1959scudetto

April 7th, 1968 was a sad day: Jim Clark lost his life at the Hockenheimring. On the same day at Brands Hatch, Ford debuted their P68/3L prototype. What do these two things have in common, you may ask. Ford wanted to have Jim Clark and Graham Hill drive the new car, but tire contracts prevented this and so the Lotus drivers started at a F 2 event in Hockenheim. It is up to your imagination, what might have happened if Clark had not felt obliged to start in Germany… For 1968, Ford UK had the idea of building a new 3 l-prototype using a slightly detuned Cosworth DFV F1-engine. Len Bailey was engaged for the construction, and the campaigning was handed over to Alan Mann Racing. Unfortunately, the budget was rather small, therefore not enough testing and developing could be done. At Brands Hatch – its first outing – 2 cars showed up for Bruce McLaren/Denny Hulme and Jochen Rindt/Mike Spence. In practice, one engine broke and therefore only a single car could start (with McLaren/Spence). 2nd at the grid, it showed good performance and was in the lead when a driveshaft collapsed. (The race was won by Jacky Ickx/Brian Redman with a Gulf GT40.) Unfortunately, the car was handicapped by permanent defects and problems and did not finish any race it attended. Nevertheless, for me it is one of the best-looking racecars of the 1960s. Incidentially, I could buy an old built-up model from an Italian e-bayer in 2019 which I wanted to modify as the McLaren/Spence car. For those who are interested, here is a link to a WIP (my first ever): Last step was applying the correct decals in the right position (as good as possible – they are not exact, but close) – big help is the internet and the book from Ed Heuvink on the subject. First, some pics of the original: Before and after the treatment - 2 views: 1968 was the year of aerodynamic streamliners (here with a 907 longtail) Another competitor: the 1968/69 Gulf GT40

Fantastic, Pierre - that is a real tutorial !

Outstanding - the engine alone (with clutch, but sans gearbox) would make a great exhibition model !

Looking great, Pierre - striving for perfection (as always):

Interesting to see this one being built - it is (original) a Heller kit, reboxed by Airfix.

Very nice, Rich - could be a sister of the MGB.

Great model of one of my favorite racecars !

Only when viewed from a distance - my roundels were of a too large diameter (I had to cut them down with scissors) and not opaque enough - I had to make double layers.

Exceptional detailing here, Mark - will look awesome when finished !

Last pit stop in this part of the forum - all details finally applied (including door handles from steel wire) - final part will be the application of race numbers and sponsor decals. Next time in the Under Glass section !

Here is a link to jimperlinx (le mans decals) on ebay: https://www.ebay.de/itm/124763932572?_skw=ferrari+250+gto+1964&itmmeta=01JC4DKB95G65RY6S1E4DCYK94&hash=item1d0c82879c%3Ag%3ALj4AAOSwPhpmPxcS&var=425767140646 Gary has ordered a few times from them, so did I -no problem.

x 2 - looks very good !

Your excellent dioramas are always a pleasure to look at, Charles - so many small details to discover. (Unusual subject, though)

A very fine tribute to Fangio, Matt - and of course another fine model for your Roy Cross tribute series. Your upgrades and alterations make this kit look very convincing. I really do hope that your series will continue.

Got one of the now ultra-rare "British Sponsors" decal sheet from the (obviously) defunct DMC decals: A French slotcar seller had still 2 left in stock. Now I can finally complete my Ford P68:

Please carry on - this will be nothing than mindblowing !

That is a misunderstanding from your side, Mark. Of course you will see this in the Under Glass section - but it is not yet finished (missing decals arrived today).

Paint and decals came out great, Pierre - and these fantastic wheels are the icing on the cake.

Thanks Mark - it is in the WIP section as of now.

Yesterday evening I have all missing details finally included: side window hatches cut from blister packages, headlight covers were donated from a 250 GTO (Italeri), roof-mounted rear view mirror from Scale Productions (polished metal), rear wheel spinners from a Fujimi Gulf GT40, touch-ups with Humbrol silver and matte white enamels (tire lettering): Now waiting for the (correct) decals... then a few small touch-ups where necessary, and next time it will be in the "Under glass" section.

Mock-ups are quite essential: for self-motivation and for checking ride-height of a vehicle to achieve the stance you want to get, especially when kit-bashing or modifying/reworking old builts like this '68 Ford 3 L prototype:

As you may know, the real F3L/P68 did not finish any of the races it attended. Well, mine is at least crawling towards the finish line (still a few details have to be added - I'm still awaiting some decals I have ordered from France): wiper from the spares box, polished metal fuel cap from Scale Production, headlights from CTM: rear lights are amt truck roof lights, painted over with orange and red (outside) and dark red (inside) clear enamels. Roof opening has been closed with clear plastic. Engine cover (black) and dashboard have been added and an inside rear view mirror. Next update will follow soon...

Very nice collection, Gary - thanks for showing them all together ! Great model of the 1949 LM winner: from drawing to wood-carving to the final modelcar - absolutely marvellous!

Fantastic build, Alex !

Very sharp-looking Ferrari !