Magnum PI Ferrari 308 GTSi

Another dirty rotten filthy subject for my model shelves. An original Magnum PI Ferrari 308 GTSi. Due for a good cleaning and a rebuild. There is only one Magnum PI for me and that was played by Tom Selleck!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xIaXl7SqkBw



More Magnum to come...

The more I handle this model, the more it just falls apart! I went to drill out the cylinder heads for plug wires and the heads come off! Plus, I need to make a distributor for each head. That should be easy enough to make. I drilled out one of the wheels for a new mounting pin which I ended up making from scratch.



More Magnum to come...

I got the engine wired with Radio Shack blue wrapping wire. I got the front suspension fixed with a new wheel pin and I detail painted the dash.



More Magnum to come...

I went and checked on the body and parts that I am stripping with Easy-Off Oven Cleaner. Not bad. Pretty much ready for a bath and some scrubbing in the kitchen sink. The chassis is up on 4 wheels after I made a new rear axle using some 1/16th inch styrene rod.



More Magnum to come...

The chassis is now fairly complete. I'm still thinking about the exhaust tips since this 308 came with a single exhaust pipe and I want duals like the Magnum 308. I got the interior rebuilt and the rear cover installed.



More Magnum to come...

The body got a bath in Easy-Off Oven Cleaner and as I was rinsing the parts, the hood bent in my hand rather easily. Then the mounting ears for the hood lid fell off and it reminded me that the plastic has become brittle. I must be extra careful with this body so I don't break anything else.

Looking forward to the build, I've not heard very many good things about this kit. In fact I've never heard anything good about it. Its these stories that keep me from building mine

It seems that lately I have been hearing about the same stories as well! Brittle plastic and all!

I too have heard bad reports about this one.

Good luck with it Mike, you'll 'git er done!!

Thanks Al! I'm going to give it, as we say in the States, the All-American college try!

The plastic in this kit is definitely brittle! I broke the cowl for the Ferrari. I decided to add a piece of .020 styrene about 2 inches long and glued the whole thing together. I'll use my Dremel to grind the excess away when all has dried. I added the broken pieces of the engine cover and glued those back on with plenty of glue. A little sanding is required later when this has had a chance to dry.



Magnum PI will return...

Always love the rebuilds ... giving new life to old plastic. Keep at it as you tackle the challenges and set backs.

Thanks Spanky! Right now, the brittle plastic is holding me back. The more I just look at it, the more it breaks without me touching it!

I finally got the Ferrari into a coat of Tamiya Light Grey Primer. I'll sand this out when the primer is nice and dry. I will have to fix the front panel since the plastic cracked due to it being so brittle.



More Magnum to come...

Wow! that's looking much better Mike.... well done.

Thanks Al! It is getting there slowly!

I finally got the Ferrari 308 GTSi into a coat of Tamiya Pure Red.



Magnum will return...

I got back on the Magnum PI Ferrari 308 GTSi today. Some painting and reassembly. I've been trying to remember that this plastic is brittle as I handle this model.



Magnum will return...

I went to carefully install the chassis/interior into the body and I broke the front panel. I hate this brittle plastic! After I carefully glued the front panel on and left it for the evening, I came into this, the panel had shifted! Then the mounting tab for the engine cover broke off and the shaft between the headlights broke. I'm going to finish putting the remaining parts back on and put model this back on the shelf. I love the original Magnum PI, but I hate this model!



Magnum will return...

Oh, damn that sucks. To be fair I have yet to hear anything good about this kit. It is a shame though after all the work that went into it

Thanks Dirk! That is what is so disappointing about this rebuild, the brittle plastic! The rebuild was going well until the plastic started breaking. I finished it and on the shelf it went.

You are a better man then me, I would have made this the next contestant to have an M80 shoved up its tail pipe. Its been a while since I did that. I think I need to find myself a new victim. Lots and lots of candidates on my shelfs.

That is something I have never done. It is something far beyond of who I am. I can't be so destuctive!