Eunos Roadster

Here I am with another project, this time with a Tamiya Eunos Roadster. Initially I thought about doing a coupe version, "à lá" willimo's S2000, using the hardtop as the base. But then I realized my skills aren't quite good enough, so I scrapped it...Instead, I'm just adding new, bigger wheels and some other minor details. I'm thinking of adding some carbon fibre to the door mirrors, but not sure yet.

I still not sure about the colour yet. I was thinking about a pale gold, or bright yellow, both with black wheels. Any suggestions?


The body is primed. Here I filled that gap between the fender and the bumper, I think it makes the front a little more "fluid"
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v345/pettercardoso/frontright.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v345/pettercardoso/frontleft.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v345/pettercardoso/backright.jpg

Here are all the parts cut from the tree, ready for the clean up
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v345/pettercardoso/boxofparts.jpg

Most small parts that needed primer:
Before primer
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v345/pettercardoso/preprimer1.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v345/pettercardoso/preprimer2.jpg

And after primer
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v345/pettercardoso/afterprimerbunch.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v345/pettercardoso/afterprimerchassis.jpg

Thanks for looking.

tiny little roadster....
can anybody tell me where it is called eunos and where mazda? Cause in germany this car is called mazda mx5

It's the Eunos Roadster in Japan.

give it a wide body :)

Are you sure you don't want to do a coupe? Mazda even has one coming for us soon. This will be a cool model nontheless, a much ignored and great segment of import tuning - some of the quickest cars around!

Can't wait to see it finish! Keep us posted! :smokin:

interesting progress

Are you sure you don't want to do a coupe? Mazda even has one coming for us soon. This will be a cool model nontheless, a much ignored and great segment of import tuning - some of the quickest cars around!

This is what I initially had in mind, color scheme and all:
http://www.clubmiatamonteregie.ca/coupe.jpg
http://www.clubmiatamonteregie.ca/mc6.jpg

And I think it's not very difficult to achieve, but I don't have easy access to some products like Evergreen's styrene. The main idea would involve gluing down the hardtop and smooth it out with putty, working carefully around the edges. But I don't think it would look very good:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v345/pettercardoso/eunos1.jpg

Photoshopped preview
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v345/pettercardoso/eunos2.jpg

As you can see, the rear window sits too vertically, and the small side window would have to be ommited, compared to the real car. That's what I don't like about using this method. I would be much happier if I could just cut it off, and build the damn thing from scratch.
Does anyone have any suggestions?
Oh, and yes, those are Skyline R32's wheels...and yes, that's what I'll be using, if I can get them to fit :rolleyes:

tiny little roadster....
can anybody tell me where it is called eunos and where mazda? Cause in germany this car is called mazda mx5

it is also the mazda MX5 in the states...

I really like this car. Keep up the progress!

You could cut the roof right through the middle (across the width of the roof) at its highest point, and lengthen it a few scale inches, and glue the back of the hard top further back. The change would be small enough to be filled with putty (good putty) if you don't have access to styrene. You could then trim the back edge of the stock window opening to match the little quarter windows in the prototype, and then use some scrap (shaped sprue even, if you're having trouble finding plastic) to make the small piller at the back edge of the door. It's doable, but I won't sit here and argue with you about it....

The wheels look great, too, but I think the tires are (gasp!) too large. If you can get your hands on lower profile tires like the (gasp! again) tires out of the Revell Civic/Integra, you might make them fit better and more convincingly (note the narrow sidewalls on the prototype pics you showed, for example). Are you still planning to make it yellow?

This is what I initially had in mind, color scheme and all:
http://www.clubmiatamonteregie.ca/coupe.jpg
http://www.clubmiatamonteregie.ca/mc6.jpg

And I think it's not very difficult to achieve, but I don't have easy access to some products like Evergreen's styrene. The main idea would involve gluing down the hardtop and smooth it out with putty, working carefully around the edges. But I don't think it would look very good:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v345/pettercardoso/eunos1.jpg

Photoshopped preview
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v345/pettercardoso/eunos2.jpg

As you can see, the rear window sits too vertically, and the small side window would have to be ommited, compared to the real car. That's what I don't like about using this method. I would be much happier if I could just cut it off, and build the damn thing from scratch.
Does anyone have any suggestions?
Oh, and yes, those are Skyline R32's wheels...and yes, that's what I'll be using, if I can get them to fit :rolleyes:

I've had the same project on my to-do list for years. The rims are even available now from Pegasus.

