LOLA T332 FORMULA 5000 CAR

LOLA T332 F-5000

DURING THE EARLY TO MID '70 S FORMULA 5000 WAS DOMINATED WORLD-WIDE BY THE LOLA T332. I WAS IMPRESSED WITH THE PERFORMANCE AND SHARK-LIKE APPEARANCE OF THESE CARS AS THEY BRAKED SHARPLY FOR CORNER 5 AT ROAD AMERICA, ROARED UP THE HILL, AND DISAPPEARED UNDER THE BRIDGE INTO 6!
SINCE THERE WAS NEVER A KIT PRODUCED OF THESE CARS I DECIDED TO SCRATCH-BUILD MY OWN USING THE WHEELS, TIRES, AND DRIVER SEAT FROM A 1/20 TAMIYA TYRELL HONDA KIT. I MODIFIED THE WHEELS BY ADDING LOLA-STYLE SPOKES MADE FROM SHEET ALUMINUM. MANY EXCELLENT REFERENCE PHOTOS FROM THE INTERNET WERE INVALUABLE IN DRAWING UP PLANS FOR THE MODEL. VACU-FORMED BODYWORK,WINDSCREEN,AIRBOX,AND REAR DECK FROM SHEET STYRENE, WHIC WAS ALSO USED TO FABRICATE THE FRONT AND REAR WINGS. THE DRIVER FIGURE WAS MOLDED FROM SCULPY PUTTY AND SPORTS A 70'S-STYLE HELMET. THE ENGINE BLOCK AND EXHAUST WERE CANNIBALIZED FROM THE TYRRELL , AND ALL SUSPENSION PARTS WERE MADE FROM ALUMINUM WELDING ROD. ALUMINUM BODY SIDE PANEL WERE MADE FROM FOOD PACKAGING FOILS.
THE MODEL WAS AIRBRUSHED IN A CONCEPTUAL DARK TURQUOISE/LIME CONCEPTUAL PAINT SCHEME. THE NUMERALS WERE CUT FROM BLACK DECAL SHEETS, AND THE DRIVER NAME WAS ADDED WITH RUB-ON LETTERING. THE MODEL WAS AIRBRUSED WITH A FINAL GLOSS COAT OF FUTURE FLOOR WAX. OVERALL, THE PROJECT TOOK SIX WEEKS TO COMPLETE.