Ebbro 1/20 scale 1967 Lotus Type 49

[joelw]

 Took a little time off after the Williams FW07 build took a real nasty turn south.  Once my Mojo tank was pretty much full, and I managed to get past my 1st eye Retina injection with my 5th and last Retina specialist,  as it's literally it works or I've exhausted every option.  So far I do see a very small improvement and stabilization which is the main goal.   So I took a look at my small stash and as usual must have changed my mind a good half dozen times, but finally I decided on another open wheeler for the GB. 

  My choice is the 1/20 scale Ebbro 1967 Lotus Type 49, one of my all time favorite F1 cars with my all time favorite Driver: Jim Clark, and to add just a little more spice to the mix I got to see this car and meet Jim Clark at the 1967 USGP at Watkins Glen. Back then the crowds were way smaller, much cheaper to attend, and you could literally go anywhere including the Paddock. 



 I believe that this kit was Ebbro's 1st effort, and it sure looks like they went out of their way to see just how many parts that they could create for this build.   I decided that my usual practice of body 1st would be on the back burner as I need to follow the steps in proper order. Step 1 & 2 is building the drivers cockpit.  I assembled the tub then painted just the interior my own mix of Tamiya Neutral  Gray, then finished building the cockpit.  The front and rear bulkheads were a real puzzle to figure out from the directions exactly how they install as more then one way seems to work. So I studied the instructions for quite some time looking for small clues which I eventually found, and that solved my problems.  

  Here's the basic tub glued up:


  And heres' the tub painted with all the other parts except the steering wheel. You'll notice that there's no seatbelts or harness as most drivers didn't bother with them.

[keavdog]

Bookmarked! I've got this one in the stash as well. I'll be following along and taking notes.

[joelw]

John,
It's great to have you along for the ride.

joel

[406 Silverado]

This'll be a fun build to watch Joel. Sorry to hear about the turn for the worse on the FW07 build bud.

Hopefully this will be just the break you'll need to hop back on that one and get it going again.

[greg]

This place just keeps getting better and better, but first and most importantly....

Wishing you all the best with your retinal issue, Joel.

So back to models, this is exciting. I'm unfamiliar with Ebbro kits and this will be most fun to watch, and though I know little about cars and nothing about racing (sorry, tough crowd to admit that to), the Lotus Type 49 is my all-time-favorite F1 car. I can't wait to build one again, this is sure to whet the old appetite.

And that's one heck of a story, having seen the car and met Jim Clark. Even a race dummy like me knows that name.

[2whl]

Good to hear you're seeing some improvement Joel. And a good start on the 49. I literally had this kit in my hand this morning wondering if I should give it a go as a change of pace from white metal.

[project510]

Speedy recovery Joel. Hopefully everything works out for you. Excited to see what you do with this. I almost purchased this kit but opted for the MP4/4 I got lucky finding. Not old enough to have enjoyed these cars so its cool hearing you all tell your stories along with the builds. Really great stuff.

[handiabled]

I hope the injections keep improving your situation! I'll be following along on this one!

[kyledehart5]

Joel, I am very happy that you have decided to embark on another open wheel build. And I sure hope your injections help you. The lotus 49 is one of my favorite race cars of all time. Really looking forward to following along. And it looks like you’re off to a great start.

[joelw]

Oct 1, 2024 16:22:14 GMT -5 406 Silverado said:

This'll be a fun build to watch Joel. Sorry to hear about the turn for the worse on the FW07 build bud.

Hopefully this will be just the break you'll need to hop back on that one and get it going again.

Joseph,
  Me to. 

   I'm really looking forward to seeing this one cross the finish line. I'm still debating whether to try and mask and paint the yellow racing stripe as it curves around the nose intake, or try my luck with decals. I guess worse comes to worse I can always try the decals 1st and see what happens.

joel

[joelw]

Oct 1, 2024 16:39:12 GMT -5 greg said:

This place just keeps getting better and better, but first and most importantly....

Wishing you all the best with your retinal issue, Joel.

So back to models, this is exciting. I'm unfamiliar with Ebbro kits and this will be most fun to watch, and though I know little about cars and nothing about racing (sorry, tough crowd to admit that to), the Lotus Type 49 is my all-time-favorite F1 car. I can't wait to build one again, this is sure to whet the old appetite.

