Hellers 1/8 traction avant cabriolet conversion

Hi all I started this Christmas I'm building it the polar opposite of my last one this will be super shiney.


This will be the Base body colour

Hi all here is the next update.

Hi all here is the next update, put the beading round the rear wheel arches, couldn't then resist seeing what the colour would look like so gave it a quick coat.





[img width=405 height=720]https://2img.net/h/oi65.tinypic.com/xogspf.jpg[/img]

I have to say I think my other build was more interesting to look at, the weathering and oil staining give something more to look at, I think I will post some of the similar build pics together as this progresses to show what I mean.

Hi all I remember on the last build putting the driveshafts in at the allocated time was a real pain so I decided to do them now (I'm hoping that choice doesn't bite me in the tender area later.

Hi all, well I've done it, the roofs gone (hope I can make the canvas roof for it.






I'm going to use the cut out roof as a template for making the ribs for the canvas part.

Hi all here is the framework for the canvas roof (the nuts and bolts won't stay the final version will have a plastic pin) I may try a version using piano wire as the copper wire is very soft, it may stiffen up a bit when the canvas is stitched to it (that I think is going to be a nightmare, not known for my sewing skills)
Need to make a couple of of ribs for the middle section.

Hi all here is another update on this.
From my experience of building this kit before it is critical that this piece is glued totally square and true if you don't want bonnet fitting problems.
As you can see from the pics with a little effort you can get a perfect fit.





On my first build this part was out only by about a half a mill and when I fitted the bonnet there was a 5 mil gap at the top which I could not get rid of, after days of investigation scratching my head and swearing it turned out this was the problem, of course I had got a lot further on in the build and it caused me a lot of problems to sort it out.

Hi all another update, I've made the carpets out of wet and dry then the driving mat out of couser sand paper.

Hi all here is the next update




I think gold and purple are a great mix sooo,
Chrome

Some of this through the ab

And you end up with gold

Hi all got the fire wall on, then couldn't resist trying the body on.

Hi all did some more work on the engine bay, have I mentioned I love this kit, so much detail.

Hi all whilst shopping in Dumfries today I came across this stuff, I've no idea if it will go through my ab but if it does I am going to change the original paint idea I had for the traction avant, if what I envisage works it should be fairly impressive, will try it on scrap plastic first.
Can't wait to get home and try it out.

You are according to the instructions supposed to mix it with you're chosen paint colour.

Hi tried this through my ab, no go, good job I had my ultrasonic cleaner (from my tattooing days) or I would never have cleaned it out

Hi all well i have the steering rack done.

Hi all here is another update, I decided to give it a wood veneered dashboard

Think it looks nicer than the bog standard dash

Just for added interest here is the new shiney chassis and engine bay.


And here is the old battered one

Hi all finished the steering rack (still needs weathering) and installed the dashboard.




Not sure what to do with the steering wheel the interior seats and maybe the door panels (still not sure on them ) but definitely the seats will be cream leather as I think it will look really luxurious with the purple and gold, so should the steering wheel be white, cream, wood or black also should that be the whole steering wheel or just the rim. Baring in mind the paint work will be like the K1

Hi all been attaching some of the many wires and pipes to the engine and weathered the engine a bit more ( don't want it to look like it neglected but thought it looked too clean)




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Hi all next update the rad is fitted, have I said I love this kit the rad is a 1/24 kit on its own, I'm developing a plan for another one anyway here is today's work.

Hi all here is today's update.


I'm really happy the way the chrome has golded  (is that a word) 




I think the gold works incredibly well with the purple I realise the purple needs a few more coats, then I need to start the marbling effect, have I mentioned I love this kit.

Hi all here is another update on the engine bay (there is soooooooooooo much detail in this kit, it's a superb model)




The engine bay is still not finished (by a long way)

Amazing detail

all here is another update, started the rear suspension 

Hi all well I'm scrapping the marble effect idea (the gold pigment in the paint was too thin and would have required two coats to even start to cover which doesn't work with the marbling effect) (it's a one coat thing) not sure what I will do now, I'm thinking hard now.

I've put the humbrol tin there to give an idea of the size of this beast.

Hi all well here's the next bit, I got some leather for the seats (thanks to Roy Fitzsimmons) and I decided to add wooden window sills to it.

Hi all here is another update (the seats are just placed for now not actually fixed yet) in this kit the front seats are adjustable (just like the real thing) they slide forwards and back.
This really is an amazing kit.