1/12 Tamiya Lotus 49 Ford F-1 Kit Collectors Guide c.1969

This is another in a series of guides created to assist Collectors and Builders of Tamiya "Big Scale" plastic model kits. As a side hobby of my Automotive interests, I've amassed a substantial collection of Vintage Big Scale Car & Motorcycle kits over the years. I've learned much about the specifics of these kits, and most are the earliest examples manufactured. None of the information contained in this guide is available in any other forum (that I am aware of). and so I've created these guides as a resource for hobbyists. Emphasis is always on kit History, Identification, Features, ect. Less information is given to the actual build of the kit due to rarity. Of course, any build information forwarded to me will be gladly included in the guide.

** The Original c.1969 1/12th Tamiya Big Scale Kit #2, Lotus 49 Ford F-1 (Fully Motorized) **

IDENTIFICATION: An original unbuilt example of this kit is extremely rare today. Of the entire early Tamiya 1/12 series of cars, this kit was the most difficult to obtain. The kit was manufactured in similar numbers to other kits in the series, but from experience I would estimate that there are a minimal number of original kits remaining in mint unbuilt condition. There are many unique aspects of this original kit that differ from all later Lotus 49 issues. The first quick identifier is the large Black Foil "Model Racing Classics" (MRC - Model Rectifier Corporation) decal on the lid of the box. This "Black Tag" was only put on the earliest import kits from Tamiya. There were exceptions to the "Black Tag", but if you see one, it's an early kit. Another quick reference is the "Big Scale 2" on the front of the box (see photo above). Shortly after the release of this kit, Tamiya changed the number of this kit to Big Scale 12. The kit number on the end of the box will be BS 1202 - 1198. The 1198 is not part of the kit number, but is the price of the kit in (Japanese) Yen. Later issues of this kit had the number changed to BS 1212. This is very important because there were changes made to the kit as well. One of the biggest differences is that the original kit did not have a driver figure. The instructions will have "Big Scale 2" on the front of the first page, and will not have a construction sequence for the driver figure. Some later (second) issue kits have instructions that still had the "Big Scale 2" instructions, even though the box lid had "Big Scale 12". Those instructions WILL have a construction sequence that includes the driver figure. A photo of an early second issue Big Scale 12 kit below;

Both kits at first appear the same, but you will notice many differences. The original issue has "Tamiya Mokei", 915, Oshika, Shizuoka-City, Japan, as the address on the side of the box. This was Tamiya's original name and address from 1946 to 1969. The box for the second issue will have the "New Type" seal on the lower left corner of the lid. Also, the address changed to Tamiya (no longer Tamiya Mokei), 50-1, Oshika, Shizuoka-City, Japan, and this was Tamiya's address from 1969 to 1974. Another trivial point is that the original kit used a Mabuchi RE-14 Electric Motor, and the re-issues used an FA-13 Motor. Original kit contents below;

From the photos you will see that the original kit had a unique parts blister. All the tires are packaged in a row. Re-issues have tires blistered in a square pattern on the parts card. All parts bags are stapled shut and have a Lotus Ford F-1 paper label (with the Union Jack). Later kits did not have the paper label. The second release kit mentioned in this guide only had one paper label, and the rest of the parts bags were unlabeled. As a warning that concerns all early Tamiya kits, beware of Tire Melt. For some unknown reason, some tires will degrade over time, even when sealed in the blisters. Replacements can only be found from a donor kit or previously built car. Replacement decals are easily located in the Vintage aftermarket. Parts are molded in Green, Gray, Chrome, Black, and Clear. All issues of this kit have the same plastic parts, but the early original kit does not have the White parts tree containing the driver figure. Parts quality is very high for a kit of this vintage. The kit builds with the electric motor and gearbox hidden inside the highly detailed Ford Cosworth V-8. Rear wheels are driven through scale half-shafts. The battery box is hidden in the lower front body, with very little sacrifice of scale. Extra decals are included to build an early 1968 "Gold Leaf" Lotus 49B, but there were many technical changes that this kit does not include to make it "correct". In 1970, Tamiya used 80% of this kit to release a stand alone Lotus 49B kit #4, BS 1204. That kit was molded with a Red Body, has a different Nose Section with ducts and "winglets", Different Windshields, Front and Rear "wings", different Driver Cowl area, and a high mounted Oil Cooler (see separate guide). As for values, any motorized version of this Lotus 49 Ford F-1 kit that is in minty condition typically sells north of $100.00. Good luck in your search for an original "Black Tag" kit. I'm a collector, and it took me over three years to find the reference kit in this guide. They are out there, but are very rare.........

