Well, I just ordered my first new Mini which is my first new car ever this month. But I was thinking about the die cast model model my parents gave me for Christmas and painting it exactly like the one I got including the interior rooster red. Down to every detail even the white turn signals. I have an airbrush and I'm pretty good with details since I've painted other models. Then I thought well I wonder if people on NAM would actually like to get their own VERY customized model. So my questions are to you guys are-- how much would you pay for a custom model? Where are the best places to buy these models (the one I got is a crappy wind-up one), I want to be able to buy models with and without sunroofs. I want them to be exactly like the real ones you guys own. So is anybody even interested?

 

I'm an idiot, when I said "exactly like the ones you guys own" what I meant was that they are structurally like yours but don't have all detailed painting. After reading my post it sounded like I was saying that people could actually by a model EXACTLY like theres which would just negate the purpose of me making this entire post. Sigh Basically find a model that looks similar to yours I will buy it, you give me the datails about your real Mini and I'll make it as close to it as I can get and sell it to you for a little more. You still with me .

 

Makes perfect sense to me. What scale are you thinking about? And would you be able to do details like tinted tail lights and painted door handles/gas doors/grilles/boot handles/etc?
I'd be interested if the price was reasonable. I could even supply a donor car if that would be easier.

 

It would make sense to use larger models as it would be easier to do any details and they would probably be of higher quality allowing me to take them apart, they would likely be able to open to boot if they were higher quality. I thinking bigger than your palm but not bigger than your hand. I don't know how I would tint tail lights, but door handles, gas caps, grilles, and boot handles I could do. The only problem I see is differences in models, like the S and non S having different gas caps. If you have a suggestion for a paint or something for the tinted tail lights let me know. I want them to look as close as possible to the original Mini. Oh, and the other issue is the difference between the r56 and earlier models. and I would be willing to do a trial version if send me your model agro.

 

Let me dig up a nice sized MCS to send. What part of the country are you in?

 

I'm with Arnold in California, more specifically the central coast halfway between LA and San Fran. Oh and for anybody else who is interested I will do stripes or any other body paint.

 

I'd pay you for one... if I can find a size I don't have yet!

(The two larger ones were presents, the smaller one I got at Target. I did the stripes and sunroof and white wheels on all of them .)

 

Paint the inside of the lens with Tamiya "Smoke" or a similar transparent gray. I build and customize plastic assembly models like this one which I show off here every chance I get

 

I'd be TOTALLY down for one! I have been dieing to get an 1:18 R56 that matches my MCS from the dealer, but they don't make Chili Red! If you could paint one for me it would be perfect!

How much $$$ are we talking about?

 

I'm not that sure as to how much money, it would depend on how much time and supply goes into it. I'm thinking like 20 bucks just to do it, I could just order the Mini you want work on it then send it to you guys.

 

I'd probably go for one! I'd like to see how some turn out first though.

 

Ya for sure, I'll post a bunch of pics when I'm done.

 

OK!