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

[absmiami]

Mine are not spec - as I made an error somewhere - either in converting the cylinder heads - or measuring the engine bay - the left sided mount was straightforward - but the right side had to be built up from bits and pieces of Evergreen stock on the slope of the monocoque at an odd angle - the final result looks fine - but it was a real head scratcher …

[absmiami]

The cylinder head offset also made for problems locating the right side mount - 

[absmiami]

The Yankees went xtra innings w the Royals Monday nite and I decided to start in on the instrument dash.   The shape is different than the instrument dash on the Lotus 25 but I can use the Tamiya Lotus 25 dash for guidance - even though it’s 20th scale - most of the kit parts were actually under scale - so it is helpful …. There are  limited references - the dash changed throughout the 29’s development - but Rev’s research site came through with one good color shot of the  dash pre-race - thanks Mr Revs …. By the way - the dash on the Lotus 29  in the Barber Collection is not accurate …. I’ve got pix but I’m not posting because they aren’t  useful …

[absmiami]

The dash on the Gurney 29 being restored by the Indy Museum has a switch on the right side that I think is for the battery - or maybe the fuel pumps -  I think the switch was  below the dash next to the fuel pumps on the Gurney 29 …

I think that the switch was moved at some point after the race season …

[Bainford]

Is that the original steering wheel in the photo? It looks particularly non-vintage.

[absmiami]

that is the steering wheel worn by the Museum's 29 before the start of its restoration

almost certainly not original  -  you've sent me diving back into my research ...

thank you

 

[absmiami]

Photo courtesy of the Henry Ford online site - with Mr. Ford’s kind permission - sort of -   None of the survivors carry the correct steering wheels.  The 29’s raced with Team Lotus 3 spoke steering wheels as on the 25’s and 33’s - trimmed in red leather with black tape added - and l think that both cars - Clark and gurney - had a small circular padding in the center - like that was really going to enhance safety at 150 MPH ….   Very good observation - more challenges welcome - yes - really …. Will check my Gurney books re steering wheel padding …. AMT included this feature on their kit part - they may have gotten that right - but of course the part

itself is under-scale …

[absmiami]

the black and white's that I have found show the wheel w / out padding - but the color photos  - clearly taken at indy in the garage area - show the wheel w padding

the plot thickens ...

 

 

[absmiami]

and while we're at it - what was the color of the battery ? 

I've only seen black and white photos - Its a Varley and maybe red but possible translucent white - unpainted  - not sure ...

[absmiami]

So the Yankees lost in the bottom of the ninth - again - only this time it was in Iowa - in IOWA !   so i hit the bottle and went back to work on the instrument dash …

[absmiami]

Low stock on the .04 rivets  -  using for the dash rivets … the holes are .012  #82 …

[absmiami]

The dash  Was covered with red leather - so I sprayed on some textured gray paint - sanded lightly - now I have to figure out what shade of red - the restored Loti have a sort of medium red - the Gurney 29?  - the color photos are just not good enough to answer that question …. A mystery ….   

[charlie libby]

wow, love this car.you must have a million hours in it.so much great detail.cant wait to see it finished

[absmiami]

Don’t hold your breath

I have a nasty habit of not finishing these things but thanks …. 
 

Renshape for the knee pads which were perched either side of  the dash frame …

[Bainford]

That dash is looking great.

[absmiami]

thanks. Dash will have all the bits and Pieces - but I’ve discovered that the frame is about 2 to 3 scale inches too far back on the monocoque -  concerning but I don’t think I can correct it - the photos show the steering wheel back about 8 to 10 inches from the instrument dash - mine will have to be Closer - don’t tell anyone - our secret …

[Randy D]

Outstanding work Andrew !!!   Brad always said you were a pretty fair hand at this modeling stuff:)

Randy

[absmiami]

well  Brad would know ...

paying  a visit to this Hall Of Fame resin caster in about ten days - I'll send your regards ...

and show him some pix of your B cage project ...

 

 

[absmiami]

Watching the Lemans brcast yesterday - thought I had switched by mistake to a NASCAR road race …

back to the engine…

working with the Molotov for detail brush painting - are there any issues with shelf life for the dispenser ??  This is a good application for the ANYC printed bolts  -  they have thin stems and great relief detail … used for the gear case cover …

the added bolts on the cylinder heads are the Russian Master Club bolt heads 

[absmiami]

A day at the Museum …

finally got to the Brumos Museum in Jacksonville …

engine porn

i know. I know.  Not a Lotus …

[Kingslug]

This...is cool!!

[absmiami]

Thank you Mr Slug   -   There can be no higher compliment ….  Back from my travels - the random weather Gods treated me to Hurricane IDA -  back to the workbench ….  
the Henry Ford On line research site and the Rev’s on line site have good photos of the 255 Ford as raced by the Lotus team on the 29 -  these are essential - because the Museum Restored Gurney 29 is not using the same set-up ….   So I’ve made the carb linkage with .015 nickel silver rod and some links made from Evergreen and some brass .025 nuts …. The tray above the carb bodies is alu sheet ….   Some of the detail will be lost in the scale clutter -  but it was not possible do this in 24th scale with this level of detail before 3D printed engines and carbs were available … there is some added detail to be added once I’ve sited and installed the Roll bar - some oF the engine bay stuff  - the coil and the transistor ignition parts hang off if the roll bar supports …. and I’ve got to add the fuel line above the tray …

[Venom]

Andrew... that engine work is absolutely B E A U T I F U L !

[absmiami]

thanks V

- quick note - youve done an excellent job on the Daytona Cobra engine

- and although the build is a struggle -

- Harold's engine bay details are the best that you could buy before the "3D printed engine era"  that we are entering.

when you compare Harold's Cobra engine to the engine - same scale - same era -  in the Meng Ford GT40 kit ...

well - insert joke here ...

 

 

 

 

[absmiami]

some more shots from the Brumos Collection

I'm constantly complaining about my home State

but Flori-dah does  have two of the best collections of historic racing cars in North America - the Revs in Naples and Brumos in Jacksonville.

So there is that ..... 

and there is Amelia, Sebring, Daytona, Gainesville ...

Maybe I'll stick around a while after all ...