Lotus 49

[2whl]

Since the Ferrari has taken the white flag and is on it's final lap, it's time to kick off the next open wheeler.  I started this one a couple of years ago, but only got as far as completing the engine. I'll be doing the Dutch GP version which was the first time the car was in competition. The race was won by Jim Clark.

But first a look in the box.








A quick review on the engine assembly.

[buddho]

That engine looks fantastic. This will be fun to watch.

[handiabled]

That is a gorgeous Cosworth-Ford engine!

[chrissmith]

I think Paul is cheating, he started this 2 years ago 🤣
Or he’s just a big slacker 😋

[2whl]

Jul 15, 2024 17:28:25 GMT -5 chrissmith said:

I think Paul is cheating, he started this 2 years ago 🤣
Or he’s just a big slacker 😋

HAH.  You're wrong.   I started it 5 years ago. 

[kyledehart5]

Have to agree with everyone. Just a beauty of an engine. These old Lotus cars were so pretty.

[2whl]

Jul 14, 2024 20:21:14 GMT -5 buddho said:

That engine looks fantastic. This will be fun to watch.

Jul 15, 2024 3:38:27 GMT -5 handiabled said:

That is a gorgeous Cosworth-Ford engine!

Jul 15, 2024 22:22:09 GMT -5 kyledehart5 said:

Have to agree with everyone. Just a beauty of an engine. These old Lotus cars were so pretty.

Thanks guys.  


I got the interior tub assembled and painted.  Then I put the skin around it and started prepping for paint.




132

[joelw]

Paul,
So you started this iconic Lotus 49 build 5 years ago. How come you never picked it up till now? With the amount of MFH kits you've completed, not getting the Lotus 49 across the finish line just doesn't sound like you?

In any event the Cosworth DFV really turned out great.

I keep on going back to the over head shot that Chris posted. Is it just my crappy eye site, or does the Green paint look more like a Metallic Green then BRG?

I'll be following your build closely till it's across the Zandvoort finish line.

joel

[kyledehart5]

Nice!! Soon you’ll have a home for the driver. Eagerly awaiting the next step.

[2whl]

Jul 17, 2024 18:24:45 GMT -5 joelw said:

Paul,
So you started this iconic Lotus 49 build 5 years ago. How come you never picked it up till now? With the amount of MFH kits you've completed, not getting the Lotus 49 across the finish line just doesn't sound like you?

In any event the Cosworth DFV really turned out great.

I keep on going back to the over head shot that Chris posted. Is it just my crappy eye site, or does the Green paint look more like a Metallic Green then BRG?

I'll be following your build closely till it's across the Zandvoort finish line.

joel

Actually Joel, it's quite the opposite.  I usually start way more MFH kits than I finish.  Though lately I've been able to complete a number of kits. (I hope I didn't just jinx myself)  What happens is that MFH comes out with another kit that I want.  So I buy it and in the course of checking the contents, I start it.  That's what happened with the Lotus 49.  Along came a Porsche 908, then a couple of Ducati's, then a Williams FW07.....well you get the idea. 

I think that overhead shot is more about the lighting and angle of the shot, than it is about it being metallic.



With the wheel centers being painted black, it didn't take much to finish off the wheels.






198

[kyledehart5]

Brilliant!! That is one epic set of wheels and tires.

[Steve Zuleski]

Another awesome kit, standing by for more!

[project510]

Being in a group build with Paul is like the 2012 Houston Astros playing a series against the 1927 Yankees... It just isn't fair haha.

[kyledehart5]

Jul 18, 2024 22:36:53 GMT -5 project510 said:

Being in a group build with Paul is like the 2012 Houston Astros playing a series against the 1927 Yankees... It just isn't fair haha.

So true. Chris Smith is well. Entirely another league.

[joelw]

Paul,
Those wheels look better then the real deal does.

As for your explanation of why you actually start more MFH kits then you finish, it does make a lot of sense. Sure wish I had that problem. Actually, I should have said, sure wish I had the skills to even attempt one.

joel

[benb]

Looking good, Paul!

Ben

[moparman18064]

That Cosworth is absolutely gorgeous! This will definitely help me in my upcoming Grip Lotus 72. Wheels are amazing, how were they finished? I will definitely be following.

[2whl]

Jul 18, 2024 20:05:11 GMT -5 kyledehart5 said:

Brilliant!! That is one epic set of wheels and tires.

Thank you, Kyle

Jul 18, 2024 21:49:46 GMT -5 Steve Zuleski said:

Another awesome kit, standing by for more!

Thanks Steve.

Jul 18, 2024 22:36:53 GMT -5 project510 said:

Being in a group build with Paul is like the 2012 Houston Astros playing a series against the 1927 Yankees... It just isn't fair haha.

I'm not sure about the baseball reference, but I'm certainly not that good.  I just start with a very good kit.  MFH kits are like comparing a 60's AMT kit to a recent Tamiya release.  The detail is so much crisper.

