Tamiya Mclaren M23 Thread

[Calvin]

I think this should get its own thread, its that BIG

For those that don't know Tamiya is kicking around the idea of re issuing the 1976 Mclaren m23 that James Hunt drove.
Its one of the most difficult and expensive 1/20 tamiya f1 kits to get on Ebay.


Personally I get that feeling that it'll happen...... But Just keep talking about it because tamiya might be testing the waters to see if there is interest.

[indycals]

I think it will happen too. Sell you originals now before they plummet in value

As I mentioned in the other thread, if this happens, I'm doing Tom Sneva 1977 Norton Spirit decals as that would be an easy conversion from this car.

[Calvin]

Man! I cant stop thinking about this! LOL ;D

There is just something about this car that fascinates me It must be the day glow red and the Mclaren shape?

But for the Indycar conversion I'd be willing to make some Resin covers w/ plenum and turbo assembly for anyone that wouldn't want to mess with scratch building. it would be Faster and easier that way....but we will see when we get there.

Actually if the do come out with it, you could almost count it as a production indycar in some time.

But if they do Im buying two for a start one James Hunt car and One for the Tom Sneva project

I could go on and on talking about this m23 ;D

Actually.... LOL (as I keep on talking)
I came close to building a 1:1 Scale M23 instead of a chaparral 2k believe it or not but what kept me form doing it was the exposed engine.....I could get away with doing a curbside with the Chaparral

[2lapsdown]

My fingers are crossed for this one. Revson and Sneva, two of my favorite drivers.

[harveythedog2]

Heck! You could also make Mario's #9 CAM2 or JR's First National City or Budweiser cars!

[Calvin]

If I had one of these I proly could answer this myself but besides the side pod and the air box how much difference is there between the 1973 M23 and this 1976 m23?

Are you thinking what im thinking?
If possible the correct air box could be made to do 1/20 1973, 1974, and 1975 F1 cars

[Calvin]

See for yourself ;D with this picture between the 1973 and 1976 m23

www.conceptcarz.com/view/photo/202094,13639/1973-McLaren-M23_photo.aspx

[Calvin]

May 15, 2010 6:41:35 GMT -5 harveythedog2 said:

Budweiser cars!

The correct nose would have to be made but its easy to do.

[indycals]

The front suspensions are different too.

[indydog]

I think I'll keep the one I have, that way I will only need to buy 2 more! ;D

Now, if I can just find M@r1b0r0 decals for it, my originals are a bit rough.

[Calvin]

May 15, 2010 13:15:24 GMT -5 indydog said:

Now, if I can just find M@r1b0r0 decals for it, my originals are a bit rough.

Im sure they'll be a bunch of aftermarket M@r1b0r0's made from China. I think thats were my M@r1b0r0's for my F2007 came from?

[Deleted]

I have the rest of one, this kit was also produced here in Brazil. I'm thinking in rebuild, to me this is the best Tamiya 1/20 scale formula one kit. There are some little things that must changed, but the kit is very good. And i still have some decals. In fact, i have many parts from this kit (suspensions, body, gearbox, rear spoiler). Tamiya of Brazil produced the M23, Wolf WR 5, Lotus 78, Brabham BT 46, and if i'm not wrong, the Ferrari 312 T3. I still have the Brabham , the kit is also good, the others "not survived" my tentatives of correct some part (chassis and/or body). If one of you have the chance to buy the M23, BUY IT!
Cheers.
Alex

[Deleted]

Iritani kits produced the 73 version Yardley, also a good resin kit

[Deleted]

Here are some photos of a restored by McLaren 1976 M23 taken at Donnington Park F1 collection in 1996. Pre digital days, so only 7 shots where I would take hundreds today.
These may help a few builds, note the Fluro red looks orange in sunshine and when you use flash.














I have posted photos of Yardley M23/1 on my other thread.

[Deleted]