2000 VT Commodore Bathurst Winner Enhancement

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This is a 1:43 scale model of the 2000 Bathurst winning VT Holden Commodore driven by Jason Bargwanna and Garth Tander. It is by Classic Carlectables and was part of a Limited Edition run of 4000 pieces.

The CC models of the time were colourful but not very detailed. With a small amount of effort, the appearance of these models can be improved.
The CC models of the time were colourful but not very detailed. With a small amount of effort, the appearance of these models can be improved.
Removing the two screws in the base plate allow the car to come completely apart. It's made up of the die-cast body (to which plastic lights and rear wing are attached), smoked plastic 'glass' and a very basic plastic base plate onto which the plastic wheels are pressed onto plastic axle pins.
Removing the two screws in the base plate allow the car to come completely apart. It’s made up of the die-cast body (to which plastic lights and rear wing are attached), smoked plastic ‘glass’ and a very basic plastic base plate onto which the plastic wheels are pressed onto plastic axle pins.
The strange things you find inside a model... the windscreen insert had 'Valvoline' printed across the top in a position where it's hidden by the car's roof. A mix up in China no doubt..
The strange things you find inside a model… the windscreen insert had ‘Valvoline’ printed across the top in a position where it’s hidden by the car’s roof. A mix up in China no doubt..
Also, the top edge of the rear window opening in the body had been ground away at the factory to allow the window insert to fit properly.
Also, the top edge of the rear window opening in the body had been ground away at the factory to allow the window insert to fit properly.
The CC wheels are the same as what appeared on their first 1:43 Mobil Commodores back in 1996. It appears the wheels were modeled off a car that was fitted with the tie-down brackets the teams use to secure the car inside a transporter as they do not have a wheel nut as such, just a huge 'pimple' that sticks out way too far. A small file trims this back nicely. Notice the casting flash on part of the rim? The spoke inserts are pressed into the wheel/tyre piece and easily pop out with some careful encouragement using a hobby knife. This allowed me to cut the flash off.
The CC wheels are the same as what appeared on their first 1:43 Mobil Commodores back in 1996. It appears the wheels were modeled off a car that was fitted with the tie-down brackets the teams use to secure the car inside a transporter as they do not have a wheel nut as such, just a huge ‘pimple’ that sticks out way too far. A small file trims this back nicely. Notice the casting flash on part of the rim? The spoke inserts are pressed into the wheel/tyre piece and easily pop out with some careful encouragement using a hobby knife. This allowed me to cut the flash off.
The insert is pushed back into the wheel and the 'wheel nut' is given some metallic paint to set if off. An experiment I tried on this model was to blacken the underside of the mudguards. The CC's are cast very thick around the wheel arches and since I don't own a tool to grind them thinner from the inside, the semi-gloss black paint has made a difference. Though I'm not sure if it's any better...
The insert is pushed back into the wheel and the ‘wheel nut’ is given some metallic paint to set if off. An experiment I tried on this model was to blacken the underside of the mudguards. The CC’s are cast very thick around the wheel arches and since I don’t own a tool to grind them thinner from the inside, the semi-gloss black paint has made a difference. Though I’m not sure if it’s any better…
Original wheel and wheel arch. Also note where the colour printing process has missed the grooves in the rear door (forgot to use the flash on this pic...).
Original wheel and wheel arch. Also note where the colour printing process has missed the grooves in the rear door (forgot to use the flash on this pic…).
Modified wheel insert (looks strange here because it's not pushed all the way in), blackened inner wheel arch and touchup of the coloured Valvoline 'V'.
Modified wheel insert (looks strange here because it’s not pushed all the way in), blackened inner wheel arch and touchup of the coloured Valvoline ‘V’.
Compare the original radiator and brake cooling ducts (body colour, above) to below after a little semi-gloss black which breaks the starkness and gives some depth to the front splitter.
Compare the original radiator and brake cooling ducts (body colour, above) to the photos below.
a little semi-gloss black which breaks the starkness and gives some depth to the front splitter.
A little semi-gloss black breaks the starkness and gives some depth to the front splitter.
Bathurst winner, post-enhancement.
Bathurst winner, post-enhancement.

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