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This model is the Onyx Lotus Honda 100T in yellow Lotus/Elf livery as driven by Nelson Piquet in 1988.
The Lotus 100T was a Formula One car designed by Gérard Ducarouge and Martin Ogilvie for Team Lotus, used during the 1988 Formula One season. The 100T was an update of the previous Lotus 99T model with a redesigned nose section and rear bodywork. The car was powered by a 1.5L turbocharged Honda V6 engine which saw the McLaren team win 15 of 16 races in 1988.
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. The 100T was constructed using a carbon fibre and kevlar monocoque and it was said the chassis couldn't handle the sudden delivery of power from the turbocharged Honda engine. At the front of the vehicle is a nose cone aerofoil with Epson sponsorship decals. The yellow body maintains the shape of the vehicle but with little detail other than sponsor's names and logos (Camel, Elf, Honda and Goodyear) and the racing numbers (1). 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 HONDA 100 T" 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: 1656