Having recently discovered the Minichamps Porsche Carrera GTS and purchased one, the Minichamps Porsche 906E also popped up on my radar. 1960s/early 70s cars that raced at LeMans, Sebring, Daytona etc. are a favourite of mine so this had to be added to my modest collection. It's been around for a while so is well know in the diecast fraternity and highly rated. This is the 'BP World Records Run' version which took place at Monza in 1967 and as such comes decked out in sponsor logos with white bonnet cover and a white stripe down the middle on the all red body.
My intention was to remove the sponsor decals, the white stripe and if possible to find a close match to the red colour, repaint the bonnet cover. Two reasons, 1 I prefer plain single coloured cars especially red ones. 2, the 906 although starting the world record run was withdrawn after it broke down twice with shocker failures on the very bumpy and potholed Monza circuit. A couple of 911s were rapidly dispatched from Porsche, one to make the record attempt and one to provide spares, so the 906 while having a very successful race career, doesn't deserve any of the glory for world record run.
I didn't take any photos of the model as it came so all images in the WR livery are downloaded from retailers websites.
Here's how it started out.
Notice the silver wheels. Mine came with the wheels painted more of a dull metallic grey. Also note rubber retaining catch on the lower edge at the front side of the engine cover. In the previous image there isn't one. Well there is, but it's tucked inside the cover as they tend to do when you close it. As you will see, I've taken them off mine. Headlamp and tail light detail is very good as are the wheels and tyres which are decorated with gold line and Firestone scripts. On the downside, the wheels on mine are screwed on very tightly, particularly the rear ones. If the wheels came glued and fixed I could accept that, but these wheels are meant to rotate and are alsmost identical to the ones on the GTS which spin freely, so the worker that assemble this car must have been on steroids!
The engine as it comes is very well done with much more detail than the Carrera GTS and AutoArt 917K. The cooling ducts are nicely represented with very soft extension springs and all the fuel lines, plug leads and twin carbs (hidden) are there. The cooling fan and belt drive are also present at the front of the engine along with some of the oil hoses, although none of this detail can be seen until you take it apart. Another difference compared to mine is the black painted filler cap on the left hand tank in this view. The luggage tray is only loosely glued to the frame and is easily remove to get a better view of the transmission. Does anyone know what that contraption is in the tray? It looks like something you would use to prop up a bicycle.
Not the best of images to show it, but the spartan interior is well done with nice details and flocked seats. There are more details behind the seats which can only be seen when dismantled, namely the battery, the coils and a silver electrical box. The coils are painted brown with black tops, when they should be blue with red tops. I repainted the coils on mine but they are barely visible and don't bring much to the party. The handles for the engine cover retaining catches are separately applied plastic mouldings, but the vents in the rear canopy are only moulded in relief and not open. The doors hinges are very nicely done and have a simple device to ensure they stay open which I'll show later.
And a view of the front and rear to show the lights. Apologies for using downloaded images for the review but I overlooked to take any before I dismantled it and began the work.
Ok now we are onto my images. Not much to see underneath with the solid floorpan apart from the inset tail pipes. Rear suspension is nicely represented with dummy springs/shocks, whereas the front just has the wishbones. Dismantling is quite straightforward via the two screws at the front, two about mid way and two tucked up in the front wheel wells behind the wheels.
The base plate is plastic which makes the model very light at about 440 grams.
Engine front detail
The spare wheel is screwed (and glued????) to the floorpan with the screw hidden by the hub cover, which wouldn't be on the spare. Unlike on the GTS, I was able to pop out the cover with a pin and remove the screw.
There's no need to screw in the spare as it fits very tightly into the storage space as can be see by the indents in the tyre, so I dispensed with the screw pillar so I could remove the spare if desired. Incidentally, the running tyres are branded front and rear, whereas the spare is only branded on the outside. There are no air valves.
Now the moment of truth, removing the decals. This is what I used, Acetone free nail polish remover from Boots. Although Acetone free, it still contains organic solvents so you need to ensure good ventilation when using it and avoid any contact with the clear parts which it will cloud up.
To be on the safe side I masked of the clear parts when working on the decals close by and I removed the cover over the fluid reservoirs. Unfortunately, removing the stripe also looses that nice little identifier plate but such is life.
