Collectables>> The Chris Lee Collection Pt.2

In the last post, we looked at Chris Lee's overall collection. This time around, we'll be taking a more detailed look a few of his favorite models he's built.

First, we'll start off with this street going version of a Ferrari 575 LM. It started as a Kyosho model with full race livery. He removed all the livery and gutted out the bottom of the car.

Chris also modified the wheels and slammed the already slammed 575 LM even more.

After he slammed the car, it became too low. So he had to remake the bottom and side skirts out of modeling clay and bondo to clear the ground. By doing that, he was able achieve the crazy stance it has now yet also retain its functions like rolling on all 4 wheels and steering. 

The engine that originally came with the Kyosho model wasn't very spectacular. So Chris created a whole new engine out of various parts. He used the original 575's block but mated it with a Lamborghini V12 head and topped it with Ferrari F456 intake manifolds. It makes no mechanical sense, but Chris assured me that it looks a lot better than what came with the original model. I believe him. 

Chris removed the race car's stripped out and caged interior and replaced it with a full interior with seats and carpet from various street Ferrari models.

Alright, now let's look at Chris' Corolla.

This AE86 Trueno started out as a plain zenki Apex model with narrow wheels and 4×4 ride height. Chris has already modified three AE86 models from AutoArt; a white kouki body, an N2 race car that's currently under construction, and this red Zenki car.

For his third AE86, Chris wanted to create a Japanese street drift styled car. He started off by creating a full ground effect kit out of model clay and bondo.

To continue with the street drift style, he opted for a mis-matched wheels. He found the set of wheels he liked and modified the barrel to make them deep dish. The tires were also modified to mimic the stretched look.

The engine features a scratch built ITB, exposed cam sprockets and equal length headers. The attention to detail is just astounding. 

Chris spend a lot of time crafting the steering angle to get that crazy angle look. He mentioned that this was hardest part because these models have very little steering angle due to the complicated steering system and not enough room under the wheel well. He spent hours grinding the excess metal under the wheel well and modifying the steering to obtain the desired angle.

The interior retains that street drift style with the driver seat that has been replaced by a racing bucket seat. The steering wheel was also replaced by mini Momo wheel. 

The buckets even include a five-point harness. Check out the racing seat mounting brackets!

Chris even fabbed up this 4 point roll cage. 

Next up is this mean looking Dodge Charger. Chris has a soft spot for Pro Touring style cars. So when this model came out, he hopped right on it.

Chris tries to get models before it hits the mass market. He mentioned that most people try to at least enjoy the model for few weeks, or even few days, before they start to modify. But as soon as he got this Charger in his hands, he took it apart. He gets a little ridicule from the modeling community as people think he's a bit crazy because some of these model can cost around $100 to $500.

After he found set of wheels he liked, he then built the car around them. He had to tub the car exactly how you would with a real car to achieve that super low stance. He created a tubular chassis for the front to make the wheels fit and so the car can steer.

The interior is just as amazing. Chris added a 6 point roll bar and racing seats. 

I just love the detail of the harnesses and also the head rest that's mounted on the roll bar. Old school NASCAR safety. 

Chris was going to leave the HEMI V8 untouched but since he had spare Viper mode V10 swap was inevitable. He also added a small blower for kicks.

Just imagine driving this car around with that engine….

This Mustang was birthed from a competition held by modeling forum. Chris joined because he just wanted to win the prize: a 1:6 scale Ferrari 250 GTO engine from GMP. At that time, it cost hefty a $600!

Everyone had to start from same stock Steeda Mustang from GMP and 'make something with it.' Unlike other cars, Chris actually did a small sketch before building this model. He decide that he wanted to do a road race inspired Mustang.

The wheels were widened and then built the flares and front fascia out of bondo. The aero bits were from various GT and LM cars. 

Engine was the fun part.

It started as a basic 302 that came with model. Everything else was custom built; the headers, the twin turbo system, the external wastegate, the intake manifolds, and intercoolers. He made sure everything was possible if it was a 1:1 scale car for the fact that he also loves building real cars. For example, he custom made the V mount set up on his personal Miata. 

The road racing theme extends to the interior of the car with a full cage and fuel cell.

He now has a 1:6 scale Ferrari 250 GTO engine stting on he desk. Needless to say, he won the competition. 

This Porsche started off as a GT3 RSR.

He widened barrel of the BBS that came with the model…

… and scratch built the crazy turbo set up you see here. I'm not sure if this is the most effective way to build the turbo on a real 911, but hell, it sure looks amazing.

It features a twin turbo with integrated intercooler all housed in the engine bay. Chris mentioned that it was a tough to build anything in the back of the Porsche with the lack of room to work with.

He garnered inspiration from Porsche 935 RSRs with their huge turbos sticking out of the rear for this car. 

The interior still retains most of its RSR components. 

This Toyota Supra started off as a Kyosho model. The model was about 10 years old and looked really out of date when it came straight out of the box. There wasn't much detail and the ride height was not up to Chris' standards. But this was the only decent Supra 1:18 scale die cast model. 

This model was so rare at one point that it was selling on Ebay for $500! But, like the Charger, Chris took it apart without any hesitation. He briefly mentioned that he actually has two more of these Supras that he started working on but never finished. That's $1000 sitting idle in his room.

The ground kit was hand made out of modeling clay. He wanted to gave it that period correct 90's kit look. 

