Widebody Altezza RS200

KevHw · #1 03-14-2009, 03:41 AM

Hi everyone,
I've been bouncing back and forth between several builds at the moment but decided to post up this WIP to 'encourage' myself to get something complete.

Box Art:

Box-stock body (just opened up the grill) & crappy wheels:

Sprayed Halfords Grey Plastic primer over it but left it like that for about 2 years. After seeing popui's outstanding widebodies, I was inspired to do one myself so dug this back out.

I bought myself a 0.5mm styrene sheet and cut 5mm strips to line the wheel arch (definitely buy thin sheets of styrene as I only had 1.0mm before and it gets quite frustrating). As you can see I also opened up the front bumper:

Took off the two side bits and re-glued at an angle to effectively lower the bumper:

Replaced mid-section lower and out more:

Wheels from my Mazdaspeed GTC RX-7 (MS-01 MAG):

Wing from my recent Nissan R32:

Basing my inspiration off this:

I'm now trying to think how to model the side skirts and rear bumper. Would love to know what you guys think so far...comments/tips etc. Thanks for looking.

mrawl · #2 03-14-2009, 06:53 AM

Dunno where it's going but it should look fantastic if you execute cleanly. Good luck.

janositamas · #3 03-15-2009, 06:44 AM

Very nice project, good job so far!

MidMazar · #4 03-16-2009, 03:17 PM

Nice, this is my favorite lex i gotta say. That bodykit your trying to create looks a little complex. With the rear bumper, i would try to get the basic shape by cutting it up and adding styrene. For the sides of the rear bumper cut out small pieces of styrene and mold them in with putty, if this makes sense. There really is no easy way of doing it. I think two part epoxy putty is a must, and some sculpting tools would really help getting the basic shape. Keep us posted, and best of luck.

KevHw · #5 03-16-2009, 06:32 PM

Thanks for the comments so far.

MidMazar:
I love this Lexus too, ever since I saw it. I'll have a think about how to cut up and build the rear bumper with sheets. The rear bumper sides I think I can handle, it's deciding how far I want to style the bumper itself. I'm trying to keep things simple and clean.

This is the putty I'm using...very crumbly stuff:

My other option is to use Milliput putty. What are peoples' experiences with it? Does it go on smoothly?

Here's a small update.

At the time of posting this thread, I had started to build up my putty starting at the front:

Now I've just got some minor putty work on the front to make sure it's all smooth before a final primer coat. Rear arches are done, just need to be blended into the bumper and side, trying all the time to keep the panel lines exposed (...unlike my RX-7 if anyone remembers

).

Should I shave the rub strips off? I'll hopefully get some work on the chassis and interior done to post up soon.

Thanks for the interest

TightDA8 · #6 03-17-2009, 02:28 AM

Wow, great start! Its gonna look agressive but no too crazy...I would keep the door molding on there...Shaving them off would make the sides look too plain.

xpeed · #7 03-17-2009, 02:43 AM

Looking good, I use Tamiya's Epoxy Putty and man, it's lot harder to use than I thought. >_<

M-Tuning · #8 03-17-2009, 04:41 PM

Nice, I'm also working on a widebody Altezza:

KevHw · #9 03-17-2009, 07:26 PM

Oh cool, good to see another one ha!

I think I know why I have so much difficulty blending my arches into the body, making it look more 'natural'....from seeing your front arches, I think I make mine too wide

I think I know which one looks better...

Some_Kid · #10 03-17-2009, 07:59 PM

Nice work. Milliput is good stuff, you can shape it with water to make it dry smoother. It also drys very hard.

M-Tuning · #11 03-18-2009, 03:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KevHw

Oh cool, good to see another one ha!

I think I know why I have so much difficulty blending my arches into the body, making it look more 'natural'....from seeing your front arches, I think I make mine too wide

I think I know which one looks better...

You can always sand a bit off

AustinMartin · #12 03-18-2009, 03:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xpeed

Looking good, I use Tamiya's Epoxy Putty and man, it's lot harder to use than I thought. >_<

I can never find Tamiyas putty, its sold out everywhere!

rollin80s · #13 03-18-2009, 06:46 PM

looks hot, i also have an altezza in the mix.
tamiya putty is on ebay a lot. i just got some of the smooth surface and the quick type. not what i expected to see, but ill be trying it out this weekend.

koksik · #14 03-18-2009, 07:55 PM

Yeah, soon I start with my Altezza with Wald body kit as well. But first I must finish 3 other projects

KevHw · #15 03-24-2009, 10:34 AM

Good to hear 3 more Altezzas in the mix...can't wait to see what you others do with yours.

As promised, update on interior and chassis:

Overall, this kit has very basic detailing.
Filled out the seats:

Interior sprayed black then masked out to spray XF-63 German Grey:

Floor and tunnel was brushed with PVA then black flocking was sprinkled on. Not sure why it's looking like a shag-carpet but it's more like felt in reality:

Bodywork:

Decided to do a twin-exhaust like this:

Added FMIC

Thanks for keeping up. Let me know what you think

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