And that's one heck of a story, having seen the car and met Jim Clark. Even a race dummy like me knows that name.

Greg,
  Thanks my friend for the support as I've been battling a loosing war against Retina disease  since 2019. Hopefully the new vaccine will a least stop it. I can live with that.  so any slight improvement would be a huge plus for me. 

 As I understand it Ebbro was started by several employees of the car div of Tamiya. Just not to sure if it ever was a completely separate company, but at some point the Tamiya name and logo started to appear on their boxes and instructions.   Their focus was early F1 & F2 cars which no one was concentrating on in 1/20 scale. Truly a major plus for guys like me who literally grew up in the 1960s.  Unfortunately they seem to be producing less and less kits, and rarely if ever re-issue a kit once sold out.   Given the chance to buy every issued kit I don't have is a no brainer for me.  As for picking up a Lotus Type 49 good luck on hunting one down on ebay as the prices there are truly insane. 

  As I said, back in the 1960's times were completely different. Racing in general was a main stream sport, and was rarely on tv except for the Wide World of Sports.  If you could get to a race the tickets were more then reasonable, access to the paddock and the pits was just where your feet could take you.
  
  And naturally I'm thrilled to have you along for ride. I'm sure it will have its bumps, nooks & crannies to keep it interesting to say the least.

joel



 

[joelw]

Oct 1, 2024 17:11:25 GMT -5 2whl said:

Good to hear you're seeing some improvement Joel. And a good start on the 49. I literally had this kit in my hand this morning wondering if I should give it a go as a change of pace from white metal.

paul,
  Thanks for the support my friend as it's always great to have you along for the ride.  I can only imagine just what magic you create with this kit. 

joel

[joelw]

Oct 2, 2024 1:33:58 GMT -5 handiabled said:

I hope the injections keep improving your situation! I'll be following along on this one!

handiabled,
  Thanks so much for the support as it's greatly appreciated. it's my last shot, so I'm giving it my best effort and doing al least 6 months  to see what happens. 

  And thanks for getting on the wagon and joining my adventure as I promise if nothing else it will be rather interesting to say the least.

joel

[joelw]

Oct 2, 2024 5:05:51 GMT -5 kyledehart5 said:

Joel, I am very happy that you have decided to embark on another open wheel build. And I sure hope your injections help you. The lotus 49 is one of my favorite race cars of all time. Really looking forward to following along. And it looks like you’re off to a great start.

Kyle,
  Always great to have you along for one of my shall I say journeys rather then just a build. 

  And I truly thank you and the guys for all the support to at least finally control my Retina disease and maybe beat it back just a little.

joel

[greg]

Oct 2, 2024 7:38:31 GMT -5 joelw said:

Oct 1, 2024 17:11:25 GMT -5 2whl said:

Good to hear you're seeing some improvement Joel. And a good start on the 49. I literally had this kit in my hand this morning wondering if I should give it a go as a change of pace from white metal.

paul,
  Thanks for the support my friend as it's always great to have you along for the ride.  I can only imagine just what magic you create with this kit. 

joel

Thanks for the background info on Ebbro, Paul.

I had wrongly assumed it would be easy to find a Type 49 in 1/20 from some manufacturer. I now see what you mean. Not only from Ebbro, they are rare period. A few years back I stumbled upon the discontinued 1/12 scale from Tamiya at one of the big online stores in Japan at a good price. I question too many of my stash "just gotta have this" purchases over the years, but not this one.

Edit: Oops, it looks like I quoted the wrong post. Sorry about that!!!

[joelw]

Greg,
The original Tamiya 1/12 scale Lotus type 49 which was released way back in the early 1970's was actually motorized. So I'm assuming that there were all sorts of compromised to the suspension and interior to house a small electric motor and batteries. I believe that at some point the kit was redone to be a detailed static kit. Hopefully Paul our Plastic 1/12 scale expert can shed more light on this.

joel

[keavdog]

Unfortunately for us all Ebbro went belly up earlier this year. Sure hope someone buys the molds

www.maronline.org.uk/ebbro-bankrupcy/

I've got 4 of their kits in the stash - Lotus 49, 49c and 91. And the Tyrrell 003.

