Lotus 78

[JM]

While making the Rebaque version of the Lotus 78 I started the 1979 Aurora-Series "Madom" version of Emilio de Villota as well. Unfornately there are only a few reference pictures I found. Non of them shows the side markings of the rear wing. As the Studio 27 decals are incorrect insofar as they are made for an rear wing with central wing support as the 1977 original JPS car the placement guide supplied with the decals are no help. Has anyone a side view picture of the "Madom" version rear wing.
BTW: I have both versions nearly finished. Pics will follow here if there is interest.

[lumpulus]

Of course there is interest!

[JM]

Here come some pictures of the 5 versions of the Lotus 78 which are:

1977 Belgium Grand Prix „JPS“ - Winner Gunnar Nilsson
1977 Japanese Grand Prix “Imperial” - Gunnar Nilsson
1978 German Grand Prix - Hector Rebaque
1978 Italian Grand Prix “JPS” - Ronnie Peterson
1979 Aurora-Series “Madom” - Emilio de Villota

I have to admit that the Madom version is not complete as I have yet to find a reference showing the marking on the rear wing sides. Any suggestions or reference pictures?

Some basic information. All models are Tamyia kits. I bought both JPS and the Imperial versions at eBay as built kits which needed some restoration work. The Rebaque and de Villota cars were built entirely by me.
The 1977 JPS decals are Indycal decals I got at eBay, the 1978 JPS decals are from F1 specialities. The Imperial and Madom decals are from Studio 27 whereas the Rebaque version is from MTR Speed Decals.

Having now those 5 versions I questioned myself which one is the best looking? The somehow surprising answer is: To me the Imperial car looks best. Other opinions?

[JamesB]

Really nice cars!!!
And now please let this not start another boring Mario Andretti debate!!!

[robrex]

What was the 'Aurora Series' that the Madom car raced in?

[70sFAN]

Nice!
Although very common, i reckon the black-gold JPS is still the best looking one.
What reds did you use for the Imperial?
Rob, Aurora was a British series in the late 70s (Started in 78 i think), that lasted only a couple of years.
It was using F1s from the year before and some F2s.
Oliver

[Flemming]

The Aurora name comes from the slotracetrack called Aurora AFX which was new at the time. I have an old Aurora catalogue featuring James Hunt with Aurora adverts.
It is a HO scale track that somehow survives more or less today under the TYCO or Hot Wheels name I think. I actually have a track (for my son naturally!). The cars are
extremely fast and not very technical to drive.

Flemming

[chongman]

Aurora/AFX was bought by TOMY (Japan) some years ago. Then it was bought by RaceMasters/Scale Auto (Washington state,, USA). It still survives today and has nothing to do with Tyco which is now owned by Mattel/Hot Wheels.
I also have a track that is CPU controlled for power/lap timing and scoring. Yes, the cars are fast and very technical to drive when you start improving on the stock components

[JM]

Painting the Imperial version I used Tamiya spray Bright Red (TS49) on white primer for the lighter red and Italian Red (TS8) on grey primer for the darker red.

[JM]

Hi there,
still nobody out there with a reference picture of the rear wing markings of the de Villota Madom Lotus 78????