Scale-Master Posted June 2, 2019 Share Posted June 2, 2019 I pulled this kit from my stash on May 5, 2019; the night we got home from the GSL show. 1997 reissue of the 1970 Tamiya kit. It's been patiently waiting for 22 years in my stash to be built. I've been researching, planning and figuring all month. (Actually I was scheming a couple days before in case I didn't find a dream deal on another Caterham kit during the show/trip.) It will be built as a street car T-70 replica with some modern upgrades. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scale-Master Posted June 2, 2019 Author Share Posted June 2, 2019 I started by cleaning up the tub and main body panels. Lots of filling and sanding to remove the twenty ¼ inch diameter ejection pin marks in the tub alone and general parting lines. But still a nicely molded kit considering its age. The insides of the body also needed to be addressed for the same issues. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gramps46 Posted June 2, 2019 Share Posted June 2, 2019 Great choice Mark. It is a beautiful design and looking forward to what you do with it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scale-Master Posted June 2, 2019 Author Share Posted June 2, 2019 Converting the steering rack over to left-hand drive. Part of the framework had to be cut and other areas filled for the track of the rack to slide and everything to be "flipped". Then a new gear for the rack had to be created since the teeth were backwards. The ejection pin holes were filled and new mounting holes for the pedal set were drilled too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Len Woodruff Posted June 2, 2019 Share Posted June 2, 2019 Very kool Mark. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lordmodelbuilder Posted June 3, 2019 Share Posted June 3, 2019 Following Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scale-Master Posted June 3, 2019 Author Share Posted June 3, 2019 The top of the dash also needed to be converted to LHD. I cut the pod out and a matching area on the left and swapped and blended them back together. A little white styrene was used as filler on the new passenger side. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scale-Master Posted June 3, 2019 Author Share Posted June 3, 2019 The front bulkhead was converted to LHD and all the holes were drilled out. The inside was milled to be a constant thickness too. Before: After: 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scott Colmer Posted June 3, 2019 Share Posted June 3, 2019 Hey Mark, I'll be watching to see what you do with this one. Should be excellent. Here is a link to some Lola pics I took in Fontana several years ago. https://public.fotki.com/Scottcolmer/reference-pics/lola/ Scott Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scale-Master Posted June 3, 2019 Author Share Posted June 3, 2019 Thanks Scott! Those will come in handy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sam I Am Posted June 4, 2019 Share Posted June 4, 2019 Ok, I am on board as well since I have one in the stash also. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scale-Master Posted June 4, 2019 Author Share Posted June 4, 2019 The cowl also had to be modified for LHD. Before: In Progress: Styrene was used as filler in some places; in other places the kit plastic was cut and reused. The rivets were cut off and drilled out. Since this car will only have one master cylinder the reservoirs for the dual set were shaved off. The underside had to be modified as well so the steering would work properly and everything would fit. Aluminum rivets… Hand cut, filed and installed (some of them). After: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anglia105E Posted June 4, 2019 Share Posted June 4, 2019 You are off to a good start with this Lola, Mark.... I can see there are a lot of modifications going on already, even at this early stage. So you dived into this 1:12 Tamiya kit immediately after the GSL show, and the kit has waited 22 years for you to build it...... you have my interest. David Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scale-Master Posted June 4, 2019 Author Share Posted June 4, 2019 Yes David, and thanks. I was planning some of it in my head on the trip home even. The more I get into it the more gets put in the "won't be using that" pile. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Belugawrx Posted June 4, 2019 Share Posted June 4, 2019 Very nice conversion going on here Mark Following Cheers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scale-Master Posted June 5, 2019 Author Share Posted June 5, 2019 Thanks Bruce. Fitting the body panels. I started with the side pods. They have molded-in rivet detail along the top edges. Those were removed and drilled out to accept small screws. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scale-Master Posted June 5, 2019 Author Share Posted June 5, 2019 The windshield frame/cowl section of the body did not fit very well on its own or locate positively. Brass reinforcing plates were fabricated to make aligning it easier. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cobraman Posted June 6, 2019 Share Posted June 6, 2019 Nice project. I always had an interest in that kit. You will do a much better job than I ever could. I will be watching. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scale-Master Posted June 6, 2019 Author Share Posted June 6, 2019 .040 sheet styrene was added to make the thread blocks on the underside of the tub for the small screws that will hold it together. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maysula Posted June 6, 2019 Share Posted June 6, 2019 Nice work ? ,done a couple of this kit, one more in the stash ? like this car alot !! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scale-Master Posted June 7, 2019 Author Share Posted June 7, 2019 The side pods are mounted to the tub and the brass reinforcements are in place. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scale-Master Posted June 8, 2019 Author Share Posted June 8, 2019 The windshield frame/cowl has been mated to the tub and side pods. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Codi Posted June 8, 2019 Share Posted June 8, 2019 I remember these cars when they actually raced as a kid and they left quite the impression upon me. With your skills, this should be one VERY impressive build Mark. cheers, tim Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scale-Master Posted June 10, 2019 Author Share Posted June 10, 2019 First test fitting of the front clip. Fits pretty well out of the box after the seams were cleaned up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scale-Master Posted June 11, 2019 Author Share Posted June 11, 2019 The rear bulkhead. It doesn't fit very well or positively so it needs to be fastened to the tub in a similar fashion as the cowl was. It also needs to be installed so the doors will fit too. A flange was added to the bottom of the bulkhead and reinforced with a dozen buttresses. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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