In progress: Ferrari 250 GT California "Open Headlight"

[nniemi]

This is one of my long term projects, a conversion from revell/italeri California spyder kit to an open headlight version. Body modifications and painting were made before i had digicam so no pics of that stage of building, but here is a comparison pic between two versions:



Close up on modified headlight area:



Modification was done by simply bending a 0,5 mm sheet styrene to right shape and puttying it to blend to the body contours.

I've flocked the interior and made carpets ala Alex Kustov. I've ordered Replicas and Miniatures co. of Maryland Ferrari California interior detail set, mainly because these kits have incorrect and awful seats.



The body is almost ready, i painted and clear coated it with Dupli Color automotive spray paint.





I also made corrections to the engine room area. New side walls made from sheet styrene, air intake hose and scratchbuilt shock absorbers:



Thats all for now,

-Niko

[sportracer02]

Hi,

great job so far, especially on the interior !!!!!!!!!

Micha

[druid_99]

I've been looking for this kit (Ferrari 250 GT California) for a while now and you have two of them (even manage to convert to an open headlight version) . I've seen it in ebay but none of them ships wordwide

Anyway, great conversion on your build. Excellent

[flying finn]

Great conversion, alltough I don´t understand much about Ferraris but obviously you do!

[Veyron]

Nice execution!

[klutz_100]

look forward to seeing more
I like the california 250 - mine's waiting for me to start it

Are you doing the versions 2 simultaneuously?

stevenski

[mike united]

OH.....very nice kit & a great start you've made to it, what i wouldnt give for this kit ..........

Mike

[eph2]

Nice execution!! Very detailed!

[nniemi]

Originally Posted by klutz_100

look forward to seeing more
I like the california 250 - mine's waiting for me to start it

Are you doing the versions 2 simultaneuously?

stevenski

Yes, second car will be the 1960 Le Mans entry, car #20. Progress on these will be slow. They are both currently waiting for aftermarket detailparts that i've ordered. Open headlight version will probably get a Replicas & Miniatures of ML 250 SWB Engine kit, and both will have aftermarket wire wheels.

Thanks for your kind comments
-Niko

[Wheelin75r]

the flocked interior is awesome!!

[nniemi]

A little update on this one also. Sorry for really slow progress.

Interior parts from Replicas & Miniatures co. of Maryland are used to replace awful kit parts. I have to say that these seats are one of the nicest additions to classic Ferraris that i've seen.

Seat belts were made from craft store ribbon and Detail Master PE parts.





A mock up of interior:





Next update will follow after few months again

-Niko

[klutz_100]

Good grief! Those seats are beautiful!

You've painted them really well but is all that piping etc on the original R&MOM casting?

PLease don't make me wait 2 months again

[nniemi]

Originally Posted by klutz_100

Good grief! Those seats are beautiful!

You've painted them really well but is all that piping etc on the original R&MOM casting?

PLease don't make me wait 2 months again

Seats are only cleaned and painted. Minimal flash and no pinholes. I'll have to disappoint you with this, because i will get RMcooM SWB engine kit for this and i can't afford it at the moment. I can't build this much further before the engine is installed.

-Niko

[robrex]

Very nice!
I may have to invest in a set of those seats?

[Jeep_Rubicon]

Amazing interior work, great build so far.