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Topic starter
18/05/2021 7:54 am
I have built several kits over the last couple of years, but here is one I am hesitant to start. (Click on picture for enlargement.)
I have pictured everything in the kit. There are no directions, no glass/plastic windows insert, only a cast-in miniscule dashboard w/steering wheel on red paper, and I cannot find a picture of this coupe in 1:1. I also know nothing of the "TW Collection," except for this comment on a sale insert: " Mr Trevor Wright (TW) himself, who started his hobby-business as a retirement project in 1983." Any suggestions on how I should proceed?
David H 
More info: TW COLLECTION
The 1:43 scale white metal models in the TW Collection were made by Trevor Wright, in very small numbers during the 1970s and 80s. Although perhaps the kits are not up to today’s fine art models, TW produced some rare and unusual vehicles. They were nicely made kits, quite simple with few parts, but built into very nice examples of the real thing. All models were limited edition, white metal car kits in plain boxes with a label. Each box contained a single one-sided information leaflet on the 1:1 model itself.
John Kuvakas and John Kuvakas reacted
18/05/2021 8:22 am
Frank Reed
Chesapeake, VA
18/05/2021 8:31 am
With great trepidation, I would say.
Mind you, at least it doesn't have a whole shed-load of tiny add-on fixtures and fittings with no idea where they should go or in what order, so it doesn't look too hard to put together for an experienced kit man like you. But with no glazing supplied you do have a bit of a problem making the model look "finished". I know people make windows out of bits of old soda bottles but getting a tidy fit for the curved front screen could be tricky.
There are small artisan firms out there who make replacment parts for some better-known model brands, but unless you can find some nerdy enthusiast online who makes parts for obscure items like this ...
Good luck.
Graeme.M. Ogg
London U.K.
18/05/2021 12:32 pm
See related subjects under TW on hobbyDB:
https://www.hobbydb.com/marketplaces/hobbydb/subjects/trevor-wright-designer
18/05/2021 12:45 pm
The casting itself has a nice shape to it, but looks like it will need filling in and sanding to get good paint on it. So a complex project all around!
Topic starter
18/05/2021 1:25 pm
Thanks to Frank and Karl for the good information sources and the encouragement. Don't expect this one to be finished very soon!
18/05/2021 7:23 pm
You could carve bucks from dense yellow plaster and vacuum form sheet plastic over them. The big ticket item is the vacuform. Mattel made a cheap and effective one eons ago and they are most sought after. You might find a used one from a dental lab.
18/05/2021 10:56 pm
If I am not mistaken, even Trevor''s own models, built by him, didn't have the window screens. These models were deliberately made "old school". There are many interesting subjects there, but I have not seen any TW model that had been built to look at least as good as any old John Day or Danhausen kit. TW kits are an animal of its own. More like collecting pre-war Dinky.
19/05/2021 1:12 pm
If I am not mistaken, even Trevor''s own models, built by him, didn't have the window screens. ...
I think you are right - Look at the enlarged photos of the 2 built coupes (from author David Wright's collection); they don't have window glass!
https://www.hobbydb.com/marketplaces/hobbydb/subjects/tw-collection-brand
19/05/2021 2:50 pm
The casting itself has a nice shape to it, but looks like it will need filling in and sanding to get good paint on it. So a complex project all around!
I use automotive scratch filler for filling and smoothing models prior to painting if needed. A bit like very thick primer. Comes in a tube like toothpaste.
John F. Quilter
Eugene, Oregon USA
Topic starter
19/05/2021 10:53 pm
Thanks, John. I'm going to try this stuff as soon as I can get by an auto shop that carries it. Sounds good to me!
David
John Kuvakas and John Kuvakas reacted