Auster racer project

[Layla's Keeper]

It's just so wicked looking. I mean, seriously. This thing looks like it'd be waiting in a dark alley, ready to jump out at you and suck out your soul.

And that's a good thing.

[86_SR5]

Originally Posted by Layla's Keeper

It's just so wicked looking. I mean, seriously. This thing looks like it'd be waiting in a dark alley, ready to jump out at you and suck out your soul.

And that's a good thing.

No, your thinking of the clown on Spawn. BTW, RATDAT, I'll have a how To build tutorial on custom headers up tomorrow if you care to wait for it, plenty of pics for everyone

[ratdat]

Originally Posted by 86_SR5

RATDAT, I'll have a how To build tutorial on custom headers up tomorrow if you care to wait for it, plenty of pics for everyone

Cool, I'll look forward to it

[86_SR5]

well, I've done half of 1 v8 header, but you can do it with a v6 too, at latest it'll be up 6-7:50pm central US

[jgmodelcars]

Hey ratdat any new updates? I'm really looking forward to this project! You inspired me so much i'm now rebuilding my datsun 510! So any updates on this crazy Auster?

[ratdat]

Originally Posted by jgmodelcars

Hey ratdat any new updates? I'm really looking forward to this project! You inspired me so much i'm now rebuilding my datsun 510! So any updates on this crazy Auster?

I'm still getting the body and chassis finished at the moment. Lots of filling and sanding. I have pretty much got the chassis sorted. The Datsun 510 chassis now fits like it was made for this model. I added a couple of millimeters to the rear inner arches to extend them closer to the body and made a new trunk floor. I've also filled the hollow chassis rails. A little more sanding to get it all straight and smooth and I'm there.



Here's a comparison of a stock Revell Datsun 510 chassis and the modified one...



I have still got the filling to do on the body between the arches and the body kit on the rear as you can see above. I have done the front and along the rockers so far. On the front a carefiully carved away the original arches from inside the body kit but that would look wrong on the rear.

The other task has been to re-cut the door shut lines. They were non existant on the original model in places and now some are covered by the body kit too. I did the tailgate no problem. I just had to extend the lines over the new rear spoiler and back under it to the tailight panel. In this shot I haven't done the rounded corners at the top yet...



The bad bit is the door shut lines. What a nightmare! Trying to cut them at the rear where they pass over the arches was near impossible. That area of the arch had Testarossa style vents so I'm having to cut across soft filler then with harder plastic repeatedly. In the end I gouged out some pretty wide lines, the idea being that I can fill them and subsequently only have to cut them into the filler rather than plastic. Since then I have had another idea and that's to cheat a bit and alter the door shut line so it's in front of the arch...check out the modified pic at the bottom...I think this actually looks nicer anyway...looks more natural, what do you think?



I should get the body ready for paint this week but the chassis may be a little longer while I sort out the suspension and fit an engine. I also have to fabricate a rear firewall and the rollcage..what fun!

[joecwlaw]

so rare. Nice mod. It must be tons of work on this. Keep up the good work!

[jgmodelcars]

Cool looks good! I def. would go with the second option of "cheating" on the door lines it looks more natural, and will be easier. The chassis work is stunning as well! Keep up the good work!

[86_SR5]

Originally Posted by jgmodelcars

Cool looks good! I def. would go with the second option of "cheating" on the door lines it looks more natural, and will be easier. The chassis work is stunning as well! Keep up the good work!

I agree, cheat with it. So, ratdat, you gona make the intake for that truck v6 to put in here or what?

[ratdat]

I still haven't made my mind up with the engine yet..although the V6 is looking ever more likely. I really want to do something trick with it though.

I've reworked the shut lines now and rubbed the whole thing down. Just had to re-fill a couple of areas and when that's sanded down then it's time for final primer.



I've also started doing the interior paneling. First was the rear fire wall and shelf for which i used the firewall from the Revell 510 kit plus sone styrene sheet. Now I'm haking the insides of the doors and rear quarters. These will have all the holes in them where they should be and the door opener and rods. This one is the test piece. Once I have the design perfected I'll make a new pair from two layers of thin sheet laminated together to get the contours of the inner panels right. I wan't to get it looking like a stripped race car so this is the best way I think.

The test panel in the shot below is only held in with masking tape...the finished item will be bonded to the chassis assembly. When these are done I'll do the roll cage

[86_SR5]

niiice. how about a supercharger with headers, or possibly two small turbos or 1 very large one?

[mel79]

Now this is a great and interesting project Different and innovative

About the paint scheme, how about taking some hints from the touring cars of the seventies? Flat black hood (in my humble opinion carbon fibre looks too modern and hitech for a classic racer like this) and some colorful two tone body or something like that?

Here are some photos for inspiration: http://www.research-racing.de/tw-d01.htm

-Mikko

[egon_dude]

cool, i love mad touring cars! the mad arches kinda remind me of the old BMW csl "batmobile" white with red and blue martini stripes. that colour scheme would look awesome if you were up to painting it.
This is the kinda thread that really makes me want to go home and get my modelling stuff and start building . . . well only 4 weeks till end of uni term!

[flying finn]

That two tone colour scheme would be great too.

yellow and black.......mmmmmmm.......

[fujimituner235]

You takin it back huh, old school style!