Fiat 806 Grand Prix 1927
Comments
Looking forward to see what the kit is like
Seen the model in the shops for sometime
My impressions so far:
Lots of seamlines;
Some sink marks;
Clear instructions;
Parts clearly marked;
Parts fit not perfect, but not challenging. 🙂
I plan to build this car as sub-assemblies (chassis, engine and body/coachwork.
I have spend some time getting all the parts off that the chassis comprise of, stripped off the chrome of the specific parts and painted everything. While working on and painting the floor pan and radiator cover, I also painted the rest of the body panels.
That being said, lets build the chassis.
I used Tamiya Paint stripper. One of my wife's silk stockings to strain the small parts out and recovered most of the liquid. Beware, it stinks!
Thank you Benjamin, I will keep my eyes open. This seems like I saddled a wild horse here.
One I have long wanted to build, but price and availability make it so hard. Not sure how I missed the beginning of this but I can't wait to see where you take it
Thank you for the words of encouragement Kyle and Mona.
I hope to give an honest and clear report. You may call me a glutton for punishment because I have another model from this manufacturer in my stash 🙂
I hope it's another 1/12 scale classic race car Villiers but that's just me being selfish. 😂. I'll be here every step of the way.
Kyle, it is the Fiat Mefistofele in 1:12. I love the classic cars and 1:12 is my favourite scale.
Excellent!! The Mefistofele is maybe my favorite one. Love the look of that car. A somewhat local shop to me even has one on the shelf but for a price even higher than eBay! Lol. So, for now, I will live vicariously through others. Your 806 is looking really nice so far!!
Thank you Kyle, Bughunter and Guy for your kind words.
I am nearly finished with the chassis and found the front suspension a challenging. The project is time consuming but also very rewarding at the same time.
Although six times too big for my regular appetite, you definitely watered my mouth with this build so far. Beautiful progress of a fast looking car.
The first "modern" F1 car as we know them today. Low slung and Purpose built and with no riding mechanic. Fiats racing factory claimed it was capable of nearly 150 mph. A great subject to build a model of.
I made some progress today. The construction work on the chassis will be completed within the next few days. The parts for the engine has also been cleaned up, build in sub-assemblies and painted up.
The radiator and grille assembly look really fantastic. As does your chassis work.
Thank you for your kind comments Kyle.
This starting to look like a car 🙂
Thank you Vincent and Rui.
That ugly four letter word W-O-R-K kept on interfering with benchwork this past month 🙂
Great work! 👍
I hope you never need the content of the bottle, which are visible in the background of pic 41 !
Regarding your ugly four letter word: From the inside, the hamster wheel looks like a career ladder 😉
Thank you Frank. I hope to show that the content did not recede in follow-up pictures 🙂
The engine has now been married to the chassis. Inserting the flexible hose close to the gearbox had me muttering under my breath.... Only once or twice perhaps.....
This was such a cool era of racing. You're really making this look like it came forward in time!
Great work Villiers! it looks really good so far. Im quite surprised by the kit quality, or does it just looks good on the pictures?
Kyle, Guy, Rui and Chris, thank you for your kind words.
Martin, every single part needs cleaning up. My effort is far form flawless.
Fantastic work
Thanks for all the information and pics on this build
Very interesting
Thank you for your kind words. I lost count how many times I have stripped the paint on the body. The end is in sight. In polishing the body shell I accidently broke off the "needle " that holds down the bonnet panels.
Very nice! Love the step by step photos and the details! And the wood grain looks amazing! I wonder how much of it will be visible when it's all put together. When I started this hobby, I would skip detailing hard to see parts in my kits, but have since started detailing everything…. I may have developed OCD because of this hobby….
WOW. ! My juices are flowing mate. What an exciting trip . !
Your descriptive texts have de mystified a most complex and detailed kit. 👍
I was never much of a fan of the Italian model makers, but with this, I could get my mojo back. 🙂
Almost $300.00 here in Aus, but from how you have presented it. Fully worth every penny and the time it would take.
I am sold. 👍 🙂
I agree completely Kerry. This build log has also really made me want to save my pennys so I can try to tackle this at some point.
