Art can mean so many things to so many people (remember this Porsche based artwork?). It’s probably one of the most subjective topics there is and one of the hardest to define. While we here at 993C4S are not always able to define what art is, we definitely know it when we see it (borrowing liberally from Justice Potter Stewart)!
Recently, while searching for a designer to help create a logo for our upcoming name change, we stumbled across Canadian artist, Paul Chenard. Paul specializes in the unique mix of original automotive artwork and corporate branding (you may have noticed his new ad over on the right side-bar.)
Building and Collecting Scale Models
While getting to know Paul, we learned about his various hobbies and interests. Among other thins, Paul is an avid collector of vintage racing toys and automobilia. As an artist and designer Paul looks for ways to combine his creative and design skills with his passion for collecting. One such outlet presented itself in the form of hi-end scale model building.
As the name suggests, scale models are a representation or copy of an object that is larger or smaller in size than the actual item. These models come in a myriad of shapes and sizes and the level of detail can vary greatly from manufacturer to manufacturer. Scale models come in various forms such as pre-built injection molded models, die-cast metal or complex kits (like the one below) that take an incredible amount of time, infinite patience and a steadier hand than ours to complete.
Paul always wanted the challenge of developing a highly detailed and exacting replica of a storied race car. However, the acquisition cost of these larger, more detailed kits can be quite high (prices can range from a few hundred into the thousands of dollars) and at the time presented a challenge for Paul and his family. Good fortune and fate came together in the form of a raffle ticket, purchased by his son Laurent at a local model show. When the winning number was drawn Paul and Laurent found themselves the new owners of Tamiya’s #12020 Porsche 934 Turbo RSR 1/12 plastic kit (a highly desirable and out of production racing kit.) Here's a sample of similar Tamiya model kits currently available for sale on ebay.
Over the next several months Paul poured his heart and soul along with 350 + hours of his time into the planning, construction and detailing of the kit.
In Paul’s own words:
I did extensive research into the engine, hoses and wiring, and interior details to get it right; that includes the scale of those hoses and wiring. I even added weight throughout the whole car so that it would sit right, and actually have some realistic heft when you pick it up.
The kit is so detailed that the only extra parts that I had to scratch make myself were the headlight bulbs/sockets, an electronic item on the top-right of the alternator, the shift linkage and the front tow hook.
A tradition I started with my early race car kits was to honor my dad's memory by adding a ruby from one of his old watches that he gave me to take apart when I was a kid. I like to hide them in plain sight. On the 934, it's on the bottom far left of the dash; you can just see it in the picture.
The car was the main kit, but I knew that Tamiya had made a 1/12 scale race team in 5 separate kits: the driver, the manager, 2 mechanics and a tool set. Through connections, I managed to get the 4 figures, all of which have some tools, and the driver's helmet. I decided to build the tire mechanic, add some of the tools (modified for the 934) and the driver's helmet. This mechanic is my first stab at figure painting.
Since the Tamiya orange spray paint is enamel, and glossy, I decided to custom-mix the acrylic for the mechanic's suit. The graphics (stitching) are decals I printed. They were tricky because you can't print white. For example, I applied the Jagermeister decal on his back, painted in the white, and then finished it with another Jagermeister decal on top. The Dunlop patch is a carefully trimmed laser print which I varnished, then glued into place.
I made the base from scrap oak hardwood flooring and a piece of scrap plywood. I had a friend cut a piece of leftover tile, which had the look I wanted. I had a custom acrylic cover built to my specs, and finished it off with a pewter plaque.
As you can tell from his description and the pictures above, Paul’s effort, time and hard-work created a one-of-a-kind Porsche Model. His attention to detail (there are actual screws in the battery post clamps and lead sheets in the battery) paid off in other ways, as the project won the highest honors in two major local shows:
- Best of Show Award, Shearwater Aviation Museum Annual Model Makers Showcase & Contest 2006
- First Place Gold, Maritime Modelers' Meet 2006
Upcoming Review of the Tamiya Porsche 911 GT3 Cup VIP 2007
We will have more of Paul’s work in the coming weeks as we review some of his Porsche based drawings and implement the logo/illustration he designed for our new site PorschPurist.com (that’s a thumbnail of it to the left). For right now, if you would like to see Paul’s artwork or further explore his vintage toy collection you can do so by choosing any of the following links.
