Monogram/Aurora? 1/24(5?) Maserati 3500GT

Hi, all... I just picked up one of these on eBay for a very reasonable price, as the only bidder. I was bidding mostly because it's a European sports car of the 50s/60s, which is my preferred subject matter and period. I don't know much about it other than it's on a par with the DB4GT, I think. Anyone have one and have any more review/hints/tips to offer?

bestest,
M.

Wow, I built one of these many years ago. It was molded in maroon plastic. Not sure where it is now but I do remember it building up very nicely. Not sure how authentic the kit is or isn't (I will leave that to others more familiar with the 1:1 version) but you won't have any major problems with it built straight from the box as mine was.

That kit was one of a series of 'European sports cars' issued by Aurora some time in the early 1960's ('63 or '64?). Monogram acquired the tooling some time in the 70's and the 3500 kit has been reissued by Monogram (US and Europe) several times since. Not sure were the tooling is now? Scale Auto did a feature on that series of kits a few years back - worth finding. The Monogram Jaguar XKE is from that series as well and is quite detailed and a nice kit.

Anyway, overall from what I know, it's pretty accurate though being an old tool, it isn't on par with anything more recent, at least as far as the little details go. Were 'I' to build one, I would probably get some more accurate or scale looking wire wheels (like those used on the Tamiya Jag Mk II) but otherwise I think it comes down how much you wanted to put into/get out of it by studying photos of the real thing beforehand.

In my case, I always like to make sure the end result is as accurate (within reason) as it can be so I don't mind revising the body shape (again within reason), kit bashing parts or scratch-building things, at least what would be obvious to the naked eye.

HTH?

To be honest, the "wire" wheels don't look that bad. They are very fine, and have deep relief, so I have high hopes that the technique I used on my Doyusha DB5 will apply here. I first hit them with a dark "chalk wash" intended for highlighting panel lines on aircraft, rubbed it off the spokes, and then used some of Citadel's "Badab Black" for a second coat, which caught in the chalky wash and darkened it even more.

I'll post some pics when I do it on the 3500GT wheels, but this is what it looks like on the DB5:

http://gallery.me.com/cmatthewbacon/100238/profile/web.jpg

bestest,
M.

That kit was one of a series of 'European sports cars' issued by Aurora some time in the early 1960's ('63 or '64?). Monogram acquired the tooling some time in the 70's and the 3500 kit has been reissued by Monogram (US and Europe) several times since. Not sure were the tooling is now? Scale Auto did a feature on that series of kits a few years back - worth finding. The Monogram Jaguar XKE is from that series as well and is quite detailed and a nice kit.

This Maserati & Aston DB4 are the high points of that series but the Jag E Type coupe and Ferrari 250 GTO are really best avoided - both are woefully inaccurate looking. If you want a Jag E Type at 1:24 / 25, Heller made a nice coupe & roadster (with engine detail), or there's the Gunze Sangyo roadster.

I'm working at present time with the DB4 doing a high detailed version of it. All I can say is that these ones are great starting point models to do any desired version.

My Aston DB4 Build (http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=974988)

You're right AmazonSprite, I was thinking of the DB4 when I said E-type for some reason.... The Heller kit is far better and the one to get.

Re the 3500 wire wheels, my 'issue' with them is that the wires themselves do not quite look right being too "conical" if that makes sense? It's pretty obvious in this boxart photo.

http://i24.ebayimg.com/05/i/001/82/62/7e0f_12.JPG


In that regard I think the Tamiya Jag MkII wires look most realistic.

http://carmodelingcorner.com/images/Tamiya_BuiltKits/Tamiya_1969_Jaguar_MKII/1.jpg

... when you compare both to an actual 1961 3500 GT.

http://svs-ltd.com/images/61%20maserati%203500%20gt%20038.JPG

All that being said, what you've done on those DB5 wires looks really great so don't mind me or what I've said here.. :screwy: :iceslolan

More photos of the gorgeous blue 3500 GT here: http://svs-ltd.com/detail.php?TableID=SPC&DetailID=180

I think you're right about the "conical" look... and I absolutely agree that the Tamiya Jag wheels are a great example of the toolmakers art. Sadly, I only have one set, and those are destined for a Tamiya Jaguar...and the price those things go for on eBay these days, I don't think I'll be finding another one for spares...

Thanks for the great picture references - I've also got a CD on the way for a fellow auto modeller, so I have no excuse not to make a good job of the kit - though it won't be up to the standards of Simon's Aston DB4...

Thanks, all!

bestest,
M.

There's a modeller who has built one of these to an incredible standard. He sold it on ebay for around $200 a few months back.

Picture of his model from his website:
http://133111804186514132-a-1802744773732722657-s-sites.googlegroups.com/site/dryplasticmodels/models/1963Maserati01.jpg?attachauth=ANoY7cqEwy6kDXrLmKl5 4HZC8v12tAGvdVV83nOv7Dg1GjMjfsROgqqPHcDM6xg30s8t5J 7gAinEywAe6gmJ3B1kgRVhjAQ8jPZ2xP0o4CthiUkqXmBpaBzo cSRlM0wVMs1fbX_ngsVjcFHwBMCMo_eIExa-SpCLRDA1IKXijFCrt1B6RpG3cs5sMp_Qj5SNGmqtJV54kLcbhC 53Z3uOfgtWdCYgnI-5NA%3D%3D&attredirects=0

Site page:
http://sites.google.com/site/dryplasticmodels/home

Wire wheels from a Ferrari 250 GTO kit would probably be more accurate - the Jag wheels will be Dunlops or similar, the Ferrari & Maser would both be Borrani wheels.

Regarding Ferrari 250 GTO wire wheels, though in many cases spendy, there are a number of aftermarket sets available so no need to pick up a complete kit just to rob it of them.

For example: http://www.hiroboy.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=3476&osCsid=9d1aef568459064af05f918945320c5e

The Tamiya Jaguar wheels are actually quite a lot too big... I'll post a pic of the two together, but the "wire" centres must be 10-20% wider than the Maserati ones. There shouldn't be that much difference between 1/24 and 1/25, but there is in this case. Not sure how the GTO wheels would be instead, but you'd have to have two sets, because the rears on a GTO are significantly wider than the fronts, but they aren't on a regular road car like the Maserati...

bestest,
M.

this is a review of mine in italian, but pictures are languageless....

http://www.modellismo.net/forum/statico-recensioni-kit/65356-aurora-monogram-1-25-maserati-3500-gt.html

wheels come from a technomodel set. Not the most accurate choice for this car but beautifully shaped!

From the point of view I have been seen while I have been building the DB4, any of those Ferrari 250 GTO's Borranis are too big for this series of not so sporty agressive look as the Maserati 3500 GT and the Aston Martin DB4. Instead what I have found and what I will use in my case are 4 narrows from the Reinassance Borranis.

They also come already built and you have to order the tires you like from them.