Auster racer project

[ratdat]

Thanks for the link Mikko, you're are absolutley right... that's the sort of paint it needs! I've been taking a look at some old Nissan works race cars to get a few ideas. The traditional colors for the track and later rally cars cars is red, white and blue there have been some others.

The Auster kind of fits right in with the Group 5 Silhouette cars from the early 80's, well maybe not quite as wild I can't really use the exact color scheme of any of these because I have a kit of eack of these three cars to build but it gives an idea of what they were like in the day...

The R30 Skyline colors are a bit dull I think....



This is the coolest looking S12 Silvia (200SX in the states) I have ever seen. Wild Check out those rims!!...



This is one of my favorites..the Bluebird. I have a model kit of this to build one day I like this design but maybe in another color...



Some of the early seventies colors were pretty cool too.... like these...

Datsun Sunny 1200 coupe and Datsun Cherry X1 Coupe. I have kits waiting to make models of both of these cars so again, I can't copy them exactly. The orange sunny's color scheme would be pretty cool. The cherry is just crazy ..... but the black and gold scheme on the Nissan March next to it might be a good one...



What do you'll think?

[86_SR5]

I think mica red, black hood, basic lightning bolts and some numbers would pull it all together.

[willimo]

Oh, man, that black and gold paint scheme would be so perfect! I think anyway. Oh, man, I can see it in my head and it looks awesome. Black and gold... yum!

[jgmodelcars]

That S12 is awesome! I can't wait to see what you decide on for the color of the auster!

[Layla's Keeper]

I like the Cherry's color combo. Ivory white with simple fire red graphics. I think that's the route you should take. Especially if you mask it well enough to compliment the flow of the bodywork.

[flying finn]

Yup! Gold and black it is! And don`t put any stickers on it.

[Bong_the_Monkey]

Any Update on this project?

[ratdat]

Originally Posted by Bong_the_Monkey

Any Update on this project?

I just got back today from a 5 day trip to Norway (to collect a new 1:1 toy ) so I didn't do any during the week but I did make some progress before I went.

First, I figured that the transmission tunnel was too small for any decent engine to fit correctly so I set about altering it. I cut the tunnel from an old Revell Datsun 510 model I'd made before. I trimmed the top from the Auster tunnel and reshaped it a little then fitted the new piece into the top, raising the top of the tunnel by about 4mm at the front. I still have to cut a couple of bits of plastic to fill the two rectangular gaps on the sides yet but it's made the tunnel the correct size now...




I've also taken a new route with the engine. I've ditched the idea of a V6 as the intention is to make this some kind of period race car. So, I decided to go for a period correct engine... something that could have been used at the time. I decided on a Nissan FJ20ET (1990cc 4cyl, DOHC 16V turbo). This engine was derived from the n/a FJ24E used in the Nissan 240RS rally car and was used in Nissan Silvia's, Gazelles and Skylines in the early 80's. They are awesome engines...the lowest powered stock one is 190hp and tuned ones are capable of 600hp plus so it's ideal for an outragious track car Check out THIS and THIS ! They look like this...



Now comes the problem. I haven't got a 1/24 one So, I've started making one using an S20 six cylinder from a KPGC10 Skyline. So far I've shortened it by 2 cylinders and filled the gaps as well as add some plastic to areas of the cam cover that need re-shaping. The intake, exhaust manifold, turbo, disributor etc etc will have to be scratch built. There used to be an FJ20ET in Aoshimas "high power unit" R30 Skyline but nobody seems list it so I think this is the only way to go (unless someone knows where I can get that kit?)



I'm not 100% happy with this approach but I'll see how it shapes up. It might come out looking okay. I actually have a real 1:1 FJ20ET engine outside in my shed to use for reference so hopefully I can get it right.

Next job is finishing the tunnel and the sanding on the body. All the filler is done so by Sunday evening it should be in final primer!

[86_SR5]

Ahh, I wanted to see the V6, but that engine is looking damn hot.

[ratdat]

Originally Posted by 86_SR5

Ahh, I wanted to see the V6, but that engine is looking damn hot.

Hehe.. It just wasn't right. The engine being out of scale seemed wrong plus I had the feeling all along I'd regret taking it from my Nissan truck kit as it's a very nice kit which I'd like to make some day.

I'll see how it progresses over the next few days before I make any final descisions though.

[86_SR5]

Well, the engine does look right, and honestly, if I owned this car for real, I'd register it for a weekend racer/cruiser, imagine the head turn's I'd get, btw this is an Auster? Who makes/owns Auster?

[ratdat]

Originally Posted by 86_SR5

Who makes/owns Auster?

The Auster was built by Nissan only for the domestic market in Japan. The same basic car was also used for the Nissan Violet and Stanza in Japan too but these cars was sold elsewhere around the world in various guises under the Datsun brand name. In the US it was sold as a Datsun 510 (often refered to as an HL510) from about 1977 to 1981. In Australia the car was called a Datsun Stanza, although the coupe version like this model is very rare there. In the UK and Europe it was sold as a Datsun 160J SSS and later as a Datsun Violet. All models sold in all markets recieved a facelift during their lifespan. The different versions all have different headlights, grilles and often different tail lights. It's a large and very confusing range of cars!

This is a stock late model JDM Nissan Auster like the one I'm building...

[86_SR5]

oh, ok thanks for clearing that up, looks similar to a 240Z

[Hiroboy]

How did I miss this thread, very nice and very interesting, your attention to detail is awesome. Looking forward to more of this one.

[Bong_the_Monkey]

This progress is coming along quite well. Engne is looking good so far.


[quote=ratdat]I just got back today from a 5 day trip to Norway (to collect a new 1:1 toy )QUOTE]

What kind of 1:1 toy did you pick up?