He widened the Work Meister wheels.

As for the engine, he added a big single turbo and scratch built various engine parts. 

Scale cool guy approves of this Supra. 

These last cars are three of Chris' most recent builds.

Who would ever modify a real KPGC110 Skyline GT-R like this? Slammed and Boso looking. But don't worry these 1:18 models it only cost $100 rather than the much pricer Charger and Supra models. 

All three of these cars are slammed on widened old school JDM wheels. He also modified the tires for that stretched tire look. This blue Skyline was a presentation model of the GTR Touring car which never raced but it had the perfect look for a Bosozoku styled car. So Chris replaced the Watanabe wheels, which came with the car, and slammed it with widened SSR MKIIs.

What a collection.

-Linhbergh

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1

wow, the attention to detail is just amazing!!! must have took so much time to accomplish these

2

WOW Attention to detail is immaculate !

3

that ferrari is unbelievable but then so are all the cars. it's really incredible.

4

This guy is a genius. That's all I can say.

5

I take my hat off to this guy. Absolutely stunning level of detail and attention. Thanks for the fantastic feature.

6

Amazing work, absolutely unbelievable!

8

He is EXTREMELY patient for one, he's GREAT at what he does and these models are MARVELOUS.....WOW!!! That's all i can say

9

Alright !! Im gonna build one also after seeing this article. TIme to bust out the tamiya TS paints and fine brushes :)

10

i want to know the forum he competed in and frequents! i need to see more!

11

wow i though the ferrari was real at first

12

awesome. I HAVE TO SAY, I hate 5.0 mustangs. I HATE EM! but that one is so sick. so sick.

13

this guy is really very talented, for me the trueno n the supra are just perf

14

Wow, this guy is... well.. Dont quite have the words for it, but his work speaks for him. Makes me want to take apart my model Viper I bought when I was a kid and murder it out!!

15

Love the Charger, Foxbody, and Porsche. Although I personally wouldn't have dropped a V10 in the Charger, still sick nonetheless.

16

Gotta love that corolla, supra and skyline gt-r!! Awesomeness

18

The level of detail is astonishing, It would be cool to see an in-depth feature on the time attack inspired white R32 Skyline GTR as seen in part 1, it was mind blowing who's with me on this?

19

The details is just superb.... i just wonder where did chris found those WORKS wheels that on the Black Supra..... Awesome.

20

That Porsche (just like all of those) looks amazing!

21

The detail is one thing. I'm truly amazed at his paint finish. I would love to know his secret.

22

incredible, you could easily mistake these for the real deal

23

Where can i by these scale models ? I'm really interested in making a few

24

Holy crap! These are hands down the most detailed models I've ever seen! Mad props to you Chris! Thanks for sharing such an amazing collection.

25

amazing.he gives inspiration to amateurs like me.

26

oh. my. god.

this guy is absolutely insane, but these models are absolutely beautiful

27

amazing! e-props!

28

wow wow wee.

29

Chris: you are a modeling god!



(Ya im that impressed)

30

I'm looking at my 3 Kyosho 575LM models in a whole different way right now...I've got 130 1/18 diecasts but sadly, only five of them have been customised...

31

The mustang is really neat, i love those looking cars

32

can i buy some models from him???

33

In addition to his great modeling skills Chris has great intuitive feel for what is cool. His work is a reflection of who he is. His collection makes me love this industry even more.

35

DAMN!!!!!!!!!!!!!

36

models loook amazing! hats off. Chris one question.. what forums are you on, i am into diecast but cant find to many good forums! I bet everyone would love some more

37

was i the only one that only realised that these where models after reading the descriptions?!

38

supra looks sick...

39

without the grass in the background I would have had a hard time understanding the significance of this post



incredible work

40

great work, would be interested to see what he can do on a 1:1.

41

Someone needs to finance this guy to build real cars.

42

ps. are those wheels actually two piece? or does he mold the barrels??

43

My 110+ 1:18 scale diecast collection...seems like small kiddie HOTWHEELS when compared to these gems. Wow....simply wow...

44

Very impressive! Kudos to Chris.

45

It's a 575 GTC btw. ^^ Wicked car tho!

46

This guy just wants to make me do car models....

47

I posted yesterday when I was on my iPod... but i couldn't see all the pics... Now on the desktop all I can say is, "Are YOU SERIOUS!!!!!!! THIS GUY IS INSANE!!!!!!!! THE QUALITY, THE DETAIL, SIMPLY INSANE!!!!!!!!! i WISH I COULD HIRE HIM!!!!!!! AMAZING TALENT!!!!!!!!!!

48

This builder can quit his day job and make his hobby a real job.

49

Thanks Guys!

I'll be posting more stuff on 'Project118.com' on 'Craft section' if you guys want to check out more stuff. I go by user name kickinoutyo.

50

Just insane, the models are just so amazing and this is the best speedhunters post ever!

51

I'am IN LOVE WITH THAT FOX BODY! IT'S FANTASTIC!

52

I actualy build custom hot wheels and i know the skill and hours it takes to do this. Insane my brother. You are the picasso of modeling

53

Oh, modified die-casts. Very nice, but I think I'll try that 575 in 1/24 by combining a resin kit with a plastic Fujimi kit...

54

Last year, we gave Miata connoisseur, car designer and 1/18th scale model car customizer, Chris Lee a

55

SSR MK IIIs *

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