Welcome to my entry in this Group Build. Its Heller’s 1/24 Renault 8 Gordini; a kit dating back to 1968 according to Scalemates.
The Renault 8 was launched in 1962 - the same year as me funnily enough – and was a rear-engined, four doored family car, initially sporting a 956cc four cylinder engine having a mere 43hp. The sporting Gordini version was first produced in 1964 with a tuned 1108cc engine producing 89hp. In 1967, the Gordini was updated with a new four-lamp front panel and a 1255cc engine that gave a useful 99hp and earned the car some motorsport success, particularly in rallying. It is this later version which is replicated in the kit. Production ceased in France in 1973 although the model continued to be produced until 1976 for some markets.
I can remember travelling in the basic version of one of these cars when it was owned by the father of a school friend of mine. Later, a fellow apprentice motor mechanic had one as a first car and the college we attended had an example of the four-cylinder wet-liner engine for us to tinker with. I remember it being quite a fun little car for its time. My interest was re-kindled during a road trip in France in 2016. At a small hotel in the Vercors region where I was staying, there was an old black and white photograph showing rally cars lined up outside. The quirkiest of which was the R8 Gordini.
As mentioned above, the kit dates from 1968 and I purchased it around the end of 2018. This Group Build is a great opportunity to finally get it built. And this is what we have to play with:
Box art shows an example taking part in the 1967 Monte Carlo Rally. This example is not however included on the decal sheet!
The instructions look nice and clear..
The decals. I will probably go for the number 41 Tour de Corse car. Having enjoyed the roads of Corsica a couple of times, I feel a bit of a connection to it.
Box is somewhat over-sized for the little Renault...
Some more of that lurid blue plastic..
And some in grey – moulding looks quite crisp...
The chromed parts will be stripped. Some will need a bit of a tidy up and those side trims could prove tricky...
And then there’s this...
Ok, fair enough for the tyres and maybe even the seats won’t be too bad, but exhaust headers and control pedals? We shall see...
Gotta have the right colour!
Not quite sure when I'll get to make a start - apparently we're on Grandparenting duty this weekend.... :rolling:.
Nick
The Renault 8 was launched in 1962 - the same year as me funnily enough – and was a rear-engined, four doored family car, initially sporting a 956cc four cylinder engine having a mere 43hp. The sporting Gordini version was first produced in 1964 with a tuned 1108cc engine producing 89hp. In 1967, the Gordini was updated with a new four-lamp front panel and a 1255cc engine that gave a useful 99hp and earned the car some motorsport success, particularly in rallying. It is this later version which is replicated in the kit. Production ceased in France in 1973 although the model continued to be produced until 1976 for some markets.
I can remember travelling in the basic version of one of these cars when it was owned by the father of a school friend of mine. Later, a fellow apprentice motor mechanic had one as a first car and the college we attended had an example of the four-cylinder wet-liner engine for us to tinker with. I remember it being quite a fun little car for its time. My interest was re-kindled during a road trip in France in 2016. At a small hotel in the Vercors region where I was staying, there was an old black and white photograph showing rally cars lined up outside. The quirkiest of which was the R8 Gordini.
As mentioned above, the kit dates from 1968 and I purchased it around the end of 2018. This Group Build is a great opportunity to finally get it built. And this is what we have to play with:
Box art shows an example taking part in the 1967 Monte Carlo Rally. This example is not however included on the decal sheet!
The instructions look nice and clear..
The decals. I will probably go for the number 41 Tour de Corse car. Having enjoyed the roads of Corsica a couple of times, I feel a bit of a connection to it.
Box is somewhat over-sized for the little Renault...
Some more of that lurid blue plastic..
And some in grey – moulding looks quite crisp...
The chromed parts will be stripped. Some will need a bit of a tidy up and those side trims could prove tricky...
And then there’s this...
Ok, fair enough for the tyres and maybe even the seats won’t be too bad, but exhaust headers and control pedals? We shall see...
Gotta have the right colour!
Not quite sure when I'll get to make a start - apparently we're on Grandparenting duty this weekend.... :rolling:.
Nick
