Because I don’t have enough Lotus kits. ...

[AmericanMuscleFan]

If that's not passion for a particular subject, I don't know what else you call it!!!

How many kits or parts from other kits have you used so far (besides all your scratch building) to get to this point?

Maybe the answer is simply in the title of your thread?  I take my hat off to you sir, you know your stuff! 👍

[Pierre Rivard]

Amazing work on... which one of these Lotus (Lotuses, Loti?) is this... losing count. I really like what you have done with the rivets. Good stuff happens when you follow my lead... 

[absmiami]

Gracias AMF

Pierre - what size solder balls did you use on your build …. Which car was it ?

[Pierre Rivard]

0.65 mm, used them for the pass compt tarp on the '33 Alfa and fuel filler neck on Jag C type. Tend to agree with you that for body rivets, 0.5mm would be more in scale. Thinking of using them for a fifties streamliner alu body (still in planning stage)

[Rattlecan Dan]

Super job. Coming along beautifully.

[absmiami]

here's the ZF trans on a GT40  display engine at rev' Naples ...

[absmiami]

[absmiami]

Some more work on the    Lotus 18 …

[absmiami]

The Joker kit has an insert for the radiator - this needs modification since the nose will be removable on this 18 …

[absmiami]

The 18 radiator had a center section for water that was flanked by two smaller oil radiators …. As usual - Evergreen strip and short sections of H strip for the brackets at the base …

[Big John]

Where did you shoot the GT engine photos? and is that a buck for a D type Jaguar in the background?  Meticulous work on this Lotus, as always!

[absmiami]

BJ - the Rev’s Collection in Naples - world class - the buck is for a Scarab sports car - they got one of those too …

[absmiami]

[absmiami]

Between the footwell bulkhead and the radiator is the oil tank - which has a taper - the taper directs air exiting the radiator down and away from the nose of the car - early aero - designed by Lotus by instinct - 

[absmiami]

The main fuel tank on the 18 was mounted saddle style over the driver’s legs - team Lotus tanks were full length from the instr gauge bulkhead forward to the radiator - with cutouts for the oil and water hoses …

[absmiami]

Made with sheet and strip Evergreen 

[absmiami]

With the nose removable you’ll still be able to peek under the tank to see the footwell features, suspension, radiator and oil tank detail - 

[absmiami]

Time to check the fit of the fuel tank - so far - so good - the 24th scale body shell is relatively thick - about 1 1/2 inches - that effects the shape and make-pretend capacity of the tank - but thats ok …

[absmiami]

Remember - fuel tank placement was a huge challenge for early rear engine GP car design because cars had to race with race distance fuel until - when? - the end of the 3 litre formula era ?

[Pico]

Excellent work!