RancheroSteve

A fun and simple build - with just a few added touches - from a Gunze Sangyo kit that caught my eye a few years ago.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here's a video clip that might help explain some of this madness:

 

Comments & questions welcome - thanks for looking.

The idea for this one got started a few years ago when - on something of a whim - I picked up a set of decals for the Porsche 917 "Pink Pig" with the thought, "I can do something funny with those some day." One day it occurred to me that the combination of the VW and a Porsche might be particularly pig-like.

 

It's not a completely original idea - I've seen a few other very well done phantom VW racers - but this is my take on the concept.

 

 

 

 

Not easy to see, but there's whole detailed engine and driver in there. Markings for the driver were made by making a reduced version of the decal sheet.

 

 

 

 

Thanks for looking - comments, questions, etc. welcome.

 

I built this one as a kid (it first came out in '67) and I remember enjoying it. I know it was packaged in a set with the Kurtis Indy roadster sometime back, but as the older versions have become somewhat scarce and pricier, I was hoping it would get an new reissue. It turns out my wish has been granted - Dirtrack Racecars recently put it out, apparently without much fanfare.

 

I picked up a copy last week from a seller on EBay. What follows is my first Model Cars forum review.

 

First, the box, which is similar to the original:

 

 

And a shot of the original box for comparison:

 

 

Inside, everything looks pretty much as it did back in 1967, at least to the best of my recollection. First, we find a copy of the vintage Monogram instructions:

 

 

 

A decal sheet with the stripes and few other markings (you have to paint the nose red):

 

 

The body, which with the exception of the lower nose and tail, is one piece:

 

 

A couple of white parts trees:

 

 

 

As you see, a rather simplified drive train and chassis.

 

A chrome tree:

 

 

The chrome is thick and shiny, the knock offs are molded as part of the wheels.

 

And finally some tires, in slightly soft rubber:

 

 

As you can see, hollow on one side for the white wall inserts. The tread area of the rears are a little concave, but I suspect most builders will replace them anyway.

 

Overall, a simplified kit that reflects its vintage origins, but one that has potential and could be easily improved and detailed using today's methods and materials, or just done as a clean and quick retro build. If you like the subject matter or have a nostalgia for 60s kits, you'll probably like it. I for one am glad to have it back!

 

 

I saw this on the wall at a local watering hole. Looks to be a Detroit concept car, '60s vintage, but unfamiliar to me.

 

Anyone?

 

Got it done finally! Not quite everything I wanted or hoped for, but a good opportunty to bring something back from the dead and try out a few new techniques.







Under the hood:



A little bit of history: I started off with this 1960 Falcon windowless $20 glue bomb a few years back.



After getting the paint stripped off, I realized the roof was too warped to save.



So I grafted another roof on and finally ended up dropping the whole thing over a lengthened Monogram '92 Mustang chassis. The '61 grille was made using the MicroMark photo-etch kit. (I'm saving the '60 grille for another Falcon project.) Paint is Tamiya clear red over a charcoal automotive laquer. Wheels & tires from the parts box.

Thanks for looking - comments & questions welcome.