Mazda RX-7 R1 (tamiya) 1993-1995 Series 6

I know a lot of you members aren't really into Japanese sports cars around the mid 90's but It's where I was when I was able to afford one and do have a soft spot for them. Anyway this kit seems to be very available and has an engine.
This kit is specifically the US LHD version of the car but almost identicle to the Japanese version so I'm going to convert it back to a RHD and give it UK plates as if i'd imported it myself.

First, the weather is good so i'll do that first. I'm going with a custom paint job starting with a gold undercoat.
All seams and mold lines filed and sanded. The plastic is very good quality so I can just get the gold straight on.





Followed by several coats of clear red.






That turned out really nice I think. A nice sharp deep red where the gold makes it almost iridescent.
I've also smoked the back light bar, rear window and alloys.

Looks like a good start.

Nice one Dave.

That red looks very similar to my MG TF, which is called Night Fire Red.

I have an early 90's Jap import, so I love to see them.

RX-7s were always few and far between here. Nice work Dave, everything can't have a V8 engine.

dublin boy wrote:I have an early 90's Jap import, so I love to see them.

RX-7s were always few and far between here. Nice work Dave, everything can't have a V8 engine.

Oh yes they can! LOL.

Ok, good morning gentlemen. Let's get on with this one. I've chucked all the bits in a heap, cleaned them up and started the painting.
Tamiya insist on having the most basic alternators and I don't have any more replacements so I'll just have to paint it as best as I can.









Interestingly this rotary engine, or angry Dorito as I like to call it has an air pump on the belts.
As I'm converting this specific US version back to RHD I'll have to modify a bit by swapping things around and scratch making to extra parts.




My lucky Yen which I found under the carpet of my Celica.




I'll leave the engine alone for now and concentrate on getting the underside done and on It's wheels first.



Basic colours put on first.



Then some detailing done.



That's all I've got for now.

I'm not going to go too far with the weathering and leave it quite clean this time as Shay doesn't like it when I show him my rusty pipe.

Hi Dave,

This is looking sweet so far Sir; the alternator looks really good...

I've had a couple of Mitsubishi Pajero's and found coins under the carpet; do you know if they put them there for luck or is it simply a case of, they made their own way under...

I'm really looking forward to seeing how you do the dash conversion; will you be cutting the original or do you have a spare RHD one...

Andy...

It's coming along just fine.

I always wondered whether it was for luck rather than being dropped.

The kit was originally a RHD so it does have two dashes in it which is really great also they have two sets of wipers facing opposite ways. I think they added the extra engine parts and US dash just for this kit. All I really have to do is swap the ABS module over from the brake cylider side, put the dash in and sort the wipers out. I'll have to provide my own plates though.

Clean and neat.

That belt looks real as does the alternator and I do like that colour

I like your pipe Dave, rusty or not.

A little more progress to report.
Rear suspension done and a little light weathering performed using Humbrol powders. It's a shame about the break in the prop. I'll think on a solution, maybe.





Exhaust put in. Looks like the break I mentioned is nicely concealed.

More progress today. Underside done just need to get it on It's wheels.

Very good, I like it Dave.

Keep it up

I like the way it's coming along too.

Hi Dave,

Looking very nice so far Sir...

May I ask how do you do the colours on the exhaust tips please...


Andy...

Simply silver overall, clear blue on the end, clear red next and where it touches the blue turns purple and then highlight the very edge with silver again.

Do you use an airbrush to do it or just a normal hairy brush...

I have the Tamiya weathering master D pack, which blue, gold and oil colours, they look like the makeup stuff women use on their eyes, but I've not really done much with it as I can't get it to look real...

Thank you...

Andy...

Everything I paint is by hairy brush except bodywork which I have mastered the use of the rattle can. Airbrushes are too posh for me.

That weathering looks good

I’m looking forward to seeing it on its wheels too

More messing about.
It's on It's wheels now after smoking them.
I scratch built a wiper motor which I don't think looks that convincing.
I spend a couple of hours bending metal to make a start on the brake lines. Massive effort for so little result. Another one to make as well.
Does anybody have any tips on how to keep brass wire straight.

I think that will do for these pipes. They've got my heed battered.
I should make them black next.

They look excellent Sir...