1/20 Bandai Lamborghini Marzal

So recently I came across an amazing find on ebay, a 1/20 scale model of Bertone's amazing Lamborghini Marzal, a car that I consider to be the most beautiful one to come out of Bertone's controversial "Hexagonitis" era. I have only seen this model sold on ebay once before, and it went for way over $100, and it was sold before I had a chance to bid on it. I was really dissapointed, but I recently logged on and found a pretty well built example about to end... for $8 with no bids! I jumped at the opportunity and won the auction. Anyway, car arrived today and it is lovely. Whoever built it did a good job, but its not painted or detailed at all. My goal now is to carefully dissasemble the model, super detail it, and put it all back together. Here are pics of the model as it looks right now. Stay tuned for the restoration!

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d12/le-chat-noir/PICT0678.jpg

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d12/le-chat-noir/PICT0679.jpg

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d12/le-chat-noir/PICT0680.jpg

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d12/le-chat-noir/PICT0681.jpg

envy envy envy....

These were nice designs, not the Aston Martins, TVR, SLR, and above all, BMWs

Envy again

Wow, this brings back memories. I used to have a little diecast pull-back toy of this car... it was blue... man I loved that thing, I used to pretend the gull-wing doors were actual wings in a James Bond kinda way, and it could fly around and out of trouble... I just never knew it was a Lambo.

Looking forward to seeing more of the restoration - this is a very unusual car!

I love restoration threads especially on unique models like this one..

I love restoration threads especially on unique models like this one..

So unique that I am almost afraid to go forward with it!

As an update, I have dissassembled the model. Using a lot of acetone and TLC I have managed to get all the parts to separate without damage. I was concenred that with so much "glass" there was bound to be some fogging or glue over spill, but who ever put the model together did a really good job. I will post pics soon.

I have also been studying pictures of the actual car and it seems that the kit has incorrect wheels. Does anyone know where I can find some 1/20 scale knock off rims? I don't think I'll find the exact style, but the rims on the kit are way off so anything would be an improvement. Here is a picture of what I am looking for:

http://nombril2.free.fr/marzal/images/Marzal-12.jpg

Also, there is no engine detail. I don't know if I'll be able to find another 1/20 scale Lamborghini to cannibalize it from, so I might just leave it as a curbside, even though everything on the kit can be opened.

Finally, for all the Marzal fans out there, here is the sight that I'm using for reference pics: http://nombril2.free.fr/marzal/ . (http://nombril2.free.fr/marzal/) It's in French, but the pics are beautiful.

Stay tuned for more!

So unique that I am almost afraid to go forward with it!
Stay tuned for more!

Make a resin backup copy before you start :)

i would second the resin backup copy ...

hmmm the only ones of those cars i have seen are IRL .. and that was over 10 years ago .. always a fan of bertone designed cars .. including the little Fiat ...

Some shots of dismantled body. I packed up the model and put it away until I finish other WIPs, but I'm going to be taking it out and working on it very soon. Its going to take some work to get all the glue off and sanding it back to a new kit like state. I'm looking forward to it though, this is a special model.

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d12/le-chat-noir/PICT0685.jpg

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d12/le-chat-noir/PICT0684.jpg

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d12/le-chat-noir/PICT0683.jpg

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d12/le-chat-noir/PICT0682.jpg

Looks nice!! Looking forward to more!

Very cool restoration project! This is going to be an amazing build. I am looking forward to seeing your details and what you're going to do to it.

very interesting piece. I'll keep my eye on this!

I've been looking for some 1/20 scale Miura type wheels as the ones on the kit are incorrect. Any leeds other than buying a kit just for the wheels?

I have the >$100 model u mentioned in first posting. It has different wheels and windshield wipers. r u interested in having it