LeGrand Mercedes 300SLR Coupe Building Tips
Thank you for purchasing a LeGrand 1/8 scale Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR Coupe kit.
Please read and bookmark this page.
We will update this page as we receive new information from LeGrand, our customers, and our own experience.
Additional building resources: full corrected PDF instruction manual | corrected pages only | assembly videos | a German build journal (must translate) | a German Facebook builders group (must translate) and a wonderful reference book [a purchase page is pending]:
Some general tips before you start:
a. Use a quality precision Phillips screwdriver, a Wiha brand size 0 works well for us. Use a light touch to start, gradually more force if needed, but be sensitive to the increase in effort that means a screw is tight enough.
b. Minimal glue is needed; use the smallest drop possible of CA gel (superglue, but not the thin formula) when necessary, but never near clear parts or painted body parts. "Gorilla" and "Loctite" make CA gel glues that are available almost anywhere.
c. Tapping screw holes in metal parts is not required, but can make assembly easier and helps avoid broken or stripped screws. We include a micro metric tap set in our precision tool set [purchase page is pending]. Screw sizes are listed on page 10 of the instructions. The metal-fastening screws are listed on the lower half of the page with part numbers starting with DS (Diecast Screw). The first number listed just above the screw (2.3, 1.8, etc.) is the shaft diameter in millimeters. Use the next size smaller tap available to thread the hole. Be sure to hold the tap square in the hole, don't force it, and back it out after at least every full turn to eject the metal shavings.
e. Without a tap set you may pre-insert the screw in the hole to cut preliminary threads. A bit of oil or vaseline on the screw tip will make this process even easier.
f. If you find a screw seems too short to grip the part (the middle DS20 screw in step 13 on page 19 is a good example), try reaming out a little more clearance for the screw head with a handheld drillbit in a pinvise or even a Phillips screwdriver tip.
g. If you find a screw seems too long to fully seat itself do not force it. Double check the corrected screw notations in the online manual, study the annotated manual pages below, or substitute a shorter screw.
h. Be sure to look at the improved color-coded illustrations for wire wheel assembly in the online manual, and see my recommended method and sequential photos below
Please also send in your own tips for us to share.
1. Note the corrected screw types circled in red in the first four diagrams below. Print the corrected pages or make notations in your paper manual. Failure to use the proper screws can cause breakage of crucial parts.
2. Fragile parts! Note the fragile green circled parts in the diagrams below: Group 5 step 75, Group 1 step 15, Group 1 step 21. These parts are easily broken and hard to replace. Please follow the instructions in the red boxes, especially with regards to the delayed assembly order for parts 5.027LT and 5.027LM in Group 5, step 75.
3. There are many other black braided hoses with the same construction as those noted in Group 1 step 21 below and they all should be treated with the same care - do not flex them more than necessary, and do not force the end fittings into place.
Attention! The assembly manual scans and notes below are required reading before you start your kit.
Important! Do not install the parts circled in green below until the very end of model assembly, they are fragile and easily broken during handling.
The green circled parts below are easily broken if the screws are overtightened, assemble with care!
CA glue (Superglue) can weaken plastic parts that are under stress. Engine part 2.048 (step 34) shown below is especially vulnerable because of the fragile fittings that accept the metal fuel lines. Try bending the ends of the fuel lines to enable them to seat properly in the plastic part, or if you glue is necessary use rubber cement or contact cement instead of CA glue.