Ferrari 250GT SWB (Gunze/RM&M)

[CrateCruncher]

I've been wanting to build this model for at least a decade now. After a couple of false starts I've finally made enough
progress that I'd like to share what I've done.

The strategy is to use the 1/24th Gunze "high-tech" kit as the foundation, adding the incredible Replicas and Miniatures
of Maryland SWB engine kit and the Model Factory Hiro SWB wheel kit to make a fairly detailed model.

Please cut me a bit of slack on my initial posts. I'm new here and on the steep side of the curve regarding images and
things..

[CrateCruncher]

I began by modifying the curbside chassis to accept the RM&M engine. I had to remove quite a bit of metal and went through
a few hacksaw blades. The material is very hard and brittle. I also modified the chassis parts to accept the male Hiro wheels
I'll be substituting.

[CrateCruncher]

Here is a check fit of my engine and wheels. The ride height and track is way off but that engine is sooooo detailed I had
to see it in the chassis.

[CrateCruncher]

I have begun modifying the body which to my eye is quite accurate generally. The kit is a curbside so I removed the hood
and decided to also remove the doors. This will be my first attempt at door hinging in this scale.

[CrateCruncher]

I got tired of grinding and cutting and decided to do some finish work as a change of pace. Here you can see the finished
"snap" exhaust tips. They still need a bit of polishing but not a bad turnout considering the white metal lump they started
out as.

[CrateCruncher]

And finally, this is a piled together view of my progress so far. I have a long way to go. I'm toying with the idea of making
the body removable from the chassis leaving only the floorboards and seats with the entire transmission and drivetrain
exposed. What do you guys think?

[klutz_100]

Nice project

I have the same engine to do some day.

The 250SWB is in my list of top three cars I want to have babies with. Therefore the body and chassis should always be mated IMHO

P.S. You can post more than one image in a post so there is no need to make separate posts for each photo

[CrateCruncher]

Thanks for the posting tip Klutz. I wasn't sure if the site has a time-out or not. Heck I'm feeling quite a sense of accomplishment at just starting this poor thread. I hope to get better quickly.

[BVC500]

Nice work so far! I'll be watching this post!

[jano11]

Wonderful start. Excellent job you are doing justice to the beautiful Berlinetta!

I'll follow this closely as I'm also preparing to build one of these in the not too distant future.

[ChillyB]

I'm always glad to see fellow modelers who are willing to undertake such demanding and detailed projects because I'm too poor, too lazy, and too unskilled to do so myself.

Keep up the good work. I love these cars and the components you are using should result in a real stunner.

[360spider]

Wonderful start.
Gunze SWB body is a bit too flat on the sides, and a bit wider than the real car, but it looks good as a model. I found that Hiro body for SWB is the best as far as the proportions go, but the kit is sure not cheap. Though, if you take into account Hiro wheels and RMMD engine kit, its is almost the same price :-) Good luck with the project!

[MidMazar]

Sweet stuff, did you use hand polish the exhaust pipes or a power tool?

[CrateCruncher]

Thanks for the warm welcome guys and thanks for helping me to stay focused on this project. I'm a prolific project starter,.. not as good at finishing.

MidMazar, the exhaust tips were done by hand. I try to avoid using power tools because of my tendency to screw things up when electricity gets involved. The casting marks were filed off, then the porous surface was sanded smooth with 600. I then used #0000 steel wool, then a soft rag to polish them into shape. I noticed in the photos of a book a friend loaned me for this project that the snap tips are actually removable covers over the actual exhaust tips. So I drilled a .1" seat in the casting, then took some .1" K&S tubing and chamfered the inside radius with a #11 blade. I then roll cut it to a length I could locate inside the snap tip with a dab of epoxy and flat black wash. After finishing the tips I even managed a decent looking carb trumpet using a a piece of wire to expand the outer edge into a flair shape. It looked pretty good but I doubt I could make 5 more exactly the same size.

Work continues on "the Beast". I got the ride height set last night and plan to do some door jam work tonight. I'll post some pics when I have something worth showing.

[agamo]

Beautiful!!!

Great start, I want to see more, so please keep us posted.

Keep the great work!