You may have been wondering what my house looks like with all these models. Here’s one display area.
This is my “Japanese car park”. I haven’t painted the white lines, but there is a food van (a little Suzuki kei truck) parked diagonally, with a Suzuki Cappuccino in front of it, and an ever-changing array of Japanese cars.
The building at the far end is a lovely piece I picked up at a church fete about 30 years ago. It’s an extremely fine carving of a temple with a nice twisted tree and a couple of sacred cranes;
Parked out front of the temple is a little Yamaha Vino 125 scooter;
Let’s wander through the car park and look at the other sights. Are you hungry? Here’s the takoyaki truck. Michiba-san is in the kitchen, ready to serve. How will you have yours?
Wow, there’s an old three-wheel truck back here. It’s a Mazda K360. Must be over fifty years old!
Now, let’s take a look around this display;
No, I don’t have a Niedermeyer-spec Toyota bB, but I could.
Our own Tatra found one like this Crown about a year back. I just had to build it;
That concludes today’s tour. Next time, perhaps some Fords? Mopars? Something from Europe? We’ll see!
Another great roundup, thanks! I have also appreciate the tips you have provided. One question, how do you keep them dusted?
Your series inspired me to dig out the only 2 models I kept, a Bugatti Type 35 and a Lamborghini Countach. The Type 35 needed a lot of work after sitting since the late 70’s as some of the glue seems to have dried, and basically the whole front end fell apart.
Looking forward to this as a continuing series.
Thank you, Trainman. Yes, dust is a perennial problem. I’ll generally go over them carefully with a damp fingertip and wipe with a tissue about once a month or so, but even then I may have to do some repair work – wipers and mirrors are the main casualties.
That Bugatti is a phenomenal kit. I don’t have any photos of mine, but I recall how amazed I was at the detail. Glue on older models can be a problem. I think it mainly comes down to whether the glue used just forms an adhesive layer between the plastic pieces (older type glues), or whether it actually melts the pieces together like a weld.
Yes, that kit as I remember it was very good. Probably why I kept it. Not sure about the Countach though.
Question: what would you recommend for an early (1968/69) four door Datsun 510? My first car was a Canadian ’69 4 door and I would love to have a model of that. Those early ones had different side markers than the later rectangular ones.
Hasegawa does an excellent 510 4 door. Mine was a rally version that I returned to the street. They usually do about 5-6 different versions of every kit they offer, not all available at once, so a look around online would be advisable to find the one you want. I:m pretty sure they do the early one. It will be to Japanese specifications though, meaning RHD, fender mirrors, and you might have to do the side markers yourself.
Oh my Peter! That is the colour, and mine had those wheels too, bought from the local Datsun/Nissan dealer. Also had twin SU’s for a sort of SS version. Will be looking for that kit for sure! Thanks.
The Countach…
Not sure why I ended up as just T instead of Trainman in the first post, oh well. Need more coffee.
Awesome!!
I also have a model car problem, with many display cases on the “man side” of the basement (where the bar and pool table and recliners are 🙂
I don’t have ANY of those, though, so cool to see. I love that last one which really reminds me of the wonderful Cressida I had (life size LOL)
Thanks! I often try to show the more unusual, and to a largely American audience here, many of the Japanese models are unusual. Conversely, I’m in a Japanese modelling group and over there it’s often the American kits that are the unusual ones – in fact just recently they had a monthly theme build of Monogram kits.
For those of us who will never mature – WOW – COOL! Thanks
Thank you. Lots more to come.
Very, _very_ nice and Stig approved to boot =8-) .
-Nate
Stig doesn’t seem too excited about the Mazda three-wheeler. Too bad, ‘cause I could imagine some thrilling two-wheeled moments with him behind the wheel.
Thanks guys! Stig is an resin piece by a small ‘aftermarket’ company in South Australia. He’s one of several figures who pop up in my pictures from time to time.
No Mazdas?
Kits of Mazdas are comparatively hard to come by. There are plenty of the sporty ones, MX5s and RX7s (neither of which I had out that day), but precious little else. Maybe this reflects teenage popularity in Japan? Maybe Nissan and Toyota are easier for the kit manufacturers to work with? I’m guessing. I’d have liked a Mazda 3 like the one I had, but no luck.
Older ‘classic’ Mazdas, yes, there are some. Here’s an RX3
What a collection! I can’t pick a favorite. The figurines are cool, too. I love the guy in the blue jacket. I have is a similarly-attired 1/24th scale Takumi Fujiwara who came with a 1/18th scale Corolla. Here, he’s posed next to a Capri with Euro-spec headlights. I lack the patience necessary to build the cars myself, so I just buy them already assembled.
