Datsun 240/280Z & Nissan Fairlady Z/ZG multiple builds

[Spottedlaurel]

I've ended up with several members of the Datsun/Nissan Z family from different kit makers and as an extension of my plan to do one of them for this year's CBR community build I want to have some fun with the others too.

Current stash, with a second Tamiya 240ZG having arrived since.

A quick comparison and review before I start on one of them....

Red primered one is by Fujimi (was moulded in white), Monogram in red styrene, Hasegawa version with alternative nosecones from my different issues for Z and ZG, and finally the Tamiya kit with separate hood and tailgate plus the various parts which make the longer ZG nose. You can see how they are separated on the tree, I just wish they'd offer the standard Z - more of that later.....

 

 

All look like the 1:1. Predictably the Monogram is least accurate, but I'm still quite fond of it. With its separate rear panel as well as the panels already mentioned the Tamiya kit is going to be the easiest to build and detail.

Monogram's offering suffers most at the back of the rear quarters, where it's rather square. I managed to get a bit more shape into that on a previous build:

 

This shot emphasises it's slightly 'peaked' roof. It still has something to offer however, and both the road and race versions come with great wheels and tyres which I've used to good effect on other projects. I'm looking forward to building the red one someday, perhaps as the 'finished' version of this part-restored Z.

Of the ones I have, I'd rank them as Tamiya > Hasegawa > Fujimi > Monogram in terms of parts count and level of detail/accuracy. I know Revell offer a 1/25 kit with engine detail, and Aoshima do a curbside. I've had a look at the latter online, the suspension detail looks basic but I can't say how the body compares.

Tamiya is the only one to offer an opening hood and fully detailed engine. Fujimi has an engine (or even two in some versions), but the the hood is moulded shut and the engine bay detailing is minimal.

So, enough waffling - what am I doing/going to do with them?.....

Build #1 Fujimi kit as a quick, simple OOB-ish build. See post below for more on that one, as I've already started it.

Build #2 Tamiya kit as my CBR entry. This is the one that started me going with them this year, and it's going to be the most detailed. Will keep it standard-looking as a restomod, just lowered on different wheels, probably Gotti 15". Under the hood the L24 'six' will be removed in favour of an ex-R32 Skyline GT-R RB26DETT, converted from 4wd to RWD. The RB25/26 seems to be a reasonably common swap at 1:1, and physically the basic engine is of similar size.

Build #3 Monogram kit to match the one I've already done, but as the completed project in a single colour.

Build #4 Hasegawa ZG, opening up the hood, adding a bit of engine bay detail and installing a Fujimi L24 engine. Can also use some of the leftover Tamiya parts and a Hobby Design detail set that I recently bought.

Build #5 2nd Tamiya kit, but converted to Z432 spec. As I discovered when messing about with them over Christmas, and @Matt Bacon also found recently, it seems that the Hasegawa nosecone will fit the Tamiya bodyshell with just trimming of the fitment tabs. The Z432 has a different fuel tank and spare wheel arrangement which need swapping across, and the other big thing to do is fit an S20 engine. This is the hi-po straight-6 which was fitted to the Skyline GT-R of the time. There are two options, either that offered by Fujimi in various kits and a parts set, or taking one from the Tamiya C10 Skyline GT-R. I'm going to do the latter, as I have the Street Custom version in the stash. @lghtngyello03 did the same thing here in his wonderful ZG: https://www.modelcarsmag.com/forums/topic/170576-tamiya-nissan-240zg-wvolk-te37v-and-s20-gtr-engine/ BTW, the Z432 gets its name from having 4 valves per cylinder, triple carb's and twin OHC. There's also a lightweight 'R' version.

Build #6 Do something with the leftovers! This will eventually include using the redundant Tamiya L24 engines in other Datsuns, like replica/tribute builds of my current 1980 Laurel and previous 240K Skyline.

