1/8 Grip Lotus 72 JPS

[moparman18064]

Here is my entry in the Open Wheel Group, it will also be in the Big Scale group, as I am late entering, and I plan on adding AM details that could take a while to get since it is a 50 year old kit. It is a Grip Lotus 72 John Player Special in 1/8 scale

Somehow this got turned around

[406 Silverado]

Dude......that is going to be one BIG car when it's all said and done. Where in the world did you score THAT one at Rich?? I'll be very interested in following this build.

[tcoat]

It must have quite the grip to race upside down like that.

[moparman18064]

Oct 16, 2024 16:01:17 GMT -5 tcoat said:

It must have quite the grip to race upside down like that.

He was on his cell phone

[moparman18064]

Oct 16, 2024 15:20:50 GMT -5 406 Silverado said:

Dude......that is going to be one BIG car when it's all said and done. Where in the world did you score THAT one at Rich?? I'll be very interested in following this build.

Honestly Joe, this is the third time I’ve owned it. I first bought one at a KIDS store in the 70’s, never touched it and sold it in the 2001/2 area when prices were rising and needed money badly. I was sick over it, so 2 years later, bought another for the low, low price of $120😢. Times got really tough in 2008, sold again. Being the stubborn guy I am, this year I insisted I was going to build this kit, so to FeeBay I went. I found one 5 minutes after a guy listed it and worked out a deal( again at a higher price. It will be built this time, no ifs ands or buts!

[406 Silverado]

I’ve done that same thing with kits that I’ve bought 2 or 3 times. Lol

[kyledehart5]

This is awesome Rich!! Glad you’re doing the joint group build route with this one. Really looking forward to seeing you elevate this one.

[keavdog]

Wow what an amazing kit! Looking forward to this build

[TJ]

Always liked that styling. Can't wait to see your build of this

[armornutii]

  I want one.....where I'd put it?? Gonna be an awesome build.

[handiabled]

Bookmarked!

[moparman18064]

First up, as always, check to make sure all parts are there, check. I started trial fitting body pieces to check for warpage. Surprisingly, all the body panels around the cockpit seem good. However, the nose is warped on top edge where it connects to cockpit. I am going to try taping it to a level and either try semi hot water or hair dryer to straighten.

[handiabled]

Hopefully you can get the warp out with minimum effort.

[moparman18064]

Oct 16, 2024 18:18:13 GMT -5 kyledehart5 said:

This is awesome Rich!! Glad you’re doing the joint group build route with this one. Really looking forward to seeing you elevate this one.

Welcome aboard Kyle, this one might take a while, as I need to order decals, parts, paints

Oct 16, 2024 18:22:54 GMT -5 keavdog said:

Wow what an amazing kit! Looking forward to this build

Welcome aboard John

Oct 16, 2024 18:28:44 GMT -5 TJ said:

Always liked that styling. Can't wait to see your build of this

Thank you TJ, welcome

Oct 16, 2024 18:41:30 GMT -5 armornutii said:

  I want one.....where I'd put it?? Gonna be an awesome build.

There’s always room😁, can always cut down to a twin bed!🤣😂🤣

Oct 17, 2024 1:32:35 GMT -5 handiabled said:

Bookmarked!

Welcome Brent.

[moparman18064]

Started building engine block while nose piece sits under weights. I may be just displaying this block/ trans, as I am in talks of having a super detailed one printed.

[keavdog]

Oh boy! That is just gigantic. Such a fun build.

[moparman18064]

Cleaning, priming parts

[kyledehart5]

Lots of work on pieces that are this big!!

[moparman18064]

Masking fun!

[handiabled]

This scale is so huge it looks like masking a real engine block!

[kyledehart5]

I’d be out of tape already! Lol

[moparman18064]

Here’s about 3 hours in to nose cone work, more to go. With the size of this thing, along with being ultra shiny black, it is going to need to be seamless and laser straight. I feel like I’m painting cars again.

[kyledehart5]

Do you have a spot cleared out in the driveway to park this when it’s done? What an enormous nosecone!!

[moparman18064]

Nov 15, 2024 7:18:04 GMT -5 kyledehart5 said:

Do you have a spot cleared out in the driveway to park this when it’s done? What an enormous nosecone!!

Not yet Kyle, it certainly does have a big snoot! I know my MCW order is not going to be small.

[joelw]

Rich,
I just found your build and bookmarked it ASAP. I've never seen this kit built before so I can only imagine just how big it's going to be. Just one question, how are the decals looking? Are they useable or are you going to have to source AM ones?
joel

[406 Silverado]

I didn't realize just how big this build was until I saw the engine long block up beside that Tamiya Glue Bottle Rich. I'm sure you'll more than get the opportunity to focus on the detail aspect of this bad boy.

[moparman18064]

Nov 16, 2024 9:43:22 GMT -5 joelw said:

Rich,
I just found your build and bookmarked it ASAP. I've never seen this kit built before so I can only imagine just how big it's going to be. Just one question, how are the decals looking? Are they useable or are you going to have to source AM ones?
joel

Joel, decals are trashed, I have found 2 sources for new ones, but pricey. Thanks for following.

[moparman18064]

Nov 16, 2024 9:59:08 GMT -5 406 Silverado said:

I didn't realize just how big this build was until I saw the engine long block up beside that Tamiya Glue Bottle Rich. I'm sure you'll more than get the opportunity to focus on the detail aspect of this bad boy.

It is going to big and heavy Joe. Yes, lots to detail up. On another forum I was chatting with a guy that built one 40 years ago, he suggested I screw the sub assemblies together, I believe I will.

[joelw]

  The main thing is that you found two AM resources. The decals while pricey should be of higher quality and worth the price. Well that's been my experience for some older kits I've built over the years.  Just think of what it would have cost in time and money to have to have custom decals made.

joel

[moparman18064]

A little more progress, 3 different shades of Alclad aluminums, Molotow, blacks and white. Coming up next: pumps and ignition, lots to do there.