InspGadgt

I recall a pic of one of the early 70's ones that had transitioned from the late 60's so still had the same body style before wings became prevalent. I believe it was one of the Lotus cars but not sure. The 104 standard tires just don't look right to me...probably the closest would be the old super narrow TC tires...but then the rims and sidewalls would be all wrong.

Actually this is the one I was thinking of...looks the most scale with this body and the F104W tires:

http://www.f1technical.net/f1db/cars/220/lotus-49



Granted they aren't slicks...but good treaded tires the right size are going to be hard to find. And even then the tread pattern is going to be much too large anyway.

Team Lotus

By 1967 all F1 cars such as the Lotus 49 and the Eagle, etc were starting to use somewhat wider tires than the previous years, still treaded of course. So the super narrow treaded touring car tires would be too narrow, and the F104W tires such as you would find on F1 cars of the 70's and 80's would be too wide, plus the fact they are slicks. The fact is that there is no tire/wheel combination that is an exact match for a late 1960's F1 car, but the HPI VTA tires/wheels come the closest; they are not as wide as the F104W tires, but wider than the old super narrow touring car tires, and maybe even a little wider than the standard F104 tires. Plus the tread pattern on the VTA tires is actually quite close. Check out still photos of the Lotus 49 at rest sometime and you will see what I mean.

You have to understand that I grew up during the Clark/Lotus era, and it is my favorite era of F1 racing, so I do know a lot about the cars and how they looked and what they used, etc.

InspGadgt

Oh I have...the tread pattern is much smaller...the other issue with the VTA tires is the front tires are way too wide so the front to rear widths are far off. Overall proportionally speaking the F104W tires look better if you allow for slicks instead of treaded tires. Personally I'd rather have slicks but better tire proportions than treaded tires with the proportions off.

MantisWorx

iTrader: (28)

you Vintage guys should love this!!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?featur...v=Opzzn9sl1kU#!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0WBigoSL61I

edhchoe

iTrader: (41)

2012 Sauber F1 #15, Driver helmet is a hybrid of Massa and Perez.

Body: Tamiya F2012
Decal: F1PaintLab
Paint: White, Red, Gunmetal

BP SHADOW

iTrader: (24)

Looks great Ed

Team Lotus

Marcus, thank you for posting those videos!! Brings back many great memories!!

Team Lotus

Gadjt, you are right...the proportions aren't quite right, especially the fronts; and the tread is a bit too large; but my point is, that I believe they still come the closest of any other tires currently offered.
I hope that some other manufacturer will get on board and make the right tires and wheels for these cars, as well as various other parts. I'm engaging in some wishful thinking that Tamiya will take notice of the VF1 cars and build their own! After all, they did produce a super detailed plastic model of the Lotus 49 and the Honda in 1/12 scale years ago. I think they may have also done the Eagle as well. Tamiya could definitely do it, and if they did, the detail and accuracy would be there for sure!

Difuser

iTrader: (2)

Paint looks great but that body needs a 2013 spec vanity panel for the nose...

InspGadgt

Looks good Ed.

Team Lotus...I sill prefer the proportions of the F104W tires...but I agree...sure would be nice to see some manufacturer jump on the band wagon and make rims and tires for these bodies! As for Tamiya making them...I'd sure hate to see them chase Manny out of the picture after all he's done to bring these to life. Now if they offer to but out his molds for a good amount of money and employ him to make more...that would be cool to see.

Marty Peterson

iTrader: (3)

Well I would say the F104 tires look about right for the size and they are slicks, as for the HPI Wheels & Tires (Vintage) design and look good to me and yes not perfect for scale I guess it would be a 15 in rim and not F/13in & R/15in.

but make up your own mind.





Large Photos:

http://lee2763.smugmug.com/Other/Honda-RA300/28742116_5JxS8V#!i=2463878322&k=Kgk6TWz



The info I could find,

13 x 8½ fronts and 15 x 12 rear McLaren

Wheels: cast light alloy; front 7.50x14", rear 9.50x14 Ferrari 312

Most others
Front Wheels: 6 stud, Brabham wheel cast in aluminum, 8x15, tires 10.95 inch wide Goodyear's
Rear Wheels: 6 stud, Brabham wheel cast in aluminum, 12x15, tires 13.10 wide Goodyear's



Nice Job Ed!

edhchoe

iTrader: (41)

Thanks guys!

I place the tire decals as close toward the inner edge of the tire as I can so that the sauce won't get to them easily. . That's why they don't look so good.

Team Lotus

Marty, I like those wheels you have on your VF1 car. Very nice!!

edhchoe

iTrader: (41)

I would like to paint a body in Lotus 99t theme also.

Where can I get some yellow vinyl like that for the spoilers?

Thx.

rtypec

iTrader: (2)

Coverite Yellow Trim sheet. The vinyl is 3m but super thin, flexible, and sticky. It's also what i use for masking. If anybody could figure out exactly what 3m part number it is so that it could be ordered in bulk, please let me know.

Here's the Tower link.

Also comes in red, white, and blue