Properly, we lastly wrapped up the construct of the Tamiya Lotus Tremendous 7 Sequence II mannequin package. It is a very attention-grabbing automotive, in actual life, and one which we had an opportunity to take a look at whereas in Europe some years in the past. It’s at all times been a favourite with each my dad and I and, some day, we might like to personal one.

Nevertheless, for now, we’re pleased to have a finalized 1/24 scale mannequin package of it.

This automotive will be constructed one among two methods, in both street or a race model. Or, should you’re like us, we went with a street model that had some race elements on it, a dailydriven race automotive, so to talk.

Okay, let’s get to the main points.

Unboxing Video

Chassis
The chassis on the Tremendous 7 doesn’t embrace a lot – it’s principally flat panels which might be built-in into the bodywork. There’s no body rails, per se, so not a lot element is included to point out off. However, that’s the case with the true automotive and never a consequence of the particular Tamiya package, so it’s what it’s. And, sadly, there’s solely slightly bit you are able to do so far as detailing. It’s a problem, so far as masking goes, however we love the truth that the looks is a bunch of aluminum panels with some stuff bolted to them.

Engine
The engine within the package is a properly detailed rendition of the particular 1.3 liter, 4-cylinder Ford Cosworth powerplant. Even mounted within the light-weight, Tremendous 7 shell, this engine solely pushed the Lotus to about 100mph. In all honesty, it’s fairly a puny engine while you take off the cowling to show it – one thing a lot larger may have gone in it’s place (like a straight-6?). Nevertheless, Tamiya did an amazing job in recreating the 4-cylinder, even in it’s barely primary kind. The one actual glue-on elements are the fan belt meeting, valve cowl, distributor and dual-carbs. Tamiya, did, although, add a pleasant set of photo-etched elements for the rate stacks and mount. These are difficult to put in (with ham-hands reminiscent of ours) however the last product seems superior!

Suspension
The suspension system on the Tremendous 7 is fairly easy as nicely – higher and decrease tube arms with shocks up entrance, strong axle with shocks out again. The properly detailed entrance brake system additionally features a set of photo-etched rotors, however just for the outer-facing facet. Aside from that, there are not any anti-roll bars or different advanced suspension bits, simply the fundamentals. This makes portray and meeting fairly simple, nevertheless the precise meeting course of is a fragile process (once more, chubby-paw syndrome). Have a great set of tweezers and a few persistence helpful to assist make this course of a bit simpler.

Inside
Like the true automotive, the inside is kind of sparse – one-piece backrest with a pair of padded seats, middle transmission cowl, primary dashboard and driver rollover hoop. It’s a righthand drive configuration, which we love, and goes collectively simply. One factor to notice – there’s a number of masking of the physique work to distinguish the painted panels from the inventory aluminum ones, solely to be lined up by the seat backing and rear deck cowl. So until you’re going to show these elements, don’t trouble being all that good along with your masking. We did, after which we lined all of it up. Oh, and should you’re observant, you might discover the absence of seat belts. That is the primary time we’ve tried utilizing the photo-etched/sticker seat belts they usually had been an absolute headache! We’re positive there’s a simple technique to do these however, till we’re slightly extra superior, we determined to ixnay them.

Physique
We have now to state that Tamiya nailed the physique work on the Lotus Tremendous 7! Attractive swooping entrance fenders again to the complete rear fenders, a great-looking nostril with photo-etched grille, removeable engine cowling, detailed firewall with 3-piece windshield and wipers. Out again, there’s a further chassis piece that holds the spare tire and, since we went with the street addition, a license plate as nicely. The license quantity is duplicated on the entrance of the automotive, however in sticker kind on the nostril. Once more, a number of added element (fender-mounted flip indicators, 3-piece headlights and single-piece taillights) that requires persistence and regular fingers to connect, however the last product is just gorgeous! The directions gave us an possibility of two colours – British Inexperienced or Purple. The extra in style colour is the inexperienced, so we selected the purple. Clearly.

Wheels and Tires
Oddly sufficient with this model of the package, the street automotive and the race automotive use the identical wheels and tires, the one discerning function being the chrome wheel covers. Whereas we do just like the covers, we knew {that a} hardcore daily-driven race automotive can be with out, in order that’s the course we selected. The fronts have pins to connect, the rears clip onto a pin on the rear axle. That is in all probability our solely problem with this package – the rears. They’re wobbly and the molding isn’t nice, so our left rear tire retains falling off. Whereas we don’t wish to, we’re going to have to connect it on to maintain it on. Type of a bummer.

Last Ideas
The Tamiya Lotus Tremendous 7 is a extremely enjoyable mannequin to construct. The package follows the true automotive’s primary design with sufficient element to assemble one thing actually cool. In case you’re a super-modeler, there’s additionally loads so as to add to spice up its scale element – plug and battery wires, for instance.

We additionally love which you can construct it one among two methods or, should you’re like us, a pleasant mixture of each.

Simply be warned, it’s a delicate package and madly mashing it collectively actually gained’t produce a display-quality showpiece. Take your time, use child gloves and also you’ll be rewarded with a construct you may proudly show in your modeling workshop!