Stuart M Bird
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t2stu.bsky.social
Stuart M Bird
@t2stu.bsky.social
Occasionally puts words to car things on www.drivenit.co.uk. and owner of the Birdy Fleet of Broken Dreams.

Also on YT https://youtube.com/@t2stu

Hates Peugeot 307's
Modeling trick l learnt recently:

Run a green permanent marker around the edge of the windows for a more realistic glass look.

It actually works.
February 14, 2026 at 9:43 PM
The Italian tricolore

The most over used flag in motoring and the most applied wrong.

For your information: green, white RED.
February 14, 2026 at 7:21 PM
This year it was 30 years since Take That split. And girls were devastated.

But fuck that, 40 years ago, us old enough had our toy boxes destroyed when Hasbro killed off Optimus.

It still hurts in the feels. However........you got the touch....you got the power.

youtu.be/3U62UyYw7ek?...
We’re Sorry About Optimus Prime | The Transformers: The Movie (1986) 40th Anniversary
YouTube video by Hasbro Pulse
youtu.be
February 14, 2026 at 8:50 AM
Want to be fabulous like James Walshe, @hubnut.bsky.social and myself?

Well now's your chance. A super early 3 door Berlingo Coupán with sunroof. It doesn't get any better than this.

www.ebay.co.uk/itm/30676621...
1999 Citroen Berlingo Multispace 1.9D 3 Door DW8 Retro Classic One Owner PROJECT | eBay UK
Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for 1999 Citroen Berlingo Multispace 1.9D 3 Door DW8 Retro Classic One Owner PROJECT at the best online prices at eBay UK! Free delivery for m...
www.ebay.co.uk
February 12, 2026 at 7:29 PM
There's always a silver lining. Imagine working for him.

Anyway, he can always you know, pay UK taxes.

He might achieve some sympathy.
February 12, 2026 at 6:35 PM
From the comments.........

I've also been told by a lovely PR from Toyota not to do this.
February 12, 2026 at 7:39 AM
Went on a car launch. Not everything from China is an EV. Or hopeless to drive.

youtu.be/wu_2jogKxxE?...
The Geely Starray EM-i Super Hybrid. UK launch day unveiling.
YouTube video by Driven It
youtu.be
February 11, 2026 at 8:42 AM
A productive Saturday night was had.

Always wanted to do a cutaway model and Tamiya (despite the flaw l found with their engine) is simply the best.

Just getting here took 5 hours. HOW??
February 8, 2026 at 9:29 PM
I posted up a YT how-to on making a coil cover using a drinks can.

And then l wondered where the possibilities ended?

The answer is they don't. If you have stickers or a laminator.

youtu.be/xx5Pf7B5Bqw?...
February 7, 2026 at 4:33 PM
One thing that would not make me wish to do business with a company is the use of AI slop in their advertising.

If your AI is shoddy........you know what I'm thinking!
February 3, 2026 at 3:42 PM
Alfasud essentials in this² month's Auto Italia.

9 pages on the Sud with lovely photography by Michael Ward.

Martin Buckley takes you through it with Chris Rees and myself having 2 very different opinions of the Sud at the end.

www.auto-italia.co.uk
February 1, 2026 at 5:52 PM
It was a boring arse build. The Knight 4000 is poorly detailed with interior and chassis.

That said, it came out really well considering l did not enjoy this build.
February 1, 2026 at 11:03 AM
Porsche 959. It's basically a super posh Beetle right?

According to Tamiya, it is. Even has the same wheelbase as a Beetle.
January 31, 2026 at 9:26 PM
Because of PAINT!! I set about making my KITT kit the end of season 2 KITT ready for my shiny season 3 KITT kit.

*Don't use any black paint from Halfords on plastic kits. It appears black, and only black, eats into the plastics.
January 31, 2026 at 12:55 PM
I rather like these. But a well known publication doesn't.

And there was something within the text and spec that took me by surprise.

youtu.be/0avdMHjlSgo?...
1980 Datsun Bluebird Brochure Read-Through.
YouTube video by Driven It
youtu.be
January 28, 2026 at 10:40 AM
I think I've had my fix of 3rd gen Firebirds for a while now.

None are totally finished. Lots of silly bits to do here and there.

Each kit by a different maker. The best has to be by Monogram (the brown one).
January 25, 2026 at 6:31 PM
Sunday fun fact.

Peugeot used to make a wet belt that didn't shit itself in the engine.

It was like a wire reinforced nylon used to run the Kugelfischer fuel injection pump.

Pictures from www.franzose.de
January 25, 2026 at 8:51 AM
Popped along to a new cars and coffee place in Faygate this morning. Not far off the M23.

It's more than just cars and they have a lot planned.

And if you like coffee, my word, it's rather delicious. I had 2 in half an hour.

fuelroadhouse.com
January 24, 2026 at 5:53 PM
My 3rd Gen Firebird bonanza went a bit wrong

AMT's KITT kept reacting to paint. Now ruined. Or is he? I've plans.

So l bought the highly detailed Aoshima kit to replace it. The AMT kit is expensive and it's not great!

I've also bought some Ronal Teddy alloys for the S&G. But what to fit them too?
January 24, 2026 at 8:49 AM
Good news.

I've been thinking about my X1/9. In 5 weeks it will be 1st March when Roberto comes out again.

And today I noticed some daffodils in my front garden.

Hold on in there people. It's not long now.

P.s. Have you also noticed the days are getting longer?
January 23, 2026 at 9:43 PM
Disaster has struck. It would appear that the AMT KITT kit molecular bonded shell doesn't like Halfords paint.

The one l don't care about however has done ok. The Knight 4000 (dreadful kit that ties in with the dreadful KR2000 reboot film) has sadly gone perfectly.

I was hoping to bin it.
January 18, 2026 at 3:19 PM
It got spicy on the model desk last night when setting the awkward wing mirrors on the Datsun.

I hadn't noticed it was close to the edge. Safe to say l didn't move for 10 minutes. And breathing was only done when necessary.
January 18, 2026 at 7:39 AM
A friend and l were talking about life. I said l was quite easy to live with.

He gave a look and said nothing.

He might be right. As well as popping the odd car part in the dishwasher, l also use the airing cupboard as a hot box to dry models.
January 17, 2026 at 5:43 PM
Saw this at a local gathering.

I won't lie, l had pangs of nostalgia about playing with a muff. It was air-cooled Citroën life. 10deg and below and the muff goes on.
January 17, 2026 at 2:22 PM
Still a little bit chuffed with the Fiat 850 piece l wrote for Auto Italia that I made myself a mini copy to go with my model.

I left school with 1 grade above a fail in my "Inglysh" GCSE. I never thought I'd be good enough to write for an established magazine.

www.auto-italia.co.uk
January 17, 2026 at 9:14 AM