As for the roof, I looked very closely at the car when I saw it at a couple of shows, and from magazine pics (Road and Track had a comprehensive article), and I suspect they made fiberglass molds from an RX-7 and used that on the Miata coupe. I remember reading about the prototype and that it was made from very thick fiberglass. The double-bubble roof and rear glass for all intents and purposes look identical to the '93 era RX-7. My plans are to take an RX-7 roof section, use the RX-7 rear glass, and blend it to the Miata. That would be much easier than working w/the Miata/Eunos hardtop.

I'm trying to find a suitable rear window donor for a current Miata coupe like they sell in Japan. The tapered rear glass isn't like any other current car, looks more like '60's vintage.

I have had this planned to do for a while to... both in model form and on my 1:1 Miata

May I suggest using smaller rims, or at least those rims with smaller tread, it kinda looks like a SUV now.

You could cut the roof right through the middle (across the width of the roof) at its highest point, and lengthen it a few scale inches, and glue the back of the hard top further back. The change would be small enough to be filled with putty (good putty) if you don't have access to styrene. You could then trim the back edge of the stock window opening to match the little quarter windows in the prototype, and then use some scrap (shaped sprue even, if you're having trouble finding plastic) to make the small piller at the back edge of the door. It's doable, but I won't sit here and argue with you about it....

The wheels look great, too, but I think the tires are (gasp!) too large. If you can get your hands on lower profile tires like the (gasp! again) tires out of the Revell Civic/Integra, you might make them fit better and more convincingly (note the narrow sidewalls on the prototype pics you showed, for example). Are you still planning to make it yellow?
Yeah, cutting it through the middle seems like a good idea and not very complicated. You're making me change my mind..I might try that...eheheh

About the wheels, you are very right. Altough I still think 17" is pushing it a little, I could pull it off by, as you said, getting lower profile tires.
These are 16" and I think they would look good. The only problem is the tire quality and the fact that they are slicks:
http://www.mediamixhobby.com.sg/catalog/images/ren/ren24sp516_med.jpg

One other option would be shaving the original kit tire to fit the new wheel, but then I'd loose the wall detail. And it wouldn't look that nice, would it? :nono: :lol:


(...)As for the roof, I looked very closely at the car when I saw it at a couple of shows, and from magazine pics (Road and Track had a comprehensive article), and I suspect they made fiberglass molds from an RX-7 and used that on the Miata coupe. I remember reading about the prototype and that it was made from very thick fiberglass. The double-bubble roof and rear glass for all intents and purposes look identical to the '93 era RX-7. My plans are to take an RX-7 roof section, use the RX-7 rear glass, and blend it to the Miata. That would be much easier than working w/the Miata/Eunos hardtop.(...)

Here (http://www.clubmiatamonteregie.ca/miata_m_coupe.htm) are many pics of that build up. I, too, think they sarted off with an RX-7...
I have one waiting to be built, and I don't like it that much, so I might see if it can be pulled off.

On the color subject, yellow seems to suit this little roadster very well. But racing green wouldn't bad either..eheheh
Nevertheless, I'm open to ideas :) (bear in mind that I don't have a good airbrush, so I can't use mixed colours without ending up with a terrible paintjob...rattle cans RULE! :lol: )

Hey Pedro,

Don't mind the slicks. My MX7 from Aoshima has them too. Don't mean to steel your tread, hope to give you some idea's.

- color is somthing from Tamiya(NSX blue, I guess)
- wheels came from DTM-calibra.
- Mufflers came from Fujimi-Grade Up Parts
- single rollcage is self made

http://files.automotiveforums.com/gallery/watermark.php?file=/502/240490Mazda_MX7_001.jpg

http://files.automotiveforums.com/gallery/watermark.php?file=/502/240490Mazda_MX7_002.jpg

http://files.automotiveforums.com/gallery/watermark.php?file=/502/240490Mazda_MX7_003.jpg

http://files.automotiveforums.com/gallery/watermark.php?file=/502/240490Mazda_MX7_004.jpg


Hope you like it.

