SH modeling

To create a "real" Lotus Martini green, I ordered custom paint at Hiroboy. Also some other Lotus specific paint :-)

Modifications so far:
• Bodywork over front suspension
• Shortened sidepod air exits
• rear brake cooling ducts opened and reworked
• Thinned and shortened rear of body, to make rear wing end plates look like the real thing
• Exhaust ends replaced with brass rod
• Bodywork over front suspension
• Major rework of cockpit and seat

Race version

The Lotus 80 was only driven by Mario Andretti during races because Carlos Reutemann rejected the car. So you have only the option to build this kit as No. 1 car (at least if you want to depict a raced version).
The Martini livery changed a bit from race to race, so I ordered the Monaco GP version. IMHO it has the best color scheme of the races it raced.

Available Model kits

To build this car in 1/20 scale, these kits were available:

• Factory T'z Lotus 80 curbside (Resin, white metal, no photoetch parts) - very difficult to find
• Studio 27 Lotus 80 curbside - several race versions (Resin, white metal, photoetch parts)

I have a Studio27 curbside kit of the Monaco version. After starting the kit, I discovered several parts which need rework. These were obviously sacrificed to the usual S27 simplicity..