The Original Shark - Tamiya BMW ///M635 CSi

[360spider]

I'm back to US, and back to my workbench. Several projects are on it, but today let's talk about a project that has not seen light of day until today - I present you The Original Shark - Tamiya BMW ///M635 CSi. One of the most charismatic bimmers of the 1980's, the car that inspired hoards of followers and imitators in automotive world, but was never excelled in its time.

A high-end two-door luxury sports coupe dubbed the "Bavarian Ferrari", E24 6-series is considered by many to be the most aesthetically pleasing BMW of all time. Just 86,219 units were built between November 1975 and April 1989. About half of those came to the United States.

The M635CSi was introduced in Europe at the Frankfurt Motor Show in 1983. It is essentially an E24 powered by the powerplant of the BMW M1 (the M88, now putting out 286 PS (282 hp/210 kW)). A catalyzed, lower compression ratio version of the car with the S38 engine putting out 260 PS (256 hp/191 kW) was introduced in the U.S. in 1987. All M635/M6s came standard with a 25% rear differential. U.S. models included additional comforts such as Nappa leather power seats and a dedicated rear A/C unit with a center beverage chiller.

The kit is an older (and not the most detailed), but still very nice Tamiya kit. Biggest advantage of this kit is the fact that it (mostly) has a good parts fit, as compared to famous Fujimi Entusiast version! I will be building the kit with the help of Studio 27 photoetched set, MSM Creating badging, and a few aftermarket additions such as wiring, flocking, BMF, and little 'Upgrade" bits here and there which I will point out during this WIP. Enjoy!




Body of the Tamiya kit is rather clean, and not too complex. It had few very faint mold lines that were sanded off, and few sink marks (trunk, sides) that were fixed with Tamiya putty and sanded smooth. I also removed embossed emblems (will use MSM Creating stuff) and shaved off door handles (S27 P/E will replace that).




Body, hood and chassis was washed, sanded, mounted and shot with a few light coats of Tamiya primer.





Finally, all parts were painted with Zero paints Tabago Blau, and clearcoated with 2K clear. Parts are not polished yet, but they already look very nice! More progress soon!

[ravan17]

i like the choice of color man

[MidMazar]

Great color choice, Can't believe its not a ferrari though.

[ales]

Originally Posted by 360spider

A high-end two-door luxury sports coupe dubbed the "Bavarian Ferrari", E24 6-series is considered by many to be the most aesthetically pleasing BMW of all time.

I'm one of those many! Awesome choice of subject, Alex, can't wait for more.

[voyageur]

Hi Alex,

that sure is the most beautiful BMW ever! Excellent pictures BTW. Even the photo location pays respect to the excellent design.... the gates says "M"

Looking forward to see this coming along!

Cheers

[BVC500]

Great to see another build from you Alex, and I'm glad its something different from a Ferrari! Is the color of the first car pictured car metallic black or dark metallic blue? It looks really good with the light interior.

[drunken monkey]

does this mean a ressurection of the short lived German Horses page?
what else you got hiding from us?

[Porsnatic]

Great subject and great model too. I have a collection of those BMW 635's and this one obviouslly is in my to do list. A question, were you got the 2K clear?

[jano11]

Beautiful subject!

[ZoomZoomMX-5]

One of my favorite cars of all time!

Glad you are going w/the Tamiya. The Fujimi kit scared me when I saw the boxful of teeny, tiny parts all needing a lot of TLC (and some rather uninspired wheels/tires). The Tamiya kit is refreshingly simple by comparision, but still represents the car quite well.

Can't wait to see this one progress

[MPWR]

Sweet.

Also one of my very favorite cars of all time (no real surprise there). Don't know why we almost never see this kit built up, but I'm looking forward to watching yours!

[klutz_100]

Call me Mr. Tasteless but I prefer the 850

That color is going on my "wamt it" list

[360spider]

Thank you all!

Originally Posted by drunken monkey

does this mean a ressurection of the short lived German Horses page?
what else you got hiding from us?

Nah, don't think this will be a revival of a GH page, but hey, who knows, if I'd build enough of these puppies, then maybe?

Originally Posted by Porsnatic

... A question, were you got the 2K clear?

Local paint supply store? I can look up the brand, but it is a store brand, most likely re-branded Dupont product (similar qualities).

Originally Posted by ZoomZoomMX-5

One of my favorite cars of all time!

Glad you are going w/the Tamiya. The Fujimi kit scared me when I saw the boxful of teeny, tiny parts all needing a lot of TLC (and some rather uninspired wheels/tires). The Tamiya kit is refreshingly simple by comparision, but still represents the car quite well.

Can't wait to see this one progress

I have built Fujimi version long time ago, I liked it, but it was a fitting nightmare, you are right! One day I will build another.

Originally Posted by MPWR

Sweet.

Also one of my very favorite cars of all time (no real surprise there). Don't know why we almost never see this kit built up, but I'm looking forward to watching yours!

Yeah, I don't know why these are not being built, its a great little kit.

Originally Posted by klutz_100

Call me Mr. Tasteless but I prefer the 850

That color is going on my "wamt it" list

Well, if you should compare 6-series and 8-series, I'll take 8 over 6 anyday too.

Thanks!

[Jaff_Cannon]

Well, there is an 8 series (Revell/Tamiya) being built over this past month but very glad you're building the Autobahn Stormer keep up the good work, will be glad to follow any M-Car projects here too.

[Porsnatic]

I asked, because, I always thought 2K clear it's a clear from UK. So, 2K it's the brand? Can it be obtained where Dupont products are sold.