Jul 19, 2024 0:36:40 GMT -5 kyledehart5 said:

Jul 18, 2024 22:36:53 GMT -5 project510 said:

Being in a group build with Paul is like the 2012 Houston Astros playing a series against the 1927 Yankees... It just isn't fair haha.

So true. Chris Smith as well. Entirely another league.

Now that I will agree to.  

Jul 19, 2024 7:53:08 GMT -5 joelw said:

Paul,
Those wheels look better then the real deal does.

As for your explanation of why you actually start more MFH kits then you finish, it does make a lot of sense. Sure wish I had that problem. Actually, I should have said, sure wish I had the skills to even attempt one.

joel

Thanks Joel.  From what I've seen, you have the skills to do a MFH kit.  And do a very good job on it.  It took me a kit or two to get past the nervousness of building an expensive kit to where I treated it like any other kit.   

Jul 19, 2024 9:08:52 GMT -5 benb said:

Looking good, Paul!

Ben

Thanks Ben

Jul 19, 2024 12:10:54 GMT -5 moparman18064 said:

That Cosworth is absolutely gorgeous! This will definitely help me in my upcoming Grip Lotus 72. Wheels are amazing, how were they finished? I will definitely be following.

Thanks Rich.  I haven't heard of Grip. Do they do 1/20 or 1/12?  And what medium do they do them in?  As for the wheels, the centers where just painted semi-black.  The outers are machined aluminum which I just left alone.  


Not much of an update, but I did get color on the body parts.



308

[project510]

2012 Astros one of the worst teams to ever step foot on a ball field (60's AMT Kit) 27 Yanks one of the best (Modern Tamiya) So you understood perfectly. Keep buying them Paul, we are all living vicariously through you with those kits

[moparman18064]

Paul, to respond to the Grip question, it is a 1/8 scale. It was the version that the Entex John Player was modeled from. It is about 50 years old now.

[2whl]

Jul 19, 2024 13:04:27 GMT -5 moparman18064 said:

Paul, to respond to the Grip question, it is a 1/8 scale. It was the version that the Entex John Player was modeled from. It is about 50 years old now.

Rich, I've seen the Entex kit and was not impressed.  For such a large scale, the detail was lacking.  If you need reference pictures, I have a ton in my Fotki album.

[keavdog]

Paint looks awesome!

[joelw]

paul,

Just an absolutely perfect BRG paint job. I thought that Gravity lacquers were Matt finish, at least all of mine are. Those body panels have one heck of a mile deep gloss shine.

joel

[moparman18064]

Jul 19, 2024 13:14:00 GMT -5 2whl said:

Jul 19, 2024 13:04:27 GMT -5 moparman18064 said:

Paul, to respond to the Grip question, it is a 1/8 scale. It was the version that the Entex John Player was modeled from. It is about 50 years old now.

Rich, I've seen the Entex kit and was not impressed.  For such a large scale, the detail was lacking.  If you need reference pictures, I have a ton in my Fotki album.

I agree, there are a bunch of upgrades available for it, very expensive though. It will take a while. Thank you for the link!

[kyledehart5]

Beautiful paint work in this iconic color.

[sharp]

Nice work on the engine and body panels. Looks great!!

[2whl]

Clark on the power at Zandvoort

Jul 18, 2024 21:49:46 GMT -5 Steve Zuleski said:

Another awesome kit, standing by for more!

I just realized,  did you mean more on this? or more kits?   LOL    Because I have more of both.

Jul 19, 2024 13:19:57 GMT -5 keavdog said:

Paint looks awesome!

Thanks John.  I really love Tamiya spray cans.  They're so predictable.

Jul 19, 2024 13:47:02 GMT -5 joelw said:

paul,

Just an absolutely perfect BRG paint job. I thought that Gravity lacquers were Matt finish, at least all of mine are. Those body panels have one heck of a mile deep gloss shine.

joel

Thanks Joel.  But it's actually Tamiya TS-43 racing green. It's a little bit lighter than BRG.

Jul 19, 2024 19:02:01 GMT -5 kyledehart5 said:

Beautiful paint work in this iconic color.

Thanks Kyle.  I think I've finally gotten to the point where I do paint jobs as good as the ones Joel does.

Jul 19, 2024 20:16:04 GMT -5 sharp said:

Nice work on the engine and body panels. Looks great!!

Thank you, Mike. 



I got some more time in on the chassis.  First the instrument panel.   Then it got put into the chassis along with the other interior bits.  The next step was adding the sides since they were now painted.




425

[406 Silverado]

I get a kick out of watching these kits that already have so much detail packed into the straight of the box get built up. Progress is coming along in good fashion in this one starting with that engine.

[Steve Zuleski]

Paul, either way, Buddy, it's just a pleasure to watch it come together in such an expert fashion. I should have said, Ruck Over Bby, same thing!

[kyledehart5]

Excellent work on the tub. Instrument panel and steering wheel look wonderful.