Tamiya Mazda MX-5 Miata

[Ben_B]

I've been wanting to start a series of models called "Cars Ben Would Love to Own but Probably Never Will ." I already have an '04 Mazdaspeed Miata, so I can't really justify to my wife that we need another 2-seater, although she might be amenable to a 911 for her. I'll eventually build 1st, 2nd, and 4th generation Miatas (Tamiya, Aoshima, & Tamiya), 1st gen Mazda RX-7 (Monogram), 2nd-gen Toyota MR2 (Aoshima), a Porsche 930 (Monogram), Porsche 944 Turbo (Testors/Italeri), and a Lotus Esprit Turbo (Monogram). 

First up is the 1st gen Miata (known as the NA). I painted it with decanted Krylon True Blue, which is a very close match to Mariner Blue. It went on with a pebbly finish, so I sanded it down with 3000 and 5000 sanding foam and tried again after thinning the paint with ~20% Mr Leveling Thinner. I probably could have gone with a little more thinner. I'm leaving the sprue attached to protect the windshield frame. It also makes a convenient handle. I'm debating scratchbuilding a Hard Dog roll bar for it, since my dream Mariner Blue car would be a track rat. 


Ben

[sam]

Nice idea, will it have mini-lights?

[afx]

Every model I build falls into that category Ben! 

[tatocorvette]

Ain't that the reason why we model them? 
Looking good.  Always liked NA Miatas and that color is gorgeous.  I think it is my favorite generation of them.  If I had one I'd LS it...

Thanks,
Ismael

[Ben_B]

Thanks!

Sam, I plan to keep the stock wheels. I have some Minilites I'm saving for my Tamiya Lotus 7.

Ismael, I'd love to recreate Flyin' Miata's "Elvis;" a Lotus Elise Laser Blue 2nd-gen with a Z06 engine.     Or, if I ever blow up the engine on my Mazdaspeed....

Ben

[Ben_B]

Zombie thread for a zombie model. This one sat on  the Shelf of Doom all summer after I got frustrated with the Krylon paint and the very un-Tamiya-like fit of the clear parts. From here on, I'll leave the Krylon to painting lawn furniture and just order custom mixed paint from MCW or Splash Paints when I need a street car color and touch-up paint isn't available. I still need to go back and fill that gap along the top of the windscreen and wipe the dust and fingerprints off. I'll post better pics if or when I take pics for Modeling Madness.




Ben

[Joel_W]

Ben,
Nicely done. It's always a plus to finish a Shelf Queen. Now all you have to do is convince the Wife to let you buy the real deal.

Joel

[Ben_B]

Nov 4, 2019 10:03:57 GMT -8 Joel_W said:

Ben,
Nicely done. It's always a plus to finish a Shelf Queen. Now all you have to do is convince the Wife to let you buy the real deal.

Joel

Thanks! Nothing like a (self-induced) problematic paint job and ill fitting parts to kill one's enthusiasm.

I’ve had my Mazdaspeed Miata for about 6 years. I had broken my foot and was on crutches when we bought it, so I couldn’t drive it for almost a month. My wife put >200 miles on it the first weekend we had it!   

Ben