Jim Clark's 1968 Lotus 49 from South Africa

[dlphnfn]

Just started gathering information on this one and thought I'd crack the seal a couple nights ago...
I've only been an F1 watcher for a few years, but these old school rockets were bad ass! I love the look of them even though they were deathtraps.

Here is the race config for what I'm building.


No real significance to me, but it was Jim Clark's last F1 race before being killed. It was also the last race for the iconic yellow and green Lotus' (basically unsponsored). The next race, they came out in the Gold Leaf sponsorship.

So far, I have the cockpit assembled, parts off the sprues, and chrome is soaking off as well... I hope to finish up the Allison Thunderbird tonight, then this will be my only active build.




There are a couple race specific config options I'll try to address as well.
Erick --

[dlphnfn]

Cockpit is almost complete. I had it painted, but ran to the shop to get some more Alclad Polished Aluminum, and ran across those Archer rivet decal transfers. They work pretty slick. They are the ones in a row toward the front and back. The other rivets are 1mm and 0.5 mm Top Studio rivets. I also added some PE welds.




And the dash plate is finished as well. That was just bare black plastic with Model Masters Chrome paint on the rings, decals and epoxy for the lenses. I also added a few Top Studio switches and a button. I'll need to replace those PE screw caps with some solid rivets as well.




You can see there is a texture to the paint. It wasn't intentional, but I like it for some reason. Looks like an epoxy paint or something.
Erick --

[dlphnfn]

New update...
Got some time on the bench this weekend and able to take some pics last night. Wheels/tires are mostly done. May do some weathering on them later. Radiator was shortened and painted. Same with axles/outdrives and steering wheel.
I also decided to add some wires to the back of the dash since you'll be able to see back there since I'm using the yellow tinted windshield.
Engine is basically complete. I forgot to add the oil tank (or whatever is mounted on the back in the tank that attaches to both heads). I have that soaking now to remove the chrome. So far, no factory chrome on this thing.







This has to be one of my fastest builds in a looong time... Kudos to Ebbro for a great kit!
Thanks,
Erick --

[Eric Cole]

Looking good, Erick. That radiator, the wash on the half-shafts and the engine look great.

[Beakster]

Good work so far.

The bezels on the dials are nice and clean and the finish on the engine casting is really effective.

[Greg23]

Looks good!

[F1Tommy]

Very nice work. Love the tires!!

[Sand03]

Great work!

[thijs37]

i will probably asking the obvious...but which kit is this? Ebbro?

[dlphnfn]

Yes, this is the Ebbro kit.

Couple more updates...
I used a piece of frog tape on a piece of white printer paper (in the location where it would print the template) and printed it out again. (Thanks for the template Michael! http://www.indycals.net/decals/f1/67lotus49.html.) Then I cut that out with a new #11 blade and applied the printed (tape) template to the car. I then "sealed" the tape with a little clear airbrushed on the edges, then hit it with the green and sealed everything with 2 part.
Pretty well finished with the main parts of the chassis. I can add the front suspension when the side body panels are finished. The coolant pipes will need some modifications, but that can't be finalized until I get the body panels on.
Next update should be completion.
Erick --

[generationx]

Great work - watching with joy!