1966 Lola T70 Mk II Spider

[1959scudetto]

Last year I got a cheap partially painted and partially assembled FROG/amt  Lola T70 Spider. Box says 1/24 but measuring the wheelbase turns out to be 1/25 scale.

Scalemates states that this is a 1967 reissue of the former amt slotbody kit by British company FROG: It included decals for the 1966 British sportscar championship (drivers: Denny Hulme, John Surtees and Jackie Stewart) - as I don't trust them because of their age and heavily yellowing I ordered some from Patto (this is going to be a white car).

After disassembling and removing the paint, I began with body modifications: closing the side scoops and altering the cooling outlet from curved-straight to straight-curved using plastic sheet and putty.

As these versions had the Weber carbs mounted horizontally, I cut the kit pieces in half and fabricated a horizontal system using scrap parts from other kits – of course the opening in the rear deck has to be enlarged substantially.

Here is a first mock-up:

Edited August 13 by 1959scudetto

[Gramps46]

Great choice of a super Lola.  Watched them race at Mid Ohio course with my Kodak Instamatic. . Will be watching closely.

 

Edited August 13 by Gramps46

[kensar]

Great subject!

[Rich Chernosky]

Helmut...that is indeed the old AMT slot car body kit. I have one. They issued it as a static model or slot car body.  I bought all of them at the time. It was the beginning of my modeling career  and those kits and others got me started and began my facination for Can-Am cars. Will be following and see what your creativity comes up with.  Off to a good start. 

[absmiami]

Kodak Pit pix from Mid-Ohio fr ??? 1968 ???  Gramps strikes again …

[Gramps46]

2 hours ago, absmiami said:

Kodak Pit pix from Mid-Ohio fr ??? 1968 ???  Gramps strikes again …

1966

[1959scudetto]

21 hours ago, Gramps46 said:

Great choice of a super Lola.  Watched them race at Mid Ohio course with my Kodak Instamatic. . Will be watching closely.

 

This is an almost romantic scenery, Gary - unfortunately these days have long been gone and will never return - a feast for photographers who could come very close to the cars and drivers.

I made a similar experience at the Historic races on the Salzburgring in the late '80s.

Edited August 14 by 1959scudetto

[RancheroSteve]

I've got one: a photo of the Surtees Lola shortly after he parked it at the Bridgehampton Can-Am in 1966. Taken through a fence by my dad (I was standing right next to him).

Looks like you're off to a good start - I'll be watching your build. 

[absmiami]

Tremblant summer vintage event  -  12 years ago ...

[absmiami]

unfortunately  -  I did not get to photograph this one whilst undressed ...

one that got away ... 

-  but I've got a few more if you need them ...

[1959scudetto]

Thanks, guys - my goal is to replicate this one: 

 

[Dave B]

Great Helmut, those wheels are the ones we spoke about so you've saved some money there!!

This should be good, will be watching.

PS did you order the Cheetah body kit?

Dave 

[1959scudetto]

Dave, the wheels I need are meant to be used on a 1/24 Carrera slotcar (Lola T70 MK III ) which I want to turn into a static model. Maybe Jason will make some for me if I can persuade him.

No - the Cheetah body kit is not top priority - I have a few other kits to be ordered before, but I will keep it in mind.

[1959scudetto]

Small update:

The kit wheels had been treated with Tamiya rubber black, the rims with metallic grey and smoke clear.

A gold-colcored gel pen was used for the sidewall scripts and rings, the roll-bar seems to be from another kit (according to the instructions, it doesn't belong here)

- I will bend one from wire.

The body has been primered and is awaiting its final paint job -  I’m looking for a smaller steering wheel (kit’s is too big), headlights (were junk) and rear view mirror (missing) and finally the decals I have ordered in Australia. 

I meanwhile found a better looking steering wheel in a Arii Ford GT40 kit, 3 pedals in a Heller 908 junker and a correct rear-view mirror in a Heller Lotus 49. 

A bit more motivation:

[Rich Chernosky]

Wheels and tires look super. This is coming along great. 

[250 Testa Rossa]

Looking good. I have this kit as well.

[iBorg]

Watching and enjoying.

[Phildaupho]

Lola T-70's are one of my favourite race cars. I built a Dan Gurney version from a Tamiya slot-car body so will be following your build which is coming along fabulously.

[1959scudetto]

Thanks, guys - here is a small update:

rollbar from insulated copper wire: much too thick !

from the same size wire with insulation removed: o.k.. I also added plastic sheet to the lower part of the air inlets.

interior with pedals and fire extinguisher added:

steering wheel replaced and repositioned (ca. 2 mm to the right side):

[absmiami]

Yup