I bought this Xsara Kitcar yesterday. it one from Vitesse. there is some work to do but I hope I will bring it back to life...





any informations about this particular model are appreciated (are the decals for sale for example)


miniaturescitroenscalemodels.blogspot.co...en-xsara-wrc-on.html

Is the scale 1/43? Most likely the decals are not available for this sort of vehicle, looks to be  WRC car whos it driven by?

it is a 1/43 car. Citroën xsara kitcar winner rally de catalunya 1998


driven by Bugalski with co-pilot Chiaroni.


I had some fun with my glue gun today, the interior is back in place. found some other nice details. not to be seen from the exterior, only when it is opened.








I don't think I will put new decals on, but I would like to paint the doors white again, which type of paint is to be used on diecast models?

Try your local model shop if you have one. Car paint also works fine. But our resident restorer Jim (nobleco) will know better than me.

The interior detailing is always outstanding on Vitesse-models, particularly those in square mirror boxes like yours. Intricate multi-color seat- and interior panel patterns are not all unusual. Painted door-handles and wood-paneling are other nice features. Also... nowadays instrument details are quite common, but when these models came out it wasn't something you'd expect to find.


Your Xsara clearly shows just how much detail you get from Vitesse. Unfortunately you also encountered 'the dark sides' of Vitesse models: tiny parts tend to fall off or break and the decals are highly fragile. They are extremely pleasing to look at, but certainly not suited for everyday handling.

apparently, the decals are a bitch... if I'm not able to paint it decently I think I will remove all the decals. the car itself is in excellent condition. I bought it for 5 euro's, too much?

Yes, the decals can be real nightmares. I have an old Porsche 911 where half the decals are falling off and 'gaping', but even worse are the really heavily decaled models like rally and modern race cars like Le Mans and Nascar. I have quite a few of both and several of them have problems with cracked decals.


5€ is not a lot, but it all depends on how much you paid for shipping. My own personal 'golden rule' is that I'll pay up to £10 exactly for any boxed Vitesse model, including shipping. I've only broken that rule on very few occasions and a casual glance at eBay will say, that most models offered will not fit the rule, but nevertheless I've managed to get well over 50 models (Vitesse, Onyx, Troféu and Quartzo)

bought it from a man in my neighbourhood. petrol included I think I have pais 5.05 euros

If you want to repaint the doors, I would recommend you mask off the model so only the doors can be painted. Sand them lightly so they have some "tooth" for the primer or paint which you will apply. If you sand to metal, use primer first otherwise your good to go with an enamal type paint. Most are acryl or water based these days but both will work. If you dry in an oven or in the sun or under lights like I do the don't leave a masked model there for longer than you need to. Tape will stick or leave residue you have to clean off. Does nasty things to new paint.

cant tape it off, all the other decals will come off with the paint. they are realy sensible apparently. never saw this with another model. if I go to the store, will they know what I mean with enemal paint? is it available in small containers (like revel etc.) I realy don't need much

Most stores sell small and large cans of spray paint. Either size will be too much for you. A hobby store will have paints in small bottles ranging from 14ml up to abou 50ml. Some will have small spray bombs. If you don't have an air brush you stuck with spray bombs or brushing.


If you wrap the toy in a plastic bag and tape it closed leaving the door exposed you won't harm the decals on the car.