Progress: Porsche Carrera GT

Hey everybody! Back again, this time with the highly praised Tamiya Porsche Carrera GT. After seeing some amazing builds on this forum, I became inspired to try it myself.

However perfect a kit can be, there will always be slight problems. I like to deal with these "irregularities" before any paint goes on the parts, that way, if anything needs to be drastically altered, I haven't lost time having to repaint. After mocking up the suspension and wheel assemblies under the body, I noticed the front wheels were in rather far in the wheel wells. I had seen pictures of the front end of this supercar, and it always struck me how the top of the fender was in line with the edge of the tire. It gave a more muscular look to the car, as if the wheels were being pushed right to the edges of the car.
Wanting to replicate this look, I made a pair of styrene spacers to give the front track the extra width it needed:

http://files.automotiveforums.com/gallery/watermark.php?file=/500/76609wheel_spacer.JPG

The results of the spacers:

http://files.automotiveforums.com/gallery/watermark.php?file=/503/76609FD_wheel.JPG

Looks better, no?

Anyways, painting has begun on the engine and drivetrain. More updates soon. Comments and constructive criticism are always welcome! :)

Can't actually tell- think it may be a touch wide. How did it look without the spacers? I would urge stripping the chrome and repainting the wheels. Porsche, like Ferrari, tends to do brushed alloy wheels, not chromed (but, I've vented about Tamiya chrome before).

Looking forward to seeing progress!

Hey, that cutting matt looks familiar! :sly:

Hi,
sorry but I cannot see the Pics.

Micha

MPWR - yeah, I am beginning to see what you mean... Here is the wheel w/o spacer:

http://files.automotiveforums.com/gallery/watermark.php?file=/503/76609narrow.JPG

Eh, it's no biggie. I can always sand down the spacers till they look right, or just leave 'em out. That's the great thing about spacers: they aren't permanent. :icon16:

And also, pics should work now.

Nice start you've made there to what seems to be a beautiful kit, must get one soon :grinyes: !!!

Mike

Nice, I think the space just needs to be a lttle thinner. Stock definitely looks too narrow.

Nice, I think the space just needs to be a lttle thinner. Stock definitely looks too narrow.

:iagree: Thats a nice touch. I am looking forward to seeing this beauty built.

I have this kit and I really need to get on it.....

Hafta agree that stock does look a bit narrow. Thin the spacers a tad, and it should look terrific. It's a great idea- I'll have to keep it in mind for when I start mine :thumbsup: (not for a while, though- I've got a Mythos and an F40 in line first).

Yes, Sam,

it works, I can see the pics.


Thanks

Micha

Nice kit you bought. IMO, go with the spacers.

To be honest, if it was a real car and you drove over a pothole (accidentally of course) the tire would rub on the wheel arch.
That's just my opinion, otherwise it's a great start to a cool car.

Hey everybody. Sorry to update without pictures, but my digi-cam has been "on loan" for the last week, and I won't get it back 'til Saturday. However, I do have news on the build.

I thinned the spacers down to a better thickness, and now the wheels just approach the fender, but stay far enough in that there won't be issues with potholes. :iceslolan
I began painting the engine with XF-16 and MM Alum. Plate metallizer. Also began to paint the frame with a custom mix of MM Black Chrome and Testors Silver to make a very convincing "graphite" look. I sprayed X-19 Smoke over the graphite to give it more gloss and a deeper shade. It looks a lot like the CF used of the GTs frame.

I should note: I chose to forego using CF decals after seeing so many wonderful builds here on AF with oversized CF decal. I won't point any particular builds out because I'm not here to ridicule anyone. I'm just disappointed with the current crop of CF decals. I looked up dozens of photos of the CF frame on the GT, and from only a few feet away the CF just looked gray. In 1/24 scale I would guess that I would be at least 24 feet away. There is almost NO pattern visible from 24 feet away, just glossy silver-gray.
Just as soon as I get my camera back, I'll show some pictures for reference, so you can all see what I mean.

Ahem. Sorry to rant like that, but it's been bugging me for some time.

