Lola T-70 MkIII [FINISHED!]

Scale-Master

Member since
October 2020

Posted by Scale-Master on Saturday, January 14, 2023 1:40 PM

Again, I was happy to see all the planning to get the engine cover to fit and operate on its hinges and to latch closed worked after everything was painted and all the tight fitting things that could interfere didn't.

I also re-test fitted the wheels to see where I am. Too bad it was an overcast day.

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, January 11, 2023 7:06 PM

I wound springs from 0.003 armature wire that had the insulation removed and made welded on hooks from brass for the exhaust. I did a little weather and wear discoloring too. I installed the last two carburetor parts; the two outboard synchronizing screws for each bank. The inboard hinges for the engine cover have been installed as well. The loose black line is the wire loom for the taillights.

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, December 21, 2022 3:14 PM

More final fitting, fine tuning and triple checking before the side pods were attached permanently.

That meant one more round of test fitting the other removable panels before moving along…

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 Thursday, December 8, 2022 5:05 PM

Thanks Lurch!

I had to machine the mounting hardware for the plate/bracket before I could install it. After it was installed I added the interior mounting brackets for the taillights and the loom (with pigtail) for all of the lights. Still some weathering to do in here.

The rear spoiler has been installed too…

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

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lurch

Member since
August 2021

Posted by lurch on Thursday, December 8, 2022 1:25 PM

Like I said before, Just AMAZING. I realy like the blue . Grerat choice for that car. It is truely magnifacent.

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Scale-Master

Member since
October 2020

Posted by Scale-Master on Wednesday, December 7, 2022 5:53 PM

Thank you Steve!

When I test installed the new taillights I didn't like them; they were too bold for the car. Amazing what a couple thousandths of an inch can do… good or bad. I made a new smaller set like the previous ones, but that same design was still distracting to me so I machined one more even smaller "simpler" set.

I had to make new bezels and bulbs too.

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

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DUSTER

Member since
August 2007
From: back country of SO-CAL, at the birth place of Naval Aviation

Posted by DUSTER on Sunday, December 4, 2022 12:59 PM

Scale-Master

The plate is now registered, the tags are reflective too.

What-a mean "reflective too"?? I mean even with the date code and year AND you got reflective-----boy , I'm just gonna sit in my corner and cry like a baby

p.s. So fine.

Steve

Building the perfect model---just not quite yet Confused

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Scale-Master

Member since
October 2020

Posted by Scale-Master on Sunday, December 4, 2022 11:36 AM

The plate is now registered, the tags are reflective too.

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, December 3, 2022 6:39 PM

Thanks John!

I had already finished the taillights and repaired a couple of them due to the flexible hose material melting into them in the box, but upon closer examination even the "good" ones weren't as true as I'd like. So I machined new ones out of clear Lexan and tinted styrene. Each lens is two pieces. I was able to refinish and reuse the bezels and the bulbs I already made. Two red and two amber.

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

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keavdog

Member since
April 2003
From: USA

Posted by keavdog on Wednesday, November 30, 2022 4:45 PM

They look great. Nice shot down into the the venturis as well.

Thanks,

John

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Scale-Master

Member since
October 2020

Posted by Scale-Master on Wednesday, November 30, 2022 12:53 PM

Thanks Steve!

The harnesses went in as planned.

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

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DUSTER

Member since
August 2007
From: back country of SO-CAL, at the birth place of Naval Aviation

Posted by DUSTER on Wednesday, November 30, 2022 1:48 AM

Well I am certainly impressed-once again

Steve

Building the perfect model---just not quite yet Confused

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Scale-Master

Member since
October 2020

Posted by Scale-Master on Tuesday, November 29, 2022 3:38 PM

While not a big visual thing, the cockpit section of the body has finally been permanently mated to the tub. Now I get to build the rest of the interior into the car. Nowhere near the ship in a bottle game; but the limited access proving to be the challenge had I expected in a couple of areas despite my optimistic planning.

The seats are installed hopefully for the final time. The steering wheel can be popped to install the harnesses.

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, November 27, 2022 1:03 PM

Thank you!

The shifter linkage was the next "little" project to make and install. I was a little surprised the kit did not have the exterior part of the linkage. Turns out it's quite a tight fit, maybe that’s why it was not included. The extra parts I added and the correctly scaled engine did not help.

I'm still relying on the magnets to hold the body section to the tub, but since I've run the shifter linkage all the way from the shifter to the transmission I'm pretty committed at this stage.

I also connected the electrical items that were built onto the rear bulkhead to the receptacles on the tub and the fuel lines.

The transmission cooler has been installed and plumbed.

If it was a real car, it could be test fired now.