[arcticwolf]

Oct 2, 2024 10:54:28 GMT -5 joelw said:

Greg,
The original Tamiya 1/12 scale Lotus type 49 which was released way back in the early 1970's was actually motorized. So I'm assuming that there were all sorts of compromised to the suspension and interior to house a small electric motor and batteries. I believe that at some point the kit was redone to be a detailed static kit. Hopefully Paul our Plastic 1/12 scale expert can shed more light on this.

joel

Hi Joel. On the early 1/12th's that I have built, there is a battery compartment in the driver's footwell. To be accurate you need to remove it and get out the Evergreen sheets. You also need a set of pedals. However, on some cars it's barely visible once the dash and bodywork goes on, you can get away with just painting it as it is. Depends how much work you want to put into it. The suspensions are accurate enough.

I've never seen the kit you're building so looking forward to what you do with it.

[greg]

Oct 2, 2024 10:54:28 GMT -5 joelw said:

Greg,
The original Tamiya 1/12 scale Lotus type 49 which was released way back in the early 1970's was actually motorized. So I'm assuming that there were all sorts of compromised to the suspension and interior to house a small electric motor and batteries. I believe that at some point the kit was redone to be a detailed static kit. Hopefully Paul our Plastic 1/12 scale expert can shed more light on this.

joel

Is that right? I fondly remember Tamiya motorized kits, I remember building at least one, a tank. I think I would have likely built the 1/12 Tamiya Lotus Type 49 in the early 70's and had forgotten about it being motorized. Honestly, I still don't remember but so many Tamiya kits were motorized back then, it probably seemed like no big deal at the time.

And yes, the one I bought is definitely a re-release, with photo-etch parts but sans electric motor. I probably got mine from HobbyLink Japan.

[greg]

Oct 2, 2024 11:07:35 GMT -5 keavdog said:

Unfortunately for us all Ebbro went belly up earlier this year. Sure hope someone buys the molds

www.maronline.org.uk/ebbro-bankrupcy/

I've got 4 of their kits in the stash - Lotus 49, 49c and 91. And the Tyrrell 003.

That figures, now that I have become interested in the auto and racing genre!

Folks think we are nuts for our stashes, but this is a big reason why we do it, no?

[greg]

Oct 2, 2024 11:29:11 GMT -5 arcticwolf said:

Oct 2, 2024 10:54:28 GMT -5 joelw said:

Greg,
The original Tamiya 1/12 scale Lotus type 49 which was released way back in the early 1970's was actually motorized. So I'm assuming that there were all sorts of compromised to the suspension and interior to house a small electric motor and batteries. I believe that at some point the kit was redone to be a detailed static kit. Hopefully Paul our Plastic 1/12 scale expert can shed more light on this.

joel

Hi Joel. On the early 1/12th's that I have built, there is a battery compartment in the driver's footwell. To be accurate you need to remove it and get out the Evergreen sheets. You also need a set of pedals. However, on some cars it's barely visible once the dash and bodywork goes on, you can get away with just painting it as it is. Depends how much work you want to put into it. The suspensions are accurate enough.

I've never seen the kit you're building so looking forward to what you do with it.

Interesting. I have a serious nostalgia thing with the old motorized Tamiya kits, baffling that I don't remember this. Well, sort of....

[joelw]

Oct 2, 2024 11:07:35 GMT -5 keavdog said:

Unfortunately for us all Ebbro went belly up earlier this year. Sure hope someone buys the molds

www.maronline.org.uk/ebbro-bankrupcy/

I've got 4 of their kits in the stash - Lotus 49, 49c and 91. And the Tyrrell 003.

John,
  Thanks for the heads up, but something just doesn't sound right about the whole situation.  The designer who started Ebbro was/is a head designer for Tamiya, which seems like the main reason that Tamiya got involved with Ebbro to some extent.  After all their name and logo does appear on later releases.   

  On the other hand even Tamiya has cut way back on new and re-released race car kits in all 3 of their scales, yet does issue a new street car from time to time.  Like most hobby related companies the money and main interest seems to be in all things RC, especially the cars that the kids go nuts about.  

