BMW 507 Cabrio 1957 - Elvis Presley's one - Based on a Revell old kit 1:24

[CrazyCrank]

6 hours ago, Toftdale said:

Oh you're too kind, however this quote will look good on a t-shirt 

😆😅😅

With all your additional details shes definitely shaping up yo be another masterpiece - Andy 

 

EXCELLENT 👍

And thanks a lot again for this huge compliment, much appreciated, as always 😎

[CrazyCrank]

Morning Gentlemen

 

Well, I failed to place the latches and locks on the doors, because the part, as much tiny and thin they were, when installed, prevent the doors to close correctly .
I hadn't left as much clearance as needed !
So, it's a shame, but the doors won't have locks !

 

Fortunately, I hadn't any issue while painting my luggages's hardware

 

And the suitcases are now installed in the boot!

 

 

As you an see, I've also places the license plates on the bumpers

 

 

It just remains to make a soft-top cover with epoxy putty, in 3 parts, as on the real car, and this job isn't the simplest of this build.
 

I think I'm in for a rough time 😵‍💫

 

 

 

 

 

[CrazyCrank]

Afternoon guys

 

I received today my new set of 2K component Epoxy Putty, from GreenStuffWorld, more pleasant to work with, less sticky, and hardening faster.

So I began to work on the soft-top cover, and I can tell you it's a painful job.

Not enough progress on it to show you how it looks, but in a few days, hopefully, the draft will be finished...

 

However, II can show my last (and the last) other addition:

 

The oval chromed plate which exhibit the letter of the country, near the licence plate, as on this one (it's Restored Elvis BMW 507, during an exhibition)

 

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So, I 3D designed and printed the oval plate

 

 

 

 

I painted it gloss black, and  then chrome

 

 

 

I put the decal on

 

 

And installed the plate as it it on the first photo above:

 

 

See you soon 😎

 

 

[hendie]

Nice touch!

[Fnick]

I really struggle to see differences between the first and last shots... bravo!

 

Nick

[CrazyCrank]

9 hours ago, Fnick said:

I really struggle to see differences between the first and last shots... bravo!

 

Nick

 

Thanks for this huge compliment, Nick.😎

 

But there is at least two  differences, apart from the visual quality :

1/ the soft-top cover, which is there on the 1st photo and not on the last......

2/ and overall the licence plate:

On the first photo, BMW exhibits Elvis's car as it probably was when he bought it second-hand, but with the yellow US Force in Germany yellow license plate !

(Remember, Elvis was doing his military service in Germany  when he purchased the car, whom license plate was "M JX 800". But, in the army, his car must have the army license plate)

On the last photo, my interpretation of this legendary car, I've used the original license plate, used by BMW for its first exhibition after restoration, in Pebble Beach 2016

[CrazyCrank]

Good morning gentlemen

 

Well I've progressed a bit with the soft-top cover:

 

The peripheral part was roughly done yesterday, and I've sanded it to improve the shapes this morning

Then I've made 3 paper templates to cover the area where spread the cover, and I used the right and left ones to fabricate the corresponding parts, with epoxy putty.

 

  

I've then stuck the 2 parts in place upon the peripheral part, and installed the whole set on the rear deck

To do this and make access easier, I had to take off the two seats.

 

  

I've to wait 8 hours for hardening before un-molding and fabricating the last and larger part.
I'll get then a complete draft that I 'll have to improve drastically while sanding, adding putty and shaping.

I'll drilled later the holes for attachment pins (0.8 mm rivets I guess)

And  at the very end, I could paint the top-cover black, trying to give the paint a slightly grainy leather  (or skaï ) aspect

 

See you later

[CrazyCrank]

Hello everybody

 

A bit of progress today on the soft-top cover, which has already received two coats of Tamiya white putty diluted with Tamiya lacquer thinner.
It's likely that 4 or 5 more coats will be needed to fill the gaps and irregularities, before the sanding work  and scribing can begin!

 

  

 

 

In white, it's already better than in green

 

 

See you later 😉

[CrazyCrank]

Afternoon gentlemen

 

It's the end of the journey 😎

 

The soft-top tarp is achieved, filled, sanded, primed etc. and finally painted semi-gloss black with a special technique of mine which gave it a leather aspect.

