Gold Leaf Lotus Europa [FINISHED]

Scale-Master

Member since
October 2020

Gold Leaf Lotus Europa [FINISHED]

Posted by Scale-Master on Wednesday, October 18, 2023 2:50 PM

This one is being built using the 1/24^th scale Tamiya kit with a Gold Leaf tribute scheme on a street car. The kit only builds right-hand drive so I am converting it to left-hand drive.

First I modified the back (front?) of the dash to accept the steering column at the correct angle, notched the lower edge for it and removed the notch on the right side.

Then I drilled new holes for the tach and speedo and the three little lights in between them. They will be filled with machined aluminum parts. Figured I might as well drill out the four other gauges as well so they would all match… The old recess for the RHD gauge cluster was cut out and deepened.

The wood grain is hand painted and the new aluminum gauges and warning lights have been installed. The decals for the gauges came with the kit; I added the one for the radio.

The steering wheel and column are done too. I added decals to the turn signal and wiper stalks; the horn button decal is from the kit.

Build what you want and build it for yourself, the rest will follow... Mark D. Jones

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Tanker-Builder

Member since
October 2019
From: New Braunfels, Texas

Posted by Tanker-Builder on Thursday, October 19, 2023 9:04 AM

Hi!

For some reason you have tackled something that never seemed to phase me. I always liked the challenge of converting from right to left drive. Now, just don't forget the pedals. I liked to broke out laughing at some poor fellow once. He built two beautiful conversions and forgot them.

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Scale-Master

Member since
October 2020

Posted by Scale-Master on Friday, October 20, 2023 10:14 AM

The wiper (mounting hole), washer and antenna were relocated to the opposite sides of the body. A new washer and antenna were machined out of aluminum.

The pedals and parking brake lever were reworked and moved to their proper places on the left. The shifter knob and parking brake handle are the same hand painted wood grain as on the dash.

Build what you want and build it for yourself, the rest will follow... Mark D. Jones

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Scale-Master

Member since
October 2020

Posted by Scale-Master on Saturday, October 21, 2023 11:04 AM

The fuel filler necks were removed to make filling the seam in front of them easier to manage. New filler necks have been machined out of aluminum.

Build what you want and build it for yourself, the rest will follow... Mark D. Jones

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Scale-Master

Member since
October 2020

Posted by Scale-Master on Sunday, October 22, 2023 11:57 AM

This is the engine. Basically out of the box but I added ignition wires w/boots. And some decals.

Build what you want and build it for yourself, the rest will follow... Mark D. Jones

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Scale-Master

Member since
October 2020

Posted by Scale-Master on Monday, October 23, 2023 9:31 AM

I used the optional Watanabe wheels and machined new aluminum hexagonal center caps to accept the Lotus decals from the kit.

The gunmetal centers were sprayed and the silver outer sections were brush painted with Tamiya LP-11 Silver.

Build what you want and build it for yourself, the rest will follow... Mark D. Jones

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Scale-Master

Member since
October 2020

Posted by Scale-Master on Tuesday, October 24, 2023 9:13 AM

The red and white have been applied, both Tamiya lacquers; decanted and airbrushed. (TS-49 & TS-26)

Build what you want and build it for yourself, the rest will follow... Mark D. Jones

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Scale-Master

Member since
October 2020

Posted by Scale-Master on Wednesday, October 25, 2023 9:02 AM

The frame/suspension/engine are mated together. So far everything fits very well.

Build what you want and build it for yourself, the rest will follow... Mark D. Jones

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fox

Member since
January 2007
From: Narvon, Pa.

Posted by fox on Wednesday, October 25, 2023 5:46 PM

Everything looks very good too!

Stay safe.

Jim Captain

Main WIP:

On the Bench: Artesania Latina (aka) Artists in the Latrine 1/75 Bluenose II

I keep hitting "escape", but I'm still here.

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Scale-Master

Member since
October 2020

Posted by Scale-Master on Thursday, October 26, 2023 9:37 AM

Thanks Jim!

The frame & engine have been mated to the chassis. I wired the battery too.

Build what you want and build it for yourself, the rest will follow... Mark D. Jones

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Steev

Member since
September 2023

Posted by Steev on Thursday, October 26, 2023 2:46 PM

Tanker-Builder

Hi!

For some reason you have tackled something that never seemed to phase me. I always liked the challenge of converting from right to left drive. Now, just don't forget the pedals. I liked to broke out laughing at some poor fellow once. He built two beautiful conversions and forgot them.

Maybe he was building a two-man drive car!LOL

The build is looking good, I look forward to seeing it in the final livery.

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keavdog

Member since
April 2003
From: USA

Posted by keavdog on Thursday, October 26, 2023 2:51 PM

Are the side-drafts from the kit? They look like aluminum.

Really interesting chasis on that car.

Thanks,

John

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Scale-Master

Member since
October 2020

Posted by Scale-Master on Friday, October 27, 2023 9:07 AM

Yes, the Webers come in the kit. They were plated so I used that in my favor. The intake horns are aluminum.

The seatbelts and PE hardware came in the kit. There are three colors and three brands to choose from. I thought the red was a good accent (blue and black are the other options) and since I use Schroth belts in my real car I used those labels.

A little patience goes a long way putting them together.

Build what you want and build it for yourself, the rest will follow... Mark D. Jones

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Scale-Master

Member since
October 2020

Posted by Scale-Master on Saturday, October 28, 2023 10:33 AM

I drew and printed the Gold Leaf decals.

Build what you want and build it for yourself, the rest will follow... Mark D. Jones

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Scale-Master

Member since
October 2020

Posted by Scale-Master on Tuesday, October 31, 2023 11:15 AM

The chrome window trim has been foiled and I used Scale-Master decal stripes for the rubber seals on the wind wings.

Build what you want and build it for yourself, the rest will follow... Mark D. Jones

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Scale-Master

Member since
October 2020

Posted by Scale-Master on Tuesday, November 14, 2023 12:30 PM

The engine cover and wing are done. The PE screens have a really cool woven pattern like real screens. The chrome details are from the kit except the BMF'd hinges.

Build what you want and build it for yourself, the rest will follow... Mark D. Jones

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Scale-Master

Member since
October 2020

Posted by Scale-Master on Tuesday, November 28, 2023 2:47 PM

I made two rear license plates; one using the European (British) style for the part that came with the kit and an American one I got from my leftover parts stash.

Build what you want and build it for yourself, the rest will follow... Mark D. Jones

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PatW

Member since
December 2008
From: UK

Posted by PatW on Tuesday, November 28, 2023 4:27 PM

Very good Mark. While I was building my Dutton Sierra kit car, my friends that had built one were restoring a Lotus Europa in these same colours! But that was 35 years ago!

Remember , common sense is not common.

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Scale-Master

Member since
October 2020

Posted by Scale-Master on Friday, December 1, 2023 12:22 PM

Thanks Pat! It was a fun project.

Build what you want and build it for yourself, the rest will follow... Mark D. Jones

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Scale-Master

Member since
October 2020

Posted by Scale-Master on Friday, December 1, 2023 12:23 PM

Other than converting it to left hand drive, adding some machined parts, simple wiring, custom made decals and flocking for carpet, it's out of the box. It is a very nice little kit.