Jim Clark's Lotus 49

[arcticwolf]

I guess it's a WIP. I got this in a box. It's most of a Tamiya 1/12th Lotus 49. I'm hoping there's enough of it that I can build Jimmy's 1967 car.

Stay tuned

[project510]

If you check eBay there are a few random auctions up for misc parts. Even a partially started kit as well. What you don't have, you should hopefully be able to find for not to much. Good luck!

[kyledehart5]

Sweet!! Looks like a good chunk of parts there. Can’t wait to follow along.

[406 Silverado]

I'll be in on this. 

[handiabled]

I'm on board for this build

[arcticwolf]

Some progress. The tub cleaned up OK, just sanded and resprayed it. The cockpit was a struggle. I guess it was painted with enamel, but I did get it stripped.

These early Tamiya kits are a bit simplistic, and designed to be motorized, so the cockpit doesn't have a footwell as it's the battery compartment. When I did Siffert's car I rebuilt it properly, which was a bit of a waste as you can see nothing of it. On this one I just left it alone and painted it black, it really doesn't show at all.

 The basic tub put back together with some detailing:

Essentially the exact opposite of one of Chris's or Paul's MFH builds. 

[arcticwolf]

Some innovation and detail painting but the front end didn't turn out too bad - steel pins to replace some broken plastic ones:

Indycals decals of course.

I'm getting there. Now to fix the engine.

[handiabled]

This looks fantastic given what you have had to work with!

[project510]

That looks great!

[kyledehart5]

Beautiful progress here!! That’s looking really excellent

[garybrantley]

Very cool! 😎 And good progress, too! 👏

[arcticwolf]

Turned out OK

[lyle]

Very nice.

[keavdog]

Awesome! What a great finish. And starting with a box of parts that may or may not be complete... very impressive. I'm a big fan of that era of F1 cars. Great job.

[project510]

I think that turned out more than just ok. Great Job!

[2whl]

Great job putting that together from the box of parts, Paul.

[arcticwolf]

Thank you guys. The worst part turned out to be getting that yellow decal wrapped around the nose, but it surrendered in the end.

[arcticwolf]

I'm with you John, anything that doesn't have wings on it! (unless it's an aircraft).

[handiabled]

Stellar finish to this build!

[Steve Zuleski]

That looks great from here!

[kyledehart5]

Outstanding work, as always. You are a wizard with getting these things put back together. Fantastic job. Hard to beat the 49 in original Lotus green and yellow.

[joelw]

Paul,
You out did yourself on this restoration. From a box of parts to the iconic Lotus 49 that Clark drove to victory at the 1967 Watkins Glen USA F1 GP. One would never know that the nose Yellow wrap is a Indy Cal decal. I'd have chickened out and mask it the best I could.

BTW, that's my favorite all time F1 race even though the weather sucked. Why you might ask. Well it was my 1st ever F1 race, where I actually got to meet Clark and Hill, and touch the 49. Back in those days paddock access was pretty easy, and the ticket in was pretty cheap for a almost always broke college student.

joel