Making of Le Mans Thoroughbred - '64 Ferrari 250 GTO

[360spider]

Hello all,

I don't usually post on this forum (some old-timers might remember why ), but I have recently received several emails asking me to build a model for AF's Ferrari Anniversary build. I decided to join the project.

I'm starting another superdetailed buildup of a very significant Ferrari. I expect the WIP to be long, progress to be slow, updates not very frequent, but hopefully worth the wait. I also hope to finish this build on time. Ladies and Gentlemen, 1964 Ferrari 250 GTO Series II.

This pony was bred for a single purpose - to win 1964 Le Mans race. For 64 season Ferrari announced new bodystyle for their unbeatable 250 GTO and 64 bodystyle is known today as Series II GTO. Maranello Concessionaires brought several cars to 64 race, and one of them was chassis number 4399GT - a 250 GTO rebodied to a later 64 style at Ferrari earlier that year. The car driven by Innes Ireland and Tony Maggs under #25 came 6th overall. Here are few pictures of the car as it is right now:



Model Factory Hiro kit was used as a base, which in turn based on Climax kit. The kit is very nice, lots of detail, but that is expected at ~$250 a pop. So there I was, hacking into a $250 kit…..



… cuttin out the door with a fret saw, and cleaning up everything with a dremel – thinning fenders to an appropriate thickness, so I could open up the fender vents, etc.




After some time with the dremel, covered in resin dust (but happy) was able to open up the vents, and started cutting the other side….



Quickly cleaned up the cuts (not final yet) and glued on roof spoiler.
Before I cut up the body, I made templates of the doors with Tamiya 40mm masking tape.




I used the template to transfer the shape to a .05mm brass sheet, and cut out the shape. After few hours bending and shaping and sanding brass, I had two door covers that fit the openings precisely.





Now I needed to build the hinge: I cut 4 pieces you see on the pictures from the same brass sheet…and bent them around a brass rod with my needle nose pliers 9test pieces in the pictures, final pieces are more precise).




Then I made an inner fender plate from sheet styrene and mounted inner parts of the hinges on it.



Other side of the hinges was glued to the door skin. I also built-up a door body from sheet styrene as well. Door is now hinged!




The hinge work wonderful, and allows to open and close the door – exactly as on a real car – part of the door goes inside to body opening!




Closed door aligns perfectly with the body, and door body hides the hinge when closed. I’m working on a door panels right now. That is all for now. More soon!





Picture of the real door for reference:

[ales]

Considering what you've already done, this is going to b so awesome!

[D_LaMz]

Damn, this is gonna be awesome! Love what you did with the door!


PS: Thanks for the tutorial on PE sets.

[robrex]

Alex,
It's great to see you posting some of your work here again!
I must say that door hinge technique is fantastic! I can't wait to see more updates!

PS. Have you done any more on the 360CS?

[bhop73]

Man.. wish I could think of something original to say, but this will be awesome.

[David Napier]

fantastic work, really looking forward to following this, the hinges and doors are brilliant

[klutz_100]

Forza Maestro!
(or something like that )

Looking forward to seeing this come together.

[360spider]

Thanks guys.
Rob, lots more done on the CS, I don't know where was the last time you saw it? I'm finishing up the engine now, the interior is completed, the body is almost done. Need to do some work with the chassis, and put it all together. I might ressurect that thread after all - you think I should?

Fancy seeing you here Steve. :-)

[mikemechanic]

Excellent, thanks for posting a WIP, it's nice to see you back Alex. Yeah I remember why you left and it just hasn't been the same without you. Great progress so far. This group build just made a great leap forward.

Please, please bring back the 360CS WIP back. I think you should.

Mike.

[auw12]

It's awesome to see you here and enter the group build Alex! Fantastic techniques as usual, I'm looking forward to this one! And...bring back the 360CS please~~~

[davesans]

This is going to awesome there are great builder on the site the learn from.

[robrex]

Originally Posted by 360spider

Rob, lots more done on the CS, I don't know where was the last time you saw it? I'm finishing up the engine now, the interior is completed, the body is almost done. Need to do some work with the chassis, and put it all together. I might ressurect that thread after all - you think I should?

Do I think you should? YES PLEASE!

[lechatnoir82]

Amazing! Love the brass work, a fantastic job!

[sportracer02]

Hi,

fantastic start, nice idea to replace the cut-out doors with brass-sheet. Hinges look great!

[Mr. Me.]

Awesome...