RancheroSteve

Some good reference photos here of the 1966 LeMans winning car. Looks pretty nice already, but I guess they're giving it a restoration. http://autoweek.com/article/classic-cars/rk-motors-restore-1966-le-mans-winning-gt40

Phil: stay tuned 62rebel: I'm thinking the stuff a car would go through in 100k miles in those days - consumables like points, spark plugs, fan belts, brake shoes, etc. in addition to whatever else might possibly go bad - like the water pump, alternator, carb. Just my guess - I haven't seen the actual list.

JC: Mark "Scalemaster" Jones did the artwork for the decals (from reference that I provided). They were printed on a high end printer - separate clear and white sheets. 62rebel: The cars were required by the sanctioning body to carry their own spare parts on-board.

Cobraman: yes, the inset trim panels are different colors - I have no idea why, but that's what my reference shows, so that's how I'm building it! Jay T. : Wow, what a find! Is there more you can show us? And thanks for the compliments, guys.

In the fall of 1963 the Ford Motor Company leased the Daytona Speedway for six weeks and ran a series of specially prepared (but mostly stock) 1964 Comets around the clock for 100,000 miles to prove their durability. I'm using the Model King re-issue of the AMT '64 Comet to build a curbside replica of the surviving car as part of the Lynx Project (http://www.thelynxproject.org/). A gutted interior tub was created. Seat is from the '64 Fairlane T-Bolt; radio from the '57 Ford; roll bar, seat bolster, parts boxes, masonite door panels, and tach were scratchbuilt: Artwork for the decals was created by Mark Jones; MCW paint: Getting close to completion, more soon!

Yes, that's the story - and it really annoyed the sports car crowd in its day. Von Dutch said it was like he had "desecrated a shrine".

I'm still hoping to do the Earl Bruce/VonDutch version one of these days!

I suspect there's an off-color joke to be made here, but . . .

That is, of course the "Felicity Shagwell" figure (played by Heather Graham) from Austin Powers. It came with a Revell '67 Corvette kit. Oh OK - I see you mention that on your site.

The Fujimi/Revell kit is a joy to build.

From the video, I also see what look like big block Chevy valve covers and heads on the trees.

Lime Rock '73 - I'm pretty sure I was at that race!

Thanks for that info, Craig and Bill. I think I've been fascinated with this story for awhile - like most kids of my generation, I grew up thinking the TV Batmobile somehow sprung from "whole cloth". My mind was blown when I found out some years ago ago about the Lincoln Futura and its history. (Yes, I've built models of both now.) Hey, remember the internet didn't exist in 1966 . . .

Good point, Craig - there doesn't seem to be a definitive date for the film, but it's obviously made at least a few years after 1955 - maybe 1959 or so, like you or so suggest. I need to sit down and closely watch the whole thing from the beginning.

And is Barris supposed to have painted it - or did it come to him already painted and/or after the film?

That's always been the story, but watch the film - as the original poster pointed out here, it appears red in this promo film.

Hard to tell - that film is pretty faded (and towards the red end of the spectrum). Someone suggested in the YouTube comments that the Futura was painted red before it left Ford - maybe after the car show appearances, and because it would look better for this film? Remember, it was more than four years between the unveiling of the Futura (1/8/55) and the release of "It Started with a Kiss" in '59 - a lot could have happened . . .

I believe the V8 Supercars are now using a common chassis with different engines and bodywork. Not exactly like NASCAR, but kinda the same idea. And of course, they turn left and right at every race.

The Comet chassis is actually much more closely related to the Falcon than to the Fairlane. And while there were over 12,000 Cyclones made, only 90 of those had the HiPo engine - the rest had the regular four barrel 225hp 289. The 200 six was the standard engine for all '65 Comets except the Cyclone - so yes, you could get a 2 door hardtop Comet with a six. You'd have to change the grille, wheel covers and some badging to build a non-Cyclone Comet model. Here's a link to a scan of a 12 page "Collectible Automobile" article about the '64-'65 Comets: http://www.cometeastcarclub.org/Accidental_Internediate.html

Thanks for taking the time to explain, Dave. I think it's important to remember that while this is a hobby to most of us here, it's a business - and hopefully a labor of love at times - for you. I'm greatly looking forward to that '65 Comet. It's exciting that it's being done at all, and even if it isn't perfect, I know that Moebius has a better chance of getting it right than just about any other company out there. But I've got enough kits here to keep me busy for a few lifetimes, so no rush!

Wow, that is just an excellent build of a difficult kit! Those Indycals parts really bump it up a notch.

This very nicely kept '66 Galaxie in the post office parking lot.

Yes, Hot Rod Magazine did this in 1997 (wow, that long ago already!) - I've got the magazine on my shelf somewhere. I believe "Wilshire" refers to Wilshire Blvd, where the HRM offices were located. The car was for sale last year: http://stevemags.com/steves-wilshire-shaker-for-sale/ Very nice build, by the way!

A Ferrari 360 parked on the street about a block from my house. Hey, I live in Los Angeles, but it's not exactly Beverly Hills around here!

Very cool so far! Of course, I love this car - one of Roth's best!