Phildaupho Posted July 11, 2016 Share Posted July 11, 2016 When Dan Gurney arrived in California with his family in 1948 just after graduating high school he traded a ’40 Ford Sedan for a chopped Deuce 5-Window. I decided to build a custom Deuce 5-Window as a tribute to that car like one of the top hot-rod shops might do. If this were to be a car that Dan could jump in and enjoy it would have to meet a number high standards such as being fast as well as handling and stopping very well. It would also have to be comfortable, safe and very good looking. The look and design of the car sort of evolved during construction. BODY – The top was given a scale 4-inch chop. The roof insert was eliminated but rather than just filling it in, the roof it was slightly doomed to give more headroom for Dan as was done on his Le Mans winning Ford GT-40. All the window openings were opened up for flush “glass” which along with the doomed roof reduces the affect of the chopped top. The grill shell, which is slightly channelled, has an Eagle beak and the area between the front fender horns has been filled and molded to the spreader bar. The channelling of the grill shell required that the filled cowl receive a small pie sectioning. There is no headlight bar and the rain gutters, door hinges, door handles and raised trim around cowl and grill shell were also eliminated. The hood top was converted to a one-piece configuration and there are smooth hood sides. In back the gas tank was eliminated and a rolled pan from the Revell ’29 Pickup was molded to the body. Taillights were recessed into the body. The running boards have been smoothed with chrome treads added. The rear fenders were bobbed. The car has rear-view mirrors on both sides as well as windshield wipers. The nerf bars are from the 5-W kit. WHEELS & TIRES – The beautiful wheels are from the MPC 1965 Eagle Indy Car mounted on the Deuce kit supplied tires. PAINT - The paint is Testor’s Copenhagen Blue Metallic enamel, which is similarly very dark blue like the color of Dan’s mid-sixties racecars. No clear was applied. The scallops are also reminiscent of Dan’s racing cars of that era. Here some photos before the scallops were applied. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phildaupho Posted July 11, 2016 Author Share Posted July 11, 2016 ENGINE & TRANSMISSION -To satisfy being fast the engine is distinctively Gurney being a small block Ford with Gurney-Weslake heads. The induction system is from the MPC 1965 Eagle Indy Car and in reality could be an electronic version of the original mechanical fuel injection system. The valve covers and heads are also from the MPC kit while everything else comes from the Deuce kit. For most of his life Dan liked shifting gears but in recent years he has had knee problems so the transmission is a modern multi-speed paddle shifted automatic. SUSPENSION & BRAKING - The suspension, steering and braking systems have of course been enhanced with four-wheel disc brakes and rack and pinion steering. Up front the A-arm independent suspension and steering system are from the AMT Phantom Vickie. I raised the front spindles to get the desired ride height. In back I considered a number of suspension systems but ended up adapting the one from the AMT ’34 Ford Street Rod, which is a modified Corvette C3/4 assembly. FRAME – The frame is from the Phantom Vickie with a few modifications for the independent rear suspension. INTERIOR – The contoured/bolstered seat is from the Phantom Vickie. There is a roll-cage, four point safety belts for the driver and seatbelts for the passenger. The dash has the gauge panel from the Rat Roaster and there is a floor mounted switch panel. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skymnky721 Posted July 11, 2016 Share Posted July 11, 2016 Whao! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobthehobbyguy Posted July 12, 2016 Share Posted July 12, 2016 Nicely done. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phildaupho Posted July 12, 2016 Author Share Posted July 12, 2016 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maltsr Posted July 12, 2016 Share Posted July 12, 2016 Very nice! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DumpyDan Posted July 12, 2016 Share Posted July 12, 2016 That's a beauty Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phildaupho Posted July 12, 2016 Author Share Posted July 12, 2016 Thanks guys. Here are a couple more views. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slusher Posted July 12, 2016 Share Posted July 12, 2016 Very nice.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RestoModGuy Posted July 12, 2016 Share Posted July 12, 2016 Most excellent build. Very creative design elements blending the Indy car with the hotrod Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tbill Posted July 12, 2016 Share Posted July 12, 2016 that's sharp! i really like this build Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hubert Rollins Posted July 12, 2016 Share Posted July 12, 2016 Very, very nice!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phildaupho Posted July 13, 2016 Author Share Posted July 13, 2016 I am going to send photos to Dan Gurney to see what he thinks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ace-Garageguy Posted July 13, 2016 Share Posted July 13, 2016 Lots to love on this one. Everywhere you look there's another trick modification. Very clean, very nice paint. Hope you can get Dan to run. I'd vote for him. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phildaupho Posted July 18, 2016 Author Share Posted July 18, 2016 Lots to love on this one. Everywhere you look there's another trick modification. Very clean, very nice paint. Hope you can get Dan to run. I'd vote for him. Thanks Bill. I always enjoy your observations. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Janne Herajärvi Posted July 21, 2016 Share Posted July 21, 2016 Nice 32` for sure! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
High octane Posted July 21, 2016 Share Posted July 21, 2016 Very nice build on that Deuce, and I was lucky enough to have a little chat with Dan Gurney back in '67 while attending the Grand Prix of the United States at Watkin's Glen, New York. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phildaupho Posted July 22, 2016 Author Share Posted July 22, 2016 1967 - The only time a saw Dan race was the '67 Canadian Grand Prix. He was driving the beautiful Eagle Gurney Weslake V-12. I did get to meet him in person at his All American Racers facility in 2006. He certainly has had one of the most interesting and successful life for a car enthusiast. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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