The Ford F3L, also known as the P68, was developed by the Alan Mann Racing Team for the 1968 FIA World Sportscar Championship. The F3L was entered into the prototype class, for which engine capacity was limited to 3 liters. Thus the F3L was powered by the popular Ford Cosworth DFV grand prix engine. At the same time that the F3L arrived on the scene, Ford's interest in international sportscar racing was on the decline. And with the continued success of the GT40 in 1968 and 1969, the F3L never got a fair crack at becoming the legend that its sister, the GT40, is today. Only three F3L's remain today, one of which is occasionally raced in the International Sports Prototype series for vintage cars that originally competed during the years from 1963 to 1970.

During practice many problems kept the car from qualifying well, but during the race Bruce McLaren pushed towards the front of the field. The car was eventually forced to retire with a broken driveshaft.

This set of parts is standard fare from Marsh, which is to say that everything is well executed and of the highest possible quality. The body, dash, and center seat section are cast in resin with little to no flash, and free of airholes.   Whenever I see pictures of the F3L I always think of the shape in terms of a "wave on wheels", and I think the body shell captures the feel of the car very well. The panel line engraving is a little thin in places; so depending upon the paint method that you use, these may have to be deepened with a needle.   The tires are also cast in resin, but in black instead of cream colour. They will still need a coat of flat black to make them look right though. The wheel rims are turned metal, and the centre spokes are cast white metal. Turned parts are also included for the engine intake trumpets that will be visible through the back window. All the headlamps, brake lights, and turn signal indicators are also represented by turned metal pieces.

The small sheet of photo-etch contains radiator grilles, ducting inlet screen, the rear spoiler, wheel knockoffs (which will have to be bent to simulate the actual part), and the seatbelt. Also included with the photo-etch parts is a plaque stating the car, race, and drivers. This will make a nice addition to the display case once the model is complete.

All the windows are on two sheets of clear vacform. In total there are seven different clear windows or headlamp covers to put on the car. This could prove to be the most challenging part of the build process, but with a little care and patience should turn out fine. Of all the great parts included in this kit the decals are the best example of Marsh's commitment to providing modelers with high quality and accurate kits.

 

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Why two decal sets?

Two sets of gold stripes are included as decals.   Why you ask? On the full decal sheet that includes all of the other necessary decals, the gold colour came out too dark, and not accurate to the real car.

 Marsh therefore had the stripes reprinted in the correct shade of gold and included the reprinted decals on a separate sheet. Proof positive that Marsh Models is a company run by modellers for modellers.

 

So what we have here is a very detailed model, with a relatively few number of parts, to make a somewhat forgotten but extremely beautiful car. I am sure that this kit will bring back many memories for people who saw the original car race, and hopefully introduce the Ford F3L, to a great many number of people who have not heard of this car before.

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