Backdating Tamiya 1993 Lola

[indy]

Been wondering recently about the 1992 Lola Fords that dominated Indy. Trying to crowd-source some difference in the 1992 and 1993 Lola-Fords. IE, what would it take to make the Tamiya kit into the 1992 Indy 500 ride of Arie, Eddie, Michael, or Mario.

I know we have talked about it a time or two. I am guessing several here have done the work/research/etc and have it figured out. So, asking to see what has already been unearthed.

Here is my cursory list:

Differences/Similarities
Rims - flush faced in 1992
Windscreen - shorter in 1993
Rear wheel kickups - no vertical piece in 1992
Rear wing endplates - similar shapes but taller in 1992
Rear wing - mounted higher in 1992
Pop off valve - same

Maybes
Rear wing support angle - less angle toward body??
Front wing - mounted higher in 1992?

Not sure abouts
Suspension
Engine cover
Transmission area
Side view mirrors

Feel free to add, modify, remove the above.

Jordan


1992




1993

[schix5150]

Look up the Popular Mechanics article from June 1993. It goes into details about the rule changes for 1993. The cars are 5” longer in the nose and wider so drivers can pull their feet closer because of all the foot injuries in ‘92.

Mike

[indy]

Feb 20, 2020 23:27:18 GMT -5 schix5150 said:

Look up the Popular Mechanics article from June 1993. It goes into details about the rule changes for 1993. The cars are 5” longer in the nose and wider so drivers can pull their feet closer because of all the foot injuries in ‘92.

Mike

Mike, I made a similar statement here before.... what it looks like is Lola extended the nose of the chassis and shortened the nose cone. If you look where the screws are that connect the nose to the body, in 1992 they are by the forward mounting point of the suspension then in 1993 the screws are way down into the front wing. Seems like Lola accomplished the rule changes without having to redo the entire car.

I did just take some rough measurements on car lengths in the pictures on this thread to compare the two pictures (the 1993 pictures seem to have a lens that widens the car out). What I found was when I measured the front rim sizes on each car then the nose to front suspension pickup points, the two cars are pretty much the same size. I would estimate the extra bulkhead pushed the nose mounting about (roughly) 5"-7" forward on the car.

Thank you for the input and article recommendation, I found it on Google Books and am reading through it. I think I might have bought this very issue back in 1993, I think it had a Simon car cutaway mini-poster in it!?

If you see anything else, feel free to post or if I am seeing something wrong, let me know that, too!

Jordan

[indy]

I see in Popular Mechanics it does say, "The most readily apparent change is the Lola's longer nose and a longer, wider monocoque fabricated - like all current Indycars - from carbon-fiber composite."

Not sure that means the overall dimensions move but it is something to keep investigating. Thanks again for the help!

Jordan

[elsapito]

Start from a road course model (Mansell) and you are better served for sidepods right?
I looked at the thing n a given moment (er... to do something! ;-) ) and noted all the stuff. You also have to pull back the panel line of nose cone (longer front crushproof structure in '93), ehile suspensions are similar, though the window for pushrod was smaller in 92, and featured a drop shaped add on.
I have my two 92 93 boks at home right now, I'll pick them tomorrow and have a look and tell...
ANyway I admit I was ready to do a "just skin" transformation myself.
Besides, if some of us made a '92 Chevy tub to have a very close 1992 car, that'd be a nice thing. I thnk seriously of it!
Ed: got my boks to my temporary base today, will try to have a loo tomorrow.
I think front shocks went outboard and horizontal in '93, but might be in 92... will check

[elsapito]

Here we go. I hope they are useful, though it's obvious the shocks were ALREADY on top of tub in 1992..