Commissioned build from a NIB kit
This is probably the rarest car I've built so far and another commissioned build, the same owner as the 1998 Impreza I built about nine months ago. It was a little nerve wracking cutting out and painting something borderline irreplacable.
The roof scoop, front lip and boot lid handle were masked off and sprayed semi gloss black on the outside. This looks a lot better than the supplied stickers, especially the scoop as this is quite a curved shape. I've built cars with these 5 spoke wheels before but this is the first one where they've been the correct white to start with. In this case I just spray with TS clear to give a shine and protect from UV damage.
As usual, I added wheel spacers although this required a serious boost to the track width, 4.5mm per wheel. The original setup is very shy with the wheels hidden right in the arches. I fitted the usual Brembo brakes but this caused a problem as the brake kit is designed to work with 1050 bearings and a 5mm axle. Unlike a TT-0x which they fit straight on, the TA-03 uses 1260 bearings and has 6mm axles. This required adjustment shims to reduce the wheel bearing recesses from 12mm to 10mm and then 860 (8mm outside, 6mm inside) bearings or bushings instead of the 850s that normally replace the 1050s. 860 don't appear to exist and working out how to fit the brakes stumped me for a while. I finally figured out that I could make 860 sized bushings from 8mm styrene tube which has a 1mm wall thickness and thus a 6mm internal diameter. The 12mm adaptor is made from nylon pneumatic hose which has the correct diameters internal and external.
Detailing was business per usual. The front light buckets are from the 2007 Impreza. The rears have the line texture Wrap-up Next red decals. The real car has Nikko sponsor logos on the wing mirrors. Tamiya supply Esso ones instead and the photo on the box has these blurred out.
The interior required quite a bit of trimming to fit - it's quite a short car and with the cockpit set at the required height the rear suspension towers foul it so recesses need to be cut. The sponsor logos on the driver suits and helmets come from the 1/24 static kit.
Like most of the older shells this has pre drilled holes so I stuck with the normal post and pin method. I did tune the height exactly using 5mm o-rings and I also touch up the trimmed posts with a black Sharpie where they go white after cutting. The antenna hole is disguised with a GPS shark fin. Not quite period correct but better than a hole!
Details:
• Front light buckets (Impreza 1007)
• Rear lights 3D texture (Wrap-up Next)
• Front lip painted semi gloss black
• Roof scoop and rear boot lid handle painted semi gloss black
• Tyre logos
• Matt black door handles
• Matt black roof trims
• Correct matte and gloss window frames
• Rear window heater elements
• Wheels painted TS clear
• Thin wheel nuts
• Wide track with 4.5mm wheel spacers
• Cockpit set
• Driver sponsor logos from the 1/24 static kit
• Michelin and O·Z logos on spare wheel
• Correct Nikko logos on mirrors
• Printed co-driver pace notes
• Styrene roll cage
• Exhaust (F350 Hi Lift)
• Brembo brake discs and callipers with custom adaptors
• Windscreen wipers
• Roof aerials
• Roof transponder dome
• 3D bonnet catches (Wrap-Up Next)
• Intercooler
• Bonnet washer jets
• Towing eyes
Comments
Steffen
Absolutely stunning, well done (as always)!
Gosan
Amazing work! I hope the next one will be the TOYOTA CELICA LB TURBO Gr.5.
Stingray3
WOW....you have got show room talent! That is one sweet looking ride!
Jorisschulte
OMG, this is sooooooo beautifull.
I love your cars, and this being a Peugeot....
Compliments, compliments, compliments!!
scollins
And the hits just keep on coming....absolutely beautiful work. You have set the gold standard to hit for anyone looking to detail a 'beyond box art' Tamiya RC kit in accuracy, stance, interior embellishment, exterior hardware details, and racing livery. Respect.
scollins
I am dead serious about what I said...Of course there is a ton of talent on TC overall-- but you take the cake with your Tamiya builds for realism on touring cars and rally cars.
SRB Bloke
As usual awesome build. I don't know you did commissioned builds.
Subaruhess
Full on Peugeot Power Perfection! Love it
johnny4cross
Incredible work sir, looks 1:1. Straight into my favs.
koenc
simpy amazing!
Stunning. I have a 206 GT and this is my end goal! Great detail for me to go by!
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