Tamiya 1/12th Lotus 49

[sico24]

Hi

 

I've been meaning to start this thread since last year, so here goes. ...

 

I've wanted the Tamiya Big Scale racing cars of the 60s and 70s ever since I was a kid in the early 70s and used to droll over them in the model shops. Although I regularly built all the Tamiya 1/35th AFVs, I never seemed to be able to afford or got around to do ing the racing cars.

 

So now I'm older and have more money and there is e-bay.......

 

I bought a box of bits of a Lotus 49 (not the 49B) on e-bay for £15.00. The seller had completed some parts and thought it was all there. He had painted it in 49B Gold Leaf colours even though it was the earlier model......

 

http://s1277.photobucket.com/user/Sico24/media/CAM00232_zpslzqftmgh.jpg.html

 

http://s1277.photobucket.com/user/Sico24/media/CAM00233_zpsejadlxh4.jpg.html

Edited September 21, 2016 by sico24

[Stu_davros]

I look forward to this built, the 49 is a favourite of mine. Looks like you have a challenge ahead of you judging by the state of the parts.

The big question is Clark or Hill?

 

Cheers,

Stuart

[injidup]

 

[sico24]

Hi

 

Thanks for doing the photos - couldn't work out how to do that!

 

Ok - the next stage is the body tub. Tamiya for some reason only have one side with the correct profile (cut-out) so the other side needs to be done too.

 

 

and a new dashboard needs to be made in the correct place and the tub closed off (where the batteries used go)

 

 

Yes it looks rough now, but will be sprayed and the seat will be put in. The seat is......an old leather glove cut up!

[sico24]

Now time to make the mounting points for the front suspension. This is not very well done in the original kit, but the fairings are not as big as the 49B. Epoxy modelling putty used to make them.A bit fiddly on the cockpit section as the nosecone section needs to overlap to join

 

 

 

Three stage spraying - First White (for the number roundels), the Yellow (for the stripes and nose cone design). Finally there will be British Racing Green. Paints for the first two stages stages were standard Humbrol Enamels, but there big problems with BRG Humbrol Enamel (not drying, spotting etc) so I used a Tamiya BRG Rattle can.

 

 

[sico24]

Front suspension mounting and oil tank;

[sico24]

In answer to Stu_davros - definitely Clark.

[sico24]

Now onto the engine....

 

Had to scratch-build the starter motor and mounting bracket as the standard one in the kit is pants....... The Lotus 49 by Michael Oliver is a fantastic reference although pricey

 

 

Also had to the scratch build the water pump and housing etc (left in the picture). mcgregor's Lotis 49B build on this forum was an inspiration here - thanks!

 

The strange bit sticking out is the rear suspension wishbone- due to the enlarged parts it had to be put on now, not later!

 

On the other side;

 

 

 

 

 

[sico24]

Finished engine - the inlet trumpets were a pain as the original owner had messed them up

 

 

Below - note the wire running to the starter runs through a copper tube (real metal!) on the right side of the engine - as the original

 

 

Note the subtly changed exhaust pipe mountings - the kit is symmetrical but the original car was not (even this is not quite correct but very close). Ignition module and coil IS in the correct place for very early cars (later ones had it in the V of the engine).

 

 

On the top of this photo see by the Ford logo the extra pipes from the cam cover attachment (oil overspill piples?). Only on very early 49s again. Water tube from radiator cap covered with chrome - looks a bit messy at the moment

Paintwork deliberately a little 'weathered'. Ford logos a bit messy - tidied up later.

 

[sico24]

Next bit is the brake and fuel lines on the rear bulkhead;

 

My guide was this from Michael Oliver's book (hope I'm not breaking copyright)

 

 

Mine looks like this

 

 

As the engine mounts onto this bulkhead most of this will actually be hidden!

[sico24]

Now the front end - oil tank fitted. Also brake lines in copper and joining T-piece;

 

 

Note also the thin copper wire - this comes from the sender at the bottom of the oil tank

 

 

[sharknose156]

watching this with great interest and encouragement from the sidelines

[sico24]

Brake calipers - the original kit only has caliper on the inner side of the brake disc. So I couod either have bought some ready made extras (expensive!) or made the outboard side myself - guess which I chose? Can't find the constuction photos - here's the finished version complete with real copper brake lines.

 

 

and from the front showing the copper and rubber brake lines

 

 

 

 

 

[sico24]

And at the front.....

 

 

[sico24]

Interior - the leather glove works quite well as the seat!

 

 

Note the remade gear knob and lever - the original is much too thick and out of scale

 

 

[sico24]

OK, so it's been a very long time, but I thought I'd better show you how it all turned out!

 

 

 

[sico24]

Some more finalised pictures

 

 

[sico24]

Now on to the Lotus 49B............................

 

 

[Kitkent]

It's nice to see one of these built! I like what you have done. I have one of these in the loft myself,my neighbour gave it to me in a clear out of his loft! All the best,Chris.