In Progress: Possum Bourne Group N Impreza

potsie · #1 08-05-2004, 07:23 AM

Have just started my own little tribute to one of the greatest Antipodean rally drivers - arguably the greatest ever. This is what I am hoping to achieve:

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I am intending to use the chassis of the Rally GB (rally interior, suspension and wheels) with the body of the STi kit. The interior will not be 100% accurate, but closer than using the standard interior! Of course, I will need to convert to RHD - maybe I can use the dashboard of the STi kit. Hmm... have to look at that. Also, I think the ride height will be close to that of Rally Australia (one of the options of the Studio 27 decal kit, and my intended livery) and the gravel wheels are correct.

I have a few reference photos for the interior, but if anyone has some good links please let me know.

Looks like the bodies of the two kits are nearly identical, apart from the obvious changes for the WRC spec - but things such as wheelbase are identical which helps. Have just started preparing the body for some paintwork. Will post some progress pics soon.

Cheers,
Pots.

aeroace · #2 08-05-2004, 08:13 AM

i like it

Spitfire7 · #3 08-05-2004, 10:13 AM

Cool, i will watch out for progress here. Looks like an interesting project.

OrangeR · #4 08-05-2004, 12:12 PM

Nice project!
I'll keep an eye on this one.

moe171 · #5 08-05-2004, 01:22 PM

Nice project. Currently I am doing the #5 Impreza. While I was looking for some reference pics I had came across the car that you are building and thought that the decals that you are putting on your car were awesome. Well I just wanted to know where you had purchased those decals.

RallyRaider · #6 08-05-2004, 05:44 PM

Nice to see somebody doing this, I'm sure you will do a great job. I was considering something similar. Main problem that turned me off is the S27 decals, which are too orangey and not flourescent/greenish enough compared to the real cars.

You'll also have to determine if the car you want to build is Group N or Group A. There are signifigant differences. Regarding the dash, if you do a Group N then the road car dash should be about right. I don't have any specific references just what I can remember from the ARC on television. Wish I'd taped them now

potsie · #7 08-06-2004, 05:29 AM

Thanks guys.

moe171: I purchased the decals from Hobbylink Japan. I was looking at their website a couple of days ago and they had some in stock.

Phil, I agree that the decals are probably not as good as they could be, and I am particularly concerned with applying the large side decals. Past experiences with large decals from Studio 27 have been less then ideal - I find them quite brittle to work with, and in general the more fluorescent the colour the worse the problem. I am not too concerned with the errors though as I was mainly after an interesting project to keep me motivated!

As for the Group A / Group N thing, I have to admit I had not considered the differences. In fact I thought that both cars (the 2002 Rally Aus and 2002 Alpine Rally Hokkaido) were Group N cars. Looks like I will have to do a little more research. Thanks for the tip.

Grant.

hrmodeler · #8 08-06-2004, 09:09 AM

Looking forward to see your project!
Specially when somebody doing conversion from A to N group.
Keep us posted! :-)

BRM · #9 08-07-2004, 02:34 AM

I dig the rally rally cars, this will be a nice addition to the other Impreza's I've seen on this forum.

Nobbys Nuts · #10 08-07-2004, 03:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by potsie

Thanks guys.

As for the Group A / Group N thing, I have to admit I had not considered the differences. In fact I thought that both cars (the 2002 Rally Aus and 2002 Alpine Rally Hokkaido) were Group N cars. Looks like I will have to do a little more research. Thanks for the tip.

Grant.

They were both Group N cars but I think what Phil meant was that the Interior/Suspension you want to put in are the major differences.
Any clarification on this Phil? Anyone?

Great idea though Potsie and I will be watching with interest as I too wish to build this car later.
I am currently working on Possums 94 Hong Kong - Beijing winner but getting the screamers finding the right colour for it. Mixed some acrylics for the chassis as per instructions but don't like acrylics on the bodies as hard to polish.
You mentioned some interior shots of the real one. Did you find them on the net somewhere or did you take them yourself? Would be interested in seeing them if possible.
Looking forward to progress shots.

kt100 · #11 08-07-2004, 06:06 AM

this will b a good as im a big fan of possum bourne been a kiwi which i assume you are.

RallyRaider · #12 08-07-2004, 06:08 AM

I'm not an authority on the subject but I was under the impression that the car entered in the 2002 Rally Oz as well as the ARC was Group N and right hand drive. However the car Possum entered in the Alpine and Hokkaido rallies in Japan was Group A and left hand drive. Notice I said Group A, very different from WRC. Possum's own team/company developed the Group A Impreza themselves IIRC.

Please don't take my word as gospel 'cause I can't really recall the details. Check it out for yourselves.

RallyRaider · #13 08-07-2004, 07:43 AM

Press release on Possum Bourne's website says he drove a Group A to victory in Hokkaido 2002:
http://www.possumbourne.co.nz/dynami...release,158.sm
Mitsubishi press release says Group A too:
http://www.mitsubishi-motors.co.jp/m...opics/topics7/
Rally Base, Group A as well:
http://www.rallybase.nl/index.php?ty...lt&rallyid=709

In this pic from Hokkaido 2002 the car has the roof scoop that the 2002 Group N never had, different headlights and the windscreen wipers seem to be set up for left hand drive. Possum is even standing on the left - perhaps because it is "his" side?Check out the stubby wing mirrors as well, they don't belong on any 2002 Group N Impreza.

RallyRaider · #14 08-07-2004, 08:28 AM

Are you sure the Apline Rally car was Group N? I've only seen some postage stamp sized pics of the Alpine car and it looked identical to the Hokkaido Group A. Possum Bourne's site even says they are the same car:
http://www.possumbourne.co.nz/dynami...release,355.sm
http://www.possumbourne.co.nz/dynami...release,367.sm

Possum finished second to Arai on the Alpine, but Toshi was driving a full WRC.

Nobbys Nuts · #15 08-07-2004, 08:43 AM

No not any more Phil. Car does look a little different but all I have to go by is a whole lot of Japanese writing and Group N beside his name in 3 different places and you have come up with the proof from Possums own site. Wish I could show you the pics.
Now I am really confused. So many cars for me to build wrong. Back to square one for me.

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