The 2013 Automotive Group Build

I'll have a look Alan,  I want some too.

Cheers

Tony

Yes it is the Airfix Mini Cooper S kit but the one with 1 car not 2 and this is my first auto too.  I didn't notice the tires, but you are correct, no treads. :(  I guess this isn't all that bad considering there is a seam running down the middle; however,  is there somewhere I can get replacement tires?

ewheeler454

Eagle,

That looks awesome! The building photos are a nice touch also.

Thank you!  It was a fun build! 

Eagle90

Eagle,

That looks awesome! The building photos are a nice touch also.

Hi Tony,

I still have a few things to do on it. I'm going to spend some time on it tomorrow. The vette also came with a set of minilites that I'm going to use on it.

L8TR,

Eric

AlanF

Awesome Mini Eagle90. I have to finish mine.  I just flat coated the interior. It's a fun build.

Thank you Alan!  Is your kit the Airfix one also?  The one quirky thing about this kit (#A50126, the Twin Pack) was the tires.  No treads at all on them.  Racing slicks?  It's a Mini Cooper!  Anyway, other than that it was a great build and my first automotive kit was fun!  I think I'll be getting a couple of more vehicles for the stash!  Thanks again!

Eagle90

Awesome Mini Eagle90. I have to finish mine.  I just flat coated the interior. It's a fun build.

Thank you Tony!  I may have the automotive bug now!

Eagle90

Great job Eagle, I really like it and the photos have worked a treat. It's a great effort for your first car.

I've updated the build roster with your completed photo.

Cheers

Tony

Hey Tony....I finally finished the Mini!  I did a small background for the presentation to my wife.  It is a birthday present for her.  As I said before, she loves all things British (lots of family history there), so I wanted to do something a little special.  So, with the help of my awesome friend Bish, I got some really great pics of some local scenery there in the UK!  Thank you so much Bish!  I made a little display for the Mini, and she was floored!  Made her day (and mine).  I'm still using my phones camera, so there are a lot of glare spots, but you get the picture (pun intended!).  So without further ado, may I submit my entry to the Automotive GB!  THE MINI COOPER!

Remember, it's my first automobile build!

Sorry I missed your post Eric, it looks really good. The Cobalt Blue is spectacular. Is it completed yet ? If those are Corvette wheels ,then what are you going to use on the Corvette ?

Cheers

Tony

Here is a few more progress shots.

I sprayed the clear today. Now just need to let it dry for a couple days. I also made the repairs to the broken posts. There is still a minute line where the cracks were but I think after I paint the trim around the windows most of will be covered. This paint is actually rattle can paint. It's Rustoleum Cobalt Blue Metallic.

The engine is almost done. I broke 3 drill bits into the distributor so I'm not wiring this one hehehehe. I'll give it another go on the next one.

Got the wheels mounted to the chassis. I like these vette wheels. :)

Started putting the interior together. I did notice I forgot to paint the gas pedal. Ooops. :)

Got some more of the undercarriage done.

Thanks for looking.

L8TR

Eric

Here's a few progress pictures on the Bel Air.

It's painted, although I dropped it and broke the front and rear hood post. Didn't realize it until I was looking at this picture. Oh well :). After I fix them I still have to buff the paint with a paper towel and then shoot the clear coat.

Here's some of the chrome after it was redone. I'm happy with these wheels. They are a spare set from the 67 vette.

And here's the front bumper. (The spots are the reflection from the flash in the Alclad).

I think I may get this one done by the end of the weekend. We have a couple of days of rain coming up so no honey do's hehehehe.

L8TR

Eric.

Eagle,

I think after I get some of these current projects done I would like to build one. :)

ewheeler454

Eagle,

I think a Canary Yellow with a high gloss clear would really make it catch your eye. :)

L8TR

Eric.

Hey Eric!  Now that would be unique!  Now you got me thinking......Squadron has these little gems on sale all the time!  Hummmmmmm, yellow.  

Eagle90

Eagle,

I think a Canary Yellow with a high gloss clear would really make it catch your eye. :)

L8TR

Eric.

ewheeler454

Thanks Tony.

I decided to go with a darker blue due to the interior being light. I'll post some photos later this week.

Eagle, The Mini is looking sharp! I agree the red makes it stand out.

L8TR,

Eric

Thank you sir!  I'm hoping the Blue Mini will do the same for the Union Jack!

Eagle90

Thanks Tony.

I decided to go with a darker blue due to the interior being light. I'll post some photos later this week.

Eagle, The Mini is looking sharp! I agree the red makes it stand out.

L8TR,

Eric

taxtp

Good work on the Bel Sir Eric, I was eyeing off several Bel Air kits in the LHS yesterday, but decided to hold back and build some Mustangs and Corvettes.

