Making of – Lotus 25 Coventry Climax (*Progress pics*)

Another model that was on old, this one for more than a year, that was the time I needed to find a can of TS-43 (Racing Green) in Lisbon modelling shops.
http://files.automotiveforums.com/uploads/371209Lotus_01.jpg
I have already build the engine a year ago so the hard work is already done. :smile: Body was painted with a coat of grey primer and three coats of TS-43, sufficient to get a uniform and shiny paint job.
This one will be the version of one of the best drivers of all times, Jim Clark.
More progress pictures to come.

Can't wait to see more progress pics.

i love anything from lotus. i cant wait to see some progress:iceslolan

Cool car, cant wait to see some more progress pics.

Gains is going to do some serial building I see! Nice cute F1 car should come out of this :bigthumb:

Now this is going to be good :bigthumb:

Colin Chapman and Jimmy Clark, what a combination. :biggrin:

Time for a new update on the status of this lovely model.
http://files.automotiveforums.com/uploads/809955110-1001_IMG.JPG
Completed the front suspension, the cockpit and part of the rear suspension.
No problem detected on this phase since every single piece fits perfectly.
I’m currently working on the rest of the engine/rear suspension and will apply the rest of the few decals used in this model. More progress soon.

who makes that kit... you sparked my interest in building one of those. I am finding myself VERY attracted to that race car. keep us updated!

Very Nice.:bigthumb:

Thats looking great. :bigthumb: :smile: Is that a V8 on it?:confused:

very nice. i also have that kit waiting to be built. :smile:

:thumbsup: :thumbsup:

It's damn gorgeous!
Keep up the progress!

Olivier

:bigthumb: :bigthumb:

Originally posted by Ghost_9418
Thats looking great. :bigthumb: :smile: Is that a V8 on it?:confused:

Sure is, a 1.5 litre Coventry Climax.

Looking good Nuno, although the dash seems a tad too pink. I'd have thought it should be the same red as the steering wheel. And even then the instrument backs would be black. I guess Tamiya say to do it like that in the instructions? Seeing they got the wheels and tyres wrong it probably would be best not to trust them.

I'll try to dig some photos up if you like.

Gainsbourg, your build up is looking great. It is a fun kit to build, isn't it? The only possible addition I'd make would be Thunder Valley Miniatures' super detail set (the turned aluminum velocity stacks for the engine are worth it, though it's a pretty hefty chunk of money for the set and you've got to find it. Their site has been down for some time :frown: )

Oh, and Rally Raider, the engine is not a Coventry (no Lady Godiva emblem, for starters). It's a Ford engine that later grew into the infamous Cosworth DFV that dominated F1 for most of the 70's.

Originally posted by Octagon

Oh, and Rally Raider, the engine is not a Coventry (no Lady Godiva emblem, for starters). It's a Ford engine that later grew into the infamous Cosworth DFV that dominated F1 for most of the 70's.

Guess again Octagon.

You are undoubtedly confused with the Lotus 49 first raced in 1967. It was the first car to feature the Cosworth DFV (quick quiz, what does DFV stand for?). It was a three litre design in line with the change in engine capacity from 1966. The Lotus 25 dates back to 1962-63 when the max capacity was 1.5 litres, and Coventry Climax was the engine of choice among English constructors like Cooper and Lotus.

Well, I'll be....

Oops. Didn't realize that. Then is the Tamiya kit incorrect because it has Ford engraved on the cam covers?

Also, if it's a Coventry engine, where's the traditional Lady Godiva plaque? That's one of my favorite bits on Lotus Eiltes and Elan S1's. I've always used that as the calling card.

As for what DFV stands for, you've got me. I hadn't really ever taken too much interest in it because there were too many of them in the 70's. I'm sorry, but if it weren't for Ferrari and BRM Formula 1 would've been a spec motor class up until the appearance of the turbo Renaults.

