RancheroSteve

Thanks for the history, review and pics (can we see more please?) I'm a big fan and collector of Ed Roth kits etc, so I guess I'll have to make up my mind about buying this one.

I've got one of these kits sitting on the shelf, but I have no idea how to wire a Mazda Rotary Wankel - what references are you using?

Unlike the Cobra, for various reasons the Cheetah was never produced in sufficient quantities to allow it to be homologated, therefore it had to run in the modified category in the SCCA's new USRRC series. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Road_Racing_Championship The rules of the Can-Am series (FIA Group 7) were pretty loose - almost a "run what you brung" series - with no requirements of minimum production numbers. Keep in mind that the Can-Am series started three years after the debut of the Cheetah, by which time it was pretty obsolete in terms of racing car design anyway. So you could have entered a Cheetah in the Can-Am series, but it wouldn't have been competitive.

It's been on display off and on over the years at The Petersen, but I've never seen it opened up. I'll have to get over there and check out that Mustang show.

Thanks for the update, Dave. Is there a chance that we'll be getting advance looks at some of these kits (as in the past)? In particular, I'm rather emotionally invested in the Comet - I'm thinking if anyone can get it right it'll be Moebius.

I'm not buying many kits these days - enough on the shelf to keep me busy for this lifetime - but the Comet I am so hot for!

A really incredible build - and great photos, too! The only thing that convinced me it was a model were the photos of the interior with the body off.

Speaking of Mustangs, I came upon this scene a few days ago while out on my bike ride in the hills of Griffith Park: The helipad - located on a section of closed road - is a popular location for all kinds of Hollywood productions. Looks like this commercial is going to feature several generations of Mustangs, including a '65 convertible, a '65 Shelby and an Eleanor clone. This is the only photo I managed without feeling like I was getting in the way - the people and equipment in the shot represent only a very tiny fraction of the crowd it apparently takes to make these things! Look for it on your TV soon . . .

Here's some shots of the car at the Petersen Museum taken a few years back:

Thanks! I figured it out after a while, and got a set from Southern Motorsport Hobbies (great service, by the way).

Man, this is looking great! Just a quick word on the cowl - when I built mine, I gave up trying to make the plastic one fit and made one from brass. I had little to no experience using brass in this way, but this was a good part to learn with.

Also, while we're on the subject, Vintage Racing Miniatures makes an excellent decal set for the Cheetah which does several different versions and comes with a detailed reference sheet. Top quality! http://www.v-r-m.com/decals/013_CheetahCoupeRoadster/cheetah.htm

Yes - I had to build that one, too (LeMans Miniatures kit):

I'd guess there were multiple issues, but from what I've read, the bad handling was due more to excessive chassis flex, and that the Cheetah was never properly designed to be a race car.

Yes, they did. Both 1/32 and 1/24.

There was a recent EBay auction that had six slot car bodies - including a good Cox Cheetah and a good Revell FIA Cobra - that closed at $85. I thought it would have gone for way more - go figure. Here's a link to my Cheetah build (using the MiniExotics kit) from 2011: http://www.modelcarsmag.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=48801&hl=cheetah And the end result: http://www.modelcarsmag.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=51190&hl=cheetah The Modelhaus kit looks like it's essentially the same as what I used - both appear to be closely based on the Cox Cheetah static kit.

Not sure I want to open that can of worms here, but in my eyes the Trumpeter Falcons & Rancheros are rather - shall I say - lacking, from a mechanical accuracy standpoint.

Great re-cap of the history and an excellent job on the model - one of my faves!

If we're talking about the real world, the Falcon and Comet are the same car underneath, and the first generation Mustang is virtually the same as a Falcon and Comet (depending on the year and engine, a lot of parts interchange). The '62-'63 Meteor is the Mercury equivalent of the mid-size Fairlane. If you're building scale replica, put whatever you think fits and looks best under there.

All good choices! I've built the Jordan and the Williams, and have the Lotus lined up on the bench for "soon". And I like this one, too:

I've only got one to show (so far). Had a good time building this one - one of these days I should do another. I've always wanted to do a "correct" Ford powered sprinter - I've got the decals, etc.

I don't doubt it! Maybe I should have said that August '64 is when the six bolt bellhousing first appeared. Obviously (as your car proves) Ford was using up its stock of five bolt bellhousing engines after that time until they ran out. I'll have to check, but I think the three bolt crank pulley persisted until much later.

Thanks guys - I'll be sure to post here if & when anything happens as far commercial availability. Keep in mind that this engine is only really correct for a '63 or early '64 car (after that Ford went to the six bolt bellhousing) Fairlanes, Galaxies, Falcons, Comets and Mustangs built before 8/64 had five bolt blocks.

Yes (thanks for asking) - the parts were cast out came out very well indeed! There is a small chance that these parts will be offered as a kit at some point, but until it happens I can't say much more.

Very well done! Any more info on the tires? I'm not familiar with PPP.