Nissan 'Kenmeri' Skyline - Shakotan

[WRCfan]

I was browsing Hobbylink Japan when I came across an old classic with a 'shakotan' spin on it. Aoshima has a classic line of Japanese bosozoku inspired cars known as the 'Gurachan' series. They seem to be quite popular among JDM scale model builders. Hobbylink Japan has them for a very reasonable price so I decided to take a slight break from building motorsport machines, and try a street one.

These cars aren't just fiction in Japan, but very real and can be found at classic meets.




The box contents:

[ChristopheB]

Interesting! Nice wheels.

[WRCfan]

I attacked the body with the dremel today and cut the guards back. There was quite a lot of panel that had to go in order to allow the small Watanabe deep-dish wheels to sit as they are. I have started this kit with the body because I need to ensure the wheels are as closely fitted to the body as possible. As it is mocked up now with parts taped in place I am not entirely happy with the fitment, we need to go a little bit lower to get that flush look.












My next big dilemma is what colour should this Kenmeri be? Being a shakotan boso car, something far out is a must, I am swayed towards keeping it all one colour though...any ideas are very much welcome!

[hirofkd]

Boso cars has to look tasteless, so you can either go with an overly vivid solid color or ugly metallic.. Bosozoku also likes the pattern inspired from the type of fabric called Lamé (ラメ), which essentially looks like a glittering nail polish.
Good luck.

[WRCfan]

I have been doing some work on the suspension of the car. The rear end stock was not low enough, too much clearance and just not authentic enough. After some shaving here and there I have finally reached a satisfied point with the ride height.

The only downfall is that the front 'subframe' is not going to be used in the build. It means that the front wheels will not touch the ground, and the corrects ride height has been achieved without it. I will try and use the front 1/2 but this is the final stance the car shall have. Lots of fitting, re-fitting and playing around was involved. Hope you all agree with the height and stance of the car now...

[Nissanmotorsport]

I stay tuned

[tonioseven]

I have the same kit so I will be watching and taking notes.

[WRCfan]

Not a huge update, but I have decided on the paint colour which I will run with for this build. Now that has been finalised I shall be able to continue on with everything. It is a metallic Tamiya spray colour, a light metallic blue (TS54). I wanted something with a light metallic flake in it and I like the blue on chrome with black idea.





Wishing everyone a Merry Christmas and a happy New Year!

[WRCfan]

Been working on things a bit and have done the interior. Detail is lacking on the inside, and almost everything is supposed to be painted 'matte black' so I have tried to break things up a little where possible. I added a very simplistic harness to the drivers bucket seat purely for colour purposes. Next step is the body, fenders and then to shoot it in the metallic blue.

Comments welcome

[WRCfan]

Hi everyone! Sorry about the delay in updates, been overseas for work and finally I had a hot sunny day so jumped at the chance to shoot some colour onto the car. It's come out a bit darker than I would have liked, although the metallic flake has certainly come through in the paint which is nice. I can see it all over my hands as I am typing this too!

Will give everything some time to cure however shot a couple of photos, it's great to see the body and fenders in anything other than white that is for sure!

[tonioseven]

This is looking great so far!!!

[willimo]

Diggin' it so hard I need a new shovel!

[tonioseven]

^^^

[rsxse240]

I love it! Any engine plans or interior? Color looks great for this car.

[WRCfan]

Thanks for all the comments. Rsx - I am not going to run any engine detail on this particular one, and interior is basic but with photoetch harness added for detail.

Since the last post i have mocked up the fenders, and finished up the front grill and rear lights & bumper with wing. I went with the round rear lights as it just screams Skyline more than the square ones.

The wheels have also been painted matte gold leaving the rim chrome. I prefer the gold to an all chrome wheel.

Comments welcome as always!