The oil cooler and piping were also covered for safety. Before I started I checked out whether the solvent would damage the paint by making a trial on the inside of the body, which was fine. Application is by cotton bud and the solvent works very quickly. There are several tutorials on YouTube showing how it's done.
My wife has just made lunch, so I'll be back later.
Cheers,
Peter
My intention was to remove the sponsor decals, the white stripe and if possible to find a close match to the red colour, repaint the bonnet cover. Two reasons, 1 I prefer plain single coloured cars especially red ones. 2, the 906 although starting the world record run was withdrawn after it broke down twice with shocker failures on the very bumpy and potholed Monza circuit. A couple of 911s were rapidly dispatched from Porsche, one to make the record attempt and one to provide spares, so the 906 while having a very successful race career, doesn't deserve any of the glory for world record run.
I didn't take any photos of the model as it came so all images in the WR livery are downloaded from retailers websites.
Here's how it started out.
Notice the silver wheels. Mine came with the wheels painted more of a dull metallic grey. Also note rubber retaining catch on the lower edge at the front side of the engine cover. In the previous image there isn't one. Well there is, but it's tucked inside the cover as they tend to do when you close it. As you will see, I've taken them off mine. Headlamp and tail light detail is very good as are the wheels and tyres which are decorated with gold line and Firestone scripts. On the downside, the wheels on mine are screwed on very tightly, particularly the rear ones. If the wheels came glued and fixed I could accept that, but these wheels are meant to rotate and are alsmost identical to the ones on the GTS which spin freely, so the worker that assemble this car must have been on steroids!
The engine as it comes is very well done with much more detail than the Carrera GTS and AutoArt 917K. The cooling ducts are nicely represented with very soft extension springs and all the fuel lines, plug leads and twin carbs (hidden) are there. The cooling fan and belt drive are also present at the front of the engine along with some of the oil hoses, although none of this detail can be seen until you take it apart. Another difference compared to mine is the black painted filler cap on the left hand tank in this view. The luggage tray is only loosely glued to the frame and is easily remove to get a better view of the transmission. Does anyone know what that contraption is in the tray? It looks like something you would use to prop up a bicycle.
Not the best of images to show it, but the spartan interior is well done with nice details and flocked seats. There are more details behind the seats which can only be seen when dismantled, namely the battery, the coils and a silver electrical box. The coils are painted brown with black tops, when they should be blue with red tops. I repainted the coils on mine but they are barely visible and don't bring much to the party. The handles for the engine cover retaining catches are separately applied plastic mouldings, but the vents in the rear canopy are only moulded in relief and not open. The doors hinges are very nicely done and have a simple device to ensure they stay open which I'll show later.
And a view of the front and rear to show the lights. Apologies for using downloaded images for the review but I overlooked to take any before I dismantled it and began the work.
Ok now we are onto my images. Not much to see underneath with the solid floorpan apart from the inset tail pipes. Rear suspension is nicely represented with dummy springs/shocks, whereas the front just has the wishbones. Dismantling is quite straightforward via the two screws at the front, two about mid way and two tucked up in the front wheel wells behind the wheels.
The base plate is plastic which makes the model very light at about 440 grams.
Engine front detail
The spare wheel is screwed (and glued????) to the floorpan with the screw hidden by the hub cover, which wouldn't be on the spare. Unlike on the GTS, I was able to pop out the cover with a pin and remove the screw.
There's no need to screw in the spare as it fits very tightly into the storage space as can be see by the indents in the tyre, so I dispensed with the screw pillar so I could remove the spare if desired. Incidentally, the running tyres are branded front and rear, whereas the spare is only branded on the outside. There are no air valves.
Now the moment of truth, removing the decals. This is what I used, Acetone free nail polish remover from Boots. Although Acetone free, it still contains organic solvents so you need to ensure good ventilation when using it and avoid any contact with the clear parts which it will cloud up.
To be on the safe side I masked of the clear parts when working on the decals close by and I removed the cover over the fluid reservoirs. Unfortunately, removing the stripe also looses that nice little identifier plate but such is life.
The oil cooler and piping were also covered for safety. Before I started I checked out whether the solvent would damage the paint by making a trial on the inside of the body, which was fine. Application is by cotton bud and the solvent works very quickly. There are several tutorials on YouTube showing how it's done.
My wife has just made lunch, so I'll be back later.
Cheers,
Peter