Oh, and I've decided on a color: Lamborghini Giallo Orion Pearl. Ordered it from Cobra Colors last Thursday and got it Tuesday. Paints look beautiful in their bottles and I can't wait to start spraying. Thanks Leon!

Okay.

Pics Saturday, I promise. Until then, suggestions are welcome.

Nice progress so far. Looking forward to seeing the tricoat paint effects on the Carrera GT body. Got my bag of popcorn and my feet up kicking back to watch this unfold!

In reference to carbon fibre mentioned above, there are decals available that are fine enough to fulfil your 24 foot secnario. Just as their are types of real CF that have coarser and therfore more visible weave than others. Scale-wise it is similar to the large flakes in many metallic finishes...

I should note: I chose to forego using CF decals after seeing so many wonderful builds here on AF with oversized CF decal. I won't point any particular builds out because I'm not here to ridicule anyone. I'm just disappointed with the current crop of CF decals. I looked up dozens of photos of the CF frame on the GT, and from only a few feet away the CF just looked gray. In 1/24 scale I would guess that I would be at least 24 feet away. There is almost NO pattern visible from 24 feet away, just glossy silver-gray.
Just as soon as I get my camera back, I'll show some pictures for reference, so you can all see what I mean.
:iagree:

Hafta agree. Nearly all CF decals I have seen for 1/24 look overstated, out of scale, or both. The cardinal rule about modeling is what LOOKS right is right. The only time I've ever seen CF to look like bright, obvious metallic stripes or spots is when illuminated with a photographic flash. Otherwise, in normal lighting, it looks like a rather subtle pattern of blacks and very dark greys- and it can be pretty small. Unfortunately, it seems that CF decal makers use flash lit pics of cars as reference, and assume that's how it's supposed to look (speculation on my part, but it's really the only way such a distinct pattern is visible). The truth is, because of the physics of lighting and optics, only parts of the car's CF work will show a bright line/dot pattern, while other CF areas will not be visible with the same illumination- so, putting the same bright line/dot pattern on every CF part on a model is objectively incorrect.

I like appying CF under a heavy coat of Tamiya smoke- but I still don't think it really looks scale. A good scale looking CF decal just doesn't seem availible.

I understand what you are saying about the flash MPWR. However that is only the case in dimly lit indoor displays. Bright sunshine reveals the depth of the weave just as well. In fact the idea that carbon fibre is different colours is not true. In my experience it is actually all the same colour, usually black. It is the layering of the fibres and the reflections that they produce that creates the patterns of light and shade. All decal manufacturers can do is try and simulate this in 2D with different inks. As I said before there are carbon fibre decals that are accurate in size. However most of these tend to be hard to see because of the very fine pattern, so people (myself included) tend to take artistic licence and use more visible prints, especially on interiors.

Here is an example if properly in scale carbon fibre decals. Check out the fine weave on these Peugeot 206 wing mirrors. You can't see the pattern at all unless your nose is almost on the model!

http://files.automotiveforums.com/uploads/569223Dcp_0448a.jpg

http://rallycars.topcities.com/gallery/peugeot-nz00/peugeot-nz00-weathered-09.jpg

I understand what you are saying about the flash MPWR. However that is only the case in dimly lit indoor displays. Bright sunshine reveals the depth of the weave just as well. In fact the idea that carbon fibre is different colours is not true. In my experience it is actually all the same colour, usually black. It is the layering of the fibres and the reflections that they produce that creates the patterns of light and shade. All decal manufacturers can do is try and simulate this in 2D with different inks. As I said before there are carbon fibre decals that are accurate in size. However most of these tend to be hard to see because of the very fine pattern, so people (myself included) tend to take artistic licence and use more visible prints, especially on interiors.

Here is an example if properly in scale carbon fibre decals. Check out the fine weave on these Peugeot 206 wing mirrors. You can't see the pattern at all unless your nose is almost on the model!

http://files.automotiveforums.com/uploads/569223Dcp_0448a.jpg

http://rallycars.topcities.com/gallery/peugeot-nz00/peugeot-nz00-weathered-09.jpg


I completely agree Phil and another note.... SMS is coming out with 3D weave decal film soon!!!!!!!!

Nice buils so far... I got to get one soon... heck I need to finish one of myn soon, but I need an air brush.

Amen to the CF discussion. In my opinion there are no CF decals that really look right.

Let's see some pics of this Carrera!

RallyRaider, I can see your point about the truly in-scale CF. What brand is that you showed on the 206 mirrors? If I had some of that, chances are I'd use it. :iceslolan However, I already dun painted it, so case closed on CF decals!

You see here my simple efforts on the incredible Porsche V-10 engine:
http://files.automotiveforums.com/gallery/watermark.php?file=/503/76609engine.JPG

Block, trans. housing, valve covers all airbrushed in Tamiya XF-16 Flat Aluminum. Intake manifold in MM Aluminum Plate metallizer, buffed with a cotton swab. Pullies detailed with Testors Chrome Silver. The whole thing was lightly washed with X-19 Smoke.

Next up is the "highly-controversial" frame:
http://files.automotiveforums.com/gallery/watermark.php?file=/503/76609chassis.JPG
http://files.automotiveforums.com/gallery/watermark.php?file=/503/76609frame_CF.JPG

Airbrushed a mixture of Black Chrome and Silver, then covered in X-19 Smoke to add gloss and depth.

I'm using this picture (and this car) for reference, so you can see how close my work compares to the real deal:
Purty Black CGT (http://www.fast-autos.net/gallery/album219/28_G)

There ya go! I'll get the body painted soon, so I'll keep you updated on that as it progresses.
I had a cool idea to solve one of the dilemmas I was having with this model: to build the car with spoiler down, for that cool, smooth look? Or build it up for the ready-for-the-racetrack attitude... My solution? Micro Liqui-Tape. It's some stuff I found in my LHS a while back, that looks just like white glue, but dries tacky. Once fully dry, this stuff is like the adhesive on masking tape; sticky enough to hold things in place, but gentle enough that it doesn't pull paint off plastic. Made by Microscale (here (http://www.bare-metal.com/microscale.htm?OVRAW=microscale&OVKEY=microscale&OVMTC=standard)), I plan to temporarily attach the spoiler in one position, then move it to the other whenever I feel like it.

So there you go.

More updates soon.

Comming together nicely.
In the pic of the real engine you linked to, the frame looks like it has been painted gloss black!
The carbon fibre decal on the 206 mirrors is F1 Specialties 1/20th.
I'd just assumed the wing on the Carerra GT raises automatically at speed.

Hey everybody.

Haven't been able to do any real work on the CGT lately, what with school and work... Not to mention the weather has been frigid, and airbrushing in below-freezing temperatures is a no-no.

But I did notice something while looking at pics of the engine bay. There are some rather prominent reservoirs and hoses right in front of the intake manifold, and some other hoses running from the valve-covers to (i'm guessing) the oil sump. You can see them clearly in the bottom of this pic here. (http://www.fast-autos.net/gallery/album151/carreragt18) The blue cap at the top of the pic is the reservoir I mentioned. I'm not gonna go crazy with the detailing, but these are easy details that will really stand out once completed. I'll be using a variety of styrene strips and rods, solder, brass wire, etc.


On a side note, there might be some kind of way to raise and lower the spoiler on the real car, regardless of speed. I only say this because in a few of the pics in the gallery I linked (http://www.fast-autos.net/gallery/album219?page=1) to the car has the spoiler up, just sitting in the parking lot.

Anyhoo- some of our pipes are frozen, so I gotta crawl under the house with a hairdryer now. More updates... soon, maybe.

Thanks for looking!

The one and only 996 that I've test driven (I highly recommend it, by the way!:thumbsup: ) had a spoiler switch on the dash. The normal mode was that the spoiler was speed activated- it extended above 35mph or so, and retracted 20 or so- but you could select permanently extented mode, for city traffic, or just 'cause. I can't say this is how it is in the GT, but it certainly wouldn't surprise me. The moral is, display it as you like it. I'm gonna build mine with it retracted- I think it ruins the car's lines when extended....

nice progress, id go with the spacers but a little sanded down, keep us updated

Update Time!

