1959scudetto

Thanks, Larry, but they are just average quality builds (especially when you look at the models of other board members here)

Looks good, Bruce - this is a re-pop of the old Merit kit from the 50's, which has been reissued several times by Smer (Czech Republic) and actually from Mistercraft(Poland) - it represents the 1947 GP Belgium winner, driven by Louis Chiron - here is a link: https://mistercraft.eu/en/23-racing

Here are 2 old builts from the 80’s: Monogram’s 1/25 Ferrari GTO (ex-Aurora) and Revell AG’s 1/24 GTO from 1988 (= Italeri reissue). In those pre-Internet days my only references were some car books, model kit catalogs and modeling magazines. I was in a modeling hurry back then and rushed through building kits: from 1982 up to 1991, I built around 170 – 180 kits (mainly American cars and trucks, and some sports and race cars in between) – I often did not even paint parts that are hard to see, so I left floors and some engine and/or interior parts unpainted. Recently, I picked up some of them and tried a little more detailing (with a car library of about 200 books and hundreds of magazines + Internet I am able to finally lift some secrets): The Monogram GTO was dressed up as a fictitious historic racer (80’s style) and got a clear coat over the bare red plastic – the ugly headlights were hidden under protective covers whereas you can’t hide the steeply sloping front and rear body panels without major surgery. So I swapped the too narrow wheels with those of Revell’s Austin Healey 100-Six (H-1202, this one will undergo a complete restoration) and called it a day. The Revell/Italeri GTO should represent the yellow car from the 1965 Spa-Francorchamps 500 km (DNF). Now I know what is wrong: the body should only have 2 instead of 3 slots behind the front wheels – I cut these back in the day, so I left it. The elongated air scoop was made new from very thin aluminium sheet, the chromed wheels got a respray from the can (rim silver from a car shop), I added a rear license plate and handwrote the letters directly onto the body in the front (found a pic from the race in the net!) – the car had yellow headlight covers in the beginning of the race, but I’m not sure about the # 31 on the trunk (no model has it, and the real car pics do not show this perspective) – the side exhaust maybe wrong also, but I will leave it as is; I fabricated some leather straps for the hood from wire and black duct tape - the stance of the car has already been lowered in 1988 (it looked too high for a racer) I still have a Protar, a Fujimi, a Gunze and 2 Italeri GTOs in my stash…

Gorgeous paint on a spectacular model of one of the most beautiful sportscars ever (proves again that in the 60's the greatest sportscars saw the light of the day) - nice photography, too !

Rich, if you meet Pete again, please let him know that I really like very much his excellent Can Am book, which has been in my library for 25 years now, and I also like the story of Riverside International Raceway by him.

Great looking model, Dave!

Very nice replica - good proportions, too!

Very nice model, Nigel, of one of Japan's best looking cars ever !

To all you modelers out there that have ordered one of Chris' transkits: you might get seduced to order another one - it is THAT good ! I've never seen a resin kit body that is so thin and flexible, yet very crisp and showing all the fine details. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED !!!

Well done David, a great looking model of an mean looking , but unfortunately rather unlucky race car, driven by Chris Amon, one of my all-time favourites.

x 2 : great looking models, Mitch - the mid - to late 60's had the best looking sports racers ever!

Gary, very nice job on the Sebring Roadster !

Absolutely Jürgen - fantastic as is all your work !

Absolutely, Anders - this puts my version to shame - it can't be better than this one!

I did not know that - but: 1965 Sebring without wipers - the ultimate nightmare....

2 years ago I won a built-up model from an Italian ebayer (it was named "Cental Mokei British Ford") - it was a nice build, probably from the late 60's/early 70's - I'm going to disassemble it, modify some parts and then it will be turned into the Alan Mann Ford P68 3 l prototype driven by Bruce McLaren/Mike Spence at the BOAC 500 in Brands Hatch in April 1968. The model has been originally molded in dark green and clear glosscoated by the builder which has yellowed over time. It shows the prototype when presented to the public and therefore is missing the front indicator lights and the correct rear-view-mirror (roof-mounted). It will get the famous Alan Mann red and gold livery with the correct markings. While the body is 90 % correct in looks and proportions, there are some issues with the engine cover. The stance is too high at the rear, the wheels are too narrow, and the Cosworth engine is a bit oversized (due to the fact that this kit has been battery-operated like many others from Japan at that time - Scale Mates modeling database says the company had activities only from 1969 - 1972 and does only list some 1/32 cars). Maybe this one dates from 1968? It certainly is a huge rarity. Anyway, I will probably use some parts, maybe the wheels also from a Fujimi 1968 Ford GT 40 to pimp this one a bit up - it is one of the most beautiful sports racers in my opinion, but did not finish any race. Here are some pics as it looked when I got it.

Hi Ralph, just saw your posting incidentially - well, here are some pics of my Gunze-Sangyo Daytona Coupé (built 30 years ago). As far as I remember, the chassis made some problems to line it out and get it straight - it consists of white-metal parts that can be brittle, and you must glue them with 5min.epoxy or cyanacrylate (super glue). Very delicate are the tiny photo-etch parts that add to the look of the completed model - the decals come from several sources (only the white stripes and the # 13 were included with the kit) - I wanted to look the car at least close to a '65 Sebring participant. The pics have been taken almost 15 years ago (the car needs kind of restoration now because several tiny pieces have fallen off, and I will add 2 windshield wipers which have been missing, too)

Excellent model, Lin - it has showroom quality (I have 2 stock and 2 rally versions in my stash...) !

Very nice, Mike - didn't James Garner drive one in the '66 Frankenheimer Classic movie "Grand Prix"?

Excellent build and great photos, Gary - I too have this one in my stash and will keep your pics for building. Concerning Nakamura, I had long time ago their '67 Lola T 70 Mk III which was a pain to look at - it was a bad caricature of a racer and I got rid of it as soon as I could. I have their Abarth 2000 prototipo pininfarina which also asks for a lot of cratchbuidling - if this is an indication of the Nakamura Mk IV, then buyers beware!

x 2, Brian - the dump sides look also very convincing - where rocks hammered against the side walls creating those bumps and dents - extraordinary realistic !!!

The slightly customized and lowered '50 Ford looks great !

Dear Lord, 20 models in just one year - it took me more than 20 years to finish just one !!!

Very nice logger, Jim - gives me an inspiration what to do with mine...

Excellent truck, Jim - trailer with pipes fits very well also!