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This model is the Onyx 031 Lotus Judd 101 in yellow Lotus/Camel/Epson livery as driven by Nelson Piquet in 1989.
The Lotus 101 was Team Lotus’ entry for the 1989 Formula One season. Gérard Ducarouge’s departure during the 1988 season saw former Williams aero-dynamicist, Frank Dernie, appointed as Technical Director in November 1988. Despite his appointment the majority of the work for the 101 had been conducted by chief designer Mike Coughlan. The 101 ended up being a rushed design built within weeks to a series of constraints as Durcarogue’s departure coincided with end of the 1,500 cc turbocharged era. Lotus had to incorporate 3,500 cc, normally aspirated, engines into their cars as did the other competitors. Judd were asked to supply their CV 32 valve V8 engine, but as Lotus were not a principal contractee, (Judd’s principal contract was the supply of their latest EV V8 engine to the March team) solutions were sought to make up the power deficiency by appointing Tickford to research and develop a five-valve-per- cylinder head. The use of the Judd engine did permit Dernie and Coughlan to design a smaller and lighter car than before; indeed the narrowness of the cockpit required Momo to build a special steering wheel to prevent the drivers from scraping their knuckles. The car did not perform well in this season of racing.
These Onyx models are pretty basic in design and this car has few opening parts. The body casting is basic, covering only the general shape of the vehicle and plastered with sponsor's names and logos as per the real machine. At the front of the vehicle is a nose cone aerofoil with Goodyear and Epson sponsorship decals. The yellow body maintains the shape of the vehicle but with little detail other than sponsor's names and logos (Camel, Epson, PIAA and Goodyear) and the racing numbers (11). The rear aerofoil is also simply represented as are the suspension and axles.
The interior is non-existent given the vehicle modeled is a Formula One car. The yellow plastic driver sits in the cockpit, wearing his red helmet covered by the obligatory sponsor's names. There is no glazing on this model.
All wheels are of a "racing wheel" type - solid one piece, black plastic, 5 spoke hub with a soft rubber "slick" tyre.
The base plate is black plastic and is marked at the centre top with Onyx and "1/43" on two lines and "Fabrique au Portugal" at the bottom centre. It also carries "LOTUS JUDD" along the centre line of the nose cone area. The base plate is held in place with one front and one rear machined rivets.
I do not know when this model was issued. Its scale is said to be 1:43.
Item: 1657