So I went ahead and made the reservoir and a few of the hoses attached to it. The "black box" is just Evergreen styrene strips cut, sanded, and painted with satin black. The hoses are solder painted flat black:
http://files.automotiveforums.com/gallery/watermark.php?file=/503/76609reservoir.JPG

Then I made more hoses from styrene rod:
http://files.automotiveforums.com/gallery/watermark.php?file=/503/76609oil_hoses1.JPG

Put it all together and you get this:
http://files.automotiveforums.com/gallery/watermark.php?file=/503/76609engine_bay_copy.JPG

The red arrows point out the pieces I added. Y'know, in case you couldn't tell...

So there's my semi-detailed engine bay. I hope you're enjoying it so far. I sure am. I only wish the weather would let up a bit so I could use my new CC paints :banghead: .

Comments and constructive criticism always welcome. Thanks for looking!

Well, well, well. It's been a while. But I have done some work on this model. I began the interior; I'm going with the two-tone Ascot Brown/Black scheme. I mixed the paints according to Tamiya's directions, but ended up tweaking the final mixture for the brown. I used X-32 Titanium Silver, as instructed.

http://files.automotiveforums.com/gallery/watermark.php?file=/503/76609interior_2.JPG

I also got around to laying the white primer down:

http://files.automotiveforums.com/gallery/watermark.php?file=/503/76609primer_2.JPG

I decanted the Tamiya spray into a jar, then sprayed it with an airbrush. This way I could control the paint better to get back inside the side vents.

Hopefully I'll be able to get this one done sometime soon! I've been test-fitting a lot, so I'm pretty sure I won't run into any assembly problems, not that I would anyway with Tamiya's latest, greatest kit... It's like a freakin' swiss watch, man.

I look forward to your comments and criticism!

Lookin good there.... WooT>....

I had to laugh about an earlier statement. Potholes and Carrera GT? I like the spacer. Looks much better.

Overall progress is awesome.

Look everyone! Updates!

Right, so it's been awhile, but it's almost done now.

Got the interior done. Same brown/black 2-tone everone else has done, only I didn't mix the brown like Tamiya says you should, so it's a little less reddish.

http://files.automotiveforums.com/gallery/watermark.php?file=/503/76609inter1.JPG

Then I put down several coats of Cobra Colors Giallo Orion yellow base, then a bunch of coats of the Pearl midcoat.
Here's the basecoat:
http://files.automotiveforums.com/gallery/watermark.php?file=/500/76609yellow1.JPG

I don't think it's too easy to see the pearl w/o the clearcoat, so i'll not bother to post pics of it. I do have several coats of clear on it now, but pics are forthcoming.

I hope you all are still interested in this yellow Porsche of mine. I'll post some more tomorrow, once my digicam battery is charged.

See ya!

Look to be doing a fine job. You are maknig a good job of the interior. Looks very nice.

Cool. Looking good! Glad to see you're still at this one. ('course, I know what it's like to disappear for a while, too...) Keep it up and show us more.

Pics were promised, so here they are:

Like I said, this one is nearly done. I just had to get some pics taken in good light.
This is the car with four coats of Giallo Orion Pearl basecoat, five coats of pearl midcoat, and three coats of Tamiya clear.

http://files.automotiveforums.com/gallery/watermark.php?file=/503/76609P6140026.JPG

This one better shows off the beautiful Cobra Colors Pearl. Thanks again Leon!

http://files.automotiveforums.com/gallery/watermark.php?file=/503/76609P6140027.JPG

here's the interior finally inside the car:

http://files.automotiveforums.com/gallery/watermark.php?file=/503/76609P6140028.JPG
look close and you will see that I masked the backs of the seats and sprayed my "carbon" mixture, followed by Tamiya Smoke.

I dunno why this one turned blue, but it's not a bad shot of the rump. I love Tamiya metal transfers!

http://files.automotiveforums.com/gallery/watermark.php?file=/503/76609P6140029.JPG

Here is the car with roof, roll hoops, and wing sitting, unglued, on the body:

http://files.automotiveforums.com/gallery/watermark.php?file=/503/76609P6140031.JPG


So, I yet have to finish the decals, the wheel caps, the panel lines, and probably repaint the wheels. Oh, and also those neat little side marker dealies. Also also need to attach the roll hoop, wing/supports, and license plates. Right. Almost done.

