2018 plans and projects in the pipeline...

Brilliant work David. It shows the effort and toughs that you have put into it to get the project as far as it even now.I will follow with great interest.

Many thanks, David & Maurice - I very much appreciate your positive comments.

Cracking work David. You are doing an excellent job and can't wait to see this all come together.

Good work David. It is rewarding isn’t it!

Finding this thread fascinating!

Keep up the good work, David.

Cheers, Steve

Very, very impressive.

Even more impressive is that you've taken the time to explain it to us mere mortals. Thanks, David. Take a bow, sir, and look forward to the next instalment.

Dave

If you are going even further and create the engine I have found this on ebay which might help...

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/MG-METRO-6R4-Cylinder-Head/282871627169?hash=item41dc767da1:g:JhgAAOSw61haT2oi

Chris

Thank you Chris, Paul, Steve & Ted for your latest comments - not only is seeing an end product rewarding, but also reading your kind comments is equally as pleasing. It really is quite easy when you get into the habit of working with silicone, resin, Lego & Plasticine - never mind the Vaseline and my domed nuts, hey Billy!

I am off on Wednesday & Thursday, and plan to crack on making the nearside interior door card master. Once that is done and the mould is created, I plan to paint and fit them to a closed model to check fit, appearance, etc. Will post up some photos of the finished model in due course.

Many thanks again, gents.

CDM wrote:Dave

If you are going even further and create the engine I have found this on ebay which might help...

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/MG-METRO-6R4-Cylinder-Head/282871627169?hash=item41dc767da1:g:JhgAAOSw61haT2oi

Chris

Thank you, Chris. Even though a detailed engine was part of my plans, I think I will put it on the back burner for the interim, but the images will certainly prove very useful to me as and when I am ready. Cheers, CD.

How hard would it be to make a complete shell from scratch?

Doors open or closed? If the latter, not that difficult providing the front and rear spoiler can be detached from the donor vehicle amd cast seperately. Glass work would have to be made using suitable clear plastic unless someone has access to a vacform.

Paul,

The front and rear windows can be created using clear plastic sheet. I know, I've done it umpteen times myself including last night working on Tony Bardy's ex-Trevor Reeves' Mini Rallycross car.

I'll often forage for clear plastic in the kitchen recycle bin and use plastic food packaging. With a 6R4, the rear side windows incorporating the air scoops would be very tricky, though not so bad if the scoops were painted. Thankfully, the front and roof spoilers of the 6R4 do come off easily (when pushed from inside with a thin pointy pointer (sorry to talk technical!)). This is what Simon has don with his Rallycross models, having removed the door boxes first.

Cheers, Steve

As I might have mentioned, my ultimate goal would be to be able to provide CODE343-branded model kits, so it is something that is clearly in the back of my mind behind all these latest trials.

I wouldn't want to release an already available model kit for obvious reasons, however the production of a motorsport themed vehicle based on an existing model of a road-going variant is possibly a much more realistic goal than actually making a complete bodyshell from scratch. After all, there's a massive range of road cars out there already from the mainstream diecast manufacturers, a great many of which have actually spawned competition variants by the 'simple' addition of some flared arches, and front and rear spoilers. With the addition of bucket seats, a cage, some alloys and a few decals - job done!

There are already two, early / mid 1980s, three-door road-going hatchbacks on my Watch List as I type this!....

David

On the decal front are you planning any Triumph product? Have a white Ixo TR7 V8 crying out for a Boyd Chequered Flag livery!

It's not a livery that I had currently planned to do, Chris.  

To be honest, it's not really a livery that I'm aware of either, but if you have sufficient reference material, then email them to me and I might well incorporate them within my next batch of decals to be printed. My email address is...

What mould materials are you using? What casting resins are you using?

Sal the 2nd wrote:David

On the decal front are you planning any Triumph product? Have a white Ixo TR7 V8 crying out for a Boyd Chequered Flag livery!

Must check but I think I did that for the COI collection.

JOB wrote:

Sal the 2nd wrote:David

On the decal front are you planning any Triumph product? Have a white Ixo TR7 V8 crying out for a Boyd Chequered Flag livery!

Must check but I think I did that for the COI collection.

I sent the photos to Carlo Rovatti and he has the decals for sale on his list . So no need to reinvent the wheel on that one.

Are they proper old skool water slide or printer ink as no previous experience of this chaps product other than watching some of his crazy ebay auction price achievements? Also is the black lower half of the car included or will this require painting as have no time for that?

I buy the decals and send them to someone to do the work for me so I may not be the best person to comment . His decals are top class . I suspect you have to paint the car . When he brings out new decals he puts them up on eBay and those that know no better, bid . His current list runs to 307 decals and the vast majority cost 18 euro plus postage . Some are cheaper dropping to as low as 6 euros .

Sal the 2nd wrote:Are they proper old skool water slide or printer ink as no previous experience of this chaps product other than watching some of his crazy ebay auction price achievements? Also is the black lower half of the car included or will this require painting as have no time for that?

Chris I will message Carlo tonight about that. I need to email him.

RORY O CONNOR wrote:What mould materials are you using?

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Polycraft-GP-3481-F-RTV-Silicone-Mould-Making-Rubber-275g-Kit-Green-Catalyst/321425781696?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649

RORY O CONNOR wrote:What casting resins are you using?

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Polycraft-SG2000-L-500g-Long-Pot-Life-Polyurethane-Liquid-Plastic-Casting-Resin/231132332511?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649

I only bought a small quantity of each at first - primarily to prove to myself that the above substances were fit for purpose, and also to prove that I was up to the task. Larger quantities are avaialable from the same seller, and I will be placing a bigger order next time.

Hope that helps, Rory. If you need anything else, please don't hesitate to ask.

JOB wrote:So no need to reinvent the wheel on that one.

I agree wholeheartedly if it's already been done. No point duplicating work at all - there's plenty of worthy subjects out there.

Sal the 2nd wrote:Are they proper old skool water slide....

Indeed they are, Chris - wonderful to work with, crisp detail, flat and bright colours, but the only negative aspect is that each decal will need cutting out carefully as they do not feature a shaped varnish.

Many thanks chaps for the info however not sure the Flag TR7 will happen for me at the moment as though can probably find the time to do some simple decal jobs re-paints are off the agenda.

Does anyone have a current list or a link/email address?

Cheers again

Chris