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Ostorero Slot Models ODG130 Lotus Type 38 - Jim Clark - Race version 1967. RRP Euro 195.00

A perfect partner to Anthony's vintage Lotus 38s from 1965 and 66 (see thread here), Turin-based artisan slot car manufacturer Ostorero have just added Jim Clark's 1967 Indy Lotus 38 to their sensational collection of 1:32 scale Indianapolis racers - including several other Lotus 38s.

       

The Lotus 38 was purpose-built for the 1965 Indianapolis 500 and took Clark to a famous Indy win - the first by a British manufacturer, the first for a British driver and the first for a mid-engined car. A total of eight 38s were built and Team Lotus continued to use them until 1967. Other drivers of Lotus 38s included Dan Gurney, AJ Foyt, Al Unser, Mario Andretti, Lee Roy Yarbrough, Lloyd Ruby, Ronnie Bucknum and Graham Hill. Two wrecked Lotus 38s were rebuilt by AJ Foyt as Coyote Indy cars.

       

The car raced by Clark at the 1967 Indianapolis 500 was chassis 38/7, built in 1966 and raced by Al Unser at the 1966 Indy 500 - the #18 STP car qualified sixteenth, but crashed out on lap 161. Team mate Clark finished second to Graham Hill's Lola, but his team were convinced he'd won.

   

Clark drove the re-built 38/7 at the 1967 race - the new Lotus 42 has proven a big disappointment. Hill only just qualified the new car. Neither Lotus driver had a memorable race - both retiring early on. AJ Foyt won the race in a Lotus 34-based Coyote, Joe Leonard was third in a similar car.

   

The Ostorero Lotus 38 has a wonderful resin body with photo-etched details and is mounted on a new SLS chassis with a more powerful motor. The previous metal chassis is photographed above, but does show the layout of the Lotus 38 mechanicals. The Ostorero Indy cars are packaged beautifully, including a plinth with the iconic strip of bricks just in front of the car.

Availability is direct from the Ostorero website here. Pendle Slot Racing do stock some Ostorero models (here), but I don't know if they'll be getting this one.