See ya.

Wow! Lovely paint job. I've just started tampering with Cobracolors myself- I may have to try some pearl. Any chance of some bigger pics?

Yeah, strip those wheels, and paint them flat aluminum. They're brushed alloy, not chrome.

Did you do the kit engine screens (clear parts & decals)? Looks good, however you did it.

It's a nice change to see a Carrera GT in something other than blue or silver, the paint job is amazing. I really like the backend of it

MPWR: I used the kit supplied clear parts + decals + a whole lot of Microsol... I think it turned out pretty awesome. Either my mesh decal was slightly out of register, or Tamiya prints them to look almost 3-D. Anyways I like the effect!

I did the panel lines with a ultra-thin wash of burnt umber artist's oil. I applied it carefully with a long, thin brush directly into the lines (which I had scribed out before painting).

I finished the decals, so now the big Porsche emblem adorns the nose. And I glued the side markers on.
Made some bigger pics (Anything for you, MPWR! :iceslolan ) Have a look:

http://files.automotiveforums.com/gallery/watermark.php?file=/503/76609cgt6001.JPG

http://files.automotiveforums.com/gallery/watermark.php?file=/503/76609cgt5003.JPG

http://files.automotiveforums.com/gallery/watermark.php?file=/503/76609cgt6002.JPG

Just as soon as I repaint the wheels I'll be finished. Stay tuned for more exciting action!

Great color, awesome work,

Very nice!! Great work. Nice interior I must add.

Bang:

http://img145.echo.cx/img145/3305/cgt50uy.jpg

http://img145.echo.cx/img145/2089/cgt15xx.jpg

http://img145.echo.cx/img145/5120/cgt22ut.jpg

http://img145.echo.cx/img145/5492/cgt39cm.jpg

http://img145.echo.cx/img145/2288/cgt45bx.jpg

http://img145.echo.cx/img145/449/cgt67fs.jpg

http://img145.echo.cx/img145/1650/cgt77cq.jpg

http://img145.echo.cx/img145/2029/cgt83vy.jpg

http://img145.echo.cx/img145/4042/cgt90fj.jpg

http://img145.echo.cx/img145/6118/cgt101ay.jpg

http://img145.echo.cx/img145/58/cgt111xu.jpg

There you have it! I want to thank all the people out there who encouraged and educated me along the way. Also, I want to thank Leon for the amazing paint, and the even more amazing service.
Any questions, just ask.

Thanks for watching!

Stunning, and clean bit of work. It looks great in this colour. Great detail work. Great job..!!

Nicely done! Terrific looking build- especially the paint job. Good pics, too! What's next?

An absolute stunner!!! 2 thumbs up!!

Thanks guys! I enjoyed building this kit so much that I want to get another one to build in black. :icon16:

My next/current project is a Fujimi Dino 256 gts. It is chrome yellow, as it is a gift for my dad for fathers day. He always wanted one in yellow, and I wanted to give him something at least close. :iceslolan

I'll post pics someday soon, but I am right on the verge of high school graduation and a move from Virginia to Maryland, so it may be a few weeks...

Anyway, I'm glad you all liked it!

My next/current project is a Fujimi Dino 256 gts. It is chrome yellow, as it is a gift for my dad for fathers day. He always wanted one in yellow, and I wanted to give him something at least close. :iceslolan

I'll post pics someday soon, but I am right on the verge of high school graduation and a move from Virginia to Maryland, so it may be a few weeks...

Painted it yet? If not, try the TS-16 instead of the TS-47. TS-16 is Tamiya's match for Ferrari Giallo Modena, and TS-47 is Tamiya's match for Porsche Speed Gelb.

Going to be attending UM?

Lamborghini colours on a Porsche - why not! Looks absolutely stunning! I'd wondered how Giallo Orion would come out as the pearl coat looks a bit greenish in the bottle. Well now I know, done properly it comes out just perfect!