Well, 2 tamiya models I’ve had for years and years (35+) are now out and I’ve decided to make them. Question is, which one first? Both are in perfect condition and I’ll buy the correct colours (colors for @Sandi T ) and take my time!
Tricky - I had both of them as Scalectric cars. I liked the Tyrrell’s innovative 6 wheel design but the JPS liveried Lotus was a classic. I wonder how much they’d be worth now? Flip a coin.
I'd probably go with the Tyrell first as it's the most interesting of the two. I've still got a Tamiya model Ferrari 312T F1 car I got for Christmas and built up in 1980. They are great kits. I also have one of these I built up in '83. Three speed oil filled gearbox with 2 & 4wd, selectable from the transmitter, complete with oil filled shocks and locking front hubs. I think they were around £200 new but fetch much more now in fully working order. https://www.tamiyaclub.com/showroom_model.asp?cid=103223&id=7530
I am building Rossi's 50 year anniversary Yamaha and a Martini Porsche, and I have 6 or more kits waiting to be built, all Tamiya. I have about 10 completed kits, a mixture of cars and bikes. The only thing you need to be wary of are the graphics, they get brittle with age.
Are you sure it was a Tyrrell? Only ask as I had a six wheel March Ford on my set. The double axle was at the back which seemed to help with grip compared to my brother's regular F1 car.
Mine definitely had the four reduced scale steering wheels. I shall however research the March Ford. Goodness - what a boring but informative forum this is... Boring only to those that aren’t historic F1 nerds like us.
I have noticed that the transfer sheet looks brittle like you say. Thanks for the heads up, much appreciated!
If it were me I'd fuck up the Tyrrell first so I'd have a better chance of doing the JPS properly as I just prefer the colour scheme. Love the black and gold probably why I like the Bathams bmw in British superbikes for me the best livery out there.
If it were me I'd fuck up the Tyrrell first so I'd have a better chance of doing the JPS properly as I just prefer the colour scheme. Love the black and gold probably why I like the Bathams bmw in British superbikes for me the best livery out there.
I’ve built the JPS Lotus. I was, like most other Tamiya products very straight forwards. As black is the most difficult colour to paint I’d start with the Terrell. A word of warning - be very careful with the decals. Also, they might be fragile after all of this time and the backing paper not quite so absorbent. You can test the paper to see if it is absorbent before decaling. As for paints, assuming you have an airbrush, I’d recommend Zero basecoat paints. Also, if the pipes, wires and tubes that are part of these kits have failed, decomposed or shot off across the room and into the carpet monster don’t despair. There are plenty of online suppliers out there. I’d try https://www.hiroboy.com/ for starters. Enjoy and try not to get (re)addicted.
Wow! Fantastic models to have a go at. If it was me, I just love the JPS colour scheme, so I'd do the Tyrell first so that I make less mistakes with the Lotus. (I've just started an Aoshima Honda CB400/4 kit and some of the detail is incredible!) FYI, details for both your kits are on scalemates.com if you want to know more about them (including some completed models) https://www.scalemates.com/kits/tamiya-12021-tyrrell-p34-six-wheeler--122736 https://www.scalemates.com/kits/tamiya-12022-team-lotus-jps-mkiii--122737
And if it were me, I'd be sure to move those two boxes further away from each other because with my luck I'd end up with two, 5-wheel JP Tyrell specials!
Those Hiroboy kits are amazing! A neighbour (sadly deseased now) built model railway engines (working) from scratch. The skill needed was amazing - all by hand and no computer gadgetry. All the parts fitted perfectly...