Your Mini is looking striking Eagle, that is one of the schemes  I will eventually get around to, your red really enhances the Union Jack.

Alan - If you would like to participate in this GB, you are very welcome. There will be a part II starting for 2014 also.

Cheers

Tony

Thank you Tony!  I did this one in red (and you are right, it does make the Union Jack pop out), but the second one in the kit, I'm going to do in BLUE!  We shall see how the Union Jack looks against that.

Thanks again!

Eagle90

AlanF

Nice Mini. I just started one. I'm going to give it the color scheme of my last Mini which was an '07 S. Not much I can do about having the controls on the "wrong" side of the vehicle, bit that's ok. This will be my first auto as I usually build planes.

Thanks Alan!  I too mostly do aircraft and this is the first car I've done in many years.  The ONLY other car I did was back in the late 70's early 80's (it's all a bit foggy any more) and it was the General Lee!  It was anything but pretty too!  I've learned a lot doing this Mini.  I had to laugh at your "controls on the wrong side" comment.  Everyone will get a kick out of this.....as I was putting the rear view mirror in, something just didn't seem right!  After some thought, and turning the car at different angles, I figured it out........the rear view mirror was angled the wrong way!  I laughed so hard at that!  Thanks again Alan!

Eagle90

Good work on the Bel Sir Eric, I was eyeing off several Bel Air kits in the LHS yesterday, but decided to hold back and build some Mustangs and Corvettes.

Your Mini is looking striking Eagle, that is one of the schemes  I will eventually get around to, your red really enhances the Union Jack.

Alan - If you would like to participate in this GB, you are very welcome. There will be a part II starting for 2014 also.

Cheers

Tony

Nice Mini. I just started one. I'm going to give it the color scheme of my last Mini which was an '07 S. Not much I can do about having the controls on the "wrong" side of the vehicle, bit that's ok. This will be my first auto as I usually build planes.

Got an update pic for you.  The Mini is coming along nicely.  Some more detail painting around the edges and a few more detail parts still to do, but I finally got the Union Jack on her!  Then a gloss coat and the final presentation surprise.

Hey Tony,

I looked up the MIller Mustang. That's pretty sharp.

I got the first coat of paint on the Bel Air today, but it's a little to light. Plus I think this color is going to be a %$&# to get even. Just being a little thicker in one area really shows up. I will probably end up spraying 4 or 5 thin coats and sanding in between. Darn stuff looked darker in the bottle. Next time I won't wear my sunglasses when I'm buying paint! :)

Later,

Eric

I'm just getting my stuff together for the new GB, Eric, it'll be out before November 1st. I'm vacillating at the moment, might be a Monogram Miller Mustang from the 80s.

Cheers

Tony

Thanks Tony.

I had planned to paint it Saturday but it rained all day. Last one I painted on a rainy day I ended up having to strip it and start over so I decided to wait. I'm hoping I can get this one done by next Sunday, especially if I have to start on a Funny car on 1 November hint hint hehehehehe.

That looks great again Eric. Have you painted the body yet ? It already looks good with primer.

Cheers

Tony

Here's a few more progress pics.

I filled the hood scoop cut out lines and sanded them down.I used Tamiya putty. Running masking tape along the lines makes it less messy hehehehe.

Got the rear springs sized to fit. The under carriage on this kit has some very good spring seats. Looks much better than the solid springs in the kit. These are ink pen springs that were the same diameter. I cut them slightly longer so the spring tension holds them in after gluing.

Here's a shot after the rear diff was installed. Still have to mount the shocks and add a little aging to the diff.

Here's a shot of the front. The front outer tie-rods float in the air, so I am going to have to fabricate the spindles so I have something to mount the tie-rods to. Hope to get this done sometime this week.

Got the Body sanded and primed. I have a couple of small scratches from scribing to correct then it will be ready for paint.

I also got the holes drilled in the distributor and block. This is the first one I've wired and already broke 3 bits and poked numerous holes in my fingers LOL. The basic part of the engine is together and weathered. I'll post pics of it later.

L8TR

Eric

Thanks Rommel,

I do like this kit. It even has a lower radiator hose. Don't think I've seen that before hehehehe. I'm also looking forward to the Vette and Mustang GB. I think it's going to be fun. I still can't get over how great your farm truck looks. That was amazing!

L8TR

Eric

Wheeler, your '62 is looking good, I like your interior and the weathering you added to the chassis.  I have built that kit and its nice.  I have been short on time as you can tell, I gotta get crackin' or I wont finish the two I have going.  Keep glooin' and I'll catch up but slow down some, your building them faster than I can get them out of the box!  LOL!  I havent even finished my two builds and I am already looking forward to the Vette & Stang group build.  Gotta get my priorities in order.      Rommel