Nice dude, I like the idea: coupe version.

Photoshopped preview
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v345/pettercardoso/eunos2.jpg

As you can see, the rear window sits too vertically, and the small side window would have to be ommited, compared to the real car. That's what I don't like about using this method. I would be much happier if I could just cut it off, and build the damn thing from scratch.
Does anyone have any suggestions?


Hmmm... you mentioned that the rear window doesn't have the right slope. I have a suggestion for you. How about cutting the rear window of the hard top, then mold the hard top on the body. As for the rear glass I suggest you use the window from an FD. It will create the right proportion IMO. Good luck!

Wheelin75r: thanks for the ideas! Could you tell me what colors you used for the interior? If I go with the Racing Green for the body, the interior would look nice in tan/dark tan/black, and yours is very nice!

Porsche_Carrera:Thanks. ZoomZoomMX-5 told me exactly the same thing ;), I might go for that...I just have to plan a lot before starting cutting things :) I've ruined an RX7 because I cut before I think :D

By next weekend I may post some pics of how things are going.

I haven't made my mind about the color yet. Any thoughts?

Racing Green (like you said) or Bright Red with white racing stripes.

Or maybe a nice light metallic blue?

I love this build! Keep up the good work!

If you are worried about wall detail being lost when using the stock tire. Then just sand down the inside wall since it will not be seen.

Racing Green (like you said)


:iagree: I'd say go for the Coupe! Should be fun!

I have decided to go ahead with the coupe! :uhoh: Let's see if I can pull it off!
Don't have any pics yet, but today I began chopping things..I started by cutting off the rear window on the hardtop, and test-fitting the RX7 one. I have to say that the RX7's window curvature is awsome...it blends with the Miata almost perfectly...
The hardtop is now glued in place and blended in the body with automotive epoxy putty. Now I just need fo figure out a way to fit the rear window without cutting the body too much...

I'll post pictures as soon as I get the camera back!

I've been fooling around with photoshop and I came up with this idea: supressing the front indicators!
I've been told that it looks weird this way, but I kinda like it....What do you all think?

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v345/pettercardoso/0bfdc9aa.jpg

I can dig! You don't have the roof from that old RX-7 you messed up? You could use that? Glad to see you've gone the road less traveled, that always makes for hot models! (Cars...)

The progress pics I promised :)

As you can see, I think I got the overall shape looking Ok. The main problem now is fitting the rear window flush with the body..With that solved, everything would be ready for some paint!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v345/pettercardoso/df050c75.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v345/pettercardoso/a2ca2fc2.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v345/pettercardoso/338c9ac0.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v345/pettercardoso/10b2a663.jpg

Interesting project, keep up the good work.

Thats really awesome project, keep on going :thumbsup:

Wow, there's some good stuff going on in this thread.

I noticed one thing during my nitpicking phase. I realize that you aren't trying to replicate exactly the yellow-orange Roadster that you posted earlier, but I found something that would bring you a little closer to it.

http://nwwo.com/chop/mx5.gif

As you can see, the back end of the side window slopes back farther than the way you currently have it. I know you've already got the hardtop on and it's probably be a lot more work than you'd like to do, but it's just a suggestion. You know, incase someone else does this same subject.

Great build, though!

hi pedro,
i think the rx7 roof fits the lines of tho prototype very well.
maybe just cut out the side windows

That looks hella nice! About the rear window... hmmm... let me think of something. :icon16:

[QUOTE=pettercardoso]Wheelin75r: thanks for the ideas! Could you tell me what colors you used for the interior? If I go with the Racing Green for the body, the interior would look nice in tan/dark tan/black, and yours is very nice!


Sorry for a late reply. The interior colors are Sand(Tamiya spray) and flat black.
Decided on what wheels you're going to use yet?

Nice work for the moment. Keep it going!!

Looks great! A huge improvement over the stock roadster (in my, biased opinion). Fantastic work, too!

About the quarter windows, I'm not really sure if I want to do them. The "windowless" shape has grown on me, and now I think it looks cool. And besides, I never said I wanted to build an exact replica of that yellow coupé :icon16:

Thank you for your coments, guys! They made me start this project, and they keep me motivated!

Again, thank you, and thanks for looking!

Regards,
Pedro.

