My first Zonda was rebuilt in the Roadster version and I learned alot from it, the second one will be a white coupe as well, but with much more detailing and improved fit. I hope you enjoy this thread and maybe inspires to start modding as well.
I am aiming for Horacio's personal Zonda, this one:
Already a lot of work was done last year when I was building them side by side. The front was opened and the carbon "grid" on the sills removed.
Also the front holes drilled for the indicator lights.
To get a proper housing for the light milliputty was used:
Exhaust was also already done:
I found out that Pagani's car had a "Cinque" program with the elaborate undertrays and special exhaust system. I will install the "kidney" exhaust and the simpler undertrays as below:
for my future builds I will build the new style tubular mufflers (760RS and 760Ag Roadster)
But I really like the look of the high spoiler on the coupe, so am going to scratchbuild the struts for that. I am thinking about the front spoiler extender plates also because these are a good base to extend the spoiler lip with milliputty (it's now much too short).
Gearbox was Dremel cut from a piece of perspex last year and awaiting installation:
I expect to finish the build in or before the summer because there is less carbon fibre decaling work and the interior does not require that much modification as well.
I am taking a different approach to the build this time. In the end of the assembly of the Roadster I came across many interference issues. Therefore I do a complete rough build up with all important parts and when all fits, do the detailing and paintwork.
First I modified the back end. It is screwed into place but that means you can see the screw hole when looking from the back. I installed 2 small bolts, glued them into place with a spacer and closed the holes with putty:
Ofcourse this meant drilling mounting holes in the body aft part:
It's a pity of the carbon fibre work since I already had finished this back end, but my carbon decaling is going quicker and quicker with less mistakes and also the first sheets of SMS carbon decal I received differ from my new batch.
On the floor I glued strong concave stringers because the diecast body is curved at the underside but the floor is flat. Now the floor follows the body curve.
The canopy is beefed up with microputty for more realism. The interior will become blue.
All stud holes for the windows are filled. I will sand the A frames because the window edge is too wide. A mistake I noticed on the Roadster after finishing it.
All vents were opened on the body and clamshell:
The lower edges were extended with plastic card and filled in to bring them in line again with the upper edge:
The big sill opening is closed with plastic card. Next step is to fill it with micro putty and model an oval intake:
I have placed the doors in line with the clamshell. This means that they sit low on the sill and therefore a huge gap exists between the front fender and the door. Nothing a piece of plastic card and filler can't sort out.
The edge on which the clamshell rests was flattened. There is a casting mistake preventing the clamshell to sit flush:
Gaps are now very small:
Perhaps not visible is the sharp point of the clamshell. It is too rounded on the model.I mix superglue with metal dust to make a strong filler for such repairs.
That's it for now. Coming week more sanding, filling in the sidepod openings and then start rework on the nose. After finishing the roadster I discovered the nose of the model is wrong. The "V" should be sharper and extend more.
All tedious and unglamurous work, but it is the foundation for a sharp looking model.