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 Sunday, November 27, 2022 8:31 AM

Hmmm;

That Sir! is some gorgeous work, Keep on Keeping on!!

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Scale-Master

Member since
October 2020

Posted by Scale-Master on Saturday, November 26, 2022 2:00 PM

The radiator is installed and the cooling system has been plumbed. I'll install the stone guard and petcock later due to them being somewhat fragile.

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, November 13, 2022 11:05 AM

The rear spoiler is done. Brass, clear styrene and aluminum. Some of the bolts will anchor it to the body.

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 Friday, November 4, 2022 1:55 PM

Scalemaster!

That was a nice Solve and Save. I have had the "Melt" thing happen so many times to my 1/16 models for sure. Exactly my fix! The reason you won't find the info is I don't post on automotive sights or forums that often. The work looks very, very clean, my hat is off to you!

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Scale-Master

Member since
October 2020

Posted by Scale-Master on Thursday, November 3, 2022 4:46 PM

Several people have pointed out the risks of using the kit supplied air duct hose as it has a propensity for melting plastic over time. While I was already aware of this issue, (the ones in this kit melted some of the parts well before I started building it), and have been lucky in the past, I decided I have too much invested to take that risk even with the precautions taken on this car. I also was not keen on the color of them. So I pulled them off and fabricated new ones from wire and white glue.

I wound the wire around the proper sized bolt for the diameter I wanted.

After the glue dried I made connectors with shrink tubing.

I painted them with orange R/C car (Lexan) paint and gave them a wash of Tamiya Smoke with Flat Base mixed in to it.

Plenty of flex to route them where they need to go and a direct retrofit to boot.

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 30, 2022 7:10 PM

Thank you lurch!

Another significant step forward, the last section of the body has had the paint cut and polished. The insides are painted as well. Once that is dry it will get some wax. (It's quite the dust magnet right now.)

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

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lurch

Member since
August 2021

Posted by lurch on Saturday, October 29, 2022 8:37 AM

WOW the detailing you are doing is just FANTASTIC. It is very impressive. That looks great.

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Scale-Master

Member since
October 2020

Posted by Scale-Master on Friday, October 28, 2022 9:01 PM

The exhaust system and rear tray are installed. The dashboard assembly is installed. Getting closer to begin mounting some of the body panels to the tub…

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, October 28, 2022 1:32 PM

Thanks John!

Back to the doors… I installed the gas struts and made the mounting hardware. I think they are done.

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

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keavdog

Member since
April 2003
From: USA

Posted by keavdog on Friday, October 28, 2022 11:22 AM

Wow! Looks great Mark

Thanks,

John

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Scale-Master

Member since
October 2020

Posted by Scale-Master on Friday, October 28, 2022 11:18 AM

Another dozen and a half nuts, bolts and washers were machined and installed for the rear suspension. The rear section of the clutch line was added and the battery has been grounded. It's barely visible…

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 Thursday, October 27, 2022 9:15 PM

Thanks Steve!

Grounding strap for the engine to chassis. Will it be seen when it's in installed? Maybe. Doesn't matter.

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

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DUSTER

Member since
August 2007
From: back country of SO-CAL, at the birth place of Naval Aviation

Posted by DUSTER on Sunday, October 23, 2022 12:05 AM

Pretty much a big WOW goin’ on here.

Steve

Building the perfect model---just not quite yet Confused

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Scale-Master

Member since
October 2020

Posted by Scale-Master on Friday, October 21, 2022 5:46 PM

Thanks John, yes I am. Just hope it's not a train coming at me...

Today's project was to make and install the rear brake lines. These are brackets for the hard lines out to the soft lines. Fabricated from sheet brass.

I made the Tee and the clamp and bent the lines today, but I had machined the fittings when I was making the front brake lines.

I had to tear down the right rear suspension and pull the right side header off to install the lines. Sure made installing the lines a lot easier… The soft lines are vinyl tubing.

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

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keavdog

Member since
April 2003
From: USA

Posted by keavdog on Thursday, October 20, 2022 8:07 PM

Wow that looks great Mark. You have to be seeing the light at the end of the tunnel now

Thanks,

John

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Scale-Master

Member since
October 2020

Posted by Scale-Master on Thursday, October 20, 2022 7:37 PM

Thanks guys, I appreciate the kind words.

Time to install the main electrical wiring and a bunch of scratch-built subassemblies. I had already made the wires with ends and the brass guide clips. I installed the fuel pump, regulator & filters and ran the oil lines to the engine. The battery & hold down and the dipstick were installed too. I also added a half dozen more suspension parts/fasteners and the exhaust. This is still dry assembled and not everything is connected, just making sure all the lines are the correct length and that there are no interference issues. It's getting packed pretty tightly…