E21 BMW 320i

Recently started this one. It is the 1:24 scale Fujimi kit. Unfortunately I only noticed the incorrect rear valance (too flat) and rear window top corners (not rounded) after I had done the painting!

My aim is to go for a 1970'/80's ETCC Touring car racer sort of look. I have made my own front spoiler from the Alpina one supplied with the kit.

After painting I had to reshape the rear valance and rear window surround.

I know the paint finish currently looks awful due to having to blow in the bits I got wrong! But I hope to rectify this by flatting it and applying clear on the top!

I will aslo probaly make a full roll cage and add racing harnesses.

All comments welcome!

http://img4.imageshack.us/img4/7469/image071k.jpg

This picture shows the incorrect rear valance shape.

http://img4.imageshack.us/img4/5564/dscf5283y.jpg

This one shows the incorrect squared off rear window surrounds.

http://img34.imageshack.us/img34/4117/dscf5335s.jpg

This one above shows the rear window after modifying with some styrene which was glued in place and then sanded to the correct shape and depth.

http://img4.imageshack.us/img4/3923/dscf5233t.jpg

http://img4.imageshack.us/img4/4600/dscf5236e.jpg

The 2 pictures above show the side body mouldings before I removed them for a cleaner look similar to the ETCC racers of the Seventies.

http://img4.imageshack.us/img4/3549/dscf5243.jpg

This one shows the home made front spoiler, again supposed to be similar to the 1970's ETCC racers.

http://img4.imageshack.us/img4/2931/dscf5385e.jpg

http://img4.imageshack.us/img4/5340/dscf5389.jpg

http://img4.imageshack.us/img4/5844/dscf5390e.jpg

http://img4.imageshack.us/img4/4829/dscf5392.jpg

http://img4.imageshack.us/img4/1411/dscf5396s.jpg

http://img4.imageshack.us/img4/5701/dscf5397w.jpg

http://img4.imageshack.us/img4/7699/dscf5400m.jpg

http://img4.imageshack.us/img4/9243/dscf5402p.jpg

The pictures above show where I have got to so far!

Below is a link that shows a 1980 ETCC Version of the 320i that I have used for inspiration.

http://www.racingsportscars.com/etcc/1980/Brno-1980-06-08-025.jpg

Looking good. I didn't realise that the rear window surround corners were wrong. I thought the actual roof corners were too square. Did you do sand them too as well as the rear window surround? You must have done because it looks correct now. Rear valance looks much better. Sides look cleaner without the trim too. When I do my one I will use all your top tips.

I got one of these in my stash too. I love these old beemers, i just wish they had a 2002 beemer in kit form. Progress looks good, just make sure to sand that body down before applying another base coat.

A bit of progress on this one! I clear coated it which was followed by a lot of sanding/cutting/polishing! After this I had a go at making my own roll cage. I thought I had completed it perfectly only to find that when I added the rear glass I had not left enough room for it to fit correctly and so had to cut in half and start again (another few hours of work!).

Although this is a simple kit nothing seems to fit very well and each part needs a lot of time and attention to be pursuaded to fit as it should. The front headlight and grille part was a good example of this and needed a lot of tweaking to get it to fit anything like correctly.

I am quite pleased with how it looks so far and I think I will probably paint the rollcage in yellow to match the bodywork.

Please let me know what you think of this old school Beemer so far!

http://img211.imageshack.us/img211/4466/dscf6594.jpg

http://img211.imageshack.us/img211/9978/dscf6598.jpg

http://img211.imageshack.us/img211/9215/dscf6601.jpg

http://img211.imageshack.us/img211/6321/dscf6604.jpg

http://img211.imageshack.us/img211/5821/dscf6606.jpg

The next 2 photo's show the difference in the yellow colour when the picture is taken with a small flash and without. I found it difficult to show the brightness of the signal yellow paint that I have used!

http://img211.imageshack.us/img211/1174/dscf6607.jpg

http://img211.imageshack.us/img211/6803/dscf6608.jpg

http://img211.imageshack.us/img211/3564/dscf6613.jpg

http://img211.imageshack.us/img211/4766/dscf6615r.jpg

http://img211.imageshack.us/img211/7803/dscf6618.jpg

http://img211.imageshack.us/img211/301/dscf6619.jpg

Looks really good. I know the problems with this kit as you showed me your actual wip for real! So I should be ok with mine (when I ever do it)! Roll cage result is excellent. The toy fixing wire stuff works a treat to hold model bits together whilst allowing a bit of flexibility. I would paint the roll cage black or aluminium, yellow would be too much yellow and not in period (imo). Grille looks good too. Are you going to do the wheel X spokes gold? I think you should as that's what touring car racers of that era were like. Some subtle sponsor decals would look good too.

Looks great so far.
You did an excellent job to reshape the rear part of the roof and also to get rid of the awful orange peel.

Looks really good. I know the problems with this kit as you showed me your actual wip for real! So I should be ok with mine (when I ever do it)! Roll cage result is excellent. The toy fixing wire stuff works a treat to hold model bits together whilst allowing a bit of flexibility. I would paint the roll cage black or aluminium, yellow would be too much yellow and not in period (imo). Grille looks good too. Are you going to do the wheel X spokes gold? I think you should as that's what touring car racers of that era were like. Some subtle sponsor decals would look good too.