- www.automobiliart.com
- automobiliart.blogspot.com
- www.piczo.com/racecartoys
Coincidently, we just received our own Porsche model courtesy of the good folks at Tamiya. The Porsche 911 GT3 Cup VIP 07
Paul, that is some incredible work! As always, I’m impressed as hell!
Incredible detail. Thanks for the hard work and fantastic result, Paul. Thanks for the review, John.
Gorgeous work! I still have mine that I built back in 1985… glad Tamiya brought this scale model back. I want to do another. I actually have been in the real deal in Stuttgart some years ago and again at Monterey Historics a few years back… these cars simply were so far ahead of their time… much like the 917s and 962s. Thanks for sharing!
P.S. There are many unbuilt and master built models of this car available on EBAY right now… they have the 30th anniversary edition Green…
@Matthew,
We would love to see some pictures of you model. If you have any you want to send it, you can forward to models at 993C4S dot com
Gary, Bob & Matthew
Thanks for the kind words, and John, for the great review.
It’s nice to able to show it off, and to get such positive reaction.
I’ll have to start building again.
Cheers!
Paul
Fantastic job!!!
I have found a kit of it, but some pieces are lost, like the instruction and the disk brake.
I hope to find all, or I have to buy a new kit!
Please, do you know links where is possible to find documentation or photos of the original car?
Do you a website, with description of your work on this kit?
thanks
ciao
Maurizio
Maurizio
Thanks so much for your kind note.
I did extensive research on the web to find my reference; I still have the image files.
Please email me at paul.chenard@hotmail.com and I will send them along to you.
As for your missing parts, you can probably manufacture them yourself, as long as you have one part to refer to. I can scan the instructions for you too.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Cheers!
Hey Paul,
Let me know if you don’t hear back from Maurizio and I can send him and email with your answer above. Assuming you want me to…
If you could forward my note along to Maurizio, that would be great. Thanks!
Cheers!
Hi Paul
I’ve tried two times to write you, but tis is the error answer:
Reporting-MTA: dns; cp-out10.libero.it
Received-from-MTA: dns; p4 (151.61.65.206)
Arrival-Date: Thu, 9 Apr 2009 02:05:30 +0200
Final-Recipient: rfc822; paul.chenard@hotmail.com
Action: Failed
Status: 5.3.0 (other or undefined mail system status)
Remote-MTA: dns; mx2.hotmail.com
Paul, i don’t know if it is allowed to write here, but this is my answer, and you can write me to pesmail@tin.it:
You are very kind!
I don’t know how to thank you!
I think that for the instructions there are no problems, but the image files are too big?
About the missing parts, I thought to make them by myself, now the only parts that I know that are missed are the disk brakes, but I’m not sure that are only these.
What do you think about the photoetched parts of the new kit?
I would to ask to Tamiya Italy if it is possible to have them.
I saw your website, you are an artist!
Thanks in advance!
Cheers!
Maurizio
Thanks for your attention.
I’m writing now to Paul.
Cheers!
Maurizio,
No problem on writing your email address. Some people don’t like to do it as they might get spam! If you want me to remove it at some point, just let me know. I’m sure you’ll hear back from Paul shortly. If not, let me know and I’ll get in touch with him for you.
Paul is very kind, he has just answered to me.
Thanks to all!
ciao
Maurizio
I would like to publicly thank Paul. he sent me all the photoes and instructions of the Porsche 934 Kit.
Thanks my friend!
Maurizio
I have been looking for assembly instructions for this same kit that I have . Some how when I rediscovered this kit it had no plans . Any help you could offer would be welcomed. Thanks RJ
@Ron,
Paul has helped others in the past with the instructions. If you don’t hear from him shortly, let me know and I’ll get in touch with him for you.