Otaki 1/12 Lamborghini Countach Twin Turbo...Mission Statement

[Dann Tier]

Hey everyone!, this is gonna be my first ever large scale build......and my last. A friend of mine gave me this kit, and I said that I don't normally do large scale, but if I did, it would be a Countach, so here I am! I say "upgrade", because EVERYBODY builds this kit as the kit specifies...….NOT me, I will be turning it into a later model 500s, while getting inspiration from the lesser-known Twin Turbo prototype, so there will be a TON of scratchbuilding involved!     -thanks for checking it out!

[Dann Tier]

Anybody who knows me, knows that I rarely follow the instructions, so I've decided to start with the interior.  

 After rounding-off all the edges that were too sharp, I used a white colored pencil to mark where I needed to scribe the stitching seam-lines. Lamborghinis back then were hand made, so I didn't scribe perfectly straight lines, and some plastic "sagging" was left to help create realism. I opened up the shifter hole, so that it could move through the gate better. I will be scratchbuilding new seatbelt tie-downs, interior light, newer e-brake, better center counsel knobs, firewall trim that goes behind the headrests, and whatever else pops into my head as I go along. After painting over the speaker grilles with flat white, I drilled-out the holes. There were too many holes compared to my reference photo, so I drilled-out every other hole, and it looks great! To make it easier to fill, and sand the joint-seam on both sides of the guage enclosure, I first cut out the gauges, then glued, and sanded the two dash halves. I sanded off the stereo since i'm going to scratchbuild a newer one, and I cut the seatbelt slots where they retract to. Lastly, I stripped ALL the chrome parts.....especially that CRAPPY gold stuff!!!

 

[dino246gt]

I started one of those but the LP400 early version. Made a bunch of parts, it's so much fun in this 1/12th scale, I'll be watching this with great interest! Here's what I made to go between the seats and over the shoulders for seat belts, hope you don't mind me showing these on your post?

[Dann Tier]

16 hours ago, dino246gt said:

I started one of those but the LP400 early version. Made a bunch of parts, it's so much fun in this 1/12th scale, I'll be watching this with great interest! Here's what I made to go between the seats and over the shoulders for seat belts, hope you don't mind me showing these on your post?

Thanks, Dennis!, Nice scratchbuilding!!, I don't mind you sharing here,  I hope you start building yours again, and posting it here...….we can compare notes...lol

[Dann Tier]

A little update here;  changing the wheels....

[Dann Tier]

Actually got some more done on this!

-Photo 1; To level the seats, I had to make brackets, which in turn, also helped provide a better glue point. Next step, will be making the slides, and adjustment levers.

-Photo 2; Notice the now level seats.

-Photo 3; I scratchbuilt the ignition switch, but like everything i'm posting today, it too needs to be kleaned up...….also shortened.

-Photo 4; I fixed the peddles by moving the brake one slightly to the left, and then attaching the gas peddle the way it shoulda been done in the first place. I used Super glue to fill-in the sink holes.

-Photo 5; I cut off those fake-looking knobs, and drilled locating dimples for when I make better knobs.

-Photo 6; I thought it was a good idea to assemble the firewall and rear frame work, since even at this scale, the lower frame IS very fragile. However, I couldn't glue the vey end yet, due to the fact that the control arms still need to be sandwiched between those frame halves first......so I taped them,

-Photo 7; I had almost forgot to etch-in the seam that separates the inner door panel from the door frame itself.

[Dann Tier]

Today, I started to convert the old model door panels, to the newer ones......

[Dann Tier]

Had to add some styrene to change the shape of the opening on the door pockets.

[Dann Tier]

Got a few more things done today; seat brackets, adjustment levers ,and the shoulder tie-down loops for the seat belts.

[Dann Tier]

Hi!, another update here; it took me longer, and more parts than I thought to make my seat buckles....two hours to be exact, but here they are in the rough....the little piece laying next to it is the release button.

[jchrisf]

Great job Dann!

[Dann Tier]

2 hours ago, jchrisf said:

Great job Dann!

Thanks, Chris!!

 

[Dann Tier]

I finished the seatbelt hardware, and moved on to a factory E-brake, instead of using that weird looking black one that came in the kit...

[Dann Tier]

Here is my inspiration for the engine!, its a one of a kind, original factory prototype......the Twin Turbo Countach!!

[Dann Tier]

Maybe I should make it this kolor!!…...

[Dann Tier]

…...or maybe this kolor…….

[Dann Tier]

this will be the kolor of the interior I think....

[Dann Tier]

Almost done with the inner door panels!.....only needs a couple of details, and a klean-up!.....here you can see I filled in a few things, and finally etched the padding seams.

[Jantrix]

Dann, this is very impressive. The reason I don't do large scale is because (IMHO) it takes a boat load of detail to keep it from looking like a Barbie car. Obviously, you are of the same mind. The boatload is on it's way.

[dino246gt]

WOW, Dann, you're really going all out, I love it! Haven't touched mine for months, but when I get back to it, I'll be copying some of your stuff, if you don't mind!

 

[Dann Tier]

3 hours ago, Jantrix said:

Dann, this is very impressive. The reason I don't do large scale is because (IMHO) it takes a boat load of detail to keep it from looking like a Barbie car. Obviously, you are of the same mind. The boatload is on it's way.

Thanks, Rob!, you're right, also, I like waaaaaay too many other cars, there'd be NO PLACE to display them all, not to mention a small fortune on display cases would take away from money for more kits, and supplies.

[Dann Tier]

1 hour ago, dino246gt said:

WOW, Dann, you're really going all out, I love it! Haven't touched mine for months, but when I get back to it, I'll be copying some of your stuff, if you don't mind!

 

Thanks, Dennis!, copy away! I figure if this is my favorite car, and its the ONLY time I will build in this scale, I might as well go mental over it!!

[bobthehobbyguy]

Nice work. Great start.

[Dann Tier]

14 hours ago, bobthehobbyguy said:

Nice work. Great start.

Thanks, Bob!!

[iamsuperdan]

Wow. I've been blown away by all of your builds. This will be more of the same!

Picture a twin turbo Countach. The standard car wasn't exactly known for being reliable. Imagine what adding turbos would do. Maybe you should scratchbuild a tow truck to go with it!