C1 Models MGB-GT

[TooOld]

Time to get started on this C1 Models MGB-GT Trans Kit ,  I've already seen quite a few built and am looking forward to this one !  I'll be using the Aoshima '74 MG kit for this build . 

I'll also be building it with the chrome bumpers instead of the urethane ones . The '68 and '74 Roadster kits have both been reissued with different box art a few times but they are actually identical inside the box , with just a couple of exceptions . They both have the chrome bumpers but the '74 kit has two extra parts trees to include the urethane bumpers and tonneau cover , and a set of Rallye Wheels plus mirrors and gas cap . If your shopping for a kit buy the '74 , it's usually cheaper than the '68 kit . 

Before I begin here's a few photos to compare the C1 body to the Aoshima body .  C1 has done an excellent job and their body looks like it will need little if any work other than prepping for  paint . 

Looking at the inside note the molded in recesses around the windshield and windows . C1 includes some clear sheet and templates to cut the windshield and windows . 

They also duplicated these chassis mounting tabs . I didn't pay much attention to these at first but you'll see later that it's important they be used correctly . 

First thing I want to do is test fit the chassis and interior , and check the ride height .  

I used some Detail Tack to assemble the suspension . 

Here's the assembled chassis , the interior was just taped together for now .  After modifying the interior with the C1 parts I'll check the fit in the body again . 

To fit the body gently spread it at the rocker panels and lower it over the interior . Insert the rear of the chassis first then while still spreading the body lower the chassis and insert the front into the body . It takes some fiddling around to get the chassis into the body so be patient and it will seem to just pop into place . 

This is where those mounting tabs become important .  I had the chassis in and out a couple times fiddling with it and each time I just had it resting against those tabs , it fit okay and the interior seemed okay but the ride height was too high . I figured okay I'll have to modify the suspension to lower the stance where I want it .  That's when I realized that the chassis fits "into" those tabs not just against them .  

Doing it the correct way not only made the interior fit perfectly , it lowered the stance about 2mm to where I had hoped it would be ! 

The color I'm planning to use is called Bronze Yellow .  I also purchased the Mini Lites that C1 sells but I really like the look of those Rallye Wheels ! 

Interior modification is next . . . stay tuned ! 

 

[Matt Bacon]

Looking good. Interestingly, Classic Cars magazine has a buying guide to the MGC and MGBV8 in this months issue, which says you should be able to see all of the rear wheel. If any of it is up inside the wheel arch, then "the springs are tired" and you'll need to budget for new ones...

Looking forward to following your progress.

best,

M.

 

[Blueprint]

I bought the Revell of Germany MGB kit to reproduce a friend's '74¼ MGB. Apart from the later-model dash, the Revell is missing the oem steel wheels (called Rostyles, not rally btw ?). I may have to get these Aoshima kits too, and I dearly wished that they made one of my 1:1 Triumph TR6 !

[PatW]

Good to see a true British sports car on here. I'm looking forward to the build up.

[TooOld]

18 hours ago, Matt Bacon said:

Looking good. Interestingly, Classic Cars magazine has a buying guide to the MGC and MGBV8 in this months issue, which says you should be able to see all of the rear wheel. If any of it is up inside the wheel arch, then "the springs are tired" and you'll need to budget for new ones...

Looking forward to following your progress.

best,

M.

 

Thanks Matt !  All of the MGB's I've ever seen have the front higher than the back , there must be a reason for this .

[TooOld]

13 hours ago, Blueprint said:

I bought the Revell of Germany MGB kit to reproduce a friend's '74¼ MGB. Apart from the later-model dash, the Revell is missing the oem steel wheels (called Rostyles, not rally btw ?). I may have to get these Aoshima kits too, and I dearly wished that they made one of my 1:1 Triumph TR6 !

Don't know about the quality but there is this TR6 out there .

https://www.ebay.com/itm/363700616831?hash=item54ae3efe7f:g:FX4AAOSwylBh7Lua

[TooOld]

13 hours ago, PatW said:

Good to see a true British sports car on here. I'm looking forward to the build up.

Yes the MGB and MGB-GT are great sports cars !  I can remember wanting one when I first saw them back in the 60's , now I have one !

[1959scudetto]

1 hour ago, TooOld said:

Don't know about the quality but there is this TR6 out there .

https://www.ebay.com/itm/363700616831?hash=item54ae3efe7f:g:FX4AAOSwylBh7Lua

Sorry, Bob - but this is NOT a TR 6, but a GT6 = the coupé version of the small Spitfire

[David G.]

This looks to be a very interesting build, as your builds tend to be.  

I look forward to following along.

David G.

[Anglia105E]

Interesting looking conversion, this one...... and as Daniel pointed out, those wheels are Rostyle which are of American origin, and then were made under licence in Britain.

