Models : Chassis Models

Shown here are LP Creation’s collection of scratch-built, 1:43-scale, super-detailed chassis of classic sports-racing cars. This project was a new departure for LP Creation and was in development for almost a year prior to its first presentation at Retromobile in Paris in February 2008.

The idea behind the concept came about from a realization that many collectors want the pleasure of viewing the uninterrupted lines and shape of their models, but also want the pleasure of viewing the chassis and internal workings of the car. However, the two pleasures cannot be united in the one model car without sacrifice. Therefore, why not try to give the collector both.

This realization has lead LP Creation to build a number of scratch-built, highly-detailed chassis models, which are ideal for displaying alongside a complete model of the same car and would particularly complement a model from an existing collection.

The Building of the Chassis Model
Like all models by LP Creation, attention to detail and craftsmanship are paramount, so the building of the model cannot begin until there has been extensive research on the original car, in particular detailed study of historical documents such as photographs, drawings and blueprints, together with testimony from those involved in the car’s original development and production, as well as present-day restoration.

Afterwards an accurate plan of the chassis is drawn up in 1:43 scale. The intention is to try and follow a process as close as possible to building the real car.

The next step is the chassis frame, which is hand-made from scratch by soldering together various lengths of fine-diameter tubular brass. The parts of the chassis are then bolted together using hand-made nuts and bolts in sizes ranging from 0.3 to 0.5.

The cockpit and fuel tanks are then moulded from 0.1mm aluminium sheeting. Except for the engine, radiator and tanks, which have been cast from prototypes made by LP Creation, each part has been individually made, from the suspension, gearbox and shock absorbers, to the smallest connection.

With so much of the model being individually hand-made, each chassis has its own unique identity.

Finally, LP Creation believe that there is beauty in a race car that has seen some competition, so using oil-paints to achieve the desired effects, the exhaust pipe proudly displays its heat history, and the seats show evidence of contact with the driver after a hard-fought race.

The Finished Chassis Model
Each chassis is best appreciated alongside a model of the complete car, either from an existing collection, or one made especially by LP Creation. The collector thereby gets the pleasure of viewing the unbroken lines of the closed model whilst at the same time admiring its chassis, gearbox, transmission… all the little details of the internal workings of the car.

Nevertheless, each chassis can be displayed by itself and enjoyed for its own merits, and because each one is individually made to order, the choice of how each model is displayed is down to the collector.

Those models that are available to order are presented here. Newer models in development can be seen by visiting the section Work in Progress.

Ferrari 166 MM Chassis Scratch-built, 1:43-Scale, Super-detailed Chassis Model of the Ferrari 166 MM, Winner of Le Mans 1949 This chassis model is of Ferrari’s first ever winner at Le Mans, and the car that ensured Ferrari’s iconic status. The 166 MM #22 (chassis #0008M) was driven by Peter Mitchell Thomson (Lord (...)

Ferrari 250 TR58 Chassis Scratch-built, 1:43-Scale, Super-detailed Chassis Model of the Ferrari 250 TR58, Winner of Le Mans 1958 Ferrari built a number of 250 TR58s for the 1958 World Sportscar Championship, and these cars secured them the constructors title by winning four out of the six races, including Le Mans for the (...)

Lancia D20 Coupe Chassis Scratch-built, 1:43-Scale, Super-detailed Chassis Model of the Lancia D20 Coupe from Le Mans 1953 These photos are of the newest chassis model from LP Creation. They show the progress of the build from start to finish; from the initial development of the tubular space-frame chassis with its (...)

Maserati 450S Chassis Scratch-built, 1:43-Scale, Super-detailed Chassis Model of the Maserati 450S, Engine Tipo 54, 1956-1958 This chassis model was completed in May 2008 after two and half months of work. Like the other chassis models from LP Creation, the intention was to build a scratch-built chassis as close as (...)

Ferrari 340 Mexico Chassis Scratch-built, 1:43-Scale, Super-detailed Chassis Model of the Ferrari 340 Mexico from the Carrera Panamericana, 1952-1953 The chassis of the 340 Mexico is another of the first chassis models to be built by LP Creation. Ferrari built four 340 Mexicos to race at the Carrera Panamericana in 1952. Only three of them (...)

Ferrari 500 Mondial Chassis Scratch-built, 1:43-Scale, Super-detailed Chassis Model of the Ferrari 500 Mondial, 1953-1954 The chassis of the 500 Mondial was one of the first chassis models to be built by LP Creation. The 500 Mondial was launched to commemorate Ferrari’s success in the 1953 World Sportscar (...)

Ferrari 250 TR61 Chassis Scratch-built, 1:43-Scale, Super-detailed Chassis Model of the Ferrari 250 TR61, Winner of Le Mans 1961 The chassis of the TR61 #0794TR is one of the first chassis models to be built by LP Creation. Scuderia Ferrari entered this TR61 at Le Mans 1961 with drivers Olivier Gendebien and Phil Hill, (...)