[Spottedlaurel]

Where I've got to with build #1:

Box contents, with LHD dashboard missing and skinny wheels with hubcaps traded with another member on here some time ago. Bilbo wheels are my current preference.

The engine looks like a reasonable copy of the L24, but due to the closed hood and lack of engine bay detailing and wanting this to be a quick, simple build I'm going to build it curbside.

Mock-up on different wheels:

Bilbos on the stretched tyres they came with.

On the chunkier Fujimi tyres.

And just for fun, on the Studio Rosso Gottis that I'm planning to use on the CBR build. However, for complicated reasons I am probably going to swap the tyres around, will see what happens when I play around with other options.

Not sure yet whether I'm going to open up that slot below the bumper.

 

Bodyshell now in red primer. I was considering a couple of colour options, possibly a metallic maroon as a twist on one of the three standard ZG offering, or Tamiya TS-37 Lavender. Probably going to be the latter, with pearl clear to give it a bit of a funky period look - this isn't meant to be a very serious build, and I might even do something silly with the interior.

For my own purposes, links to some great builds of the Fujimi kit:

@Tommy124 https://www.modelcarsmag.com/forums/topic/135831-nissan-240zg-fairlady-124-scale-by-fujimi/

@Michael jones https://www.modelcarsmag.com/forums/topic/146883-fujimi-datsun-240z/

@Matt Bacon https://www.modelcarsmag.com/forums/topic/184393-datsun-240z-super-samuri-fujimi-124/

 

Edited January 29, 2024 by Spottedlaurel

[LennyB]

Always loved these cars. Built several of the Revell release back in the day including a copy the Hank Borger build from Car Model Mag.

[Scale-Master]

That is a great overview and comparison.  Thanks for sharing!

[lghtngyello03]

@Spottedlaurel  If you ever decide to use the S20 from the Tamiya Hako kit in the Tamiya Z kit, just flip the engine mount around the opposite direction from what it would normally go on the Hako.  You will have to chop the engine block to match the angle of the flipped mount due to this.  This is literally all I had to do to make this engine fit the Tamiya 240 kit.  Tamiya really should offer a Z432 kit with the S20 from the Skyline kit.

My next build of this kit will be with  a Hobby Design RB26 and a single turbo.

Great info on all of the part mash ups

Edited January 30, 2024 by lghtngyello03

[stitchdup]

would the engine from the fujimi nostalgia parts pack be a s20? the other is a 240z engine but it could save robbing the tamiya kit

[Spottedlaurel]

20 hours ago, LennyB said:

Always loved these cars. Built several of the Revell release back in the day including a copy the Hank Borger build from Car Model Mag.

I've been heavily involved with 1:1 Datsuns and have owned one or more (often several more) over the years, but for affordability I've always gone for the non-Z/ZX cars.

The scale would be slightly out, but I'd still like to give one of the Revell versions a go someday.

19 hours ago, Scale-Master said:

That is a great overview and comparison.  Thanks for sharing!

Thanks Mark. I pondered whether to put it in the Reviews section, but I want to crack on with building them so thought it fitted better here.

6 hours ago, lghtngyello03 said:

@Spottedlaurel  If you ever decide to use the S20 from the Tamiya Hako kit in the Tamiya Z kit, just flip the engine mount around the opposite direction from what it would normally go on the Hako.  You will have to chop the engine block to match the angle of the flipped mount due to this.  This is literally all I had to do to make this engine fit the Tamiya 240 kit.  Tamiya really should offer a Z432 kit with the S20 from the Skyline kit.

My next build of this kit will be with  a Hobby Design RB26 and a single turbo.

Great info on all of the part mash ups

Just the sort of info I was hoping would be shared here, thanks Scott. As you'll have seen from your build the way Tamiya put the kit together it's obvious they engineered it with other versions in mind, just a shame they haven't done so yet. The Z432 conversion complete with non-G nose should be quite straightforward.

