Unlike my earlier efforts at building modifieds depicting real-life heroes from my youth, this one is a fantasy livery done just for fun. Although the body used is a bit unorthodox, I tried to construct it in the same spirit as my "real" cars with sponsors from authentic local businesses (Mose Smith used to work on my dad's flathead Ford). Can you tell what it is based on?
Chassis is a trimmed down Scaley NASCAR with square brass tubing epoxied on as stiffeners. The rounded nose of the chassis works nicely for hiding the guide shoe and is easy to wrap a bumper around. Nerf bars, bumpers and roll cage are styrene rods. Radiator housing is a magnet holder from a Revell 550 Porsche chassis. Engine is a resin copy from a cheap diecast hotrod. Driver was originally from an old MRRC Maserati 250F. Motor and running gear are stock Scaley.
A shot of the rear is a dead giveaway. What, its not a chopped down '35 DeSoto Airflow, or a '38 Studebaker Dictator? Okay, I sincerely doubt too many Italian jobs showed up on the dirt tracks of Nebraska back in the day, but fiat Topolinos, Anglias, etc. were fixtures on drag strips of the time. Its not completely farfetched to think there may have been a few adapted to turn left and kick up a bit of dirt.
In any case, this imposter blends in with my "real" mods, and most importantly, was fun to build. Any double takes or grins from fellow racers are just gravy.
Whoa! The pix are a bit more "in your face" than I intended. My apologies if I have violated size restrictions.
mp
Harry