Pedro, I think you're the current iteration of the coupe(with the Rx-7 window) is much better than your photoshopped prototype...to me it looks just like that yellow coupe now! Great putty work!

To be honest, I like the look you have already. I was just throwing in my ideas in case you were trying to recreate the yellow car :) Great build.

I never really like the looks of the flip-up headlights Miata that this model is based on, but seeing it as a coupe changed my view 180 degrees. The roof really adds a lot to the looks of the car. I'm going to be watching this one for sure.

Its looking great Pedro! I knew you were able to pull this off.

Well, I was finally able to take some pictures. I fitted the back window just by puttying it flush with the trunk...It was under my nose all time :)

This is going very slowly, but with patience I'll get there (eventually :D)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v345/pettercardoso/esquerda.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v345/pettercardoso/direita.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v345/pettercardoso/traseiraesquerda.jpg

Looks good Pedro! I cannot wait to see this baby painted.

Looks good Pedro! I cannot wait to see this baby painted.

same about me :naughty:

:1:

wow, that roofline has really changed the entire look of the car. Much more aggresive IMO. Did you ever decide on keeping or filling in the front indicators?

Its looking awesome Pedro!

It looks so natural! Awesome and Goodluck!

Sweet!
Great work on the pillars!

As a coupé, it looks like a completely different car.
Very nice, Pedro!

Bringing this back from the dead :)

The body is on hold for some time. The putty keeps cracking in some spots and I'm setting it aside until I find the will to actually finish it properly.
In the meantime, I managed to find the time to make some progress on the interior.

Basic masking and airbrushing semigloss black and my own mix of "camel". I have the mixing ratios for this color, if anyone's interested.
The dash was painted and the instrument gauge decal was covered with acetate sheet to simulate the glass on the real thing. It actuallly looks quite nice in person.
The black looks a bit rough on the center console, but that's just some tricky light effect. The buttons were detailed with a fine brush with flat white. From a distance, it really looks like they have something written on :)
The pedals received a cover from soda can aluminum and drilled to simulate the attachment screws.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v345/pettercardoso/mx5/dash1.jpg

I made a gear lever from real wood. I just machined a toothpick on my dremel and stained it with real wood stainer (sp?). It's a little out of scale but I quite like it :)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v345/pettercardoso/mx5/manete.jpg

It's almost ready now. Only the handbrake and some dark brown wash on the seats is missing.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v345/pettercardoso/mx5/complete3.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v345/pettercardoso/mx5/complete1.jpg


Thanks for looking.


Best Regards,
Pedro.

Looks good and it's nice to se that you are working on it again! Keep it up!

A toothpick! I would have never thougt of that! The interior really looks nice! Keep it up!

I like that camel color! Please post the ratio, I might use it on my Enzo.

Hey Pedro.. long time ...great thread!! nice proj buddy!!.. i´m big fan of your projects!!..
.. what about that R32 hood.. does it works??

Cris Jr
www.scaleimportracer.com

I like that camel color! Please post the ratio, I might use it on my Enzo.
Here you go:

XF59:3 + XF10:2 (desert yellow:3 + Flat brown:2)

The first picture (dash only) shows the color better. The other ones came out a little on the light side.
Hey Pedro.. long time ...great thread!! nice proj buddy!!.. i´m big fan of your projects!!..
.. what about that R32 hood.. does it works??

Thank you, Cris! :)
The hood is almost perfect. I only have to make a slight adjustment to get it fitting right. I haven't had the chance to do it yet, though.

Thank you for the comments!

-Pedro.

finally! been waiting for awhile for some progress on this. nice interior and the lever is just pure genius! what did you do for the rear deck lid? did you finally cut it open?

Good VERY VERY good man!!!. And that's an amateur work?? Pet, you were laying me... :-D
Keep that work up Pet. See you soon

Hey cool! This is a great project, I'm glad to see it resurrected. Your interior is awesome, beautiful work.

This is cool!!:)

This is a great project! The interior looks very nice. Good luck with the bodywork!

Wow! That Interior is beautiful! Seriously ! Its soo classy:)

:naughty: Nice work on the interior!!

Man, How could i miss this project?

Great build.

Great work on the interior Pedro, looks stunning. What type of putty are you having trouble with?