johnlambert Posted January 24, 2021 Share Posted January 24, 2021 This kit has been part of my life for a long time, it seems. I started the build thread back in September 2020; it's been a challenging journey in places, partly because of the design of the kit and partly because of the decisions I made during the build process, but I think the end result was worthwhile. Why did I get this kit? I've always loved 1960s GT cars - Jaguar E-types, Ferrari Lussos, Aston Martin DBs and the like - but I'd sort of forgotten about the Maserati until different examples popped up on Jay Leno's garage, Fantomworks and Chasing Classic Cars all within a couple of weeks. That prompted me to see if anyone made a kit and there were a few available on eBay. This kit was slightly incomplete but much cheaper than the "vintage" sealed in box examples. I didn't know what exactly might be missing when I bought it but I could see that all the major stuff was there and apart from the things I fabricated to enhance the kit I think I only had to make four bits; the tail piece of the gearbox, the two front wing grilles (I had one but it would have looked odd if they weren't a matching pair even though you couldn't ever see both sides at the same time) and the fuel filler neck in the boot. In terms of additions the biggest was reshaping the front grille, and that provided a convenient excuse to replace the solid moulded grille itself with something open. I'm not sure that the grille shape is entirely correct, but it's more correct (at least to me) than the way the kit was designed. I wasn't brave enough to tackle the windscreen shape, which is also slightly off from the real cars. I also added wires to the spark plugs (12 as this is a twin-spark straight six) and a few other under bonnet details. On the interior I slightly reshaped the seats and gave them runners, changed the steering wheel and indicator stalk for aftermarket metal parts, reworked the door cards, tweaked the handbrake placement and added seat belts. The colour scheme was inspired by a real 3500 GTI (body is Tamiya TS-58 Pearl Light Blue, upholstery is TS-33 Dull Red). Anyway, you didn't come here for a load of waffle, how about some pictures? A quick "before" a bare shell, if you like, pulled out of a barn and ready for restoration. Technically the script is wrong, the typeface should be slightly different and read "Maserati 3500 GT" while the spear through the trident badge should be script spelling out "Injetzione" (or something like that), but I had to make do with what I could get from eBay. Apologies for the improvised boot prop, not many people will ever see this view but it's quite pleasing to know that the boot is nicely finished. Build thread is here, if you're interested and haven't been following along. Thanks to everyone who has liked or commented on the build thread. 21 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keefr22 Posted January 24, 2021 Share Posted January 24, 2021 That's rather lovely John, beautiful colour that really suits the car! Very nice indeed! Keith 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vince1159 Posted January 25, 2021 Share Posted January 25, 2021 Gorgeous,the days when cars were cars.... 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kitkent Posted January 25, 2021 Share Posted January 25, 2021 That's very very nice John. A lot of patient work has gone into this and it's paid off handsomely. I actually saw one of these in a scrapyard in the 70's slightly damaged. I couldn't afford it! Chris. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cherry268 Posted January 25, 2021 Share Posted January 25, 2021 Lovely build 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fnick Posted January 25, 2021 Share Posted January 25, 2021 Oozes class! Very well done. Nick 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
swralph Posted January 25, 2021 Share Posted January 25, 2021 Very smart build John.😀 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dbostream Posted January 25, 2021 Share Posted January 25, 2021 Beautiful build, makes me regret selling mine. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vesa Jussila Posted January 25, 2021 Share Posted January 25, 2021 Beautiful build and it was nice to follow your progress. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spiny Posted January 25, 2021 Share Posted January 25, 2021 Been good following this build through to completion. Looking at those pictures, the light blue suits it better (to my eyes) than dark red. You should be pleased with how this one turned out. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnlambert Posted January 25, 2021 Author Share Posted January 25, 2021 1 hour ago, Spiny said: Been good following this build through to completion. Looking at those pictures, the light blue suits it better (to my eyes) than dark red. You should be pleased with how this one turned out. It was actually a strange feeling, seeing that picture of the Maserati in the dark red plastic, I'd almost forgotten that it was originally that colour. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anteater Posted January 25, 2021 Share Posted January 25, 2021 Nice. I'd say this is the best build you've documented on here so far, the time taken has paid off. Onwards and upwards! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
klubman01 Posted January 26, 2021 Share Posted January 26, 2021 Fabulous work. Love the personal number plate! Trevor 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old John Posted January 26, 2021 Share Posted January 26, 2021 Love it. Great build & colour of a fine looking car .Well worth the time spent on it. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bengalensis Posted January 26, 2021 Share Posted January 26, 2021 Looking very nice, and not an easy kit. Well done! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coors54 Posted January 26, 2021 Share Posted January 26, 2021 Excellent result John, a couple of those pictures just made me go mmmmmmm! That's in a good way, in case of confusion! Dave 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toftdale Posted January 26, 2021 Share Posted January 26, 2021 Looks great 👏 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CrazyCrank Posted January 26, 2021 Share Posted January 26, 2021 I guess It has been a real challenge to get such a nice model from such a bad kit, congrats 👏 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marco F. Posted January 27, 2021 Share Posted January 27, 2021 John, that's fantastic, it looks so pretty Marco F 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now