I'd previously drilled the 9 holes which have received their nine 0.6 mm rivets which simulate the fixtures of the tarp

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

And at last, the tarp has been put in place....and my BMW is finished

 

 

 

 

 

It's been a loooong build.....almost 2 years, andI have to harmfully thank all my supporters and contributors for their critics, advises and encouragements along this 24 months 🙏

 

I'm now going to make a little video and take a  lot of photos in my new photo-booth, in order to exhibit this beauty in the RFI section.

 

[hendie]

Excellent result. A fantastic journey resulting in a fantastic replica.

This thread has been a joy to follow.

[Bengalensis]

Fantastic work! The soft top cover has also turned out very well.

 

Are the lips still on the agenda? I've fixed the artwork and was hoping to print this week.

[Fnick]

Stunning result Thierry! 👏 👏 .

 

Your perseverance has paid off no end. Really looking forward to the RFI shots. 

 

Nick

[Hamden]

 

An outstanding result, a superb replica has appeared with attention to the smallest detail.

 

          Roger 

[Neddy]

That hood cover is superb, beautifully crafted and incredibly realistic.  It really finishes the model off well.

 

It's a shame in one way that it's finally finished, I've enjoyed following the build and appreciating the level of detail and the techniques used to achieve it.  Truly amazing model.

[Brandy]

That tonneau cover is the icing on the cake. A beautifully worked final piece to complete the masterpiece!

 

Ian

[hendie]

What's next? One has to ask...

[CrazyCrank]

2 hours ago, Bengalensis said:

Fantastic work! The soft top cover has also turned out very well.

 

Are the lips still on the agenda? I've fixed the artwork and was hoping to print this week.

 

Thank you so much for this huge compliment, Jörgen 😎

Yes, the lips are still on the agenda. The stamp I printed works well...when it wants, and even after countless tries, I didn't managed to get one perfect result....so, I would be very grateful if you go on the job you began for me...thanks a lot again

 

[CrazyCrank]

2 hours ago, Fnick said:

Stunning result Thierry! 👏 👏 .

 

Your perseverance has paid off no end. Really looking forward to the RFI shots. 

 

Nick

 

Thank you so much, Nick 👍

Tomorrow afternoon for the RFI shots, hopefully 🙄

[CrazyCrank]

2 hours ago, Hamden said:

 

An outstanding result, a superb replica has appeared with attention to the smallest detail.

 

          Roger 

 

Very kind of you, Roger., Thank you very much

 

I'm pleased to say that you are one of my most loyal followers

[CrazyCrank]

1 hour ago, Neddy said:

That hood cover is superb, beautifully crafted and incredibly realistic.  It really finishes the model off well.

 

It's a shame in one way that it's finally finished, I've enjoyed following the build and appreciating the level of detail and the techniques used to achieve it.  Truly amazing model.

 

Thank you VERY much, Neddy for this huge compliment

I have to admit that, for a first try with epoxy putty, I've managed to get a convincing result.

It's been a hard work, and also very messy 🤣

I'm  overall pretty proud of my painting technique to get this peculiar aspect which imitate almost perfectly the leather texture

 

I do think as well that it's a shame this build is finished, abut it' also for me a big relief, since for 2 years, I was never once sure I was going to be able to complete the project successfully!

 

Stay tuned on my "channel" since I've begun to work on the Mercedes 300 SLR Coupé Uhlenhaut, and I'll probably simultaneously a second projet, with a Ford Mustang Fastback 1965 "full open bodywork"

[CrazyCrank]

1 hour ago, Brandy said:

That tonneau cover is the icing on the cake. A beautifully worked final piece to complete the masterpiece!

 

Ian

Thanks a lot, Ian 👍

I'm also pleased with what I've been able to achieve by working with this "bloody" epoxy putty. (sorry for the rude words )

 

[CrazyCrank]

32 minutes ago, hendie said:

What's next? One has to ask...

 

I wonder about that too.
The problem is that when I'm asked a question, no matter how vague, I'm always looking for the answer! 😵‍💫

[Spiny]

What a great way to finish off. I'll look forward to the RFI now.

[CrazyCrank]

20 minutes ago, Spiny said:

What a great way to finish off. I'll look forward to the RFI now.

Thanks Spiny 🙏

[nick]

And that, ladies and gentlemen, is how it is done. Truly magnificent modelling especially at that scale. 

bring on the final photos please.