1:12 Lotus Super Seven Cycle Fender

Started my big scale 1:12 Lotus Super Seven.
It is a Tamiya kit, with aluminium body etc. - It is a super high detailed kit, which I also bought a detailing set for.

Here is my progress so far:

http://files.automotiveforums.com/gallery/watermark.php?file=/503/102593aIMG_0890.JPG

http://files.automotiveforums.com/gallery/watermark.php?file=/503/102593aIMG_0884.JPG

http://files.automotiveforums.com/gallery/watermark.php?file=/503/102593aIMG_0851.JPG

Can see the carpet and seat belts
http://files.automotiveforums.com/gallery/watermark.php?file=/503/102593aIMG_0873.JPG

Rear Suspension
http://files.automotiveforums.com/gallery/watermark.php?file=/500/102593aIMG_0846.JPG

Front Suspension
http://files.automotiveforums.com/gallery/watermark.php?file=/500/102593aIMG_0844.JPG

All comments are welcome.

Looks fabolous! I really love Lotus/Caterham Sevens, but I haven't had the guts to spend so much on one kit. Those details are wonderful, how many of them are straight from the box and what have you done yourself? What detailing set are you using and what does it include?

-Mikko

amazing detail can't wait to see more ;)

Already looks exellent, Heather!!!

Wonderful car!!! Nice work! Hmmm, just imagine if Tamiya make an R34 Skyline 1/12 kit. Must be a top seller!

WOW, let see more progres

Wow! Incredible. I've been wondering how these things look in life, not just one webpages trying to sell them to me. I am also curious, what is from the box and what is from the detail set? It looks amazing, I will love to see this thing go together.

Some info on the deatailing aspect of this kit.
It quality is really awesome with superb detail - there is really very little that you can add to it other than other personal colour choices etc. for performance parts etc.
I did how ever go with the Replicas and Miniatures Detail set as it gives just that little bit extra. I did pick up the kit from another modeller for a very good price and so decided to buy the detail set with the money saved.

Below is a pic of the detail set and an idea of what is included:
http://files.automotiveforums.com/gallery/watermark.php?file=/503/102593rm2.JPG
http://files.automotiveforums.com/gallery/watermark.php?file=/503/102593rm1.JPG

The following is the fan blade which you need to bend each blade.
http://files.automotiveforums.com/gallery/watermark.php?file=/503/102593ablade.JPG

Here is a comparison of the two parts:
http://files.automotiveforums.com/gallery/watermark.php?file=/503/102593ablade2.JPG

And here is the part installed on the engine:
http://files.automotiveforums.com/gallery/watermark.php?file=/503/102593aIMG_0878.JPG

In the deatil kit you also bend up new seatbelt buckles as seen below:
http://files.automotiveforums.com/gallery/watermark.php?file=/503/102593abuckles.JPG

Other detail which is added is the supressors on the plug leads on both ends of the lead - these come in resin
http://files.automotiveforums.com/gallery/watermark.php?file=/503/102593aplugs.JPG

The Tamiya kit comes with these braided lines which are very good.
http://files.automotiveforums.com/gallery/watermark.php?file=/503/102593abraid.JPG


I am now still needing to work on the exhausts.
If you are concidering buying this kit - it does take a lot of patience as almost everything is screwed together with a tiny screwdriver, and you can not really jump around on the build process to much.

Do all the pulleys on the engine turn? :)

Do all the pulleys on the engine turn? :)

Yes they do!

so so so so so cool, im gonna definately put this kit on my wish list. are the suspension shocks standard or are those pieces upgrades?

This really is an amazing kit, I've been wanting one for a long time but can't really bring myself to spend well over £100 on one. The level of detail is amazing.

What colour scheme are you going for? Also, where did you get the detailing kit?

Impressive work so far.
The level of detail in this type of models is amazing.
Keep up the good work.

HFPE, that model is looking mighty good! I built this car (with the carbon fenders) a while ago. I just posted the pics here:

http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=178719

The detail of the stock kit really is amazing. They spared absolutely no expenses in creating this one. In fact, I often wonder if Tamiya could even make money by creating something like this, with all the amount of work involved. I think I paid around $300US for mine in 1995 (something I *wouldn't even consider* today!).

Just about everything is held together by very miniature screws (comes with a nice miniature screw driver of course) like HFPE says. Everything in the kit comes together like clock work. Absolutely no work is needed to put parts together, although I'd recommend using something to stick the seat belts together as the adhesive on the belts tend to lose tackiness over time. Aside from that, I can't think of anything bad about the kit. If you have a chance to get one, I would thoroughly recommend it!

clem..

so so so so so cool, im gonna definately put this kit on my wish list. are the suspension shocks standard or are those pieces upgrades?

yes, they are standard although I changed the colour of mine.

The front and rear suspensions actually work - you can compress them and the springs adjust. The steering obviously also works and the wheels are fixed on with wheel nuts like a regular car.

This really is an amazing kit, I've been wanting one for a long time but can't really bring myself to spend well over £100 on one. The level of detail is amazing.

What colour scheme are you going for? Also, where did you get the detailing kit?

I am going to stick whith the Aluminium look which I have polished for protection from finger sprints and oxidising, the nose cone and cycle fenders come in a carbon fibre pattern which I will leave for now - maybe will change there colour later after the kit is finished.

Send me a PM and I'll give you the email adress to get the detail set - they unfortunatley don't have a website.

[QUOTE=clem24]HFPE, that model is looking mighty good! I built this car (with the carbon fenders) a while ago. I just posted the pics here:

http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=178719



Wow I just had a look - cant wait for mine to be that far....
Some real inspiration for me.

Mine will only differ from yours with the engine and suspension coloring - I have gone for a semi-racing setup with lightened cams etc. So coluors etc will differ.

Great work!!!

Thanks for the comments... I think the build is alright, I think I did a pretty poor job on the model, considering my skills were pretty bad back then..! But that's just a testament to how well Tamiya designed the model: it's hard to really screw it up (no pun intended). And quite frankly, I *LOVE* the carbon pattern, please don't paint over them!! :lol:

I think what I might do one day is remove them and give them a few coats of clear and polish them to a mirror shine. If you're building a racy version, maybe you should've went for the newer yellow version with the more aggressive wheels..! Hope your build goes well! Oh, another word of advice: watch the steering wheel. The aluminum center is sooo fragile that I bent it trying to get it onto the steering shaft. And when those aluminum parts bend, there's absolutely NO WAY to get them back!

clem..

Absolutely great model. I think I should get the race version (the yellow one) because of it's GM engine, even I have the same model as Kyosho 1:18 diecast already, but there's the building factor... :) I've been just dreaming about this model for a long time in either version.

Made some progress on the Lotus this weekend.
The branch and exhaust is in - a very tight fit to get the branch in while the engine is in!
Also finished the painting of the seats and they are also fixed in.
See pics below.

http://files.automotiveforums.com/gallery/watermark.php?file=/503/102593aIMG_0997.JPG
http://files.automotiveforums.com/gallery/watermark.php?file=/503/102593aIMG_1001.JPG
http://files.automotiveforums.com/gallery/watermark.php?file=/503/102593aIMG_1005.JPG
http://files.automotiveforums.com/gallery/watermark.php?file=/503/102593aIMG_1003.JPG
http://files.automotiveforums.com/gallery/watermark.php?file=/503/102593aIMG_1008.JPG