Tamiya 240ZG 1/12

[bhop73]

I got this kit a while back for $35 when a local store closed. Bittersweet.. So since it's such a big project, I thought making a wip thread would motivate me to start it.




This is my inspiration. (found pic while searching for reference)


I ordered some 1/12 carbon fiber decals from SMS for the hood. There is a major lack of detail parts for 1/12 kits, and I can't afford to buy an OOP Fujimi Skyline to scavenge parts from, which means i'm going to have to try to scratch build everything, so this is going to be a tough project for me. By everything, I mean sport steering wheel, racing seats, and the wheels and tires (Watanabes), exhaust. I have searched for 1/12 tires to use, but can't find anything suitable.. it's pretty annoying. I haven't made tires before, so it should be interesting if I can figure it out.

So here is a pic of the contents...lots of parts


And here is a scale comparison. The black car is my Tamiya 1/24 350z

[andrew landon]

looks pretty sweet. I can't wait for more progress.

[auw12]

I love your works bhop! The white girl looks pretty sweet! Look forward to this~~ Do you have same wheels as the white one? The wheels look very cool and perfectly suit the style!

[bhop73]

Originally Posted by auw12

I love your works bhop! The white girl looks pretty sweet! Look forward to this~~ Do you have same wheels as the white one? The wheels look very cool and perfectly suit the style!

I am going to attempt to make them since I can't find any aftermarket 1/12 wheels/tires at all..

[winstona]

bhop, I would really love to see this one gets finished! This is one of my favourite cars of all time.

$35? That's a steal! Good luck to your build and all the scratch buiild ideas, I will definitely be following this one.

Winston

[bhop73]

Well, i've been looking around the web, it looks like the Revell 1/12 Testarossa's front tires might work for me. I wish I had one to check out though.. or at least some measurements or something. It seems to be fairly inexpensive, plus I kinda wouldn't mind having the kit anyways.

[bhop73]

Ok.. things are moving pretty slowly, but here's the basic engine parts. The block represents the factory color. I put a wash on it. I haven't decided if I want to keep that oil stain near the filter hole.. i can remove it with some paint thinner.. hmm.. I messed up the valve cover trying to paint the center part white and had to strip it and repaint the whole thing, which kinda sucks because it had a nice matte/chrome finish on it already.. oh well, mistakes happen. I salvaged it as best I could but it still makes me mad. The springs are painted red to represent aftermarket parts. You can also see the bumpers which have been stripped of chrome and puttied on the joints.. That's about it for now.

[2.2 Straight six]

wow, that engine looks real!

[OrangeR]

Wow engine is looking fine.
Take your time, I don't mind waiting if the updates are this amazing!

[lumpulus]

Is it just me, or do those coils look too close together? The gaps should be further apart...don't you think?

I'd leave the stain, it looks fantastic!

[bhop73]

Originally Posted by lumpulus

Is it just me, or do those coils look too close together? The gaps should be further apart...don't you think?

I'd leave the stain, it looks fantastic!

You are probably right about the coils.. they don't seem very accurate in that way, but i'll see how they look on the car I guess..

[MPWR]

Wow, the finish on that engine is gorgeous. Leave the streak, it looks great. Man, I really need to stay away from this thread- I do not need the temptation to a 1/12 Z.

The gaps between the coils is a bit narrow- they couldn't flex much without bottoming out. When I'm winding springs, the rule of thumb I use is that the gap between each coil should be about 2 times the diameter of the wire. Often when I'm winding springs, I will cut three separate wires, and wind them all around a brass tube so there's no space between the wires. Then slide out the tubing, untwist the springs from each other, and there you have even and properly spaced windings

[M4tt83]

Originally Posted by MPWR

Often when I'm winding springs, I will cut three separate wires, and wind them all around a brass tube so there's no space between the wires. Then slide out the tubing, untwist the springs from each other, and there you have even and properly spaced windings

Wow what a great tip, I hadn't thought of that. Now I just need to find a kit that only needs three springs .

Oh, and not that I have any knowledge of the real thing, but the engine looks spot on to me bhop. I love the way those arches look on your inspirational picture too.

[MPWR]

Originally Posted by M4tt83

Now I just need to find a kit that only needs three springs.

Build a Testarossa- it needs six springs.

I keep looking at the finish on that engine- simply stunning. What paint did you use?

[bhop73]

Originally Posted by MPWR

Build a Testarossa- it needs six springs.

I keep looking at the finish on that engine- simply stunning. What paint did you use?

It's mostly Tamiya acrylics. The metal looking parts are a mix of 'metallic grey' and 'silver', the blue is a mix of royal blue and white, and the valve cover is Model Master enamel 'chrome silver'. Testors gold was used for those little round things and I did a wash with Model Master black enamel. I think it's the wash that brings out the realism the most.