My Little Tangle with the Virgil Abloh Maybach Idea
So, this Virgil Abloh Maybach, right? It’s one of those things that just sticks in your head. Saw pictures, saw the hype. And me, I get these itches. I see something cool, and I gotta try and… I don’t know, connect with it somehow. Not just look at it. So, I figured, why not try to make my own little tribute? Nothing fancy, just something with my own hands.
First off, I thought, “Easy peasy.” Get a standard Maybach model kit, some paint, and Bob’s your uncle. Ha! That was my first mistake. Thinking anything design-heavy like Virgil’s stuff is ever “easy.” The man had layers, you know? Even in a car design.
Getting My Hands Dirty (Literally)
So, the plan formed, kinda shaky at first. Here’s roughly how it went down:
- The Hunt: First, I had to find a decent base model. Not as straightforward as you’d think. Spent a good while online, then at a couple of hobby shops. Finally found something close enough to a standard S-Class Maybach. Close enough, I hoped.
- Research, Research, Research: This wasn’t just about slapping on some paint. I stared at photos of the real Project Maybach and the production model for hours. Trying to get the exact shades of that sandy color and the black. The proportions of the two-tone. The little details. My eyes were sore, man.
- The Scary Part – Paint: This is where things usually go sideways for me. I got the special paints, the primer, the clear coat. Taped off the sections for that distinct two-tone. My garage looked like a disaster zone. First attempt at the sandy color? Streaky. Awful. Had to sand it down. Start again. Patience, they say. I was running low on it.
- Interior Ideas: The real thing has that wild interior. I wasn’t going to replicate that fully on a small model, no way. But I wanted to hint at it. Tried to customize the little seats, mix some custom paint for the dash. Fiddly work. Dropped tiny pieces more times than I can count.
- Wheels and Bits: The wheels on the Virgil Maybach are pretty unique. Tried to modify the kit’s wheels. Some cutting, some filling. Not perfect, but better than stock.
Where it Got Real
Honestly, there were moments I wanted to just toss the whole thing in the bin. The paint wouldn’t dry right. A decal tore. I accidentally glued my fingers together. Classic me. It’s like, you see this polished final thing by a famous designer, and you forget the sweat and the mess that goes into just making anything. Even a tiny version.
Why bother, right? It’s not like I’m gonna sell it or anything. It’s just… I don’t know. Sometimes you just gotta make something. Get it out of your system. That car, it’s a statement. And I guess this was my tiny, messy way of responding to that statement. Trying to understand it by doing, not just by looking.
So, what’s the end result? Well, it’s sitting on my shelf. It’s not a perfect replica by any stretch. It’s a bit rough around the edges. The paint isn’t showroom quality. But it’s mine. I look at it, and I remember the frustration, the tiny victories, and the smell of spray paint. It’s more than just a model car now; it’s a record of a few weeks of trying, failing, and trying again. And I guess that’s the point of these little projects, isn’t it? To just… do. To make. To have something to show for the itch.
