacture defect.
Mine will be Black with tan interiors and I'm thinking to make my own PE parts.

Wow, nice models! Can't wait to see them finished.

Hey Oli, Great work!! It would have been easier if you bought the precut and pre-hinged kit from AMt, but you are doing a great job never-the-less.

I was hoping to help you a little by posting pics of the roadster I did a while back... especially the interior.

http://www.joeyandmona.com/albums/albun02/m1.sized.jpg

http://www.joeyandmona.com/albums/albun02/m2.sized.jpg

http://www.joeyandmona.com/albums/albun02/m3.sized.jpg

http://www.joeyandmona.com/albums/albun02/m4.sized.jpg

http://www.joeyandmona.com/albums/albun02/m5.sized.jpg

As far as photoetch sars, there is nothing that I know that is going to be that size...

Let me know if you need any help with any parts of the build.

-Paul

Oh, this is just fantastic! Gorgeous work so far on two of the best looking cars of all time. Your work on the gullwings is fantastic. That will be very worth it when they open.

What? No VIP rims for these, though?

Oli, whats the progress man? I want to see more of this build up!! ;)

Hehe, Paul, I gotta first finish my Jaguar car, then I ll be all over this car (or these cars, better).

Thanks for the keen interest tho, you know it's gonna be a bitch to try and have the same results as you did on yours, but hey, trial never killed anyone right?

Oli

Absolutely stunning!:eek: