jaymcminn Posted January 6, 2023 Posted January 6, 2023 (edited) My first build for 2023 is a kit I didn't quite get across the line for 2022, the new-tool Tamiya Nissan Z. I really like the new Z, and was pretty interested to try out the Tamiya kit because the reviews have been so positive. It wound up on the back burner, however, until I saw one at my LHS and it became an instant impulse buy. As an 80's kid, I have had the tendency to view curbside kits as being simple toylike shelf models for amateur builders. It's a prejudice that a lot of modelers have that often stops us from exploring many of the excellent offerings from the Japanese manufacturers over the last few years especially. The truth about this kit is that it is not simple, not in the least toylike, and probably not the best option for an amateur builder. It is beautifully engineered, meticulously designed to replicate its subject matter, and rewards a skilled builder with an amazing replica that will proudly sit on any contest table. As always, my first priority was to sort out the color combination. I like most of the stock colors but I wanted to create something a bit more personalized. I actually pulled from one of my own favorite builds, the 1/12 scale 240zg I did several years back. I did that one in Racing Green over saddle with gold Panasports... The question was: How to update this look for 2023? I decided to go with a more muted green pearl with terracotta accents for the interior. I decided to keep the gold wheels but tone down the color and paint the new Z's distinctive window molding in the same gold. THe result would be modern and stock-looking. Almost like a factory special edition. Below are some assembly highlights. First the lighting elements, that are complicated combinations of clear and opaque elements and fiddly decals that do a great job of replicating the complex lighting of modern cars. Next, the window and lighting glass assemblies. These feature pre-cut masks for both interior and exterior. The interior is designed with separate elements to eliminate as much masking as possible on the two-tone seats and door panels. I used embossing powder for the interior carpet...otherwise the entire model is 100% box-stock. The terracotta color is a matte brown from Revell's new line of acrylics. These paints thin beautifully for airbrushing with Vallejo acrylic thinner medium. The body was painted in Tamiya AS-21 IJN Dark Green 2. This green has a very slight blue undertone to it. I followed that up with three coats of Tamiya Pearl Clear and three coats of TS13 clear. Base coat... After pearl, clear and polishing. Phone pic makes the pearl look a lot heavier than it actually is. Tamiya molds the roof separate from the rest of the body to make it easier to replicate the two-tone color scheme of most Z's. The roof was painted in TS14, cleared, polished and installed. Exterior glass sandwiches in between the interior and exterior roof pieces with big mounting tabs. The chassis was painted in a mix of Tamiya lacquers and Vallejo Metal Color acrylics and weathered with Vallejo washes and Tamiya Weathering Master pastels. Wheels were painted in a mix of Vallejo Metal Color paints to create a sort of "champagne gold" color. I painted the trim above the side windows (another separate piece) the same color. I picked out the lug nuts in Molotow chrome and added a light wash to the hub area to make them pop. Ordinarily I'd add valve stems but I really wanted to stick to box stock. I'm a little surprised that Tamiya didn't mold valve stems in! Body with grilles and lighting elements installed. The grille elements were dry brushed on with Vallejo Metal Color Chrome. Almost there... And the finished model! Overall, this was a really impressive kit and a great way to break out of a slump. I had a lot of fun with this build. As always, questions and comments are welcome! Edited January 6, 2023 by jaymcminn 9
Matt Bacon Posted January 6, 2023 Posted January 6, 2023 That looks fantastic. Really nice colour combo, and beautifully executed overall and detail painting. I want one -- both the kit and the real thing! I bet that colour combo would really pop in the sunshine, too... best, M.
espo Posted January 6, 2023 Posted January 6, 2023 Beautiful looking paint finish and contrasting interior. You can tell you spent a lot of time and energy detailing this build.
Phildaupho Posted January 6, 2023 Posted January 6, 2023 Well done. Good looking model and car. This has got to be the best looking Z since the original. Great to see your model as I have still not seen a 1/1.
jaymcminn Posted January 6, 2023 Author Posted January 6, 2023 2 hours ago, Matt Bacon said: That looks fantastic. Really nice colour combo, and beautifully executed overall and detail painting. I want one -- both the kit and the real thing! I bet that colour combo would really pop in the sunshine, too... best, M. Well, it is the Sunshine State...
Matt Bacon Posted January 6, 2023 Posted January 6, 2023 (edited) Looks great! Lucky you...here in northern England in January my photo-booth is WAY brighter than the dreary skies, all day long... I read an interesting piece in The Road Rat about Jaguar in the late-60s and early 70s choosing a specific set of colours for California and Lamborghini creating a Middle East palette while Aston Martin have a set specifically for British skies... Silver and maybe a bright metallic blue are probably the only global colours that aren't black! But basically you've built a Lotus Z.... ? best, M. Edited January 6, 2023 by Matt Bacon
TransAmMike Posted January 6, 2023 Posted January 6, 2023 Wow Jason, that is one great looking Z. Beautiful work. Really like the undercarriage detailing with the different bare metal colors. ??
jaymcminn Posted January 8, 2023 Author Posted January 8, 2023 (edited) On 1/6/2023 at 4:44 PM, Matt Bacon said: Looks great! Lucky you...here in northern England in January my photo-booth is WAY brighter than the dreary skies, all day long... I read an interesting piece in The Road Rat about Jaguar in the late-60s and early 70s choosing a specific set of colours for California and Lamborghini creating a Middle East palette while Aston Martin have a set specifically for British skies... Silver and maybe a bright metallic blue are probably the only global colours that aren't black! But basically you've built a Lotus Z.... ? best, M. Next up will be my new GR Supra in the traditional Toyota Gold Leaf livery!? Edited January 8, 2023 by jaymcminn 1
happy grumpy Posted January 9, 2023 Posted January 9, 2023 Great detailing work and color choice. It looks amazing, The underside is awesome .
Tcoat Posted January 9, 2023 Posted January 9, 2023 I am so, SO glad you did this! Not only is it beautiful it has solved a dilemma I have had for a while. I have had the kit of my current 1/1 scale Toyota 86 languishing in my stash because I could not find the right green pearl paint or just the right colour for the seats. You solved both issues in one fell swoop! Your paint job is perfect.
Matt Bacon Posted January 9, 2023 Posted January 9, 2023 Mine just arrived (entirely @jaymcminns fault…) I’m tempted by the “Rosewood Metallic” to sit alongside the “Maroon” (Chestnut) 240ZG, but I like the zingy yellow and blue as well. Black not body colour roof, though… best, M.
jaymcminn Posted January 9, 2023 Author Posted January 9, 2023 25 minutes ago, Tcoat said: I am so, SO glad you did this! Not only is it beautiful it has solved a dilemma I have had for a while. I have had the kit of my current 1/1 scale Toyota 86 languishing in my stash because I could not find the right green pearl paint or just the right colour for the seats. You solved both issues in one fell swoop! Your paint job is perfect. That's a sharp color combination on that 86. Glad to be able to help! 1
jaymcminn Posted January 9, 2023 Author Posted January 9, 2023 26 minutes ago, Matt Bacon said: Mine just arrived (entirely @jaymcminns fault…) I’m tempted by the “Rosewood Metallic” to sit alongside the “Maroon” (Chestnut) 240ZG, but I like the zingy yellow and blue as well. Black not body colour roof, though… best, M. I was pretty tempted to go with the Rosewood... it's a great color that's similar to the "Merlot Mica Pearl" on my 1:1 '95 Miata. Agreed that even the more subtle colors on the new Z need the black roof to look right. That black roof helps hide the "heaviness" that comes with just about any modern car. 1
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