Delahaye 135 (Henri Chapron coach builder) by Heller 1/24 scale

[JeroenS]

Very nice result Thierry! I vote for blue wheels with the white sidewall tyres 🙂

[Toftdale]

The blue wheels would definitely be more bespoke - Andy 

[CrazyCrank]

10 minutes ago, JeroenS said:

Very nice result Thierry! I vote for blue wheels with the white sidewall tyres 🙂

Thank you so much for your kind comment @JeroenS

3 minutes ago, Toftdale said:

The blue wheels would definitely be more bespoke - Andy 

Thanks a lot, Andy for your vote

 

Well, all bets are on 😎

[Spiny]

Going to be the opposite and say I think it would look best with the chrome wheels and without white walls (not really of fan of whitewalls to be honest). And if you want a really awful example of them, have a look on the Pistonheads story about this year's Festival of the Unexceptional - there's a very nice Fiat Panda on there apart from it having whitewalls

 

As for the missing indicator, I don't know if you've tried it but one thing I've always found (so far) which beats the carpet, or in this case wooden floor, monster is to lay a torch on the floor and sweep slowly from side to side - that will highlight every bit of relief including any small model parts unless it's disappeared into a crevice somewhere.

[CrazyCrank]

14 minutes ago, Spiny said:

Going to be the opposite and say I think it would look best with the chrome wheels and without white walls (not really of fan of whitewalls to be honest). And if you want a really awful example of them, have a look on the Pistonheads story about this year's Festival of the Unexceptional - there's a very nice Fiat Panda on there apart from it having whitewalls

 

As for the missing indicator, I don't know if you've tried it but one thing I've always found (so far) which beats the carpet, or in this case wooden floor, monster is to lay a torch on the floor and sweep slowly from side to side - that will highlight every bit of relief including any small model parts unless it's disappeared into a crevice somewhere.

 

Every opinion counts, @Spiny 

Mine isn't yet formed...

 

I tried this method countless times and managed sometimes to find the part which thought it was a flea .. but not this time.

Fortunately I had spare parts and all has sorted out well  for the second left indicator

 

 

[Prop Duster]

Magnificent work. the details added here at the last are incredible. 

 

I do know the answer to the "great wheel-tire debate" but hate to spoil the fun for everyone else  -----------yeah, right 

 

 

[CrazyCrank]

Afternoon gentlemen

 

Well, I've been able to spray quickly and roughly some mat white paint on a tire, and have made 2 comparisons:

- No whitewall and chrome wheels  vs Whitewall and chrome wheels

- No whitewall and chrome wheels  vs Whitewall and dark blue wheels

 

At the first sight I can say that I don't like Whitewall and blue wheels

 

  

 

I'm hesitating for whitewall or not with chrome wheels.

 

Look at this picture of a Delahaye 135 Cabriolet 1949 Guilloré coachbuilder (source: Histoires de Carrossiers ), which has the same livery than mine:

 

 

She looks great like this, doesn't she?

 

The matter is that I've reviewed all photographs available on the net of Delahaye 135, and made the following observation:

- Among 34 Delaheye 135 Chapron 1938, only 5 have whitewall tires

- Among 30 Delahaye 135 having whitewall tires, only 5 are 1938's ones

- The 25 others are from the 40's and 50's

 

Verdict:

- To be closest as possible with the real, no whitewall wheels  !

 

See you very soon for the final

 

[CrazyCrank]

It was bound to happen sooner or later, and after all, after 2 years (give or take 4 days), it was time to end it !

I had built this kit  in my youth and I didn't remember it being so difficult to assemble...I probably wasn't as careful and challenging as I am today.

 

The wheels are mounted, as well as the hubcaps, the body has been cleaned, waxed and polished.
I thought I didn't leave any thread of the fluffy cotton cloth provided with this wax after this work, but as you'll see in the RFI section, the merciless camera revealed some, especially on the right front fender.
Now that this antique beauty is in its display case, I don't touch it anymore !

She gave me enough trouble as it is!

 

Some pictures to finish this thread:

 

  

 

Thousand thanks to all my followers, likes, contributors for supporting, advising and encouraging me throughout this adventure 😎

 

I invite you to visit the RFI section:

 

[Hamden]

 

This has been a stunning project to follow along watching you tackle each and every problem and detail. Great workmanship together with outstanding paintwork has resulted in a superb replica thanks for sharing.

 

   Stay safe           Roger

[johnlambert]

You made the right decision with the wheels and tyres. It's been a pleasure to watch this come together, as you said it feels like it has been ongoing for a very long time.

 

Above all it has confirmed that this is a kit that I will enjoy via this build and leave well alone should I be tempted to add it to my stash 😂

[Pouln]

Thierry. I love the colour scheme and as always, you have made this into a very likeable model.