McLaren M8D Can Am

This is the original MPC issue, 1/20 scale.  There is also a bit of a story to this...about 18 years ago I was handed 2 of these. If I built one for the chap that handed them to me, I could keep the other.  As a builder of race cars, and a fan of this older stuff, it was an offer I couldn't refuse.  The fact that back then these where quite hard to get hold of, clinched the deal even further.  Anyway, each year I would bump into said chap at model shows, and he would hassle the crap out of me...'how is me McLaren goin'?  After 3 house shifts and 18 years of pressure, I have finally buckled...so this it.  Roy, I have made a start!!
It will have some mods done to it here and there, so we will see how it goes.  The body is moulded 1 piece and i have sectioned that. I wont seperate the doors, as I dont really want to be making hinges etc.  Chassis will require some thought.  Being from the 60's it is all riveted aluminium, and replicating that high polished shine will be problematic a bit I think.  I can use baremetal, but it will be time consuming, fiddly, and prone to damage during assembly...or I could go the Alclad route, but we both have previous history that was definitely not a harmonious relationship.  Chrome paint also never looks convincing.
So thats something I need to make a decision on.  Any ideas or advise will be gratefully recieved!
Anyway, the build might interest a few of you, and we will see if I can finish this baby within another 18 years.
So here we start...

rekon alclad would be your best bet, i tried it and didnt have much luck but after reading a few posts here i tried painting with gloss black first (gotta be gloss) and then painting the alclad in lotsa fine coats, really glad i persevered with it rekon its the best thing out now!

Try buffable metaliser like the Gunze Sangyo Mr Metal range.
They are designed to be buffed and so stand up to handling better than alclad.
And you don't need a high chrome shine do you?.
I've had best results putting these on over gloss cleared primer.
I suggest either aluminium or chrome - stainless steel will be too dark.

now this is a interesting build

A nice kit. Built one when they first came out. Will watch your progress with interest.

Finally found some time to do a bit more...
Decided to replace the moulded in springs with some proper ones, so knocked up some simple shocks from some brass and plastic rod..
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A bit of assembly work has been done also. Some evergreen added to the radiator shroud, and I will drop some fine mesh into it after painting. Also opened up the access hole for the steering column and pedal box.  Next job is to get me some of Freds magic geewiz superdooper no fail aluminium paint.  

Ummmm, yeah.  Right.
Don't know where you got the "no fail" idea from...

This is looking very yellow.

Nice shockie job mate, much better.

Nice. Interesting subject. I used automotive chrome from a spray can undercoated woth black on the t904 kenworth. Some parts Turned out good some parts not so good. i plan to learn to use alclad in the future. Can't wait to see more. Cheers

Ben

Hi guys.  Well I am still chipping away at this old thing.  Its been exhausting work really  ...all of the location pins were typically not aligned so cut them all off and repositioned and re-doweled the exhausts.
Added aluminium tube to the exhausts also. Cut the dodgy radius arms from the uprights, and made some better ones from Evergreen rod.  Also have some other shiny bits for a bit of extra bling.



When they are all dry assembled with lots of teasing, coaxing, bending and swearing, it kinda looks like this....



So far so good, but still a bit to do yet....

I'm looking forward to seeing this at Ballaarraatt.

Have you got a particular year in mind Fred?

fastbackfreddie wrote:Have you got a particular year in mind Fred?

Man, I nearly fell of my seat reading that.....I take it you guys know each other relatively well?   

Interesting build of an older kit BTW, and a pretty kool story to go with it. Your mate Roy will be stoked I'm sure.  

fastbackfreddie wrote:Have you got a particular year in mind Fred?

This year.  It can sit next to my Winnebago...

Nice start and looking forward to seeing more.

Looking good.

Ben