  Nunu is finally releasing a their long awaited 1/24 scale Pink Pig 911/991 RSR GT3 WEC car. Tamiya also lists a 911/991 but it's a full street version.  I've got the Nunu on Pre-order from Spot Models who has it listed as due in by the middle of the month after waiting what seems like forever for the kit.

   I'm hoping that the Ebbro molds are eventually bought by some company as storage in a factory can't be that big of a deal, and once destroyed they're worth $0.

joel

 

[joelw]

While doing a little more research on the Lotus 49, I ran into some rather interesting information that I never knew before, which has caused me to consider changing from the Lotus works 1967 Dutch GP winning 49 to modeling the Rob Walker 1967 Lotus 49 that Jo Siffert drove for the 1st 7 races of the 1968 season till their Lotus 49B was ready, and that Siffert won the British GP at Silverstone in.

I'm really considering switching to the Walker Dark Blue livery as everyone has done the Lotus team cars for the 1967 season. I've already modeled Clark's Lotus 25 and have his Lotus 33 planned for this winter. And if I can find at a decent price the Lotus 49 B & C those would be modeled as Hill's cars.



So what do you guys think? I'm just about ready to start to prime and paint the various body panels.





joel

[keavdog]

Yes! That blue looks striking. And a little something different than British Racing Green.
I'd like to find the 49B with the high wing.

[joelw]

John,

Love your thinking on this.

As I said, me too plus the c version. Even with Ebbro going belly up, I just can't understand why no one has bought any of their molds. Maybe the early era cars has something to do with it.

joel

[arcticwolf]

This is the British GP winner. It was a brand new 49B, supplied as a last minute replacement for the 49 that was destroyed in the shop fire. It did not have the nose nostrils or as high a rear wing as the works cars. Nor was it a biplane.

[arcticwolf]

I have a 49B kit that I was planning to convert to Rindt's 49C Monaco winner. I'd gladly give you the wings from it but they're 1/12th.

[keavdog]

There's a 49C here for a reasonable price

www.ebay.com/itm/393621061140?_skw=1%2F20+ebbro&epid=21054586336&itmmeta=01J99P6CYPXPZ1XN2G83A2GQGT&hash=item5ba5a4be14:g:kksAAOSwKvBhYgH4&itmprp=enc%3AAQAJAAAA4HoV3kP08IDx%2BKZ9MfhVJKmAF%2Bgvy2FUknmumk7GhCqbkA%2B6aThPlhVlAM1XUK5CDj9weor07sNVvRxQi%2BjYrmIEX9%2BM6wxjWYOYxIPsWwUCPH7gXeoCu8ekkDymhjvjhg7dp9%2Bgtlv%2BYB%2FrL4pGdEHjhkbyZQON%2BOImRWaDGx%2FlmG3RPlAjJ7mXUxYYbEsoOAT5zqQ7btbg2RIrNt7ujpqT98dhHglom%2B0k%2B8FUamSe8vT5G20paP8fB2a7YcJZlfr0DIWMv%2FRCbAWtJu6zmeIrWEK%2B9Aw7AEMt%2F7Qtzk7L%7Ctkp%3ABFBMts-Ztspk

[joelw]

Paul
I'm sorry if my 1st post was a little confusing. I'm planning on building the Lotus 49 ver A from 1967 that Walker used for the 1st 7 races of 1968. The B as you pictured indeed was the winning car for the Silverstone GP.

The color that you painted your Walker 49 B looked pretty close to what i kind of remembered, so I started more google searches and naturally I found pictures with various shades of Dark Blue.  I checked my Gravity of Spain shoe box full of their paints and have several dark Blues, but none close to your color.

joel

[arcticwolf]

Oct 3, 2024 12:27:14 GMT -5 joelw said:

Paul
I'm sorry if my 1st post was a little confusing. I'm planning on building the Lotus 49 ver A from 1967 that Walker used for the 1st 7 races of 1968. The B as you pictured indeed was the winning car for the Silverstone GP.

The color that you painted your 49 B looks dead on to what I was planning on. Whose paint is it?

joel

My bad. 

Paint? Tamiya TS15 with a Tamiya TS89 overcoat. I'll never do it again, it's impossible to get the same shade twice.

(I had to go back and look that up, it's been years since I built that car)