** 1/12th Tamiya Lotus 49 Ford F-1 Kit History **

In 1968, Tamiya released what was their first 1/12th "Big Scale" kit, the Honda F-1. That kit rocked the modeling world. Sure, there were a few big scale kits out there from Bandai, AHM, and Imai, but the Tamiya kit raised the bar to an entirely different level. Tamiya rapidly expanded their line of 1/12th cars with the release of "Big Scale" kit #2, The Lotus 49 Ford F-1. By 1970, Tamiya would have 6 kits in the lineup, with many more to come. All the kits in this scale from Tamiya were the industry standard in scale and detail. Yes, they were expensive, but there was no other line of kits out there to compare with them. The Lotus 49 Ford F-1 kit had all the features you could imagine in 1968. Rubber Like Tires, Working Rack-In-Pinion Steering, Fully Motorized Drivetrain, Functioning Scale Suspension, and an incredibly detailed Ford Cosworth Fuel Injected V-8. By todays standards, the kit is slightly dated, but has remained in production and in high demand for most of the 40 years since it was first released. Everyone wanted to build Graham Hill's or Jim Clark's Car, and most WERE built. British Green Lotus cars were winning races everywhere in the 1960's, and even today, those cars are the most recognizable cars from that era. At the end of the 1965 Grand Prix season, Colin Chapman and Team Lotus needed a new engine. In a deal with Ford, Chapman arranged for Ford to give 100,00 pounds to Cosworth to develop a new engine for Ford. Team Lotus would be given exclusive use of the engine for one year. 13 months later, the new Ford/Cosworth D.F.V. V-8 engine made it's debut at the Dutch Grand Prix in the Lotus 49 chassis. The Lotus 49 Ford won the race. The Tamiya Lotus 49 kit is of the 1967 car, as raced by either Graham Hill or Jim Clark. There are decals for either driver. Although Tamiya has included decals for the later 49B Gold Leaf, that was a car that ran in 1968 with many changes. This kit is of an early 49 Ford chassis with minimal development. Parts count is modest when compared to later Tamiya kits. Fit and finish is very high by 1968 standards, but will pale as compared to later kits. There is a nostalgia thing with these early motorized kits, that was lost in the later "Static Display Only" kits. Yes, there were sacrifices made to scale, but very few. Considering the kit in the time that it was released, and the influence all the early Tamiya kits had on 1/12th big scale cars in general, this was a landmark kit. Definately worthy of the top shelf in any collection. 

** Kit Features **

** High Parts Count With Parts Molded In 5 Different Colors

** RE-14 SE Electric Motor

** Functioning Rack-In-Pinion Steering

** Full Detailed Working Front And Rear Suspension

** Semi Pneumatic Rubber Like Firestone Racing Tires

** Super Detailed Ford/Cosworth Fuel Injected D.F.V. V-8 Engine

** Kit Pros And Cons **

Let's start with the Pros. The second "Big Scale" kit released in 1968 by Tamiya. A great subject to model, and Tamiya did a great job with the details. Being an early Fully Motorized kit, it has all the "Nostalgia" factor that makes these early kits so great to collect or build. Is there anyone out there who did'nt build one "back-in-the-day"? A classic 1/12th scale kit, very rare, and worthy of any collection.

Cons. An original kit is now over 40 years old. Just finding one is a chore. Locating an unbuilt "gem" is like hunting for "Bigfoot". Everyone has seen one, but where did it go? Being an early kit from the late 60's, its not quite to the standards we expect from Tamiya today. Rubber Tyres are highly susceptible to "melt" or deterioration. Decals do not age well, even when stored in a good enviroment. First issue kits did not have a driver figure. Prices have always been high for early examples of this kit. With Oil prices going off the scale, look for these big scale kits to disappear.

I hope you have found this Lotus 49 Ford F-1 guide informative. It's a rare kit, and many people are not aware of just how scarce it really is. Also, it's tough to identify an original, from the many re-issues. If you have found this guide helpful, take a moment to vote below. Feel free to email with questions or comments. Keep an eye out for many more Big Scale guides. I've got some very good stuff in the works now.