Heller 1/24 Delage D8 SS

[Dave Ward]

I'm waiting for some figures for my U-boat, and the BMW Combo is nearing a finish, so I've decided to have a go at this


It may not be a goer, as the sprue with chrome plating is pretty poor - if I can't get the chrome off & the parts underneath aren't useable this build might finish early!


The chrome is thick & not smooth, in the top chrome picture, the large piece is the boot lid the only parts of the lid that are chrome are the hinges! I'm going to go old school & use bleach ( in a glass jar - soak overnight ), and see how it pans out!
Dave

[Jim R]

Hi Dave
Hope you're able to make something of this. These larger scale vintage cars can make nice models.
Jim

[Tim Marlow]

Good luck with the chrome removal Dave. Bleach should work, but who knows ?

[Dave Ward]

I've had failures with Fairy Powerspray, but old fashioned bleach may take longer, but generally works in the end! Then again if the plastic detail underneath is poor, there's nothing to be done.....
Dave

[Tim Marlow]

Too true Dave, hope it works out though because that’s a cool looking car.....

[Dave Ward]

The Delage D8 was in production for a while, and the bodywork was often custom made. I haven't found any pictures of a D8 SS with wire wheels ( yet ), but I like the colour of this one, as opposed to the bright yellow on the Heller box...................

I'm thinking black lower & rear, with ivory bonnet & partial doors, with a very dark blue hood..............
Dave

[Dave Ward]

After an overnight soak in bleach - partial success

Of all the parts - ONE has completely shed its' chrome overcoat, ironically, the one I thought would be most resistant. The others are patchy, so I'll leave them to soak for a day or so, but looking better than I hoped!:thumb2:
Dave

[Tim Marlow]

Nice colour scheme idea Dave, really classy. Alway like these jazz age two toners.....interesting, looking at your real life pictures the wheels are different on each side? Glad the chrome is coming off as well.

[Dave Ward]

Nice colour scheme idea Dave, really classy. Alway like these jazz age two toners.....interesting, looking at your real life pictures the wheels are different on each side? Glad the chrome is coming off as well.

I wondered if it is actually the same car - or the same car at different times - either way the Delage seemed to be pretty much a bespoke car, so variations in the same model could be expected
Dave

[Dave Ward]

Further to the pictures of the actual car, I was puzzled by the strange radiator cap ornament. I realised it was a Lalique glass mascot - these were pressed glass & sold for around $50 in the 30's.

This is a Delage D6, with what looks like an Indian head mascot


Maybe more appropriate for a French car - a Rooster

These Lalique pieces are art forms and collective in their own right
Apparently they can fetch up to $300,000!! :anguished:

..................and you think some modern car trends are flashy!
Dave

[Tim Marlow]

There you go Dave.......I knew about Lalique, but I really never knew these hood ornaments existed until I looked....as you say, some are really expensive. Some are more than a little strange as well..

https://rlalique.com/rene-lalique-car-mascots

[Dave Ward]

After TWO days in bleach ( and I changed the bleach after a day! ) the boot lid still has the chrome in patches....

This is the only part that has defeated the bleach - luckily it's flat(tish), so a few minutes work with a sanding sponge finally removed the plating


I've had an attack of the lazies, the last few days - just sitting reading, listening to music & binge watching TV series - and I don't feel guilty at all!
Dave

[Tim Marlow]

Good man....most of early January was like that for me!

[Dave Ward]

Some sprue shots.............

Fresh from the bleach bath - still some chrome on the sprues, but not on the parts


The instructions are old fashioned Heller - not very good & confusing in places. It's a simple model - sadly there's no option for hood down.
Dave

[Bugatti Fan]

Cannot understand why Heller made this kit with the rear fenders having a joint right across the top. Weird and should have been unnecessary when you look at the mouldings that could have been done as one instead of three! The joins will be difficult to eradicate unless the modeller is really good with filler and rubbing down before painting.