Ha! Thanks Mike. My figure came in the Campus Friends set from Tamiya, along with four or five girls and the scooter I showed, and various other bits of teenage parephernalia. I didn’t set out to paint him like Takumi, that must have been subconscious. Nice blue Capri.
Yes, I have wondered what your house looks like, with your vast collections – so I’m glad to see one of your display areas.
There’s so much to admire here! For me, part of the astonishment is just realizing that model kits were actually made for some of these vehicles… the Nissan Elgrand van, for instance. The only reason I know about these is because I researched them after spotting a Nissan Homy here in the US and I did some research on Nissan vans.
I love the Laurel hardtop sedan showing the rear window that doesn’t roll down all the way. Cars like this look best in two-tone – not sure if this was an actual factory color combination, but it looks great on this car.
The Cressida coupe is another great one here – we never got the two-door of this model here, so I’ve never seen one in person.
And I like the background people here as well – great stuff… once again, thanks for sharing it all!
Thanks Eric. This is the smaller of my display areas. The larger one has too much for a single post.
I find it surprising what is available when it comes to Japanese models. Some of these I have ordered over the net from Japan, but equally there is some stuff on offer that leaves me scratching my head. Some Canadian friends often had a go at me for building so many Japanese four door sedans to the point of wondering who had stolen my identity when I posted something different!
The Elgrand I built because I was attracted by the detailing on one in my town – how can you not like a vehicle badged “Highway Star”? There are other generations of Elgrand and the Toyota Alphard and Vellfire equivalents, some in huge-wheeled custom variants with lurid graphics – no sale.
The Laurel hardtop – Aoshima seems to have made a concerted effort to update their hardtop kits with this detail (where appropriate). I remember seeing photos of various Japanese cars from around this era sporting a similar paint treatment. It might not be right for the Laurel, but it’s right for me.
I’ve heard that Cressida hardtop was sold in Japan only. Shame.
Nissan have a Highway star version of most of their vans, I was behind a Serena Highway star on my way home today
Love the green ’66 Ford Falcon two-door model! Haven’t seen one like that before.
Thanks. Not a kit you’re likely to see in a store near you, it’s the 1966 annual kit from AMT, updated through to 1969, then turned into a modified stocker. They are doing some retooling of kits that got horribly butchered back inn the seventies, but as old Falcons aren’t cool cars (except in Australia and maybe NZ), I don’t think we’ll see it come back. This was the family car I first started driving in.
Peter, do you know if any of the other butchered kits are being restored? I’d love the unmolested versons of the Olds 88 and Skylark.
They’ve brought back the ’64 Cutlass convertible and 442 hardtop, and there are several versions of the ’63 Chevy II wagon. Beyond that, I don’t know. I have no industry ties, so I just have to wait and see. Of course there’s always the chance someone in the aftermarket might do these in resin.
WOW. Amazing work Peter. Thank you for sharing so much of your hard work, and craft. As a fellow artist, I genuinely appreciate all of the attention to detail that has gone into every build. Love that you always share your models as complements and contrasts to CC articles. Also appreciate that your love and knowledge for cars is so broad, and encompasses every era, and such diverse types of cars. As you always personalize your models to your own tastes.
Due to the time zone difference with North America, your posts often appear late with articles… but I always read, and appreciate your thoughts. 🙂
Thanks Daniel. Yes, I’m often last to comment on something – yes, it’s the time zone – and some days nothing comes. Lately I’ve been dialling back on putting model photos with my comments (one day last week I could have done four models for five articles!), because I figure I have my own series now.
You never can tell what might take my fancy…
Stunning work! Would love to see some of your work in a diorama setting. The realism would be impressive. It is always nice to see your comments first thing in the morning here, as a followup worth reading, to the previous days topics.
Kind of a semi-diorama. I built these about 45 years back, and a mate is always at me to do more.
Is that an N12 Nissan Pulsar coupe in the background of some photos? I’d like to find one if it’s a small diecast metal version.
It is indeed a Pulsar, an EXA Turbo!
It’s often difficult for me to make sure I have sent all the photos through, and sometimes Rich has to ask for a missing one. Sometimes, like here, I plain forget to include one in the first place. It’s an old Imai kit, but currently available from Aoshima. But not with those 19″ wheels. 🙂
That is really nice! I wish I had the skill, patience and steady hand to build a model like that. Maybe I’ll get the Aioshima kit, but I don’t think it would turn out as nice as yours. Thanks!
