Vintage 1/12th Tamiya Lotus 49B Ford F-1 Collectors Guide

This is one of a series of guides created to assist Collectors and Builders of Tamiya's "Big Scale" Series of plastic model kits. As a side hobby of my automotive interests at the Woodward Avenue Garage, I've amassed a substantial collection of Big Scale Automotive and Motorcycle kits. Over the years, I've learned much about these kits. Especially the earliest and rarest examples. None of the information provided in this guide is available in any other forum (that I am aware of), and so I've created this series of guides to assist both Collectors and Hobbyists. Emphasis is always on Kit History, Identification, Features, ect. Hopefully, you will find this guide to be a useful reference on the particulars of the Lotus 49B Ford kit. Feel free to email with comments, questions, or additional information.

** The Original c.1970 1/12th Tamiya Big Scale Kit #4, Lotus 49B Ford F-1 (Fully Motorized) **

IDENTIFICATION: An original unbuilt example of this kit is very rare today. Even one of the many later and out of production re-issues are beginning to become uncommon in the Vintage Marketplace. One identification point that should be of interest to collectors is that not all motorized kits are first issues. A quick clue to identify a first issue of this kit is by looking for the 2 inch by 3 inch Black Foil Model Racing Classics (MRC) tag on the box top (see photo above). This "Black Tag" was placed on the earliest "Export" kits from Tamiya. There were exceptions, but if you see a kit with the tag, it's an original first issue. On the end panel of the box, the kit number will be BS1204 - 1198. The 1198 is not part of the kit number, but rather the kit's price (in Yen, c.1970). Another quick first issue point is that all the text on the box is in English. Later kits have English/Japanese text on the box.  See photos of the kit contents below;

The decal sheet is printed on White paper and on the back side is a date code. The date code for the reference kit used in this guide is '70 11 (November, 1970). The instructions are written in English. They will not be date coded, but the last 2 pages will contain a very early Tamiya catalog. From the photo above you will see that the original Blister Card contains all Hardware, Tyres, Electric Motor, and the gearbox. Later kits changed to a narrow card, and the last (non-motorized) kit eliminated it altogether. All parts trees are in bags, and stapled shut with paper Lotus 49B Ford F-1 labels. Later kits did not have the paper labels. The body and tub are not bagged. Watch closely for deteriorated tires, even if the parts blisters are still sealed. If a kit has tire melt, replacements will have to be sourced from a donor car/kit. This kit builds up with the electric motor and gearbox hidden inside the detailed Engine. No scale details were sacrificed for the motorization, and the rear wheels are driven through the scale half shafts. The battery box and on/off switch are in the lower front underbody. The access door for the battery box is not scale of course, and also required modification to the lower legs of the Driver Figure for clearance inside the cockpit. Later non motorized kits will also have the molded in battery box, even though they are not motorized. Decals do not age well, even when stored in good conditions. Modern replacements are available. As mentioned earlier, Vintage 1970 original unbuilt kits are very scarce. Later issues are more common and can be located with a little effort. Prices for later kits are in the $100.00 plus range, are usually found in Japan, and the shipping costs are very high. 1970 kits will always be a rare find and prices will always be at a premium.

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

Tamiya had previously released (3) Big Scale 1/12th cars in the 1960's. They were the Honda F-1, Lotus 49 Ford F-1, and the Porsche Carrera 10. All were motorized and had set the standard in large scale car kits. The Lotus 49B Ford F-1 in this guide was the fourth car in the line-up, and was not an entirely new kit. This kit shares 95% of its parts (made from the same molds) as kit #2, the Lotus 49 Ford F-1, with only a few revisions. For starters, the body is molded in Red. This reflected the new paint scheme for the Gold Leaf Tobacco Sponsorship. Also, the decals are for Gold Leaf sponsored cars. The kit also changed the Nose Section to accurately model the aerodynamic improvements made during the 1968 Formula One Season. There is one additional parts tree not found in the original #2 kit Lotus 49. It is a gray plastic tree that has front and rear high mounted Wings, and parts for an Oil Tank and high mounted Engine Oil Cooler. Other minor changes were made to the Windshield and Fairing areas of the body. All of these changes reflect the running development that occurred on a race by race basis during the 1968 season. 1968 is a tough year to model F-1 cars due to the fact that each race saw changes to nearly every car in the field. 1968 also marked the year that Formula One Cars became the rolling sponsorship billboards that we see today. The Lotus 49B changed colors from the traditional British Racing Green, and went to the Red & Gold of Gold Leaf Cigarettes. The 49B won the it's first race entered at Monaco with Graham Hill at the wheel. The entire Lotus Team dominated most races in 1968. The 49B kit in this guide does not include the rear engine cowl used on the earliest version. It only includes Wings used later in the season. There are decals available in the aftermarket for the Blue and White Rob Walker car that won the '68 British Grand Prix. Depending upon the race, there are plenty of parts and decals to accurately model several cars raced by Team Lotus in 1968. As with all Tamiya Big Scale kits, The Lotus 49B Ford F-1 is loaded with detail. Add in the motorization and functioning suspension and it becomes a classic. Even 38 years after it was built, the kit is still a benchmark kit in 1/12th scale.

** Kit Features **

** Hundreds of Parts, Molded in Red, Gray, Black, Silver, Chrome, and Clear

** Fully Detailed and Motorized Ford DFV V-8 Fuel Injected Engine

** Semi Pneumatic Rubber Like Firestone Tyres with Realistic Tread Patterns

** Fully Functioning Scale Suspension

** Working Steering Through Functioning Steering Wheel and Rack In Pinion Steering

** Scale Drivers Figure

** Kit Pros And Cons **

Pros. For a kit that was introduced in 1970, this is an incredible kit. Even though it was essentially a later development of the earlier Lotus 49 kit, it still stands on it's own merits. All Tamiya's original Big Scale kits were motorized, and this kit was done to the same standards as the first three. Parts quality is very good, and in it's day was unbelievable. Due to this fact, it was hard to resist building one, and not many unbuilt kits are out there today. By todays standards, the kit has aged well and still compares favorably to the modern kits. Depending on the race, several accurate versions can be built of 1968 cars. Aftermarket decals are available for variations, and replacements for deteriorated originals can be found. Yes, there are a few flaws in the kit, but these are small when compared to the overall kit. A worthy kit for any collection, or built-up and displayed.

Cons. As with all Formula One kits for cars from the 1968 season, there were too many variations to accurately model in one kit. This kit is no exception. The Lotus 49B was a development of the Lotus 49, and Tamiya's 49B kit #4 was a variation on it's Lotus 49 kit #2. The main flaws in accuracy are; Rear Tires on a 49B were wider, but the kit uses the same Wheel/Tire combination of the earlier Lotus 49. The original Lotus 49B had an upper rear engine cowl with a rear lip/spoiler that was not modeled for this kit. There are upright struts for the Front and Rear Wings, but their height will have to be modified depending on which race the car competed in. Vintage Tamiya kits are highly susceptible to "Tire Melt", and decals are almost always found with age issues. Replacement tires are not available from Tamiya, but decals can be found in the aftermarket. As with all these original issue kits, finding nice unbuilt examples is very difficult. As a side note, if you do find one you hate to build it due to it's scarcity. Go buy a re-issue and build it. It's essentially the same kit without the electrics.

I hope you found this guide helpful in identifying an original issue Lotus 49B kit. If you find it helpful, take a moment to vote below. Keep a watch for more early 1/12th Big Scale kit guides. I'll be doing several more as time allows. As always, feel free to email with questions or comments.