Lola T70 chassis lightening holes

[grandsport3]

Good afternoon Fellows, Switching projects again, now I'm working on Lola T70's, so many unique color and engine combinations. I have two IMC/Union, one Atlas, one K&B and four various clear slot car bodies. I would like to do at least one with a Ford 305 DOHC, a Ford 427 injected, a Gurney-Weslake, a 289 Ford and a small block Chevy. Way back in 1965 I loved my Sports Car Graphic and Car Life issues on the Mecom Lola and Penske Sunoco Special both still excellent sources of info along with the Model Car and Track issues. I'm first using the WIXX Ford GT MK II chassis which are actually quite close to the Lola since Eric Broadley designed them both. The WIXX 427 engine is great but a bear to dissasemble, three small screws, one under the single 4bbl card which is glued with super, super glue, sawed off the Kar-Kraft 4-speed and will use the MPC Gurney Eagle Hewland on all the T-70's. Alway's had it in mind to do the chassis lightening holes but how to do it. My hole drilling skills are bad I never can space things evenly so I thought hole decals would work. Unfortunately no one makes 1/24 scale 4 inch holes so I had some instrument gauge decals and Voi-la they don't look bad and are already spaced. I spent all day cutting out and adhering the gauge decals and found out it better to lay a light coat of clear part glue as you slide them of the sheet. I did lose about six that hung up on the tweezers. I'm resting my eyes today. I still need to add some holes to the dashboards and the center seat tunnel. Attaching photos of vintage T-70 dashes and front cross member with holes. Going to clear coat and then using a black Sharpie to take out the white numbers and needles. If anyone knows a better way to do this please share with the group. Thanx for viewing, John

[Chris K. Hale]

HI John, I would have drilled them but your solution will work too, instead of blacking out the numbers did you try putting the decal on backwards? it should be all black on the back side and adhere the same. Cady Decals are like that, Solvaset or similar should make them adhere fairly well. Put some regular White glue in the decal water or as a last dip before applying. I am really getting ready to do the 1965 Riverside 200 McLaren Elva Ford that Gurney drove. I had Terry Borcher , make the decals , at a reasonable price, then found them in Germany at over $50. a set I cant justify that much on a few decals. I hope to get going on the McLaren very soon. I have a all metal R&D Unique Gurney Weslake engine I got when they were still in business. And I'm basing it on the AMT Kit... Of Course I will post my project ... Chris

[grandsport3]

OK Fellows, Now that I'm back in the Land of the Living: I've been concentrating on getting about six Lola T70 chassis and assemblies done so I can paint, decal and mount the slot car bodies. I've decided to use the WIXX 1966 Holman Moody Ford GT Mk II 1/24 diecast (so much detail and the chassis is actually pretty class to a T70) and the IMC/MPC Ford MK IV/J-car. Again very close to a T70. SO, The IMC/Union T-70s are up for sale just the bodies and misc parts some parts went into the six I am working on. Per the thread title,I did find some 1/24 black hole decals. Unfortunately the majority range too big for my purposes, only the first 3 rows are very useful. They are on eBay thru about 6 different vendors, don't get in a rush, they range from $4.95 to $9.95 for the same thing. But they are a lot easier to use than dash gauges colored in black. On the photos not ALL the holes have been placed, each T70 owner had their own way of making and placing the number of lightening holes. I'm waiting for another sheet of holes, that should do it. I modified a WIXX MK II dash to resemble a T70. Some T70s had a dash panel under the whole screen (Donahue) and some had the instrument cross member visible, take your pick.

Now the Big Question: What is "Dan Gurney Blue" and who makes it in spray (preferably) or airbrush mix? Same for Penske Sunoco Blue. Mecom Blue was supposed to be Cadillac Phelham Blue which was good for the 63-64 cars but the 65 Lola T70 was a darker blue before resorting back to the lighter blue for the Jackie Stewart T70's in 1966. I want to do a Swede Savage version vice the Gurney or Jerry Grant, too common. Man,have I been busy working on Cobra's and T70's and buying things off ebay! Thanx for listening I'll attach photos of my work so far in a day or two. Thanx,John

[tatocorvette]

Hello,

Contact Scalefinishes.com and tell him I sent you. Penske Sunoco blue was actually the very first color I bought from him years ago.

Thanks,
Ismael