Tamiya 12036 - 1:12 Tyrrell P34 Six Wheeler

Tyrrell P34 Six Wheeler Formula 1 car plastic model kit in 1:12 scale

Four small front wheels instead of two large ones — Derek Gardner's idea remains one of the boldest solutions ever seen in Formula 1. The Tyrrell P34 was no mere curiosity: the six-wheeler won races and stood on podiums. Tamiya 12036 reproduces it in 1:12 scale, where the full complexity of the front suspension is finally easy to appreciate.

The mould dates from 1977, the photo-etched release from 2008, and the current edition appeared in 2022. The kit allows the car to be built in one of two options: #3 Jody Scheckter or #4 Patrick Depailler.

The detailed Ford Cosworth DFV engine comes with plumbing and ignition wiring, while aluminium intake trumpets enhance the realism of the upper part of the unit. The suspension — both the rear and the intricate four-wheel front arrangement — remains movable thanks to metal springs. The steering wheel turns the front wheels.

What's in the box:

• Plastic sprues
• Photo-etched parts: brake discs, front wing end plates, radiator, seatbelt buckles
• Aluminium intake trumpets
• Metal suspension springs
• Synthetic rubber tyres
• Cartograf decal sheet for two options: #3 Jody Scheckter and #4 Patrick Depailler
• Illustrated assembly instructions

Model specifications:

• Scale: 1:12
• Item number: 12036
• Manufacturer: Tamiya
• Assembled model size: 336 × 166 × 84 mm
• Skill level: intermediate (a large kit with a high number of details — elaborate six-wheel suspension, wired engine, photo-etched parts)

Please note: The kit does not include glue, paints or modelling tools. The model is intended for self-assembly.

Assembly:

The front suspension demands the most attention — four wheels mean a double set of wishbones, brake discs and steering components. It is worth building them in stages and dry-fitting to check the geometry before gluing, so that all six wheels sit evenly on the ground. The Ford Cosworth DFV engine is best painted before the sub-assemblies go together, with the plumbing and ignition wiring added last using precision tweezers. Cyanoacrylate glue is recommended for the photo-etched parts and the aluminium intake trumpets.

The bodywork in team colours is finished in gloss. The Cartograf decals are thin and settle well — for the best result they can be applied over a gloss base, which limits decal silvering, with the help of a decal setting solution. The instructions provide Tamiya paint codes for both marking options.

Tools required:

• Modelling side cutters for removing parts from the sprues
• Hobby knife or scalpel
• Files and sanding paper for cleaning up sprue gate marks
• Plastic cement (e.g. Tamiya Extra Thin Cement)
• Cyanoacrylate glue for photo-etched and metal parts
• Precision modelling tweezers
• Brushes in various sizes
• Modelling paints (acrylic or enamel), including metallic shades
• Gloss clear coat as a base for the decals
• Decal setting solution
• Modelling wash to emphasise the detail

About the car – Tyrrell P34:

The Tyrrell P34 was the work of Derek Gardner, who set out to solve the perennial problem of open wheels in Formula 1. Instead of two large front wheels he used four smaller ones — their lower profile allowed them to hide behind the front wing, reducing aerodynamic drag, while also increasing the total contact patch and braking area.

The car made its debut at the 1976 Spanish Grand Prix. Its greatest success came at the Swedish Grand Prix the same year, when the team scored a one-two finish — Jody Scheckter first, Patrick Depailler second. The P34 remains the only six-wheeled car ever to win a Grand Prix.

Original car specifications (Tyrrell P34):

• Designer: Derek Gardner
• Wheel layout: six wheels — four small front wheels and two rear wheels
• Engine: Ford Cosworth DFV V8
• Debut: 1976 Spanish Grand Prix
• Greatest success: one-two finish at the 1976 Swedish Grand Prix (Jody Scheckter 1st, Patrick Depailler 2nd)

About the manufacturer – Tamiya:

Tamiya Corporation is a Japanese model company founded in 1946 by Yoshio Tamiya in Shizuoka, a city regarded as the centre of the Japanese model industry. The business began in the timber trade and wooden model production, releasing its first plastic model kit in 1960. The brand became known for its precise injection moulds and excellent parts fit, which is why its kits are chosen by beginners and experienced modellers alike. The large 1:12 car kits are among the most elaborate items in the company's catalogue, combining finely reproduced engines, working suspension on metal springs and photo-etched parts. Many of them were developed from studies of the original racing cars, carried out in cooperation with teams and manufacturers. Alongside plastic kits, Tamiya offers a full range of modelling accessories: paints, glues, tools and brushes. The company is present in dozens of countries today and remains one of the most recognisable brands in the hobby.