Thanks, I think I will still go with a yellow roll cage, I am going to do the inner wheels in gold but won't be adding any sponsor decals. I will add some racing belts to the drivers seat though. I am aiming for a look that can be used for street and track days.

little beemer looks sweet. i like that old school race care look.

Thanks for the comments.

Completed the BMF around the headlights and grille, painted the black on the front grilles as well as painting the gold on the inner wheels.

I used Sakatsu lenses for the headlights.

http://img13.imageshack.us/img13/5272/dscf6634.jpg

http://img13.imageshack.us/img13/2066/dscf6648i.jpg

http://img13.imageshack.us/img13/7598/dscf6650v.jpg

http://img13.imageshack.us/img13/9900/dscf6645r.jpg

Wow, looks very cool.

Like all the beemers, really have to go back to mine E34, keep it going.


Paul.

It's definitely getting there! I really like the headlight lenses, how much did they cost? Get the roll cage painted (in aluminium)! I still think that a few subtle sponsor decals would look the part, including possibly a tint / decal at the top of the windscreen.

Although this is a simple kit nothing seems to fit very well and each part needs a lot of time and attention to be pursuaded to fit as it should.

Hey, those are the only kind of kits I buy. This is going to be a sharp looking model. The headlights are a great detail, something that has always been a weak point in my builds.

Hey, those are the only kind of kits I buy. This is going to be a sharp looking model. The headlights are a great detail, something that has always been a weak point in my builds.

Thanks for the comment, yes, although these types of kits can be a bit frustrating they are ultimately satisfying when you get them to go together as you want them to! I quite liked using the Sakatsu lenses but the ones I have used are the largest diameter that they produce so generally cannot be used for 1:24 scale kits. The detail moulded into the kit lenses also has to be sacrificed.

I haven't noticed any weak points on your builds, they are all very well built indeed!

Looking sweet, starting to take shape. Although i think somethings still missing. Like bertha stated maybe some minor sponsers. Light tinited windows? Either way it will look topnotch when done.


Lenses are 4mm?

Hello new to this and was wondering if anyone can help me. ive got this old bmw 316i and ive got a overheating problem . i can tell you ive had a new head gaskit new water pump and new radiator. the head has been pressure tested and ive taken out the thermastat . in the hope it will solve the problem but no joy. the strange thing is when i have the interia heating on the temp stays about have way.The bottom hose is stone cold but the top hose is hot. tried squeezing both hosese exspecting them to be rock hard only to find there not. any ideas im at a loss.
i will be gratefull for any pointers
thanks.
nick.

Looking sweet, starting to take shape. Although i think somethings still missing. Like bertha stated maybe some minor sponsers. Light tinited windows? Either way it will look topnotch when done.


Lenses are 4mm?

Thanks, lenses are 5mm.

It must be realistic! I don't think the kit engine provides the sort of detail required by the previous request.

Hello new to this and was wondering if anyone can help me. ive got this old bmw 316i and ive got a overheating problem . i can tell you ive had a new head gaskit new water pump and new radiator. the head has been pressure tested and ive taken out the thermastat . in the hope it will solve the problem but no joy. the strange thing is when i have the interia heating on the temp stays about have way.The bottom hose is stone cold but the top hose is hot. tried squeezing both hosese exspecting them to be rock hard only to find there not. any ideas im at a loss.
i will be gratefull for any pointers
thanks.
nick.

:lol::slap::lol:

I have progressed this one about as far as I can go now. I just need to paint and detail the interior and roll cage and add some racing seat belts to the drivers seat. I will have to wait until the weather in the UK warms up significantly to paint which may be a couple of months, very frustrating!

Since the last update I have added period racing style mirrors, indicator lenses, single race style central wiper, added glass and painted the black rubber edges around the front and rear windscreens for added realism. I did this by hand with a fine brush! Each window took approx 1.5 hours and was very fiddly! I discovered a useful technique to correct my errors; because I used Humbrol enamel, when the paint was semi dry I used a cocktail stick with a tiny amount of Meguiars scratch remover to sharpen up the edges which worked quite well!

I may also attempt some grey panel lines, but am wary about creating an overpowering unrealistic disaster!

Finally I am also going to add a few subtle silver Alpina script decals here and there!

As soon as the UK weather improves I will complete this old Beemer!

http://img193.imageshack.us/img193/7585/dscf6705d.jpg

http://img193.imageshack.us/img193/9008/dscf6693d.jpg

http://img193.imageshack.us/img193/5594/dscf6679.jpg

http://img193.imageshack.us/img193/5227/dscf6690w.jpg

im loving this old school race beemer. looks sweet, i'll be waiting for the finished update.

Latest details look good, I know you had to shorten the wiper which must have been fun! But it looks worth it. Tamiya Grp.A Sierra mirrors work well too. The Alpina decals and painted roll cage (aluminium IMO) will finish it nicely.

Nice job with the black trim, I doubt I would have the courage to do that by hand. Sure makes the windows and foil pop out now.