In using the R32's RB26 on my CBR build I'm giving myself a bit more work, as the front diff and transfer case need to be removed. If there's not enough room for the twin turbo set-up I might have something else I can use. With the Hobby Design PE detail set and lowered suspension, Studio Rosso wheels and specially mixed paint I've already thrown a bit of money at it, so best I try and use an engine I already have in stock....

6 hours ago, stitchdup said:

would the engine from the fujimi nostalgia parts pack be a s20? the other is a 240z engine but it could save robbing the tamiya kit

That's the one Les, yes it's an S20 in that parts pack. I also have one of them in a C110 GT-R kit (which has a bonus white metal version for display). I think Tamiya's version will be better-detailed however, and I can always drop something else into the Hakosuka Skyline....

[Spottedlaurel]

Making some progress on the simple Fujimi kit:

Made use of the mild weather to get a few coats of TS-37 down. Used a very old can I bought some years ago, maybe 1990s vintage?

Updated mock-up time, the Lavender is bright!....

 

 

Found another set of tyres for Bilbo wheels, nice and wide but without being too low on the sidewall depth. They'll all get the chunky inner rim removed, which will allow the rear wheels to sit a bit further into the arch.

Haven't worried about getting a super-glossy finish, because....

It'll be getting pearl clear laid over it. Then possibly Mr Hobby gloss clear, it worked OK on the spoon.

Getting the floorpan and body together was somewhat nerve-wracking, even with the male nibs trimmed back it was a very tight fit to the point of wondering if I'd snap my freshly-painted body.

I decided to take some material away from the bottom of the front valance, as marked above.

The paint has suffered a bit of collateral damage, but from the bumper downwards it will be painted anthracite or gunmetal so it's not a problem.

While I had the right tools out I thought I may as well open up that slot below the bumper - I daren't have done it before relieving the valance, something definitely would have broken.

Basic prep just done on the interior and it's been given a first coat of.........

Edited February 4, 2024 by Spottedlaurel

[Anglia105E]

Such an interesting project Nigel . . . Back in the day, I always liked the Datsun 240Z ( full size car ) and I didn't realise there were so many versions of the kit . . . Good luck with the builds !

David

[Spottedlaurel]

On 2/4/2024 at 12:12 PM, Anglia105E said:

Such an interesting project Nigel . . . Back in the day, I always liked the Datsun 240Z ( full size car ) and I didn't realise there were so many versions of the kit . . . Good luck with the builds !

David

Thanks David. I don't remember a huge number of 1:1 Zs around back in the 1970s/80s, but there was always a good number of them at Japanese car shows I attended from the early '90s onwards.

As a subject it's certainly well-served by the kitmakers, there could well be one or two others? I suppose it's like Japan's answer to the Corvette in that regard.

 

Interior colour reveal:

Tamiya pearl light red! I plan to tone it down slightly with a coat of semi-gloss clear, and possibly light grey fabric/carpet areas. I seem to paint a lot of black vinyl and nylon interiors and fancied a change.

The body had a gentle wet sand with 1200 grit and a final coat of lavender. I think that will look less stark once it's had the pearl clearcoat appplied.

Edited February 5, 2024 by Spottedlaurel

[Steve H]

Really nice looking build Nigel. I have not built any of the Nissan “Z” cars but I will one day, as I do think they are a great looking car. I love the bold colour choices! The pearl clear should make that lavender colour pop. I will be curious to see how the light pearl red looks with flat clear, something I was considering for a future project myself… The chunkier tires suit the car better that the super low profile ones in my opinion, good choice. (Not that my opinion matters?)

Cheers, Steve

[redscampi]

On 2/5/2024 at 4:23 PM, Spottedlaurel said:

Thanks David. I don't remember a huge number of 1:1 Zs around back in the 1970s/80s, but there was always a good number of them at Japanese car shows I attended from the early '90s onwards.

