1/18 Billy Coleman 1976 COI Escort MKII

It's been ages since I did a model as I've allowed the rat race to get in the way. It's 40 years since Billy won the COI so this is my next project. Its going to be a bit trickier than I though-you would think Minichamps wheels would transfer over-they don't. Lots of plastic bits that get melted if you are not careful stripping the paint-I wasn't. I'm going to end up with two models so will end up doing the Galway car too. And I have taken molds of the arches with a view to producing a transkit for the Minichamps and Sunstar Rally Escorts-but that's further down the line.  

Looking forward to seeing this, good to see you building again Rory

I used to have lots of time on my hands during the recession. These days find myself working all the time and not allowing time for doing something I like. I think it will end up with Sunstar wheels on it. I have bought a RHD Rally Minichamps Escort too if only to get the wipers and the dashboard. I should be able to cobble together the various parts to make all happen. The decals will be easy enough as I have them 1/43 already so a quick scan and blow up will sort that out.

Nice project Rory. Looking forward to seeing it develope.

Will be sticking with the Minichamps wheels as the Sunstar ones look totally wrong.

Having realized that the front end of the Zakspeed Escort is completely wrong-bigger indicators and no recess for them and also no recess for the front bumper meant radical surgery was called for!



I have taken a mould of the front end of the rally escort and I will simply put the Zakspeed Escort into the mould and then cast into place a whole new front end.



Zakspeed car set into the mould



Resin cast



Newly cast front end with slots in the front valance in the right place, the recess for the indicators and the front bumpers. Front spoiler will need to be filled in and added to make it a bit lower. The remnants of the old wrap around air dam to be fitted to the sides.

this is a very nice project and that front end operation is very smart.
very much looking forward how its taking shape...

Looking good so far Rory.

Great to see something different and they new front end turned out great.

Nice one Rory.

Like how you done the front end. Very clever and extremely affective.

Looking good dude

Nice going, Rory. Looking forward to following the build on this one.

That looks great Rory

+1 rory...excellent stuff!! will keep an eye on this build thats for sure...

Looking good. Your mould making technique could have a post of its own!

sbuckley wrote:Looking good. Your mould making technique could have a post of its own!

In a former life I was a dental technician so mould making was part of the job-the rubbers I am using are two part putty and more hygienic versions are used in dentistry.

Excellent build Rory.

reeft1 wrote:Excellent build Rory.

Early days.

The COI in 76 was on the Easter weekend of the 18th of April so have plenty of time to get it finished in time for it to be 40 years ago-Jaysus that's a long time.

I actually saw the car for real in Dublin at the RDS spring show 1976-it was on the Ford Stand. I was too young to appreciate it and of course there were no digital cameras in those days. If memory serves at least one of the fiberglass arches was detached from the car to the rear of the the back wheel after the hammering of Irish gravel I guess.

If you want a closer deadline Rory, you have until November to get it finished and get it down to Milstreet for the model show.

Would be great to see it on show for the first time in Billys own backyard

No further progress this week but getting back to it tomorrow night

Still trying to get the shape of the front air dam so progress slow-once I have that it will simply be a paint job and do the decals.