1985 Beatrice Mario Lola Conversion

[Deleted]

I am in the process on converting a 1/18th scale Carousel 1 1984 Rick Mears March into Mario's 1985 Beatrice Lola. Lots of cutting and hacking but it's coming a long and thought I would show you guys what I have done so far. More to come.

Stu

[img src="http://i640.photobucket.com/albums/uu127/sbenford/85Mario044.jpg"img]

[img src="http://i640.photobucket.com/albums/uu127/sbenford/85Mario011.jpg"img]

[img src="http://i640.photobucket.com/albums/uu127/sbenford/85L01.jpg"img]

[img src="http://i640.photobucket.com/albums/uu127/sbenford/85L02.jpg"img]

[img src="http://i640.photobucket.com/albums/uu127/sbenford/T90008.jpg"img]

[2lapsdown]

Watching you guys do diecast conversions just blows me away. Really, really awesome stuff and fun to watch. Thanks for sharing, it looks great so far.

John

[illeagle10]

Wow! That's a lot of work Stu! Can't wait to see the finished product!

Jim

[SWT500]

B*E*A*U*T*I*F*U*L!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Art Laski]

Very cool. Nice work, Stu!

[indy]

I have great respect for the abilities of the diecast crew!! These mods are really phenomenal!

Jordan

[Deleted]

I agree 100% Jordan!!!

[Calvin]

Holy crap!
Looks great!

[Deleted]

Thanks for the praise guys.
Got a little more done last night.
The font of my #3 is incorrect so I will be removing it. I thought I could get away with it but it really bugs me so it will be changed.

[img src="http://i640.photobucket.com/albums/uu127/sbenford/T90010.jpg"img]

[Deleted]

Changed the font of the number three and am much happier. Added the blue stripes to the left side as well.

[img src="http://i640.photobucket.com/albums/uu127/sbenford/T90013.jpg"img]

[illeagle10]

Looking good Stu!

Jim

[Art Laski]

Stu,

Looks great! What do you use to get the paint off of the die cast? I'm restoring a non-OW die cast car for my father-in-law and was wondering what might work best for that.

Thanks,

Art

[Deleted]

Hey Art, I used ZIP Strip to remove the paint. I stick the body in an a aluminum cake pan and slop it on. Wait about twenty mintues and wash it off. Wear rubber gloves because it will burn your skin. Also be sure that no plastic pieces are still on the car or the stripper will eat them. Good luck!

Stu

[Art Laski]

Thank you, Stu!

[harveythedog2]

Decals almost done. Need to add a few more and then finish up the wheels and tires.

[img src="http://i640.photobucket.com/albums/uu127/sbenford/aa02.jpg"img]

[professor]

How did you do that screen on the back?

[harveythedog2]

Hey Tom,
I work in an Automotive stamping plant in maintenance and my office is next to the Tool & Die room. T&D use whats called "shim Stock" on the dies which is metal in different thicknesses. I saw one of the guys using it and it's metal that is .05mm thick. Almost like metal paper in thickness. I cut a piece out in the shape I wanted and placed a clear decal with printed black dots on it. Turned out really nice. More better pics later.

Stu

[Deleted]

[img src="http://i640.photobucket.com/albums/uu127/sbenford/T90014.jpg"img]

[img src="http://i640.photobucket.com/albums/uu127/sbenford/T90015.jpg"img]

[img src="http://i640.photobucket.com/albums/uu127/sbenford/T90016.jpg"img]

[Deleted]

My good Lord Stu...It's beautiful!!!!

Best to you

Russ

[Chris]

This is a Kewl build, I use shim stock a lot too but I never thought to print on it..Great idea and it looks really great too. Excellent tip. Chris

[lazierfan]

Stu,

This is incredible !!! You work give s alot of us the insperation we need to try to push our skills further.

Thanks,
Eric

[Calvin]

No words can describe it.
It takes a lot of confidence to start grinding on a $100 car.
My hats off to you!

[Deleted]

Thanks everyone. This has been one of my favorites.

Here is the car with the wheels test fitted. The final product will have chrome wheels (In my case Alclad painted) and the Goodyear Eagle lettering will of course be white. These wheels were fitted just to test.

Stu

[img src="http://i640.photobucket.com/albums/uu127/sbenford/WheelTest01.jpg"img]

[bigevilmodels]

Amazing work

[Deleted]

Great looking build
Tom T.

[indy]

Looks like you have thus one well in hand! It looks great!!

Jordan

[Calvin]

Very nice!
Someday I would like to build an 85 lola in 1/25

[harveythedog2]

All done guys! Mario is ready to climb in.
Thanks for all the kind words.

Stu

[img src="http://i640.photobucket.com/albums/uu127/sbenford/8502.jpg"img]

[img src="http://i640.photobucket.com/albums/uu127/sbenford/8503.jpg"img]

[img src="http://i640.photobucket.com/albums/uu127/sbenford/8505.jpg"img]

[img src="http://i640.photobucket.com/albums/uu127/sbenford/8506.jpg"img]

[SWT500]

With respect to other scales and modelers, I believe 1/18 is the future. The car is magnificent Stu!

[racerbrown]

and stu has another winner!
it's always fun to watch the progress as you do these works of art!
duane