Okay, this is one of few kits available of the W196. Now I wasn't expecting a lot of detail but lets be serious. There is no engine, no fire wall even, the exhaust pipes are basically glued to the side of the body, there is a seat and a gear shifter...nothing else except for a dashboard and poorly scaled steering wheel. So, I've been searching the entire net for photos for some idea of at least what color things should be. The thing about the interior is that the gearbox went right up to the seat and Mercedes had a cover over it which made the driver stradle it with a brake pedal on one side and the accelerator on the other side. Protar completely neglected to add a hunk of ill fitting plastic to show this. So, I'm going to scratch build the space frame chassis (where visible), and add the important transmission cover. Here are some shots of day one progress. (I'm unemployed so I have a lot of time everyday).
Extent of detail
Parts - lots of flashing
Took me 8 hours to fit these few pieces they were all WAY to thick and out of shape. Luckily on the real car there were gaps and things, not like modern cars.
Rear suspension and wheels
Day 2 of build Body 2nd primer coat.
At this stage now...figuring out size and shape of tubes for space frame, firewall and tranny cover.
More tomorrow. Damn this is going to be tough to make a good looking car out of this kit. I'd buy another though.
What gets me the most is that they put time and energy in designing the model so the steering wheel turns the wheels...should have molded a rudimentery engine instead because when you look at the side of the body there is a big cooling hole on both sides that opens to an empty engine bay
I'll have to make something so it at least looks like there is an engine in it.
