Tyrell P34 6 Wheel GP Car - Tamiya 1/12

This model was built shortly after it's original release way back when.  Over time, the tires deteriorated miserably.    The same was the case for my original release of the Martini Porsche 935.  My wife smoked, but never in my dungeon in the basement.  And it's strange, because my Jaegermeister Porsche 934 never exhibited any such problem.  When I saw the Porsche tires deteriorated and got gummy, sticking to my shelving, in a fit of insanity, I threw it against the basement wall ending it's life.  I regret that - all that's left is the engine.  The same began to happen to my original Tyrell 6-wheeler.  Luckily, I put this one aside.  Now, seeing the prices they are getting on the aftermarket I regret my actions.  Recently, I looked on ebay and saw some replacement tires for the P34.  I got those.  Then I saw that Indycals had decals for it, so I got those also.  There's hope for this one yet.

Seeing Al's great work with his 1/12th F1 build, I'll probably look into fittings and whatever else I can find for this one to raise it from the grave.

This may be a long term restoration, with other builds in between, so don't expect a whole lot too soon.





I was young back then - I know better now.


The white decals faded miserably.


Luckily, the rear tires look salvageable.  Maybe a lanolin massage.  LOL


RIP - Martini Porsche 935.  Your heart lives on (though dusty).

Wow those tire's are really bad. Good luck with the restore.

I really wouldn't rebuild that at all, it looks like a barn find. Not that you'd find one of those in a barn...

Faded paint and decals, cracked tyres, you couldn't make a new one look like that no matter how hard you tried to age it Mike.

That's a good point Shay. It would make a great dio, didn't Ken Tyrell basically did run his team out of a barn back then when compared to the other guys facilities?

Pretty much Curt.

Tyrrell never had a signed contract with Jackie Stewart, it was all on a handshake, that's the way to do business.

First of all Mike...... don't you DARE touch that engine. It's PERFECT as is. Natural ageing as Shay said.

As for the P34, if it were mine and I had the room, I'd create a diorama for it.

Whatever you decide, good luck with it.

P.S. I have a 1:12 Tyrell003 to do later this year.

I aggree with Al, leave the aged patina and do a diorama, that would be super cool!

Diorama idea is super.  My old models of the era I haven't looked at in decades, but now fear my tires are like those pictured.  It would break my heart to check, so I won't!  Summer heat and time wrinkles even skin!

Diorama does sound like a good idea - at first. But when I look at my model area, I wonder where I would put something that big. Even a small shed for a barnfind scene in 1/12th would be, in the words of Donald Trump, HUUUGE!

Consider the foot print of the model and just do two walls tapering down to the corners and do a detailed ground cover. It wouldn't be taking up any more room then it already does.

A dio only needs to suggest realism, the brain will subconsiuosly build the rest of the image.

Excellent project.

Well, it's gone back into hibernation until I decide what to do with it.

I'll dig around for another stalled build for now.

Damn Mike too bad.

Mike: I give another vote for a diorama. If you don't have room for it just let me know and I'll be glad to store it for you.

Seriously, that has a patina that can't be duplicated. Give it some serious thought before you restore it.

Those tires would be perfect for an old derelict of some kind.
That Porshe engine would be in a hotrod in a hot second if it were in my salvage yard !!