nemo box

After three months of work, my Italeri 1/24 IVECO HI-WAY 480 is finally complete.

I believe automotive modeling has traditionally been a genre that showcases the beauty of vehicles finished in a clean, pristine, almost new condition. I personally love that style of automotive modeling as well, but for this project, I wanted to take a slightly different approach.

Rather than recreating the appearance of a brand-new vehicle, I wanted to capture how a vehicle gradually changes through time and use in the real world. Dust and dirt, oil stains, rust and wear, along with the traces of continued maintenance and repair, gradually accumulate and give a machine its own history and character.

In particular, I imagined an owner who continues to care for, maintain, and look after his truck as the years go by. I didn’t want to create a vehicle that simply looked old and dirty, but one that is clearly cared for while still showing the natural traces and changes that inevitably come from regular use and the passage of time.

I felt that a truck was the perfect subject to express this idea, and that became one of the main reasons I chose the IVECO HI-WAY for this project.

This was a very challenging kit to build, but I wanted to go beyond simply building the kit as provided and capture the mechanical realism and individual character of a truck that is actually in service.

A large amount of additional detailing was added throughout the build. Many parts were scratch-built by hand, including chassis details, various connectors, and the coiled air brake hoses, electrical wiring, and connections behind the cab. Additional detailing was also added to the engine and its surrounding mechanical components.

Many of these details are extremely small and difficult to see once the model is fully assembled. However, I felt that even these small details were essential to achieving the level of realism I wanted.

For the weathering, I used this concept to create an intentional contrast between the mechanical areas of the vehicle and the cab. The chassis, drivetrain, fuel tanks, wheels, and mechanical components that would naturally become dirty through regular operation received heavier effects of dust, oil, rust, wear, and grime.

The cab, on the other hand, was kept relatively clean. Although it still shows traces of time and use, I wanted it to feel like a truck whose owner continues to take care of it.

This project required a great deal of time, patience, and problem-solving. There were several moments during the build when I seriously considered giving up. However, taking part in GWCC gave me the motivation to keep going, and eventually I was able to bring the project to completion.

Through these photographs and video, I hope to convey not only the finished appearance of the model, but also the many details, the work that went into creating them, and the story of the vehicle that I wanted to express.

Thank you very much for taking the time to view my final entry. If you enjoyed my IVECO build, I would truly appreciate your support and vote. After spending three months and a great deal of effort on this project, every bit of support means a lot to me.

Good luck to everyone participating in GWCC 2026, and thank you all for being part of this wonderful modeling community!

NEMO BOX