Italeri 1/24 Ferrari 250GT California Spyder

[Justin Porter]

Well, I couldn't resist starting this one. I plan on keeping a fairly close rein on how wild I get with this one with a focus primarily on fixing some of the kit's more obvious weak points without getting too bogged down. I started with assembling the base engine and drilling both the heads and the distributors to accept plug leads. I will be using fine solder for the plug leads in order to accommodate the wire conduit used on the Ferrari Colombo V12's.

[Mittagskind]

Another interesting project. I am with it.

[dino246gt]

I'm excited to see what you do with this gorgeous car!

[Justin Porter]

The Italeri depiction of the Colombo V12 is probably what I would call "reasonable" given the tooling limitations of the time. It definitely builds nicely without any major fuss. I used AK Xtreme Metal Duraluminum as the base color with a light wash for highlighting. The carbs aren't especially great, but they're really just plinths for the scoop ducting which will need some EPM's filled to be useable. A set of turned aluminum intake stacks are 100% a must though because the kit chromed pieces just don't do the trick.

[Justin Porter]

Progress is a bit slower going on the California. Partially down to searching for replacement parts - good lord are the seats just absolutely TERRIBLE in this kit - and partially down to preparations at the shop for the biggest show of the year in our area. Still, a little bit of time with some fine solder and some yellow paint and now the V12 is wired. 

[Exotics_Builder]

2 hours ago, Justin Porter said:

Progress is a bit slower going on the California. Partially down to searching for replacement parts - good lord are the seats just absolutely TERRIBLE in this kit - and partially down to preparations at the shop for the biggest show of the year in our area. Still, a little bit of time with some fine solder and some yellow paint and now the V12 is wired. 

That is because the interior and engine came from the 250 GTO kit and were not updated.  Also, the included cold air intake is not correct for a street version but could be construed an add-on.  Replicas and Miniatures of Maryland DID an interior set but I do not believe Norm has it available anymore.  HRM has an updated engine but is a $40+ option.  When I built mine some 25 years back, I didn't have these parts and cobbled together pieces from the parts box to get more accuracy (including scratch building an air cleaner

[1959scudetto]

You could use the seats from Protar/Revell/Italeri's Giulietta Spider (look very similar) or from Bburagos die-cast California Spider.

[Zoom Zoom]

On 10/24/2023 at 11:50 AM, Exotics_Builder said:

That is because the interior and engine came from the 250 GTO kit and were not updated.  Also, the included cold air intake is not correct for a street version but could be construed an add-on.  Replicas and Miniatures of Maryland DID an interior set but I do not believe Norm has it available anymore.  HRM has an updated engine but is a $40+ option.  When I built mine some 25 years back, I didn't have these parts and cobbled together pieces from the parts box to get more accuracy (including scratch building an air cleaner

Norm was set up at our ACME show on the 28th, I saw a video from the vendor area and he did have at least one set of this interior on the table for sale.

[Justin Porter]

On 11/6/2023 at 4:09 PM, Zoom Zoom said:

Norm was set up at our ACME show on the 28th, I saw a video from the vendor area and he did have at least one set of this interior on the table for sale.

That actually gives me a lot of optimism to hear. I did find someone selling the seats on Shapeways but that doesn't solve the dash or the door cards. I know that RMCoM is notoriously "old school" so how would you recommend contacting them?

[Zoom Zoom]

1 hour ago, Justin Porter said:

That actually gives me a lot of optimism to hear. I did find someone selling the seats on Shapeways but that doesn't solve the dash or the door cards. I know that RMCoM is notoriously "old school" so how would you recommend contacting them?

Definitely old school, but the quality is second to none.

ReplMinCoMd@aol.com

317 Roosevelt Ave Glen Burnie MD 21061

410-768-3648

[Justin Porter]

Thank you so much! I've placed a call and hopefully I hear back. It would be fantastic to get to add the interior set to this build.

[Bugatti Fan]

Developing into a nice model of this good looking period Ferrari with your additional work Justin. Will you be replacing the kit wire wheels too?

[Justin Porter]

5 hours ago, Bugatti Fan said:

Developing into a nice model of this good looking period Ferrari with your additional work Justin. Will you be replacing the kit wire wheels too?

That's definitely my plan. I had seen another builder use the wire wheels by Fujimi from the 365GTB/4 Daytona kit and was considering that or may end up using 3D printed wires. 

[Justin Porter]

A small but fun update. I have got the front suspension together and have mocked up the California with the Jack Modeling 3D printed wire wheels and Dunlop tires. What an improvement over the kit stock parts!

[Justin Porter]

More progress on my 250GT California. A bunch of AK Xtreme Metal paints went onto the wheels (Chrome) and the exhausts (Dark Aluminum and Stainless Steel) and the tires were painted with AK Real Color Rubber Black. I mocked up the chassis and body again with the back of the interior and I am super pleased with the way this is starting to come together.

[louis Carabott]

lovely work Sir

[kelson]

Top notch so far.?

[Nacho Z]

She is looking good, Justin!

[Bainford]

Coming along very nicely. The new tires and wheels are a great improvement. 

[SpikeSchumacher]

Looking good Justin ?

[tim boyd]

On 12/24/2023 at 4:35 PM, Justin Porter said:

More progress on my 250GT California. A bunch of AK Xtreme Metal paints went onto the wheels (Chrome) and the exhausts (Dark Aluminum and Stainless Steel) and the tires were painted with AK Real Color Rubber Black. I mocked up the chassis and body again with the back of the interior and I am super pleased with the way this is starting to come together.

Looking really sharp so far, Justin.  Love those wire wheels!  Very much looking forward to seeing it come across the finish line...TIM 

[Bugatti Fan]

Lovely build of this classic front engined Ferrari especially with the extra detailing being added. Those older Italeri kits have good potential as can be seen on this build.

[Justin Porter]

A quick update as I have been able to start work again on my Italeri 1/24 Ferrari 250GT California. I located some excellent 3D printed resin seats from Yamamoto Model Parts to replace the kit's AWFUL seats. I included a picture to compare the two! The interior received a coat of Mr Color C385 IJN Roundel Red which will work just about perfectly for capturing the car I intend to replicate. 

[Justin Porter]

Sometimes, the work just has to be put in. My reference car in this build had one very striking - to me at least - detail in that it had slimline bumpers. These were a very stark contrast to the kit's bumpers with their overriders. This meant a trip into the bleach for the kit bumpers (as well as other bits of brightwork since if the bumpers are going to be one shade of chrome then everything should match) and then time to get cutting and sanding. It's honestly a good thing I did this too because the kit bumpers had some pretty unsightly sink marks and mold lines. It took two applications of a guide coat and sanding sessions with Tamiya 320 grit sanding sponge to finally get the bumpers right for the project. 

[Ace-Garageguy]

Shaping up very nicely.