Garry's 1/24 Italeri Renault R5 Alpine Rally

[Andy T]

That looks fab with the graphics on!

I have a couple to put on the windows too, something I've never done. Did you just use the same process?

[Tworrs]

That looks fab with the graphics on!

I have a couple to put on the windows too, something I've never done. Did you just use the same process?

Yes pretty much Andy, although I can warn you that they slip and slide around a lot, even using the earbud to smooth them out had to be done very carefully.
Once dry though they are fine.

[Andy T]

Thanks Garry, I'll be giving it a go later today.

[HAWKERHUNTER]

Really taking shape now Garry.

[Stefee]

The battery placement has been bothering me, even though that is where the instructions indicate it should go, but placed on top of the transmission was just not right to me. However when I was doing the decals there was a lightning bolt decal to go at the corner on the drivers side of bonnet indicating a battery in that area.
So just for my own peace of mind, I moved the battery to that corner of the engine bay, which I think looks a whole lot better and makes the battery a little more lifeike. Even though once the bonnet is on, it will never be seen again. :smiling2:
It makes me feel better though.
What do you reckon Stefan?

Completely agree that the battery should be near the firewall. Batteries do not like excessive movements, heat and vibration - it causes premature failure. Look at the original Beetle, under the rear seat out of harms way, mine lasted 15 years before replacement.
The build is looking fabulous, mearing the finish line.

[Tworrs]

Thanks Garry, I'll be giving it a go later today.

Good luck Andy, it's really quite easy.

Really taking shape now Garry.

Thank you Steve.

Completely agree that the battery should be near the firewall. Batteries do not like excessive movements, heat and vibration - it causes premature failure. Look at the original Beetle, under the rear seat out of harms way, mine lasted 15 years before replacement.
The build is looking fabulous, nearing the finish line.

Thanks Stefan, still quite a bit to do, but getting there.

[Guest]

Batteries do not like excessive movements, heat and vibration - it causes premature failure.

Is this an issue for a race car, though?

Anyway, trying to find out one way or another is proving hard. Plenty of pictures of this version of the Renault 5 in yellow-orange, but none so far in which you can see inside the engine compartment. I did find pictures of a slightly different model:

[ATTACH]512006[/ATTACH]

This has the battery on the centreline at the front of the engine compartment:

[ATTACH]512007[/ATTACH]

But trying to refine the search a little, because I also kept getting hits for the turbo version which I don’t think yours is (?), I found this one:

[ATTACH]512008[/ATTACH]

That seems to be the same version as your model. But I can’t see a battery there at all — some kind of oil tank at the front, yes, but no battery. It doesn’t seem to fit at the left rear at all, though.

[Tworrs]

Is this an issue for a race car, though?

Anyway, trying to find out one way or another is proving hard. Plenty of pictures of this version of the Renault 5 in yellow-orange, but none so far in which you can see inside the engine compartment. I did find pictures of a slightly different model:

[ATTACH]512006[/ATTACH]

This has the battery on the centreline at the front of the engine compartment:

[ATTACH]512007[/ATTACH]

But trying to refine the search a little, because I also kept getting hits for the turbo version which I don’t think yours is (?), I found this one:

[ATTACH]512008[/ATTACH]

That seems to be the same version as your model. But I can’t see a battery there at all — some kind of oil tank at the front, yes, but no battery. It doesn’t seem to fit at the left rear at all, though.

Yes Jakko, it is a bit strange as to battery fitment, but thanks for trying.
I too looked for a reference pic of the rally car but was not successful.
With the model there is no tray or anything to mount the battery on, in front of the engine over the transmission, yet there is an area where I decided to place the battery eventually.
As I noted, once the bonnet is on, it will never be seen again anyway, so I can live with where I placed it, and being in 1/24 the detail in the engine bay is rudimentary to say the least.

[Stefee]

IIRC, because I had to replace 2 engine core plugs (absolute pig of a job) under the intake manifold, I didn't have to remove the battery but it was many years ago.
Because rally cars traverse much rougher surfaces than track cars vibration can be a factor.

at all — some kind of oil tank at the front, yes, but no battery. It doesn’t seem to fit at the left rear at all, though.

Wonder if the battery went inside the cabin (like my Impreza build) as the heat generated by the turbo was enormous in that little engine bay. The earlier turbo was air cooled and failed quite regularly on the road cars but was later made water cooled which was much more reliable.

[Guest]

As I noted, once the bonnet is on, it will never be seen again anyway, so I can live with where I placed it

TBH, I’m wondering why you bother at all if you’re going to glue the bonnet shut anyway

[Tworrs]

TBH, I’m wondering why you bother at all if you’re going to glue the bonnet shut anyway :smiling3:

Very good question Jakko.

[Allen Dewire]

Some great work getting done on this Frosty Garry! I wouldn't even worry about battery placement as 'we don't need no stinking battery!!!' That's what you have a pit crew for. They push it to start the motor and you drive off on the rally course leg. If it should stall out or wreck during the leg, that's what you have spectator's for. They flip you back on your wheels and push you to start it up again and get going on your way...Too easy!!!

Oh, and don't worry about not having profile on the tires either. A little mud and snow mix on them and you can't see the tread pattern anyway. HTH's my friend...

Prost
Allen

[Tworrs]

Some great work getting done on this Frosty Garry! I wouldn't even worry about battery placement as 'we don't need no stinking battery!!!' That's what you have a pit crew for. They push it to start the motor and you drive off on the rally course leg. If it should stall out or wreck during the leg, that's what you have spectator's for. They flip you back on your wheels and push you to start it up again and get going on your way...Too easy!!!

Oh, and don't worry about not having profile on the tires either. A little mud and snow mix on them and you can't see the tread pattern anyway. HTH's my friend...

Prost
Allen

My thoughts exactly Mr Ketchup Allen.

[Tworrs]

Well I have reached the end of the rally, and here is the dirty girl in all her glory.

[Lee Drennen]

Great build Thread Garry. Enjoy all of it. Car looks great.