Nice step-by-step build, which makes it easy to follow. I don't think I will try this anytime soon, I already want something a little easier for my second model 🙂. Beautiful work on your part.
Thank you Mates for your interest and positive remarks. I am calling this one finished. I am happy with the outcome although it is far from perfect. I left notes (my own thoughts) at the top of the project.
Thank you everybody for your kind words. It is very much appreciated.
Très beau travail, tu sais ces kits Italeri sont des reboîtages de Protar, une marque de maquettes très approximatives, il y a toujours beaucoup d'inexactitudes et donc de travail. Ce sont des modèles qui se méritent, Bravo. 👍
Great building pics. A pleasure to watch. There's some lovely detailed painting going on in this build. 🙂
Lawrence and Wojtek G, thank you for your kind words. Yes, it is very intricate work. This model was a real challenge. To see it completed and not back in it's box is very gratifying 🙂
Villiers, you've done some honest modelling work on this model and it shows.
Your Fiat looks great! 👍
Wonderful work, and especially the way you share so much with the community. We really appreciate the hard work and dedication. Thank you.
I have the Alfa Romeo 8C 2300 Monza from Italeri in my lineup to start this year. I think your build will go a long way to help with mine.
Absolutely stunning model. For some reason, the black wire wheels really set off the car. Makes it look so much more purposeful.
Richard and Stephan, thank you for the time taken to comment and your kind words.
Richard, yes I also love the larger scale cars. I am happy to hear that you found this build report helpful. Two aspects of the Mefistofele that is now on the bench that I find is taxing on me is the engine wiring (which I finished) and the drive chain (in process). The end result makes it worthwhile. Italeri's offerings are not "shake and bake" kits 🙂
This is very detailed built chronology ! better than the manual itself ! Great workmanship sir ! Congrats !
Album info
The kit comes moulded in pre-coloured sprues. The four colours are black, red, grey and silver chrome. I chose to strip the chrome and re-painted the colours.
Can be built in sub-units, Engine, Chassis, Body.
Because of the kit's multi-media nature, I would recommend it for experienced builders.
Not a shake and bake kit. Every single part needed cleaning up.
Double check the drawings in the instructions to establish where you should cut parts off.
Double check the pictures in the instructions before you commit to glue.
Do not be intimidated by the complexity. Study each stage in detail and you will gradually be able to build up each sub-assembly.
Some of the subassemblies (the shock absorbers in particular) is made up from parts that appears to be similar, but are not. I used a storage case with compartments to keep the parts organized.
Few errors on the instructions:
•Step 12: The pipes attached to part 103C are Ø1.5mm black PVC pipe and not Ø3.2mm black PVC pipe as indicated.
•Step 14: Secure part 121D to the gearbox with two number 04 nuts and not number 02 nuts as indicated.
Step 31: Part 2CF is not wide enough. Replace with a windshield cut from clear sheet.
Use a magnetised screw driver to secure the screws.
Positive
No loose parts that broke off the sprues.
Instructions clear.
Nuts, bolts, screw and springs a nice touch.
Good building reports available on ScaleMates.
Few photoetch.
Parts clearly marked.
The packaging of the sprue trees, body panels are very good and prevent damage.
The nuts, bolts, screws, pipes, wires, springs, etc came in a very nice compartmentalised container clearly marked.
No serious fit issues. The PE option for the exhaust guard, 2PE does not fit the holes in the body. Part 2CF is not wide enough. Replace with a windshield cut from clear sheet.
The nuts and bolts allow for adjustments with regards to parts.
This model offers a balance for modellers to satisfy the builders and painters.
The choice for the numbers between decals and stencils is a nice touch.
Negative
Thick sprue gates, delicate parts brakes. Sprue gates on gearheads. Use razor saw. 127D; 54E, 46E.
Every part need work, cleaning up seamlines, ejection marks.
Even by pre-threading the indicating parts you risk wringing off the neck of the threaded parts.
This kit fought me every centimetre during the final assembly. Lining up the manifold with exhaust pipes cannot happen using the parts as is. The manifold pipe closest to the firewall have to be extended. The started crank handle does not line up through the openings in the radiator into the engine.