Tamiya's 1/12 Caterham........Their best model (I Think)

[traditional]

This multi-media 1/12 model kit was never inexpensive, and they have become even more expensive now on Ebay, but it still is, in my opinion, one of the nicest model kits ever made.....everything is so well molded and detailed, that it's a shame that the body hides most of the frame and engine.

I bought the kit many years ago in Chicago at one of the model kit shows (Old town escorts??) for just under $200...a lot of money way back then.

Anyhow, it was an absolute pleasure to build and, although the plastic parts are nicely molded in color, I chose to paint everything for the added opacity and realism. The aluminum parts are intended to stay in the raw aluminum and seem to be anodized or coated to keep the surface from tarnishing over time.

The soft tarp and cloth seatbelts look realistic and the steering as well as working suspension are beautifully done.

Edited April 24, 2012 by traditional

[cobraman]

That does look like a beautiful model kit. You did a very good job with it.

[Scale-Master]

I agree, one of Tamiya's best ever offerings.

[Art Laski]

Clifford,

That is a great model and you executed it very well. I never realized how detailed it is in just its stock form. I have mostly seen pictures of Mark's cars, and they had a lot of added detail, but it seems even out of the box there's a lot there.

I'd like to see yours someday, Mark. Any chance you can bring one to the meeting sometime?

-Art

[deja-view]

These are pretty much a classic model for the decades....one of Tamiya's best, if not THE best.

I have had one sitting untouched in its box for maybe 10 years or so, and would love to get at it. However, it's hard to justify starting another build when I have too many unfinished. At times I have considered trading for the yellow race version, which is also very cool. Buuuuuuuut.... nah. I'd rather have both

BTW: Are there pics of this version in other colors besides BRG?

This kit is actually impressive sitting in the box:

Hosted on Fotki

Edited April 25, 2012 by deja-view

[mitchell]

totally agree. One of the most detail kit offer by a manufacturer. I built one out of the box and fixed another one. Added details and some weathering touch. One of them added lights for the front, rear and instrument. The other one, lowered it a touch only. Lovely cars and quite easy to built.

Edited June 18, 2013 by mitchell

[heinz74]

looks lovely ,while not beeing a subject i would build..

i stil like the detail on it, the coilover suspension is great..i have to admit i've never seen this kit in real life before..

Donkervoort produces these cars overhere in Holland as a kit car loosely based on a Caterham ..

they come with the 20valve Audi TT engine or the S3 block ...or any other you desire i guess

extremely fast with near unrealistic handling...

very nice build!

[clovis]

Nice work!!!!!!