Pocher Project Nearing the End, Alfa Part 20

Door latches...

These are a compromise as there is pretty much no way to make them work as the kit stands. The best course would likely be to remake all these metal parts the correct size and shape.

I want to do this kit "as-is" as much as I can. So instead of fabricating anything, I made the handles work, including their spring action, But the doors themselves are just held with friction. There's no actual latch.

I was lucky. The leather that came with my kit was in excellent condition. Of course it doesn't really fit right, but that's just the way it goes.

The body parts are just dry fit on these images. Not too bad...

Grill details... I trid a number of different methods of getting a halfway OK look to the grill. It's easy to see why this might be a good candidate for an after market replacement.

The project paused just before this point waiting for warm weather for painting.

Here the hood is assembled next, with all the hinges working. Let me tell you that was not easy. None of those parts fit together correctly.

Also, the cover over the spare tires is an astoundingly bad part. I placed the piece in a jig for several days with a little heat (very little) and managed to get close to the right bend. Then I did a lot of cutting and shaping.

The fit on these body parts is stunningly bad. It takes a lot of sanding, filing, filling and even heating and bending to get to this point. But if you squint, and don't look close, it almost looks like the hood and doors work together!

The end is in sight!

Next, headlights... I am replacing the kit's bulb (which don't fit anyway) with some warm tone LEDs.

At my first attempt, the lights didn't work. I was afraid I had wired something wrong, which would be a disaster. The wiring is all tucked away.

The problem turned out to be the dashboard switch for the lights. The metal that is used in this kit is of such poor quality that it doesn't conduct well and needs a lot of contact. I got it to work with a little sanding and bending.

I like the resulting light color though.

At this point the main body is bolted down in place. The fenders will be shortly. Then only the front details, and the windshield remain to do.

The complete album for this project is here. See all my posts on Pocher models here.

For more on scale models, look here.