Tamiya 20060 - 1:20 Lotus Type 79 1978

1:20 scale plastic model kit of the 1978 Lotus Type 79 Formula 1 car

The Lotus 79 is the car that finally sold Formula 1 on ground effect. In 1978 Mario Andretti won the drivers’ championship with it and the team took the constructors’ title. Tamiya 20060 reproduces the car in 1:20 scale from completely new tooling created in 2010.

The model puts the most interesting features of the Lotus 79 on show. The front and rear body covers are removable after assembly, revealing the cockpit, engine and suspension, while the reproduced underbody profile of the sidepods explains where the aerodynamic breakthrough came from. A choice of two roll bar types and two versions of the sidepod outlets allows the car to be built in either its British GP or German GP configuration.

What’s in the box:

• Plastic sprues
• Sprue with chrome-plated parts (wheels)
• Pre-formed metal mesh covers for the velocity stacks
• Synthetic rubber tyres
• Tubing for the spark plug leads
• Waterslide decal sheet for two marking options, including decals for the body straps and fasteners
• Illustrated assembly instructions

Model specifications:

• Scale: 1:20
• Product number: 20060
• Manufacturer: Tamiya
• Assembled model size: 220 × 108 mm
• Marking options: #5 Mario Andretti and #6 Ronnie Peterson, JPS Team Lotus, 1978 season
• Skill level: beginner/intermediate (exposed drivetrain, build options)

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

Assembly:

New tooling means very good fit and a clear breakdown of parts — the kit is approachable even with limited experience. Before starting, it is worth deciding which configuration you want to build (British GP or German GP), as this determines the choice of roll bar and sidepod outlets. Since the body covers are removable, the cockpit, engine and suspension remain visible, so painting them before the chassis is finally closed up is the easier route.

The chrome-plated wheels can be left as supplied, with careful cutting and clean-up of the attachment points. Modellers who use an airbrush often paint them with chrome-effect paints (e.g. Alclad, AK Xtreme Metal) for a different metallic tone — both approaches are perfectly fine. Paint codes for the JPS Team Lotus livery are given in the instructions. Applying the waterslide decals, including the body straps and fasteners, over a gloss coat is recommended, as it reduces the risk of decal silvering, followed by a protective coat of varnish.

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 the metal parts
• 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 – Lotus 79:

The Lotus 79 was the first fully developed ground-effect Formula 1 car. The carefully shaped underside of the sidepods accelerated the airflow beneath the car, generating substantial downforce without the drag penalty of large wings. Power came from the 3.0 l Ford Cosworth DFV V8.

The car made its debut at the 1978 Belgian Grand Prix and quickly dominated the season. Mario Andretti won the drivers’ title with five race wins, and Lotus took the constructors’ championship. Its JPS Team Lotus livery earned the car the nickname “Black Beauty”.

Original car specifications (Lotus 79, 1978):

• Engine: Ford Cosworth DFV V8, 3.0 l
• Key feature: ground effect — profiled underside of the sidepods
• Debut: 1978 Belgian GP
• Drivers: Mario Andretti (#5) and Ronnie Peterson (#6), JPS Team Lotus
• 1978 achievements: drivers’ world championship for Andretti (5 wins) and the constructors’ title for the team
• Nickname: “Black Beauty”

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.