Here’s another view. It’s reasonably simple (used to have an electric motor) but very well detailed for its age.
Those are really fine
Thanks!
Another wonderful visit to the Lilliputian dream garage… My pick of this lot will have to be the Leopard. I’ve caught a few of these cats (albeit life-sized) in the concrete jungle now, just need to write one up. They’re very fine-looking big coupes, both in scale and the in the street.
More please, Pete-san!
Any prewar beauties, perchance?
Pre-which-war, Tatra-san? 😉
That Leopard really took my fancy. We never got them here. When the kit arrived from Japan, I was disappointed by the wheels which, though finely detailed, looked like 13s – I guess we are so accustomed to 16s and above on everything nowadays. I think I may have overcompensated putting those 19s on it though!
Great models, I love the Cressida, the color looks a lot like Sherwood green that was on a lot of Valiants, great 70s color choice.
I like that steam engine or pumping plant that you posted in a reply above,
is that a metal kit ?
The colour is indeed close to Sherwood Green, but that’s a discontinued Testors hobby paint called Citrus Yellow. Huh? Yeah, I don’t name them, I just read off the can…
The steam engine is plastic, it’s a kit from Airfix’s old museum series. It dates back to the sixties, and was initially available in a motorized version. Goes together easy, so long as you don’t get glue on the pivot points (!) and the piston, linkage and beam all move in synch. Last available 2012.
You have most likely already seen the auto-transforming Transformers series but if not you’re in for a treat. They are crazy expensive but also crazy cool!
https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&opi=89978449&url=https://m.youtube.com/watch%3Fv%3DytI929g4puE&ved=2ahUKEwio5Yno_LyBAxUckYkEHRs4ACMQwqsBegQIERAB&usg=AOvVaw0AmP3mKgDv1_Q72guAD2HW
Amazing! No, I hadn’t seen it. Not buying it for my grandson though! 🙂
This group includes many of my favorite Japanese shapes from the 1980s and 1990s, which I have come to think of peak designs for many marques, especially Nissan. Of those shown, I like the Gazelle, which, if I’m not mistaken, was sold in North America as the 200 SX, as well as the Cefiro and the Skylines of all generations.
So, you’re afraid of overwhelming Curbsiders with photos of your larger display area? I say fat chance of that happening…keep bringing them on!
As long as I am able I’ll keep writing a fortnightly feature until I run out of subjects, William. Promise. That should see us through to about 2028….
But that other display I mentioned has twenty-eight cars and a dump truck – plus a steam loco, a cable car, the TARDIS, and that beam engine I showed above. That’s way too much for a single feature, but two of those models you’ve seen already and two more will turn up next time.
Of course there’s always this…..
My father and I build that beam engine – back in the 1960s…
Have the 86 version of that BRZ, but the side paint’s a bit ripply. Too much on again.
Naturally, I have an MX-5, a Civic VTi and an S2000 but I never found a 5G Prelude VTi kit. I bought the 1/12 NSX already-built in a display case, just because…
I love looking at those Sea Bass (overtranslation seems apt!) food trucks – they do several versions.
Have you tried a steam cleaner? Seems to work like magic (I don’t know where the dust goes!) and you don’t spend the rest of the day re-attaching wipers and ears.
Really seeing enjoyed this lot! I’ve got JDMitis.
Those food trucks are amazing. The kit itself is fairly basic, it’s all those decals that take the time. In this case I spread them out over three days. I chose the takoyaki truck because whenever we eat Japanese (every two months or so), my daughter always orders a side of takoyaki – to the point where the waitress automatically looks at her says “And takoyaki?” with a smile.
There is no 5G Prelude kit, which now that you mention it, seems odd as there was a 1 (forget who, long gone), 2 (Tamiya, never reissued), 3 (Fujimi), and 4 (Aoshima/Revell Germany). Guess it somehow never captured the kitmakers’ attention.
I like your 4G – with RWS! I’m a big fan of RWS…
Yes, the 5G never seemed to catch the imagination as did the Star Trek 4G. I preferred the more traditional ‘Lude design and even enhanced the waterfall light look by adding JDM for lights.
I’d settle for a 1/18 die cast, but no-one makes on of those either.
Late here, but these are all fab Peter, especially the C31 Laurel hardtop!
Two plastic models on the left. White is Fujimi 2nd gen soarer and middle Aoshima 1st gen soarer, black is die cast.