As a subject it's certainly well-served by the kitmakers, there could well be one or two others? I suppose it's like Japan's answer to the Corvette in that regard.

 

Interior colour reveal:

Tamiya pearl light red! I plan to tone it down slightly with a coat of semi-gloss clear, and possibly light grey fabric/carpet areas. I seem to paint a lot of black vinyl and nylon interiors and fancied a change.

The body had a gentle wet sand with 1200 grit and a final coat of lavender. I think that will look less stark once it's had the pearl clearcoat appplied.

I will be interested to see how you pull these colors together. I have to say at this stage I'm a bit skeptical, but hopeful! Following this thread with interest however. I've had a few Datsuns in my day including an 85 300ZX and my daughter had a 280Z 2+2 "canoe". 

Edited February 7, 2024 by redscampi

[TransAmMike]

Quite the endeavor you got going Nigel.  Back in the day I traded in a perfectly good  71 W-25 Cutlass S on one of the first 260Z's to arrive in New Orleans.  Was a fun little car.

I'm watching☺️

[Bainford]

A very interesting comparison of the primary suspects. Very helpful in navigating the plethora of Datsun Z kits out there. Cheers.

[Spottedlaurel]

On 2/7/2024 at 12:44 AM, Steve H said:

Really nice looking build Nigel. I have not built any of the Nissan “Z” cars but I will one day, as I do think they are a great looking car. I love the bold colour choices! The pearl clear should make that lavender colour pop. I will be curious to see how the light pearl red looks with flat clear, something I was considering for a future project myself… The chunkier tires suit the car better that the super low profile ones in my opinion, good choice. (Not that my opinion matters?)

Cheers, Steve

Thanks Steve. I have the paint and thought I should see what it looked like on a not-too-serious project - I'm using it as a bit of testbed for several things. Couldn't think what interior colour would go with lavender and black or grey seemed a bit too sensible.

I tried semi-gloss clear first of all over the pearl light red, but that still had too much of a sheen so I went over it with flat clear and you can see the results below. As well as knocking back the shine I think it's given it a slightly darker, richer tone.

On 2/7/2024 at 5:40 PM, redscampi said:

I will be interested to see how you pull these colors together. I have to say at this stage I'm a bit skeptical, but hopeful! Following this thread with interest however. I've had a few Datsuns in my day including an 85 300ZX and my daughter had a 280Z 2+2 "canoe".

Nice pair of 1:1s! I particularly like the 300ZX. I had a slightly detuned non-turbo version of the V6 engine in a couple of 300C sedans and a wagon that I owned 20+ years ago (A.K.A. Cedric in Japan).

I was slightly nervous about the colour combination too, and I went into it thinking that I could go over the interior with black if I had to, but see what you think below....

On 2/7/2024 at 5:57 PM, TransAmMike said:

Quite the endeavor you got going Nigel.  Back in the day I traded in a perfectly good  71 W-25 Cutlass S on one of the first 260Z's to arrive in New Orleans.  Was a fun little car.

I'm watching☺️

Thanks Mike, good to hear you had happy memories of your 1:1.

On 2/7/2024 at 7:50 PM, Bainford said:

A very interesting comparison of the primary suspects. Very helpful in navigating the plethora of Datsun Z kits out there. Cheers.

Thanks. It's helped me work out the 1:1s a bit better too, so when I do the more detailed kits I can (hopefully) make the best of them.

 

Made some useful progress this weekend.....

 

Interior parts all coated with flat clear. Now got detailing and the fabric areas to do, perhaps adding some 'carpet' in the loadbay as it's quite visible through the rear tailgate window. Which brings me onto those rather basic, overlarge shapes around the rear strut towers - they look like upturned buckets! The Tamiya kit makes a much better job of them, as does the Monogram Z. I might have to mount some speakers there, just to hide their bulk a little.

 

Mock-up with some of it in place, also showing the lavender coated with pearl clear. I think it will work, and I'd like something a bit different to have on my little stand when I try and sell kits at the occasional 1:1 Japanese car show. I take a few built kits as a talking point and example of what can be done.

