16 replies to this topic

[IAM]

Rob has been very helpful already with some photo's.

I am trying to make a replica model of the car driven by Hunt at the Long Beach GP in 1976.

The problem I'm having is with the color mostly. McLaren introduced their new Flourecent Red/Orange color on the cars during 1976 I believe. But most of the color pictures show the cars as being closer to the Red. I understand it is difficult to reproduce those kind of colors in Photo's, but I figure that one of you here could give me a difinitive answer and or some more Photos/pics of the Tall airbox.

Thank in advance for any help.

Ian

[David Lawson]

Ian - If I remember correctly McLaren were still running the high airbox at Long Beach and the cars were identical to when I saw them at the Race of Champions.

Here is a poor quality picture I took at Brands on that very gloomy damp day. I remember how noticeable the colour of the car was that day partly due to the change to "Marlboro Red" from the previous seasons original red, partly because of the weather conditions and maybe because there was so much red on the car with that high airbox. Whatever, it was very bright and when I went to the British GP later that season where the car ran with a white low airbox the colour didn't appear so fluorescent.

This is obviously a purely subjective view but it might help in some small way in your research for the model.



David

[IAM]

Hi David,
That's a great shot. Thank you!

I believe the High airbox was run at Kayalami, Brazil, US West GP and one other, all others were with the low white airbox.

The color showing in your picture is more like I expected to be, and Rob seems to think the same.

Thanks again.

Ian

[SEdward]

Numerous members of this forum have commented on the stark difference between Malboro colours on various cars when seen on photos, and when seen "in the flesh". I don't know whether you'll be able to pick up the right hue from a photo.

Edward.

[IAM]

Edward

That has been the problem and with 1976 being so long ago finding someone with the photographic memory of it is quite difficult

I am actually trying to contact McLaren direct to try to get some official confirmation of exact color.

Ian

[D-Type]

Ian,

I think that is your only hope.

In my 'mini museum' of proprietary models, comprising both diecast and kits, the colour is different for each model. The M23 appears a very different colour from the various MP4's.

Have you tried the copies of Four Small Wheels on grandprixmodels.com website? - I'm sure it will have been discussed there at some stage

[IAM]

D-Type,

No I have not tried that yet. Good idea. Thank you!

Ian

[Twin Window]

Originally posted by IAM


I believe the high airbox was run at Kyalami, Brazil, US West GP and one other, all others were with the low white airbox.

The color showing in your picture is more like I expected to be, and Rob seems to think the same.

As for the other races, as well as the Race of Champions it was also in that configuration for the International Trophy.

TTBOMK the colour never changed right up to 1996; the last year with McLaren. However, in the case of the 1976 M23, I think it can appear different, simply beacuase there is much more area covered by the colour on the high-airbox version.

On that pic, the best bit to use as a match is the upper surface of the rear wing, IMHO.

SKiD

[IAM]

Twin Window,

Me being as smart as I am.........what is "TTBOMK" The only abreviation I know is BTW.

Even when you look at the McLaren color pics from the 80's the paint still looks more red than it actually was. That makes it difficult to get it right. But judging buy all the pictures I've looked at, the comments I have heard and seen, plus the colors on Dicast models and on Kit box covers, I believe it sounds like close is good enough Like the color on the upper part of the wing, although the whole car is the same color it looks different.

I appreciate all the input here as always.

Thank you!

When the model is finished I will share with all the final look.

Ian

[Twin Window]

Hi Ian

'TTBOMK' = To the best of my knowledge...

It is difficult to get a match, having been down the same road myself many years back. Take my advice and ignore all the diecasts, as I've never seen a good rendition (not even from PMA). The same goes for Tamiya decals; they're poor too!

SKiD

[D-Type]

Another thought - Try asking Philip Morris.

There is also the question of scale colour (and gloss). A 1:43 model viewed at a foot away or a 1:24 model viewed at 1m look different from the original seen across the street even if they are painted in the same colour with the same degree of gloss.

And you are more likely to view a model by artificial light rather than daylight, which is several degrees difference in colour temperature.

I think that, as you say, you'll have to settle for "close is good enough". As others more knowledgeable than me have said, nobody has perfect colour memory (not even ladies in the colour business).

At least your problem isn't as bad as full sized BRM restorers, or some people might say full-size modellers, - the original dayglo orange on their noses is now illegal as it's toxic!

[Frank S]

Photos never can get the fluorescent colors correctly. I remember vividly how vivid the McLarens were in 1976-1983.

Scans from Kodachrome slides:
Curt's No. 8 from 1978
Curt's Ektachrome from 1982
Car No. 22 1982
Body panel in the background 1982

Images from a Nikon digital camera:
McLaren No. 22 Monterey 2003
Ferrari No. 2 in roughly the same location, for comparison
Another view of No. 2 McLaren
Who knows how the restorers made their decisions...

The last ones are a better representation of the way I remember the color.

[Frank S]

This thread would not acknowledge my post (No. 12), on the Topic List, so this is just a bump.

[eldougo]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by IAM


I am trying to make a replica model of the car driven by Hunt at the Long Beach GP in 1976.

The problem I'm having is with the color mostly. McLaren introduced their new Flourecent Red/Orange color on the cars during 1976 I believe. But most of the color pictures show the cars as being closer to the Red. I understand it is difficult to reproduce those kind of colors in Photo's, but I figure that one of you here could give me a difinitive answer and or some more Photos/pics of the Tall airbox.
___________________________________
IAM you where right from the start McLaren cars where Red / Orange in colour in 1976 ,not RED .I know from being there that Ferrari and Brabham/ Alfa's later in 1977 where RED twoshade different but RED when you standing in the pits and the Mc's went past they where RED /ORANGE or as we called it Marlbrough MONEY. And just to confuse you some more it was the same colour that Niki Lauda's BMW M1 pro car a few years later.

Hope that is some help.

[GIGLEUX]

Not Hunt but Mass at Long Beach 1976





Not the same place, not the same light, not the same red...

[Ruairidh]

Did you see this thread? Scroll down a wee way and the discussion wanders from JPTL colors to Marlboro McLaren.

http://forums.atlasf...ght=mclaren red

[IAM]

Frank,

I had replied to your post and when I went to submit it I was kicked off the web! I guess it didn't like what I said, but then again it was my computer at home which is tem-pre-MENTAL at present so I had to come to work and use this one.

The pictures are great! thank you.

With all the input I have decided I know what is the correct color (I mix my own and spray a sample) then I'll take a picture with my digital camera and one with my 35mm and see how they look. The best description I saw for the color was Emergency or Police cone color, which is as close to the color I mixed for the Rossi wheels on the Honda RC211V on the Valencia version.

Thank you eldougo, you did'nt confuse me any more than I already was, not,

And GIGLEUX that is exactly the point on color.

Now I have the color I've really got to work on the shape of the airbox.

Thank you everyone!

Ian