David

[slusher]

Looking forward to following. Your builds are always so cleanly built and detailed…

[TooOld]

On 1/23/2022 at 7:30 AM, 1959scudetto said:

Sorry, Bob - but this is NOT a TR 6, but a GT6 = the coupé version of the small Spitfire

Ooops sorry 'bout that .

[TooOld]

On 1/23/2022 at 7:36 AM, David G. said:

This looks to be a very interesting build, as your builds tend to be.  

I look forward to following along.

David G.

Thanks , it should go together quickly .

On 1/23/2022 at 7:39 AM, Anglia105E said:

Interesting looking conversion, this one...... and as Daniel pointed out, those wheels are Rostyle which are of American origin, and then were made under licence in Britain.

David

Thanks David .  If I call them Rallye wheels in the future excuse me , force of habit .

22 hours ago, slusher said:

Looking forward to following. Your builds are always so cleanly built and detailed…

Thanks Carl !

Edited January 24, 2022 by TooOld

[TooOld]

Working on the interior this morning .  Here's the parts from C1 , all very cleanly molded with no clean up required .  Also included is a left-hand dashboard , correct mirrors , and a nice PE set . Note the folding rear seat .

The modification to the Aoshima parts require the removal of the shaded areas on the chassis plate and removing the rear portion of the interior .

I started to use a razor saw but switched to my Dremel , more clean up but it's so much quicker .

Here's the interior taped together and sitting on the chassis .

I slipped everything into the body and it fits beautifully !

Other than cutting the windows out of the supplied sheet that's all there is to the conversion . . . very very simple !

[Blueprint]

On 1/23/2022 at 6:23 AM, TooOld said:

Don't know about the quality but there is this TR6 out there .

https://www.ebay.com/itm/363700616831?hash=item54ae3efe7f:g:FX4AAOSwylBh7Lua

Nice! That's a GT6, though, a six cylinder Spitfire coupe.

[Matt Bacon]

The only TR6 kit I’m aware of is the Airtrax one which requires a Gunze TR3 donor kit as well (though it is a very comprehensive “trans” kit). Pretty darn rare, though…

best,

M.

Edited January 24, 2022 by Matt Bacon

[Justin Porter]

Glad to see someone else enjoying this transkit! It's really a gem and it looks like yours is going together nicely. 

[Blueprint]

4 hours ago, Matt Bacon said:

The only TR6 kit I’m aware of is the Airtrax one which requires a Gunze TR3 donor kit as well (though it is a very comprehensive “trans” kit). Pretty darn rare, though…

best,

M.

Makes sense, the frame of the TR6 dates back all the way to the TR2! So the donor kit is appropriate ?

[Bainford]

Looking forward to watching this one come together. I dig the GTs, picked up this kit myself and it looks very nice. Hoping to get to it before too long. I built the roadster a couple years ago, and it's quite nice all on its own, goes together well.

[gbtr6]

On 1/22/2022 at 3:54 PM, Blueprint said:

I bought the Revell of Germany MGB kit to reproduce a friend's '74¼ MGB. Apart from the later-model dash, the Revell is missing the oem steel wheels (called Rostyles, not rally btw ?). I may have to get these Aoshima kits too, and I dearly wished that they made one of my 1:1 Triumph TR6 !

I too would like a TR 6 kit. I also have a Mimosa Yellow one. I have a 1/18 die cast I’ve taken apart to paint. Need 1/18 scale mini lites for it. Any one know where I can get those? 
 

Perry

[TooOld]

7 hours ago, gbtr6 said:

I too would like a TR 6 kit. I also have a Mimosa Yellow one. I have a 1/18 die cast I’ve taken apart to paint. Need 1/18 scale mini lites for it. Any one know where I can get those? 
 

Perry

That's a real beauty Perry !  Hard to believe there's no kit of such a beautiful sports car , I'd sure buy one !

[TooOld]

I saw this done in a video on youtube and it seemed easy enough so I decided to lower the front ride height a little using 1mm strip .

Here's a before and after .

And a photo with the front lowered .

Edited January 25, 2022 by TooOld

[gbtr6]

That looks much better. I'd like to do one of those too. I would put the Rover (BOP) V8 in one. I also do 1/43 scale so there are a lot more LBC's available in that scale.

Perry

[Blueprint]

5 hours ago, TooOld said:

That's a real beauty Perry !  Hard to believe there's no kit of such a beautiful sports car , I'd sure buy one !

My '75 is also Mimosa, with the same oem luggage rack as yours! 

[dbostream]

Based on the photos you posted earlier of the 1:1 car I think the front was already good. But I agree with gbtr6 it looks even better now. When I build mine I will keep it as it is because when I do modifications more often than not it gets worse.