johnlambert

Yes, I think you are correct. The standard Fiat 131 had a coil-sprung live axle that was more sophisticated than the Escort's standard leaf-sprung live axle. The Rally 131 had independent rear suspension based on the same design seen on the 124 Abarth Rally cars (and probably the Fiat Dino and Fiat 130).

I was working as a volunteer guide at the British Motor Museum on Saturday. Sunday was the 60th anniversary celebration for the MGB and a few cars were arriving and getting parked up on the Saturday. This was probably the most interesting, as it was something I'd never seen or heard of before. It is a MGB Berlinette Jaques Coune, a coupé produced in small numbers in Belgium that pre-dated the MGB GT. It is thought that 56 cars were made and 12 remain, having seen photos from Sunday there were three parked together! The rear shows a strong Italian influence, Coune was also an agent for Abarth exhausts (and the converted MGBs had these) but the styling certainly looks a bit like some of Abarths coupes. I don't think the shape is as pleasing as BMC's MGB GT, but it is certainly different. I am a sucker for the red and white livery of the works MGB racing cars, so I couldn't ignore this competition-prepared B. Possible inspiration for one of the Aoshima MG kits I have in the stash.

Damnit, now I see it too!

I'd forgotten about the body (not) fitting on the chassis and the windscreen popping out. Clamps really come into their own in a situation like that.

Welcome back Rich, looking forward to more updates when you feel up to it.

Yes, it looks absolutely at home. Take away the modern cars and it could be a picture from the 1960s.

That Mercedes is lovely @Stef N.

Strictly speaking the 420 (and every Mk.2 derivative) had a steering box rather than a rack

I've seen a detailed-up version of the Bburago Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa, although billed as 1:18 I'm not sure how close to scale it is. The main change that I remember was a set of wire wheels, which really improved the appearance.

I think that's a lovely idea.

Here's my contribution to the Revell Monogram Classic group build. The Monogram, ex-Aurora 1:25 scale Aston Martin DB4. The wheels are aftermarket and I used self-adhesive flocking for the carpet, the door mirror is from a Tamiya Mini Cooper and the body colour is Vauxhall Burgundy from a Halfords spray can. It was a bit of a tricky build in places but not too bad considering the age of the kit, everything was coming together nicely until I cracked the windscreen at the end of the build. The Aston Martin DB4 is one of my favourite cars, even if (or possibly because) it's less well known than its younger sibling the DB5. The kit seems to capture the shape well and most of the details of the Series 5 version of the DB4, in building I learnt more about the DB4 than I ever wanted to know. Under the bonnet there is some extra detail that is a part of no DB4 that I've ever seen but it is still one of the best detailed engine bays in a 1:24 or 1:25 scale kit that I've ever seen. Unfortunately I had to adjust the bonnet to get it to fit by adding plastic and with the thickness of the paint it isn't easy to open the bonnet, so it's staying closed now. I also ended up making my own boot hinge from bent wire because I didn't feel that the kit item was secure enough and I ended up making a full-width boot floor as I didn't like the idea of the model's battery being exposed next to the contents of the boot. If you like Aston Martins, 1960s cars or fancy a 1:25 scale model of a car that isn't American, I'd definitely recommend this kit. Just promise that, whatever else you do, you stop by Motobitz and buy a set of replacement wheels for it. The number plates are from the kit, but cut out including the backing paper because some of the decals were breaking up. You get a nice set of luggage with this kit. You can just see some of the engine bay through the bonnet scoop. Between two other 1:25 cars. Build thread here:

Here's my contribution to the group build. The Monogram, ex-Aurora 1:25 scale Aston Martin DB4. The wheels are aftermarket and I used self-adhesive flocking for the carpet, the door mirror is from a Tamiya Mini Cooper and the body colour is Vauxhall Burgundy from a Halfords spray can. v Build thread is here:

I don't think the Morgan is a Plus 8 for a coupe of reasons; it's on wire wheels where I think I've only ever seen Plus 8s on alloys, also the rear bodywork seems to have back seats which was a feature if the 4/4.

Good choice of kit. I used Valejo model air gold metallic over Tamiya fine grey primer. There's a lot of cleaning up to do on the parts but it makes a nice-looking car. Just don't do what I did and remove the detail on the rear pillar. If I were making another I'd probably try and build it in metallic light blue, trying to replicate Opalescent Silver Blue (I think Jaguar called it).

Great haul @dbostream the yellow Dodge Charger was the first kit I ever built. I'm trying to work out what the orange Heller kit above the Leyland Princess might be, is it a Renault?