A pair of Fiat 500s and a Daytona Cobra

[Toftdale]

One of things that has really impressed me since joining the forum (other that the friendly nature and sheer talent of the members) is the quality of the photography.   So I decided that my table top photos just won't do, so I have invested in a cheap (£23) light box of ebay.  I've been experimenting today photographing some of my old builds, I'm still no David Bailey but I do feel its been a step change in my results. 

 

So below are my efforts, I build the first 500 after receiving a kit through the post only to find the body damaged beyond repair.   It base on the Gunze Kit, scratch built the seats using a soldered wire frame and then used 5 amp fuse wire to weave them.  The bumpers are cooper wire and the frame for the awning is brass, with the cover being made from the foil from a wine bottle.  I don't really know that much about the Fiat Jollies, other than if I lived in  the South of France I'd love one, not sure it would be quite the same in rainy Norfolk 😀.  The next one is Tamiya Kit added a roll cage and put the engine cover the horizontal hooligan mode.  The Daytona Cobra is the Gunze High-tech kit, the only detail I added was an improvement to the spare wheel securing straps.  Thanks again for looking Andy 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And finally my new light box

 

[Pete in Lincs]

The pictures look good to me. Thanks for posting.

Aside from the old Corgi diecast, that is the only other Jolly model I've ever seen. And quite lovely it is too. 

The Abarth is impressive. Wouldn't anyone want a go on a track? I remember seeing a BMW bike powered 500 once. It romped off to the horizon!

And, what could be wrong with a Daytona Cobra? Lovely job and the sound would have been incredible.

[johnlambert]

Nice photos and lovely models.

[PatW]

Brilliant. As an ex-rally and race marshal I've seen many various Fiat 500's over the years on both tracks and hill climbs. Also the light box is something I need thanks for mentioning it and showing it!

[Spiny]

As you're finding, the photography side can be as consuming as the building side if you let it, although it doesn't take as long but time can still fly by if you're not careful. That's a much better lightbox than mine (which is a pop-up one and therefore has a very large lip necessitating a box to lift if you want a horizontal shot. Annoyingly though, I discovered about a year or so ago that I can get better shots with a piece of card for the infinity curve than I can with the cloth they supply - need to get a smaller one now so I can use the lightbox again rather than having reflections of the living room/conservatory in all my shots.

 

All of that said, that's some nice photogrophy of some good models there (I particularly like the Cobra, but who doesn't?). You discovered much quicker than me that the most realistic shots are at the level of the car then taken from a high angle.👍

[Dunderklumpen]

Thank you for the very nice pictures of your great looking builds! I may have to get a lightbox...

[keefr22]

I love the deckchair roof of that little Fiat....  The seats are great too - is basket weaving another of your interests?!

 

Seriously that's an excellent save of a model that sounds like it was otherwise bound for the bin! 

 

And the Abarth and Daytona Cobra are both excellent. I had the Gunze Cobra once and sold it on - and recently fancied getting a replacement so set up a search on e-bay. Funnily enough one came up today - starting bid of £111.20 + 20% VAT & £22.58 postage from France - I think I'll give it a miss....!! 

 

Your pics look really nice - I bought a similar light box off Amazon years ago and have never used it - your results may just inspire me to dig it out and give it a go!

 

Nice work!

 

Keith

[Toftdale]

16 hours ago, Spiny said:

As you're finding, the photography side can be as consuming as the building side if you let it,

A more truer word never spoken,  I won't tell you how long I spent or how many photos I took to get those ones.  Also it's very similar to modelling just when you think you've got the hang of it, the next step you take is a no (insert a word of your choice here) good!  I can't even begin to imagine how frustrating it was before digital. 

[Toftdale]

15 hours ago, keefr22 said:

 The seats are great too - is basket weaving another of your interests?!

 

I had the Gunze Cobra once and sold it on - and recently fancied getting a replacement so set up a search on e-bay. Funnily enough one came up today - starting bid of £111.20 + 20% VAT & £22.58 postage from France - I think I'll give it a miss....!! 

The seats were another job that in my head that I didn't think would that that long, but they did.  However I am really pleased I made them as they are such an integral part of the character of the original car.

 

I got the Cobra of ebay and from memory I paid around £50.  They often appear on ebay, but like you said at crazy prices (which strangely enough never sell) but I have very occasionally seen them with no reserve.

[Kitkent]

The Fiats are flawlessly done but the Daytona Cobra is my real interest, that’s fantastic and not seen very much. I do a resin have one in the stash, they are all expensive!  Chris 

[keefr22]

4 hours ago, Kitkent said:

they are all expensive!  

 

Mine wasn't when I sold it....!!  🤣

[F-32]

Super cool work, that Abarth is awesome!