Scale-Master Posted June 2, 2019 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.
Scale-Master Posted June 2, 2019 Author 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.
Gramps46 Posted June 2, 2019 Posted June 2, 2019 Great choice Mark. It is a beautiful design and looking forward to what you do with it.
Scale-Master Posted June 2, 2019 Author 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.
Scale-Master Posted June 3, 2019 Author 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.
Scale-Master Posted June 3, 2019 Author 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
Scott Colmer Posted June 3, 2019 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
Sam I Am Posted June 4, 2019 Posted June 4, 2019 Ok, I am on board as well since I have one in the stash also.
Scale-Master Posted June 4, 2019 Author 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:
Anglia105E Posted June 4, 2019 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
Scale-Master Posted June 4, 2019 Author 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.
Belugawrx Posted June 4, 2019 Posted June 4, 2019 Very nice conversion going on here Mark Following Cheers
Scale-Master Posted June 5, 2019 Author 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.
Scale-Master Posted June 5, 2019 Author 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.
cobraman Posted June 6, 2019 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.
Scale-Master Posted June 6, 2019 Author 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.
maysula Posted June 6, 2019 Posted June 6, 2019 Nice work ? ,done a couple of this kit, one more in the stash ? like this car alot !!
Scale-Master Posted June 7, 2019 Author Posted June 7, 2019 The side pods are mounted to the tub and the brass reinforcements are in place.
Scale-Master Posted June 8, 2019 Author Posted June 8, 2019 The windshield frame/cowl has been mated to the tub and side pods. 1
Codi Posted June 8, 2019 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
Scale-Master Posted June 10, 2019 Author Posted June 10, 2019 First test fitting of the front clip. Fits pretty well out of the box after the seams were cleaned up.
Scale-Master Posted June 11, 2019 Author 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.
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