1/12 Tamiya Tyrrell Ford F-1 Car Kit 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 years of collecting, I've learned much about these kits. Especially the earliest and rarest issues. None of the information contained in these guides is available in any other forum (that I am aware of), and so they were created to assist both Collectors and Hobbyists. Emphasis is on Kit History, Identification, Features, ect. Hopefully, you will find this guide to be a useful reference on the particulars of this kit. Feel free to email with comments, questions, or additional information.

** The Original c.1973 1/12th Tamiya Big Scale Kit #9, Tyrrell Ford F-1 **

IDENTIFICATION: An original unbuilt example of this early 1970's kit is relatively rare today. Even later re-issues are out of production with a very limited supply in the Vintage Marketplace. The quickest way to identify an original 1973 kit, is by the "Black Tag" on the lid of the box. The 2 inch by 3 inch Black Foil Model Racing Classics (Model Rectifier Corporation) tag was only placed on the earliest Export kits from Tamiya. There are exceptions to the "Black Tag". For example; Kits that were never exported and sold in Japan. On the end panel of the box, the kit number will be BS 1209 - 1750. The 1750 is not the part number, but rather the kit price (in Yen) in 1973. The box, and instructions for an original issue kit will be in English only. Later kits will be English / Japanese, and eventually multi lingual. The Tamiya address on the box will be 50-1, Oshika, Shizuoka-City, Japan. Tamiya has changed addresses 4 times, and this was their address from 1969 to 1974. The instructions will have a 4 digit date code on the lower left corner of the cover. The reference kit for this guide is a very early kit and has the date code of 7302 (February 1973). The instructions are well illustrated, and are written entirely in English. The original set of decals will be printed on White decal paper. The decals will also have a cryptic Tamiya date code printed on the back. The reference kit decals are coded 2 '73 (February 1973). Later decal sheets are printed on Blue paper and have no date code. Original kits will have Tyres and Hardware on a blister card. An interesting note is that all the text on the side of the blister is written in Japanese. Later re-issue kits will have tires and hardware in plastic bags. Photos of parts below;

You will notice in the photo, that the Driver figure has a full body. Previous kits, many motorized, had Driver figures that were cut off at the knees for clearance. Many of these Tyrrell kits were raided for the full driver figure, and replacing a missing figure is very difficult. All the parts trees are in plastic bags, and are stapled shut with paper Tyrrell Ford labels. Later kits do no have the paper labels. Vintage 1973 kits in minty unbuilt condition are very rare today and rarely come up for sale. More often, re-issues can be found and are usually being sold from Japan. High shipping costs and a weak Dollar are really driving the cost to a prohibitive level on these older Vintage kits. Prices for later kits are now well over $100.00 not including shipping. Nice, Unbuilt Originals never sell often enough to estimate a value.

** 1/12th Tamiya Tyrrell Ford F-1 Kit History **

By 1973, Tamiya had expanded their 1/12th "Big Scale Series" of cars to 10. The Tyrrell Ford F-1 was what I consider the last of the First Generation Formula One kits. After the first 10 Big Scale kits, Tamiya restructured the catalog lineup, changed several kit part numbers, revised several kits, and the lineup has stayed this way until today. The Tyrrell Ford kit in this guide is of the car introduced and used late in the 1970 F-1 series of races. The car raced for the entire 1972 F-1 season as well. When car owner Ken Tyrrell parted ways with Matra after 1969, He needed a new chassis builder for 1970. Tyrrell ended up using a March 701 Chassis, along with the Ford Cosworth V-8 Engine and Dunlop Tyres. Jackie Stewart, the 1969 F-1 Season Champion Driver was the primary driver for the team, and Francois Cevert was signed on to drive a second Tyrrell Team Car. The March Chassis did not meet expectations early in 1970, and Ken Tyrrell designed the Tyrrell Ford F-1 on his own to finish the season. 1970 was not a successful year for Ken  Tyrrell & Jackie Stewart, but the car and team dominated the field for 1971. Stewart won his second World Championship in 1971, with Tyrrell driver Cevert ending up 3rd in the World Championship points standings. This was the first time that a new car, in it's first full year of competition, won the Constructor's Cup. The Tamiya kit is basically a 1971 car, and can be decaled for cars driven by Stewart or Cevert. The kit is non-motorized, but has removable (upper) body work. The kit comes with two stands that are used for displaying the upper body off the car. Wheels are removable with a supplied wrench. Suspension is fully sprung via Scale Shock Absorbers. Steering functions through Working Steering Wheel and Rack-In-Pinion. The Ford/Cosworth DFV V-8 is highly detailed, with all the usual hoses and wiring. The was a unique nose used for the Monte Carlo race on chassis #001 in 1971. I've seen a cast metal transkit for this car in the aftermarket. Additionally, there are several optional decal sets available if you hunt around. Replacement Tamiya decals are easy to find in Japan. Beware of deteriorated tyres in Vintage Tamiya kits. If you have bad tyres, replacements will have to come from a donor car.

** Kit Features **

** Super Detailed Ford DFV V-8 Engine

** Semi Pneumatic Rubber Like Dunlop Tires with Realistic Tread Patterns

** Realistic (Full Body) Driver's Figure

** Movable Front And Rear Suspension

** Detachable Front Cowling and Upper Body

** Steerable Front Wheels

** Kit Pros and Cons **

Pros. A 35 year old kit that builds into an incredible Display Model. An accurate kit of a car Jackie Stewart won his second Diving Championship in 1971. Hundreds of well made parts and hardware. A good selection of aftermarket items available to enhance the kit or build variations. All text on box and instructions are printed in English. A great kit that has aged well, and still compares very well to modern kits and releases.

Cons. A 35 year old kit that is extremely difficult to locate in minty unbuilt condition. If a nice kit is located, it's so rare you don't want to build. Decals do not age well. Tires are susceptible to "melt, and replacements are difficult to source.

I hope this guide has assisted Collectors and Builders alike. If you find it informative, take a moment to give it a vote below. Keep a watch for new guides in the near future. All the Early Tamiya, Otaki, Bandai, Imai, and AHM "Big Scale" cars will be written up. As always, feel free to email with comments.