So, I recently bought an old 1980s Ford Sierra 2.3l Ghia to restore.
But not that one, as it is obviously an AI generated image.
So I bought something a little smaller…
And then I realised that that one didn’t need any restoring… so I bought three more.
These are Corgi Juniors J31 Sierras, released in about 1984 in about 5 different liveries. I actually have a few more perfect ones, with better boxes, in my storage unit, but I’m turning into a one-make collector, so I had to buy more anyway.
All of mine came from the same place – The Royal Arcade in Southport (Google Maps link).
You can probably get one on eBay.
So, whats the plan? Well, full refurbishent, obviously. Starting with a total strip-down (of a car, not me, silly).
Then, bit by bit I’ll work on the various components to achieve my desired results. For the first one, this will be a Ford Diamond White example, in the livery of a far better crisp company.
So, moving on…
Taking the diecast body, dunking it in paint stripper…
Yeah, that stuff, and leaving it for 24 hours…
The eagle-eyed will notice there are two in there. Those are cars #2 and #3, but the principle still stands. This is the result (after a good wash off)…
Which looks a lot better after a good go on the magic spinny brush…
And then on to painting…
But hang on, surely they have no crisp related branding? Well no.
But I don’t like Golden Wonder.
But I do like Seabrooks. So…
How about some pics outside the workshop?
And how about we finish with some AI Slop(TM)?
I’m not 100% happy with the results (expired Ford paint is not the best to use on models), So I’m going to do another one and put this is the Showroom Of Shame. In fact, I’ve got enough of them now to do a whole fleet. Nothing can stop me. Well, apart from ‘er indoors not letting me spray in the house.
But why Sierra? Well, I used to have one. Not a 2.3 Ghia, but a 1989 2.0 GLS, just like the one in this photo:
Mine was only a few numbers away from that particular one, and according to the nice policeman who pulled me over one Sunday morning, had served some time as an unmarked area car. That would explain the dedgy rewiring and the door handles in the back that had been disconnected.
Invaluable resources in this project: