Another rebuild project, this is a second attempt at a Scalextric DBR1. The first attempt went well enough but there were a few things that irritated me. Firstly the oversize driver was retained, as was the bottom of a milk bottle thick windscreen and headlamps and most of all I didn't like the dreadful attempt at getting an Aston Almond Green paint for it.
The Aston it was:-
All this took its time but one of the more subtle changes is the back end. After much study of DBR1 and DBR2 real, replica, other models and technical drawings I concluded that the rear hump of the wheel arch was too high and too far back. Consequently it was also too long and the tail didnt drop down fast enough. The rear behind the cockpit is now 4mm shorter that the original Scalextric and drops much more sharply and the hump of the arch is just about over the rear wheel.
The colour is still a problem. After research and assistance from other modelling sites it turns out that this is a bit of a holy grail thing. It can be mixed up but others experiences are less than good perhaps the codes are not correct, who knows. It was suggested to use Halfords Ford Forrest Green but the local Halfords didnt stock however a bit of chasing about sourced one can. It is a bit dark and could be a bit greener too but it is a lovely colour and just the sort Aston Martin would use for their cars. I'm very happy with it.
Looks good and drives nicely on my home track - much better than the first one not as good as some other efforts but Im getting better so... job done.
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Alan
The Aston it was:-
- Stripped down
- The central motor, axle and guide holding part cut away from the side pods
- The driver and his cockpit cut out
- The side pods cut down by two millimetres and glued to the upper body
- The body rubbed down and moulding sink holes filled
- A new grill made from plasticard
- The headlamp surrounds were reshaped to have rounded edges
- All the shut lines were cleaned up
- Air vents cut into the rear wheel arches
- A driver was made up from a Fly driver and resin head with plasticard cockpit and brass rod steering wheel
- A new windscreen from lexan
- Rear lights are steel pegs as used with electronic perf boards
- Headlamps from some kit with foil backing attached
- Headlamp covers came from a George Turner MGB
- Auxiliary driving lights were milled into place and filled with shaped and embossed plastic card (I couldnt summon up the energy to do clear ones)
- Exhaust pipe made and access holes cut in the side
- Engine air vents reshaped, backed and new fins made and fitted
- Wheels came from a Ninco E-type
All this took its time but one of the more subtle changes is the back end. After much study of DBR1 and DBR2 real, replica, other models and technical drawings I concluded that the rear hump of the wheel arch was too high and too far back. Consequently it was also too long and the tail didnt drop down fast enough. The rear behind the cockpit is now 4mm shorter that the original Scalextric and drops much more sharply and the hump of the arch is just about over the rear wheel.
The colour is still a problem. After research and assistance from other modelling sites it turns out that this is a bit of a holy grail thing. It can be mixed up but others experiences are less than good perhaps the codes are not correct, who knows. It was suggested to use Halfords Ford Forrest Green but the local Halfords didnt stock however a bit of chasing about sourced one can. It is a bit dark and could be a bit greener too but it is a lovely colour and just the sort Aston Martin would use for their cars. I'm very happy with it.
Looks good and drives nicely on my home track - much better than the first one not as good as some other efforts but Im getting better so... job done.
Alan