Don't know about the Lady Godiva plate, never seen one on an F1 engine, perhaps they were an early trait or limited to roadcars?

The Tamiya Lotus 25 kit does not have Ford or any other four letter word beginning with 'f" on the cam covers. Again perhaps you are confused with the 1/12th scale Lotus 49 kit?

DFV stands for Double Four Valve. The V8 was developed from the FV (Four Valve per cylinder) in-line four cylinder F2 engine. Since it was kind of two FVs stuck together it was called DoubleFV.

Time for some new progress photos my friends.
http://files.automotiveforums.com/uploads/720761110-1012_IMG.JPG
Engine and back suspensions are finally completed, as well as all the decals.
I had some serious problems with the engine cover decals. They seam to have no glue and didn’t fix to the body. I spent a lot of time carefully fixing them to the plastic just with the help of micro sol.
Don’t understand what was wrong with them since all the other decals were in perfect conditions.
http://files.automotiveforums.com/uploads/341033110-1014_IMG.JPG
About the engine I confirm it is a V8 1.5L Coventry Climax :biggrin:
RallyRaider: I also though a lot about the pink on the dash. But since I didn’t found any interior picture of the real model I decided to go for the Tamiya suggestion, and if it is wrong I can always paint it in the correct colour.

Great progress.Can't wait to see it complete.:bigthumb:

We got some nice detail here Nuno! Keep it up!

Here are a few photos.

This is the only one I could find of the dash in colour. Seems to indicale the dash is the same shade of red as the wheel.

http://files.automotiveforums.com/uploads/674568zandvoort63.jpg

This one is unfortunately in black and white but shows the dark coloured instrument cases.

http://files.automotiveforums.com/uploads/740084zandvoortprototype.jpg

Found a few more. These are of museum/restored examples not period shots like the above two.

Dash does look just slightly pinkish.

http://files.automotiveforums.com/uploads/66458325-1.jpg

http://files.automotiveforums.com/uploads/750802L25005.jpg

First of all thank you for the pictures Phil. :smile:
I will use the last two as base to repaint the dash.
I think this colour (a slightly brighter version of the colour used on the seat) is closer to the real colour than the bright pink proposed by Tamiya.
As for the model it is almost completely finished.
http://files.automotiveforums.com/uploads/808185110-1015_IMG.JPG
The body have received a coat of clear and I just need to do some small paint corrections in some spots that I missed during the build process.
For conclusion, a easy and really funny model to build with a nice detail level directly form the box that for sure will look great amongst your other models (F1 and not only).
Thank you all who followed and participated in this build thread.

Nuno,
You're work is amazing as always, you have me wanting to build a Lotus 25 now:bigthumb:

It's good to see you posting some more of your work, it's always a pleasure to admire your skills!

Ray

:eek2: Looks amazing.Great work.

it isnt my cup of tea

but it is nice and clean
:bigthumb:

Originally posted by rmg313
it isnt my cup of tea

but it is nice and clean
:bigthumb:

Luckily it is someones cup of tea!

Will no doubt be another great Nuno creation when finished, especialy with a non-pink dash :wink: What are you going to do for the mesh over the intake trumpets?

It's very nice as always Nuno!
:bigthumb:

I think I'll get this model, I live in Coventry so there's a bit of history to it foe me :D

Bravo Nuno!!

http://forum.depaddock.net/images/smilies/applaus.gif

What is the yellow colour needed for the wheels?

Could you scan or photo the colours stated in the instructions if possible? :cool:

Hey there Gainsborough,

Found this thread whilst surfing looking for blueprints of the Lotus 25. I'm trying to model one for a game using 3DS MAX.

I really need blueprints of the vehicle in order to make it realistic, or at least top, side, front and rear profiles.

Knowing that Tamiya kits normally have these included in the instructions I wonder, would you be prepared to scan & email these to me?

Hoping you can help,

Gianpiero Colagiacomo

Gainsbourg progress threads are always exciting with original builts.

:icon16: :icon16: