How it started.
One day I found this car on internet and immediately fell in love with it:
I wanted a 1/18 model of it, but it didn't exist. That's why I bought a few Mondo Motors models for modding. My plan is to build 4 Zonda's:
1) this now completed roadster
2) pearl white F coupe, under constuction, see my other thread
3) 760RS
4) not sure yet, Cinque, Cinque roadster or 760 roadster.
Original Mondo Motors model
Since this build I have made a few improvements during my new build. So also check the build thread of my Zonda F coupe. For carbon decaling check out my carbon decaling tutorial on the front page of this site: http://www.diecastsociety.com/apply-carbon-decals/
Bodywork.
After stripping the Mondo Motors models in brake oil I started with the front
Thinned bonnet lip to create the air slot:
Opened the front grille and thinned the upper edge (it runs in a curve):
Drilled the indicator light hole and made a "housing" of microputty
NOTE: the V-shape and lower lip of the nose is wrong, check the coupe build for rectification.
At the back I removed the rear support beam, also the engine cover hinges are now gone. The engine cover won't open when I am finished since the engine is a rubbish piece of plastic. I will detail the engine mufflers which will be visible through the rear mesh. On future builds I may have the rear clamshell opened and a detailed engine installed.
I changed the engine cover openings. On the roadster I enlarged the opening:
center strut
The front fenders were reprofiled so they are in line with the doors:
The doors and structure were reprofiled until decent gaps appeared. A rubber band will hold the doors shut.
I removed the carbon grid from the sills. It should be smooth like glass:
The side intakes were cut:
These were later filled in with microputty, sanded and primed:
Front fender vent holes were opened (picture after priming)
On the rear clamshell a new fuel filler cap hole was drilled and the old hole filled:
The vent holes were opened
Filled, sanded and primed
Doorlocks and side indicators were removed from the doors, Then priming and flat black base coat of all metal parts
(on this pic doorlocks and side indicator still visible. They were removed later and the doors primed and painted again)
Plastic body parts rework
Creation of engine shields from styrene plate
Carbon decaled
Spoiler brackets were opened
Later they were detailed with styrene plate and putty
Central bonnet piece was reprofiled and carbon decaled
Mirrors were thinned and carbon decaled
Radiators
Undertrays scratch built from styrene card and decaled:
Bottom plate given a slight camber with stringers
Back end rework
Carbon grid was removed and all holes opened:
Templates for the carbon decals:
And carbon decaled
Gearbox was cut from perspex:
And finished in alu paint and details added as oil lines
Exhaust made from parts from Mondo Motors,styrene pipe, electrical cable and microputty.
And painted
New lights
]Rear foglights
Logo sheets were printed on decalpaper
When placing on bare metal foil metal logo's could be made
Final assembly of back end (note photoetched mesh, 2 sizes) with undertrays
Wheels and suspension
Brakes filled (the hole pattern is for steel brakes, not carbon)
Painted and decaled
Wheels adjusted. Front suspension lowered with a shim
Rear suspension higher by repositioning wheels.
Gap between wheels and body front and rear now equal
Modifying the rear rims by extending the edge with a 2mm strip from a lego wheel
Taking 2mm out of the centre of the wheel (to compensate for extra width on the outside)
Trial fit
Opening the spokes
Painted and decaled
Extender ring from an electric toothbrush,places the brakes closer to the wheel. Works without mod on the front wheels, require removing of a bit of material from the rear wheel to make them fit. Requires longer screws for fitting!
Later (not visible on this pic.) the internal six sided hole was changed to have the front caliper droop 30 degrees downwards (on the standard MM model it's vertical placed which is wrong)
Window frame
Cut and wind deflectors added (made from a plastic bowl)
Beefed inside with microputty
Carbon decaled
Interior
Rear bulkhead cut and rebuilt
Roll over bars added
roll over bar struts
Steering wheel and seats raised
Back of seats and base carbon decaled
Loudspeakers cut from plastic marble and decaled
Carbon decaling interior parts
Note the raised speaker housing:
Clearcoated,polished and testfitting
Painting, testing with fine powder sugar to get a ostrich leather effect.
Painted
small details
decals added and switches made from byoux pins
Loudspeaker facia (door handle is wrong, will be rectified on coupe)
Real versus model
Engine and compartment
Opened and alcladded
Cam covers and injection system made, painted and decaled
Carbon decaling of body
clearcoated and polished
Final assembly and detailing
Guerney flaps
Vanes
Mesh
New fuel filler cap made from styrene
Decals
doorsills
New logo
Modena Design logo
Pagani logo on rear clamshell
Front lights
Scratchbuilt pods
Leather straps made from painted decal sheet
Windscreen, masking,sunvisor strip and rearview mirror
Doors assembly
Windows lowered, lower edge painted green for tinted look, doorlock and indicator light added.
Windows are a bit too thick,will be replaced by thinner plastic on the coupe.
Doors finished
Mirrors in place
Spoiler added,clamshell finished
Big boss checking
Last minute mayhem, edge sticking out, casting error. needs to be removed on finished car.
Glueing sticking out edges of back end
Wheels in place
Finished
Real versus model
https://youtu.be/EcWuT4IsY_U
As said earlier the Mondo Motors model is a fairly accurate diecast. Biggest issue I overlooked was the nose. The diecast has still the softer Zonda S shape, while the F has a sharper nose and bigger chin spoiler. I will rectify that on my future Zonda models.
