Mini-Me? Here come da Minis...

[ZoomZoomMX-5]

I love seeing the new Minis all over town. Had to build a couple of 'em to satisfy the modeling itch. I went stock w/the first one, and did a phantom support vehicle for the second. Enjoy!



This one's mostly OOB. Paint is Tamiya maroon/white. Wheels from the Revell Integra. Stripes cut from white decal material. Saw one in traffic, and it looked really cool. That's the problem, most of them do look cool, and they come in so many colors/combos it's mind boggling. Wish Tamiya would do a full-detail Cooper S.



These are Revell kits. Assembly is okay, detail is okay for curbsides, their chrome sucks. Painting the black window trim is a nightmare, ended up easier to freehand. The headlight and taillight buckets are too small, they almost fall right through the body openings. At least they look quite nice finished, flaws and all.



This is a "copy" of a friend's idea he built on an original Mini. I've always liked the Gulf sponsorshipped cars, from GT40's on up to the McLaren F1's. So this was a natural. After all, the Mini is sort of a BMW, so was the McLaren. Notice the mesh I added for the grille.



Paint is a combination of Tamiya gloss aluminum (basecoat) overcoated w/Mica Blue and Bright Orange for the graphics and rims. Rims are from a Focus rally car...the one that transformed into the Saleen. Decals from a set given to me by a friend.



I really need to add antennae to the backs of these models.

[flyonthewall]

The racer looks very retro. I always loved the gulf sponsered cars too.

[Forhod]

Nice idea, Minis' are pretty cool now a days Love them

[MaxSE]

are those the factory wheels and tires?

[ZoomZoomMX-5]

I don't know if they ever made it to production, but I've seen a number of press pictures on the net w/ multi-spoke rims that look nearly identical to these I used from the Integra. Press shots sometimes show stuff that doesn't make the final cut. I love how they look on this car, so I really don't mind if they're stock or not.

[MaxSE]

actually after i posted i noticed the white ones were from the revell integra. but the set of rims from the "gulf" one- did they come with the kit?

[ZoomZoomMX-5]

Rims on the Gulf kit came from a Tamiya Focus rally car. Stock rims in the Revell kit are reasonably accurate stock Mini 5 spokes, they're just too boring for my tastes.

[giordano]

nice look'n minis. like that street version one though w/ those big rims tight! lates... know tamiya should make one, possibly the "S".

[primera man]

Oh my god...they look to real to be models

[nhughes47]

Damn p-man, you're right they do look real, just like you would see on a web site where they show the car. Now Zoom, all you need to do is have someone take a picture of you and photoshop yourself into the picture at a rough scale to make it look like you own it

[Lownslow]

hmmmmmmmmm isnt there a third one

[mdaniels]

ZoomZoom-

What did you use for the mesh material in the grille? TIA.

Beautiful models, btw...I am considering buying a 1:1 Mini for a "winter" car. I checked one out last weekend, very cool car.

Matt

[ZoomZoomMX-5]

hmmmmmmmmm isnt there a third one

Not by me, though in my online album there's a pic of a green Maisto diecast.

[ZoomZoomMX-5]

What did you use for the mesh material in the grille?

Thanks for the comments! I used some leftover vinyl mesh from a Tamiya kit.

I see you've got a '96 Miata as well. Cool car, love mine. Though I don't need a winter car in the south-the Miata has an awesome heater as it is! Better than my sedan. I'd consider a Mini if I didn't already have a fun car, a boring sedan, and a motorcycle. I do want a WRX wagon, and a BMW motorcycle-will get those when I can.

[mdaniels]

Yeah! Good to see a fellow '96 Miata owner. I love mine as well (pics here )

The WRX wagon is great...but the wife drives it primarily. She gave me "clearance" for the Mini, so I can turn the Miata into a full-time track car, but I haven't made up my mind yet.

I drove the Miata last winter, although, we didn't have too bad of one up here...I don't mind it, I just hate what the nasty salt does to the paint and stuff.

Thanks for the info!