Datsun 240Z #5 Monte Carlo Rally 1972

[Cychalen]

I think it is about time to do some motorsports model so I chose this Datsun 240Z #5 Monte Carlo Rally 1972. My first rally kit and model with over 10 decals. I need to practice my decaling.

It placed an overall third in 1972 41st Monte Carlo Rally. Driven by Rauno Aaltonen / Jean Todt.
One question before I paint the underside. The manual says that it is red. Is this true? Should not it be in some dark color like black or brown?

[The Lambrusco Kid]

Hmm... well I've made 2 rally cars so far and they were from 98/99 and they both have the same body color for the underside.

[mel79]

Wow, I didn't know there was a Monte Carlo version of the 240Z. Is it 1/24 or 1/20? What is the kit number? Does it have a racing interior or is it just a repop of the stock kit with rally wheels and markings? It is a Fujimi kit, isn't it?

The red for the bottom may well be right because racing cars are usually stripped from rustproofing etc 'black' material. Of course the bottom would be so dusty and dirty after a few miles that you'd have hard time telling what the original color is.

-Mikko

[RallyRaider]

Cool
Yeah red underside sounds right, the car is a one piece body construction so if red was the original colour it would have been sprayed the same all over.

[Cychalen]

Thanks for your replies. Red it is.

mel79. It is a Fujimi 1/24 - 12482 Historic Racing Series (HR-3).
This is how the interior looks like.

The seats are wrong and there should be 2 spare tires behind the drivers. I am not sure what else is wrong since I could not find enough pictures of the real car.
This is the interior reference I have.
http://zhome.com/History/rally.htm

[StephenDeli]

Great progress on the Datsun. Good luck on the decals!

[sjelic]

Nice one, I like this car. Hope you won't have hard time geting it right. As for underside, like you probably saw many times here all of us give a black wash to that area because once the car is finished it is very strange when you see bright red shineing from the bottom.

[Cychalen]

Finally finished the underside and engine.
Painted the underside in red and later brown washed it since it raced in mud.
Does it look believable?

[Spitfire7]

Great detail, engine looks superb.

[bigfrit]

yeahyeah , sweet weathering on the engine too; lovely

Olivier

[Cychalen]

Finally some progress.
I had to wait for the red paint to dry first so I could paint the black part.
Tamiya masking tape is quite good. Straight clean line. No leaks.

[slk320]

looks fantastic. the paint and detail are top notch!

[OrangeR]

Lovely underside washes!!!
The paint looks very good, I would say perfect to be right.
Engine is perfectly weathered and looks almoust real.
This build is one to follow!

[Cychalen]

The first layer of decals is done and it was easier than expected.
The white decals on this kit is quite good. The color underneath does not show through.

How long do I have to wait before applying the 2nd layer? Can I apply it as soon as the 1st layer dries?

[Layla's Keeper]

Excellent buildup. Very clean and a good representation of one of the cars that made the Z so respected worldwide.

Honestly, now I'm thinking about building a Z in that color scheme without the decals.