Tamiya Simca 5 Staff Car finally completed.

Interesting choice of subject, look forward to seeing what you do with it.

Never seen this kit before I will be watching to see how it comes. I agree there should be a option for closed roof in the kit at the least.

Wait a minute... I can see a few squiggly lines that might be intended to be tire tread. I had to get really close to the monitor, but there was something there.    Now I'm blind!

Is that a new Tamiya kit or a really old one? I've never seen that one before.

I thought this car was familiar, as I have 3 of these in resin sitting in the process of being built. The Simca 5 was a French license built version of the FIAT 500 A Topolino. The FIAT 500 A was very common in Italian military use. Model Victoria has had that vehicle in resin for several years in 3 vesions - Civilian, Military and North African, I am building all 3 versions. The Tamiya version would be of course less expensive.

www.modelvictoria.it/.../fiat_500_topolino.htm

Mike T.

subfixer

Wait a minute... I can see a few squiggly lines that might be intended to be tire tread. I had to get really close to the monitor, but there was something there.    Now I'm blind!

Yeah, looked like some tread there to me.  Perhaps even in scale!!  At first blush, I would think an attempt at a closed top would be fabbed up with some brass rod and tissue paper.  If not tissue paper, perhaps some foil.  Just a thought.  Looks like a cute kit, begging for detailing. 

Gene Beaird,
Pearland, Texas

Got all of the underside ejector pin marks filled, all 19 of them!

I had a lot of interest in picking this kit up so will be following along.  Agree those details should be present in these new kits.  What are your plans for the solid grill?

Not quite sure yet.  Probably will try thinning it out from behind, if that doesn't work just scratchbuild a new one.

I almost picked this kit up this evening at my LHS.....

I just ordered 2 of these on Monday. I am in for watching, Espicially what you do for the grill,

Is it a real Tamiya kit or a rebox kit? The sprues does not look Tamiya to me.

It is a real Tamiya kit.  It is typical moldings for them - simplistic details but great engineering.

Contructor...it's a Tamiya kit, as stated previoiusly.  I just might get it for KB vehicle.

Brett Green's review of the Tamiya Simca 5 http://www.missing-lynx.com/reviews/german/tamiya35321reviewbg_1.html

Reading that review makes we wonder if we are even building the same kit.

I was looking at some real Simca 5s on U-tube and the closest thing to a door Handle was a small lever on the inside and outside of the "suicide" doors.  The widows slid opened so it there are no hand cranks on the inside doors. The pedals really look like oval blobs.

They could have included a spare closed roof cover but the Tamiya kit is a very good simple model of a very simple car. Also there does seem to be faint treads on the tires which may be accurate for the full sized vehicle. 

The pedals and under the dash are FAR from "oval blobs."   It is correct there are no hand cranks for the windows, but the doors latches as seen at the front edge of the doors are not included.

Rebuilding of the dash is done.  Dials were drilled out, and new switches added.

Edit:  sorry for the terrible picture, I cant seem to get it to come out without a bunch of reflection.  I will take another one once it is painted.

What is it with you and tires first the B-25 now this......Bronto's rescribe tire shop.

ps-where are my floats.

Thad

Nice job reworking the dash.

Are you redoing the pedals? or are they hidden from view in the final build.

BTW.....I talked to Brett yesterday and he is sending out a hit squad out to ya for trashing his review.

Thad

I plan on making a hard top out of mine.  A bit of .005 plastic, maybe .010, and just cut in a window.  I found a picture of a grand total of ONE hard top, but that is all the proof I need.  My body was crushed when I opened the kit, so I have to wait for Tamiya to send another before I know for sure which plastic to use.  Bronto, nice job on the dash!

Thanks all for the nice words.  I had some time to do a little bit more work.  The pedals are rebuilt, and the front grill is half-done.

Like what you've done with the dash and pedals.

the pedals are looking much better now