I really like what the pearl has done, that's definitely something I will do again in the future. This is before I gave it the final coat of clear seen below.

In this shot the wheels haven't been trimmed, so.....

 

That's better. The chunky inner rim must have added 1-2mm of unnecessary width, and I need all the room I can get to ensure the wheels can sit just right in the arches. It shouldn't be so critical on the fronts, but it won't look good leaving that rim in place. Haven't yet decided on the colour of the wheel centre, probably gold.

 

I was nervous about polishing the pearl clear, so I added some Mr Hobby gloss clear to give plenty of thickness for polishing. With a final wet coat it doesn't look like it will need too much.

My first time using the Mr Hobby clear, having read good reports here and seen a nicely built kit on display in the LHS where he'd used it. Look forward to seeing the finished result once it's dried and polished.

Edited February 11, 2024 by Spottedlaurel

[Spottedlaurel]

I don't want this first Z build hanging around too long, so I've been making a bit of progress since the weekend:

The gunmetal spoiler, bumpers and arch flares are a key part of the look of the ZG. I wasn't quite sure whether I had something suitable, but I found a can of TS-94 Metallic Gray and it looks about right to me.

So far I've just done the separate components that I could paint without needing to mask anything. Trimmed wheels now fit better and give scope for adjustment.

My favourite view of the Z/ZG.

As it'd been a few days since the Mr Hobby gloss clear I wanted to get polishing. Micromesh 3600 - 12000 then a quick bit of resin polish on the roof and bonnet/hood sees it looking like this:

Happy with that. I don't want to do the sides yet as I've got to mask-up for spraying the flares. I don't have to worry about this on the Tamiya or Hasegawa Zs as they're moulded separately on their versions (and even some other Fujimi Zs have them separate too).

I decided not to try T-Cut or a similar polishing compound if I could get away with it, to avoid battling with the residue in the panel lines.

I look forward to getting it outside for photos, in the meantime:

This is the best I can get to show the pearl clear effect. Photos don't really show it properly, it needs a bit of movement for it to catch the light.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited February 16, 2024 by Spottedlaurel

[Spottedlaurel]

After a break of a week or two I managed to get back onto the 240ZG build. First up came some tedious masking (one of my least favourite jobs), as the moulded-in arch flares and front valance (pan?) needed painting in the dark metallic grey. Finished result was worth it:

Rest of the exterior got another going over with resin polish, as much as anything to get rid of the BMF residue (I'd used the black stuff for the first pass around the arches, as it's of little use otherwise).

Then the interior received more attention:

Those decals for the three central dials are really small - it was only when I looked at my photo I realised two of them are upsidedown ?

As I'm experimenting with a few things on this build I thought I'd get hold of some felt and give that a try for carpeted areas. Obviously the scale is significantly out, but when viewed through the glass or seen buried in the footwells it seems to work well. Still need to find some speakers to mount on the stupidly large rear strut towers. Oddly it came with no pedals, so I liberated a set from the Hasegawa version of the same car - they get replaced by PE parts in a detail-up set, so would have become surplus to requirements.

Not too many parts left in the box now, the above are all ready to fit or in progress.

Mock-up time:

 

 

This is still without any suspension. A quick trial fit shows that it needs to be lowered, which I'll probably do by cutting the tops of the struts and fitting spacer blocks at the bottom.

Hoping to get this first Z build finished next weekend, it's been useful practice for the more detailed Tamiya kit I want to do for this year's CBR group build.

[Noah H.]

Really looking forward to seeing these builds come together. The 240ZX and 280ZX are among my favorite cars of all time, and I have the Tamiya kit in my stash so this will be a handy reference for building detailing that. And what's better than one Z-car? 5 Z-cars! Following.

[Noah H.]

Also the paint job on the purple Fujimi kit looks great.