I used the ally piece and filled with body filler. I don't know which 'show' models you have seen but the ones at Peterboro this year were the dogs whotsits. One bloke cruising round at Billing used scrap MDF edge on and all the joins showed like stripes. Solid would split too unless get the right wood. The bendy MDF needs soaking and then rubbing down once its dry and sets or you get ridges along it. It still needs filling too and then get any damp in it and you are back to doing it again.