BAC Posted March 10, 2014 Share Posted March 10, 2014 This is a conversion of the Herald to a convertible. My original plan was to not only turn it into a soft top but also change it into a Vitesse to match an actual 1.1 car I have. I couldn't work out how to change the bonnet as the Vitesse is V-shaped and has extra lights. Also, being a 6 cylinder 2.0 litre that would have been a headache too. So for now it's just a 1200cc Herald. Here's what I'd did.... First thing I did was to cut the roof off. Next I cut away the rear deck between the boot lid and the back seat/parcel shelf as the Herald convertible is deeper (and the Herald Coupe deeper still). Then I replaced it with one made of plasticard. I will have to make up some interior trim panels because the convertible rear seat is narrower to allow space to store the folded hood. You can see what I mean on this picture of my Vitesse. I've begun to chop out the excess plastic at the rear of the front valence. I'm detailing the engine, so far I've done, 1. HT leads to plugs (and they are in the right firing order 1-2-4-3). HT to coil lead will follow as coil is bulkhead mounted. Some distributor caps have the leads coming out of the sides -this is one of those. 2. Vacuum advance unit made and fitted under distributor with vac advance hose over tappet cover to carb. 3. Oil pressure switch added to engine block. 4. Carb made from scrap plastic and glued to manifold -not too bothered about detail as air filter will cover this. 5. Studs added to tappet cover. 6. Dipstick fitted to right side of block. the other side of the inner valence ha been cut out. the suspension has been fitted with the addition of an anti roll bar and a steering rack. I'll add the column once the engine is in. Engine is painted and I added a fuel pump and a pipe to carb. I've begun to paint the chassis and added engine splash shields from thin plasticard I have also started making up the bulkhead. I added a linkage to the wiper motor, made a washer bottle from a bit of chopped lolly stick and finished it with a cap and hose going into the bulkhead. I also added the brake and clutch master cylinders and replicated the hydraulic pipes with wire. The heater box is in with holes drilled for the hoses and wire for the motor. The coil is in as well and will be wired up later. Bulkhead components painted Door cards with interior handles are in.... Sunvisors and mirror also fitted. Engine is now in and both radiator hoses have been added as well as the thermostat housing and the feed pipe to the fuel pump. I made up a rad cap and overflow pipe and fixed them to the radiator. The body is almost ready to go on. Dashboard has also been painted and fitted. The body is on and the windscreen fitted. Next I added the heater valve and hoses to heater box. I used thin stretched sprue for the heater and choke cables and a little bit of wire for the Coil HT lead and the battery leads. These latest bits are still to be painted. The rear inner quarter trim has been cut and fitted, I'll paint it later. I've also made up the front wheel arches from plasticard and added a wire bracing bar. I'm quite pleased with the fit... front end has been painted... All of the shiney bits have been added -the strip on the bonnet and the steel waist moldings were made from stretched sprue. I then painted the bumpers white to look like the white rubber ones fitted to Heralds. Now I've weathered it! Cheers! 11 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrisrope Posted March 10, 2014 Share Posted March 10, 2014 Wow that is brilliant Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Posted March 10, 2014 Share Posted March 10, 2014 Top marks Brian! Superb!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete in Lincs Posted March 11, 2014 Share Posted March 11, 2014 Like it. Lots. Now just fill it with old ladies, And you have last of the summer wine! Wesley! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
richellis Posted March 11, 2014 Share Posted March 11, 2014 Thats a nice build! I do like to see these old Airfix kits bashed into shape Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hamden Posted March 11, 2014 Share Posted March 11, 2014 Great work really looks the part Roger Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
triumphfan Posted March 12, 2014 Share Posted March 12, 2014 Looks smashing. I prefer the clean look before you weathered it but it does a convincing job of a wonderful car requiring some TLC. Steve. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bentwaters81tfw Posted March 12, 2014 Share Posted March 12, 2014 Just like a real Herald. A mate of mine had a Vitesse many years ago (40+). It was a hard top, and as we had a nice summer, 7 bolts later and he had an open top jobbie. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BAC Posted March 13, 2014 Author Share Posted March 13, 2014 Thanks for the comments! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alxzinbox Posted June 6, 2016 Share Posted June 6, 2016 Amazing- Great work on the interior details. You really pushed this kit to it's limit with fantastic results! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
toms111s Posted June 7, 2016 Share Posted June 7, 2016 Im not really into cars of this era but I love this one. When i scrolled down to the picture showing the blue passenger door I couldnt help but smile. Great stuff. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
min16i Posted June 11, 2016 Share Posted June 11, 2016 That is so cool. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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