Tamiya 20053 - 1:20 Tyrrell P34 1977 Monaco GP

1:20 scale plastic model kit of the Tyrrell P34 Formula 1 car, 1977 Monaco GP

Six wheels, four of them small and mounted at the front — the Tyrrell P34 remains the only car of its kind to have raced in Formula 1. Tamiya 20053 is a 1:20 scale model kit of that car as it ran at the 1977 Monaco Grand Prix. It is based on 1977 tooling and was released in 2003 with new parts.

The model reproduces the complete Ford Cosworth DFV engine — with velocity stacks, fuel injection system and ignition leads — as well as the gearbox, the front suspension of the six-wheel layout and the brake cooling ducts. A driver figure is included, supplied with decals for the helmets of Patrick Depailler and Ronnie Peterson plus a separate part reproducing Peterson’s distinctive helmet visor. The drivetrain is secured with a metal screw.

What’s in the box:

• Plastic sprues
• Clear parts
• Chrome-plated parts
• Synthetic rubber tyres
• Wire for the ignition leads
• Vinyl parts
• Metal screw for mounting the drivetrain
• Driver figure with a separate part for Ronnie Peterson’s helmet visor
• Waterslide decal sheet for two marking options, including helmet decals for Depailler and Peterson
• Illustrated assembly instructions

Model specifications:

• Scale: 1:20
• Product number: 20053
• Manufacturer: Tamiya
• Assembled model size: 201 × 101 mm
• Marking options: #3 Ronnie Peterson and #4 Patrick Depailler, Tyrrell/ELF, 1977 Monaco GP
• Skill level: beginner/intermediate (detailed engine, wired ignition leads)

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

Assembly:

Assembly is guided by illustrated instructions and the parts fit is typical of Tamiya, so the kit suits less experienced modellers too. The most demanding stage is the Cosworth DFV engine with its ignition leads made from wire: routing them carefully is worth the time, as they do the most to bring the exposed drivetrain to life. The front suspension with its four small wheels calls for precision — building it on a flat surface and checking that all wheels touch the ground is a good approach.

The chrome-plated parts can be left as supplied — simply cut them from the sprue carefully and tidy up the attachment points. Modellers who work with an airbrush often take a different route and paint them with chrome-effect paints (e.g. Alclad, AK Xtreme Metal), sometimes stripping the factory plating first. Both techniques are perfectly valid. Paint codes for the Tyrrell/ELF liveries are given in the instructions; applying the waterslide decals over a gloss coat is recommended, as it reduces the risk of decal silvering.

Tools you will need:

• Modelling nippers for removing parts from the sprues
• Hobby knife or scalpel
• Files and sanding paper for cleaning up sprue marks
• Plastic cement (e.g. Tamiya Extra Thin Cement)
• Cyanoacrylate glue for attaching the ignition leads
• Precision modelling tweezers
• Brushes in various sizes
• Model paints (acrylic or enamel)
• Gloss varnish for the decal base coat and the body finish
• Decal setting solution

About the car – Tyrrell P34:

The Tyrrell P34 is the only six-wheeled car to have competed in Formula 1. Instead of the conventional pair of front wheels it used four small wheels at the front — a solution intended to reduce aerodynamic drag and increase the contact patch under braking and through corners. Power came from the 3.0 l Ford Cosworth DFV V8, the standard engine of the era.

During the 1977 season the car’s development ran into a barrier: the small front tyres were not developed at the same pace as standard tyres, which limited the potential of the design. Tamiya 20053 depicts the P34 in its 1977 Monaco GP configuration, driven by Ronnie Peterson and Patrick Depailler.

Original car specifications (Tyrrell P34):

• Layout: six wheels — four small wheels at the front
• Engine: Ford Cosworth DFV V8, 3.0 l
• Drivers of the depicted cars: Ronnie Peterson (#3) and Patrick Depailler (#4)
• Team: Tyrrell/ELF, 1977 season
• Distinction: the only six-wheeled car ever to race in Formula 1

About the manufacturer – Tamiya:

Tamiya Corporation is a Japanese model company founded in 1946 by Yoshio Tamiya in Shizuoka, a city regarded as the heart of the Japanese model industry. The business initially traded in timber and produced wooden models, releasing its first plastic model kit in 1960. The brand is known for precise injection moulds and excellent parts fit, which is why its kits are chosen by beginners and experienced modellers alike. The 1:20 racing car kits form the Grand Prix Collection, covering Formula 1 machines and racing cars from successive eras. Alongside plastic kits, Tamiya offers a full range of modelling accessories: paints, glues, tools and brushes. The company is present in dozens of countries and remains one of the most recognisable brands in the hobby.