31 replies to this topic

[Plasticfanatic]

This is my attempt at doing the 1981 NASCAR Dodge Mirada test car build by Petty Enterprisses for King Richard return to Dodge but that Petty rejected after testing at Daytona in practice runs. Even if the car was never raced it was a "Petty car" and to be honest and for some reason I do like the look of the car very much, it will look nicely with other of my R.Petty cars.

This is not a perfect replica but I like how is coming along, hope is of your liking to.

[Plasticfanatic]

the early stages.....in the above "primer" pictures no sanding has been made and a lot of imperfections can bee seen, a lot of work ahead to make this body presentable!!

[W-409]

Maybe it would have been easier to start from this AirTrax '81 Dodge Mirada body? You're doing good job though.

[bbowser]

Wow. A lot of work but it's coming along well. You'll have a 'one-of-a-kind' when you're done. You should inquire if a willing resin caster might be interested in using your master?

[Plasticfanatic]

W-409,

That stock Dodge Mirada by Air Trax is truly a beauty and I am going to order one this week to build it as in the picture, replica stock and cant wait to get it in my hands!!

I took the scrachtbuilding way mainly because so many things had to be reworked to a Nascar car that to me it would be a crime cutting up and sanding the Air Trax beautiful body kit....as well as expensive!!! I hope they do a Lincoln Mark V from the late 1970's to.

[Truck parts]

Fred, That is looking great. I'am a big Petty fan for years. Please keep us posted as you go on.

[dh85ss]

petty might have been better off running the mirada than that barge that dodge called the magnum

[Futurabat]

The MAGNUM was the same size as the Monte Carlos being run at the time. The Mirada came AFTER the MAGNUM so Richard couldn't have run it instead, and let's not forget that Kyle won in his first ever outing in the MAGNUM.

[dh85ss]

Yes he did but it was one time ARCA race and his magnum was the best car in the field at that time ,just like RCR had the best car last year in ARCA

[fastram]

Let's also remember GARY NELSON built that Magnum. How legal do you think it really was?????? But I also am a big fan of the Petty's. If you've never been to Level Cross, NC and seen the old shop and museum, GO it is well worth the trip!

PS: That Mirada looks great! Keep up the good work!

[Plasticfanatic]

Little more work in the front and back of the car and also a shoot of the soon to be Petty Magnum which is still in its early stages and still a lot of blending and sanding to the fenders openings which where reduced in radius.

The back tire of the Mirada in the back view picture is loose and is sitting a little outside.

[Lunajammer]

I love what you're doing here. You may have already seen these in your research, but here are a few reference photos to help show how much you may still have to soften the Magnum's character lines. I sure like the Mirada.

[Steve Rocketwheels Buckner]

This is looking great !! Shame the real cars didn't work out so well.

I always like the Magnum, though it didn't work out either ! Here is my Bonnett car...

[Plasticfanatic]

This is looking great !! Shame the real cars didn't work out so well.

I always like the Magnum, though it didn't work out either ! Here is my Bonnett car...

WOW, that Magnum look SUPERB!!!!....magnificent job.

[1930fordpickup]

Yes he did but it was one time ARCA race and his magnum was the best car in the field at that time ,just like RCR had the best car last year in ARCA

Do not forget the kid driving did not care who he wrecked or what he wrecked to win!

[Futurabat]

Do not forget the kid driving did not care who he wrecked or what he wrecked to win!

Kind of like Earnhardt senior?

[moparfarmer]

Following this through, I learned something. I knew that Junior Johnson put together a Mirada for Darrell Waltrip to test but it didn't go as expected, but I didn't know the Petty's did too. Just think what might have been if the Mirada turned out to be the thing. That #5 Magnum driven by Neil Bonnett won it last race in Phoenix I think. Might be wrong on the track.

[Futurabat]

Niel won no races in '78. In '79 he did win Daytona in July and Atlanta in November. Both those were in Mercury's. His last win in a Dodge came in November '77 at Ontario speedway. I believe he was running for Stacy at the time.

Edited by Futurabat, 06 May 2012 - 12:31 PM.

[moparfarmer]

Yeas your right. The race I thought was the Ontario race. I'am sure the Magnum is a Stacey car though.

[1930fordpickup]

Kind of like Earnhardt senior?

Yes , You hit that right on the mark. In ARCA most of the people with cars do not have a bottomless wallet to fix the cars , that kid is just a bully with big wallet behind him. How can you teach that kid a lesson ?