©2015 Automodello

"Just Like Clark's - Automodello Produces a Captivating 1:12 Scale Tribute to the '67 Lotus 49" AutoWeek November 23, 2015

A singular talent with an engaging personality, Jim Clark was a beloved figure on the track and off, and remains one of the most highly regarded drivers in F1 history. Clark won 25 Grands Prix in just 72 starts—a winning percentage that trails only Fangio and Ascari for the greatest in history. He also won two world championships—the first two of Lotus’s illustrious history —in 1963 and again in 1965. For the 1967 season Clark campaigned the innovative Lotus 49 starting with the third race of the season, the Dutch Grand Prix at Zandvoort. He won in the car’s debut, and went on to win three more times in 1967, as well as the first race of the 1968 season before losing his life in a Formula 2 accident during the first of a two heat race. Team mate Graham Hill went on to take the ’68 title in his Lotus 49.

The Lotus 49 was innovative for a number of reasons. Lotus head engineer and team founder Colin Chapman had pioneered the revolutionary semi-monocoque chassis design in the Lotus 25, and the technology had quickly become the standard across all of F1. With the Lotus 49, which was a full monocoque, he introduced yet another design concept which would become de rigueur with all winning teams, and it hinged upon—quite literally—the engine. Formula 1 had switched to the larger 3.0L engine formula for the 1966 season, prompting longtime Team Lotus engine supplier Coventry Climax (a specialist in the tiny 1.5L formula which had ruled from 1961 through 1965) to withdraw from the sport. This left Team Lotus scrambling for an engine supplier, and its ’66 performance suffered. For the 1967 season Ford-Cosworth was looking for a team to help it develop its new “Double Four Valve” 3.0L V8, and Lotus jumped at the opportunity, becoming the official development team for the Cosworth DFV—an engine that would dominate F1 for the next 20 years. Chapman designed an all-new chassis around the DFV, and he used the engine’s block as a stressed component rather than dropping it in a traditional frame. This was the first ever use of an engine as a fully stressed member in Formula 1, and it made the car significantly stronger and lighter than traditional designs. The benefits were immediately apparent; in addition to Clark’s four wins, the Lotus 49 took the pole position for every race in which it appeared in 1967—an astounding nine in a row!

The Lotus 49 was truly a new beginning for Team Lotus, and for F1 technology. It also represents a new beginning for Automodello, as Automodello steps into the large scale arena for the first time. Diecasm as Automodello's corporate parent is proud to be able to deliver this groundbreaking machine to you as one of just 499 fortunate Formula 1 fans, in highly detailed, meticulously researched and replicated 1:12 scale. The entire Automodello team strove to get the details perfect and are proud that Classic Team Lotus—the custodians of the original car—has given its endorsement. This is the perfect way to celebrate the engineering genius of Colin Chapman and the Lotus team, but most especially the skill and panache of one of Formula 1’s all-time greatest—Jim Clark. Jimmy’s driving career was cut tragically short by his death at age 32, which makes his extraordinary accomplishments in Formula 1—every lap of which was at the wheel of a Lotus—all the more astonishing.

Excerpt from the Automodello Press Release:

The Lotus 49, designed by Colin Chapman and Maurice Phillippe, was one of the most innovative and influential racecars of the post-war era. Automodello’s model captures it as it debuted and raced to victory by the legendary Jim Clark at the 1967 Dutch Grand Prix. Produced under official license with Classic Team Lotus Ltd., and strictly limited to just 499 certificated pieces, this Automodello’s exquisite model will be nothing short of a museum quality piece.

Even the most discerning collectors are sure to be blown-away by the craftsmanship of the build quality, the astonishing level of detail and the fabulous finish to the authentic racing livery. The Lotus 49’s torpedo shaped body shell, wrapped around the aluminum monocoque chassis with front sub frame, will include every single accurately placed rivet. Prepare also to marvel at the fully stressed engine (consisting of over 100 individual parts), incredibly intricate brake lines, delicately formed air inlet gauzing, perfectly replicated instrumentation and pliable Firestone racing tires with correct tread pattern.

This mesmerizing masterpiece will serve as a lasting tribute to the genius of Colin Chapman, the commitment of Team Lotus, the passion and talent of Jim Clark and the dedication to accurate scale replication from the team of skilled artisans at Automodello. To allow it to be enjoyed and viewed from a 360-degree angle on a daily basis, free of dust or accidental damage, it will therefore be packaged on a stylish plinth with a clear protective display cover.