Aoshima D1 Chaser

Yup, another progress thread. Maybe I should close out some of my other ones first? Oh well. When I preordered this kit, I knew I had to build it right away. Well, I finally got it after an ordering mixup that delayed me getting it upon release. I'll be building it up has a drift car that I would build for drift competition as part of my race team. Future buildups in this series will be a Le Mans racer and a JGTC GT500 car. But that's for later.

Some words on the kit. I'm disappointed in the kit, but not surprised by it. The bodykit looks fairly accurate. The front bumper edges are not as sharp as they should be, but the overall look is correct. The intercooler opening is molded in, which sucks. The sideskirts, while accurate, don't quite match the doorlines. The rear lip's opening is also molded in, and the lip itself has some fitment issues. The DoLuck wing looks nice. The worst part is the interior. Aside from having a street interior, which is crap considering Aoshima is making it seem like their D1 models build up like the D1 cars, the interior is straight off the regular Chaser kit meaning it's an automatic. Racing seats and 4-point harnesses does not a drift interior make. Decals look very nice (sadly, I won't be using them). Original Chaser front bumper, steering wheel, seats, etc. also come in the kit.

http://www.quietrage.com/cars/aos_qr_drft_chaser/drftchaser_prog01.jpg

Okay, now for the build. First thing I did was open up the intercooler opening and rear lip opening. Mold lines also removed. Primer to go on later today.

http://www.quietrage.com/cars/aos_qr_drft_chaser/drftchaser_prog02.jpghttp://www.quietrage.com/cars/aos_qr_drft_chaser/drftchaser_prog03.jpg

Color will be Gunze Bright Blue Mica. Decals will be from my spare decal box, but I'll probably end up custom printing most of the manufacturer decals. Interior will need lots of work. Seats are SAS Bride Dinos II. An assortment of Sakatsu accessories (switches, buttons, fire system, etc) will be used for the interior and Eduard colored P/E Sparco harnesses. Modeler's P/E hoodpins and wipers for the outside. SMS carbon fiber will be used on both the hood and the DoLuck spoiler.

http://www.quietrage.com/cars/aos_qr_drft_chaser/drftchaser_prog04.jpg

Wheels are undecided, but will be some 18" wheel. 19's were a tight fit, plus most D1 cars run 18's anyway. Candidates are Work Meister S1's, Exclusive Materasse, Blitz BRW Type03, or Asso Invitations. I will be doing deeper offset rear wheels.

I'm hoping to find the issue of Drift Tengoku that has Kunny's Chaser in it. Each month they profile a D1 car. Great reference photos every part of the car.

More progress soon. I've shelved other stuff, so this will get my almost full attention.

This will be interesting. Your own Race Team?? Can't wait to see this!

Looks awesome. Definately gonna watch this one.

Should be good!

I should have mine next week. I'm sure your's will turn out good.
Could you post a pic of the chassis and the engine-less engine area/ bay? I have plans for a 2JZ install and want to see if there's enough clearance.

will be nice, one of the new D1 kit I wanted

I should have mine next week. I'm sure your's will turn out good.
Could you post a pic of the chassis and the engine-less engine area/ bay? I have plans for a 2JZ install and want to see if there's enough clearance.

http://www.quietrage.com/af/2jz_chaser.jpg

Next to a spare 2JZ engine I got just for such an project. The white piece on the chassis is the mounting point for the body which takes away valuable space. You'll have to find a way around this if you want the engine to fit. Even then, might still be a bit tight.

Nice progress! What type of paint is the Gunze?

Looks good, nice start.

Mike :sunglasse

Nice progress! What type of paint is the Gunze?

It's a synthetic lacquer spray like Tamiya TS sprays.

http://hobbyworld.aoshima-bk.co.jp/scripts/hw/seeke.aspx?seek_code=GUN10165

Thanks alot! I just got mine today so there's going to be a progress thread soon.
BTW if you're not going to use your decals for this car, the Night Walkers (same drifting team as the Chaser) have other maroon 4dr VIP cars that you could use the decals on. If not you could sell them to me. :grinyes:

Nice build, Ctrl + B