Mini Cooper S conversion

Alittle over 2 years ago, I had an pathetic attempt to convert a Revell new Mini Cooper into a Mini Cooper S. (This one: http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=70805
I hope this time, I'll do better.

Progress pics:
Cut out left side hole in the rear bumper and cut open the area where the exhaust come out.
http://files.automotiveforums.com/gallery/watermark.php?file=/502/5730Dscn0029e.jpg

Here, the right side hole is done, and the original exhaust cut out is blocked off with stryene.
http://files.automotiveforums.com/gallery/watermark.php?file=/502/5730Dscn0035e.jpg

The left hole seems to be alittle too big, gonna have to putty it up. More progress pics tonight.

good start! :sunglasse

lookin' good!!! i like the cooper s more than the regular cooper

Looks like this will be good...

Cutting open the intercooler hole
http://files.automotiveforums.com/gallery/watermark.php?file=/502/5730Dscn0036e.jpg

More update tomorrow.

in case you didn't know....
the bonnet of the cooper s has an extra bulge at the front where that intake is.
in the real car this is to make room for the supercharger and it's feed, so a little putty work might be needed to give it that beefier look.

MINI
http://www.mini2.com/gallery/personal/Instructor/new_mini_002.jpg

MINI-S
http://www.mini2.com/gallery/personal/marriedblonde/cropped_mini.jpg

Looks ok to me... there's no bump only the opening

Looks good!

The hood shape is different. The contour is so slight in scale that I don't see a reason to even try to duplicate it.

MCG makes a PE set with the S badges too.
:p

if you've ever seen the two cars lined up next to each other, you can clearly see a difference.
even in the pics you provide there is a difference.

like i said, on the real car, the extra space is for the supercharger.
the 'bump' is where the opening is.
if you follow the line where the front wing meets the 'bonnet' line (yes, i know it's a clam shell...), you can see what i mean.

but yeah....
in scale i guess it won't make that much of a difference.

Without getting involved in the bonnet debate, nice progress so far. I'll look forward to following this thread.

Revell has put a lot of plastic in that area of the hood, so it's already pretty bulgy. I'm not going to mess with it.

Did some work on the front bumper today. Mainly cut open the radiator openning to S spec.
http://files.automotiveforums.com/gallery/watermark.php?file=/502/5730Dscn0038e.jpg

Another angle
http://files.automotiveforums.com/gallery/watermark.php?file=/502/5730Dscn0039e.jpg

Puttied up the rear, have to sand it smooth tomorrow
http://files.automotiveforums.com/gallery/watermark.php?file=/502/5730Dscn0042e.jpg

Hopefully more updates tomorrow.

Hey,

You've been busy today. Are you going to make this an S cabriolet since you have the coupe already? Keep up the great work.

Frank X.

y'know, i think the model making companies are missing something not making the entire range of minis in kits.

they haven't quite twigged what an obsessive lot we are.
i mean, if they did produce kits with accurate details of the mini one, mini cooper AND mini cooper s (not to mention the cabriolet), how many of us wouldn't buy all three?

anyway.
always good to see a mini of any sort.
have you chosen a colour yet?

It is not that there is a bump on top of the hood just the hood goes different, like drunken monkey said, on "s" hood goes very quickly up and gets to higher point just on top of that intake and on ordinary one it goes slowly up. So you will end up with that intake opening not being straight enough but it will be laied down to much. I don't know if you understand what I mean :). By the way nice progres of a nice car. What rims will you use?

something else came to mind,
i keep thinking i saw a fujimi mini cooper kit with the chunky 8 spoke cooper wheels (not the five spokes).

Hey,

You mean this kit druken monkey? http://www.hlj.com/product/FUJ12197 I have seen mini s verions wiht the 5 spoke rims in white...I don't know why your would want them tho..

Frank X.

honestly?
i have no idea.
i only saw it as a built model and i noticed it had the nice 8 spoke modern versions of the mini-lites the old cars had instead of the modern five spokes.

Very cool. I've been waiting for someone to make the S. I am surprised that the model manufacturers have made the regular car instead of the S, and even more that you can't swap the hood and make either. This will be very cool.

The 8spokes rule, very oldschool. I can't think of any reason why you wouldn't want them.

I'll keep an eye on this one. Made a choice of wheels yet?

Sorry about not updating for the last few days. To make it up, here's a bunch of new progress pics!

All primered and ready for paint. Color of choice is Tamiya TS-54 Light Metallic Blue :smokin: It's not going to be a cabriolet, just haven't got to the top part yet.
http://files.automotiveforums.com/gallery/watermark.php?file=/502/5730Dscn0001e-med.jpg

Front bumper test fit
http://files.automotiveforums.com/gallery/watermark.php?file=/502/5730Dscn0002e-med.jpg

Wheels are Fujimi's Watanabe RS-8 painted in Gun-metal, old school is best :grinyes:
http://files.automotiveforums.com/gallery/watermark.php?file=/502/5730Dscn0004e-med.jpg

The intercooler intake "bump" looks ok from this angle.
http://files.automotiveforums.com/gallery/watermark.php?file=/502/5730Dscn0007e-med.jpg

Rear~
http://files.automotiveforums.com/gallery/watermark.php?file=/502/5730Dscn0009e-med.jpg

How low can you go?
http://files.automotiveforums.com/gallery/watermark.php?file=/502/5730Dscn0010e-med.jpg

Starting to make the spoiler.
http://files.automotiveforums.com/gallery/watermark.php?file=/502/5730Dscn0011e-med.jpg

That's all for now :smile:

Looking exceptional! :)

Glad to see you're using Watanabes on this, I've been thinking of using them on my Mini when I get to it so now I can see how they look ;)

That looks really nice!

Are your going to modify the sides as well?

That looks awesome!! The conversion is looking good!! My mother-in-law has the Mini-S convertible!!!!!!!!!

Are your going to modify the sides as well?

If I have more time, yes. But I have to finish it before monday *wink wink* :wink:

Just finished spraying the body. Sorry for the dark picture.
http://files.automotiveforums.com/gallery/watermark.php?file=/502/5730Dscn0012e-med.jpg

Hi,

looks good so far with these wheels. Do you install some mesh behind the holes in the bumpers?

Micha

Hey,

Donno if this is good news, or bad news to you, but fujimi jsut announced on HLJ they are finally coming out wiht new mini s. http://www.hlj.com/product/FUJ12227

Frank X.

what?
you mean they saw us bitch about it here and got it out already?
we must have more power than we thought.....