German / Italian Topolino

[BarleyBop]

Cigarette lighter or a light?

Thinking a light too... and we are talking 1939 model of this restoration vehicle.
I've also seen it on other period Topo dashes, but not all.

 

[urumomo]

Thinking a light too... and we are talking 1939 model of this restoration vehicle.
I've also seen it on other period Topo dashes, but not all.

I think it takes this style bulb , https://www.fdricambi.com/en/vl1194-light-bulb-fitting-t4w/
Rotates to shine where it's needed .
You can kinda see the bulb glass in there if you zoom in on the dashboard photo .

another style housing ,

 

[GCB]

Okay, done with HMS HOOD, back to little mouse.

"Calling all cars, calling all cars!" - Dick Tracy

What is this thing on the dash that looks like the Tin Man's head from the Wizard of OZ?
A light over the ignition?
It looks like it is meant to be turned....

View attachment 138718

MPH? Where is this car being used??

 

[urumomo]

MPH? Where is this car being used??

Earth

 

[BarleyBop]

MPH

Haha, the danger of using restoration photos: they often have inaccuracies or parts introduced over the years by collectors in other countries...

 

[BarleyBop]

this style bulb ,

Thanks! Looks the part...

 

[urumomo]

I'm only guessing .
I couldn't find an owner's manual or repair manual online that didn't require some significant coin to access

 

[BarleyBop]

... for those who've been involved in some sort of creative design process, there is a phase sometimes known as the 'exploration' phase: the first part of which, brainstorming, is where you put ideas, components and approaches on the table without judgement. Don't kill an idea before it is even fully formed!
Some uninhibited freedom at this stage allows for for quantity, not necessarily quality, of ideas, sometimes leading to other directions you might not have initially considered.
Then you make some qualified decisions based on experience, and move into the second part: prototyping.
Unless you're contracted to complete a model by a certain date, the modeler is in the enviable position of determining their own schedule, and take the time required before moving to the next step.
In prototyping, try things out, make your mistakes (not on the model) and let the prototype inform your design, maybe even improve through 'happy' accidents.

So I have three design problems related to my Topolino:
1. Improve the dash
2. Build a reasonable semblance of a roof mechanism
3. Find a suitable material for the retractable roof fabric

(1) Looking at the aftermarket dials and knobs from my stash, I may revert to my original idea of using resin rivets as the rivets better mimic the pull knobs of the Topolino

(2) I think I've got a solution for the mechanism that I prototyped above with brass rods. May need some tweeking, but feeling good about it.

(3) Lastly, the material for the roof.
The three current options are lens cleaning cloth, heavy gauge ziploc bag, and the 'finished' layer of a black leather belt.

Now to test their suitability. (Prototype)

 

[sapper23]

You could also use foil, you can get ripples in that and even make it like halfway up or whatever

 

[BarleyBop]

foil

Thanks! Will add it to the exploration!

 

[Jakko]

(2) I think I've got a solution for the mechanism that I prototyped above with brass rods.

On the real thing, the mechanism was flat metal strip rather than rod, though. At least on the Simca 5, anyway, so I would guess on the Fiat Topolino as well since the former was a licence-built model of the latter.

 

[BarleyBop]

flat metal strip rather than rod

Yup, I know. At least in the earlier example one I'd found...
Thanks for poking at my choice!

The brass rod just happens to be at hand, and easy to work with, as demonstrated; easy to bend, shape and drill, and sufficiently rigid, even at small scale. The more suitably shaped Stripstyrene on my wall is just so wobbly, even in short lengths, though easier to glue and drill.
Maybe I'll have a second look... especially if it gets set in a fixed position...



Looking into it further, I realize that the above vehicle is actually a 500C, which wasn't introduced until 1949!

The earlier A & B models shared the same body, with the B having a slightly more powerful engine in 48-49.
So for our time period, it would have to be a model A, produced 1936 to 48.

This 1948 500B Topolino Cabriolet seems to have tubular frames...



and this 1939 seems to have a combination of both! Along with rear side windows (not the base model) and a complicated looking roof mechanism.
The roof seems to hang rather inelegantly like a shirt not tucked in! Maybe it is only partially folded?



... which might explain this photo, which I couldn't quite figure out:

 

[BarleyBop]

While I consider my options for the roof mechanism, I'll continue investigating the roof material.
I've expanded my repertoire! Most may not be suitable, but in the spirit of exploration (I've added aluminum foil per Sapper23's suggestion, and that reminded me that I also have some brass foil)

so, from left to right:
vinyl film
tracing velum
rice paper
Verlinden strap self adhesive paper
Glad Freezer bag
Brass foil
Aluminum foil
lens cleaner cloth
Wax paper
Leather belt (surface layer)
Not shown: I could always sculpt the folded fabric roof from AB putty