Lizard Racing

This was just to be an interesting comparison to illustrate the variety in automotive engines. I quoted 600 hp for the Chevy because it is going into a racecar, whereas the Austin motor was stock. But I have seen prepared Mini Coopers whip up on Corvettes at the race track.

Speed is the most important thing! Except for the F-104 this should do it at 406 mph.

While attending an SCCA National at Lake Afton, KS I saw a Corvette with DX markings. I was too young and stupid to realize that this car was famous. It won the GT class at Sebring in '67 and at Daytona in '68 (beating the newer '68s). It was then given to Dave Morgan to campaign in the AP class at SCCA nationals, winning the Midwest Division Championship. I started with a Revell '67 Coupe (lots better than the AMT kit) and added the American Racing wheels from the AMT '63. The interior an engine are done, just getting the body right.

Two project I have working concurrently is the Revell Surfite and a '67 427 Corvette. The Surfite was suppose to be a fun build, but I couldn't leave it alone. It was powered by an 850 cc Austin engine. The 'Vette is going to be the DX Corvette that won the GT class at Sebring in '67 and Daytona in '68. I saw this car run in production class after it was given to Dave morgan to campaign in SCCA nationals. It struck me that the entire displacement of the Austin engine does not equal one cylinder of the 427. The Austin engine makes 35 hp and the Chevy makes 600. Eight times the displacement and almost 20 times the power! Sorry for the photo quality. I cropped it a bit too small.

Amazing effects!

I remember when kits were $1.50 to $2.00 and I thought that was outrageous. Of course costs of production keep going up. Remember to add shipping costs to any online price. Some hobby shop chains (Hobbytown, etc.) offer free delivery to their local store for online orders.

Welcome to the site! I used to live in Marietta, so we were practically neighbors.

Revell makes a whole line of Snap Tite kits in a variety of subjects. I have started my grandson in the hobby with these.

Very nicely represented. I used to race a kart similar to this one, with Yamaha power. I had to wear knee pads and an elbow pad on the right. Seems like a lifetime ago.

Your decals look more correct than the Yesterday's decals I used on mine (see separate topic). Did you make them?

A couple of weeks ago I bought my grandson the Revell fire truck snapper and a Surfite as a fun build. Haven't told the wife about this; a Monogram '55 Chevy convertible and AMT '75 Gremlin. I intended to order the '57 to make into a NASCAR convertible racer. Jack has agreed to make the exchange. The Gremlin is going to be built as a '74 which was our first new car.

A lot of interesting modifications! What is the source for the frame and suspension?

To do a wheelie pose, sand a flat spot on each rear tire. Pose the car at the appropriate angle, then glue the rear wheels to the axle so they don't turn. Position the car on the display base and drill a small hole corresponding to the "footprints." Then use a sheet metal screw through the holes, going into the tires. Alternatively, use super glue in place of the screws. This should hold the car up. Be sure to include a driver figure.

I did the same P-51 and left it all silver and did decals for Utah ANG. I knew there was no way I was going to get the checkered nose right. Yours looks very good.

I too came back after an extended hiatus. I was surprised by the resources that are now available, such as aftermarket parts, decals and this forum. Take your time and have fun.

One thing about the desert: it treats all parts equally. Good effect.

Very historic builds. Nearly every NASCAR Cup driver got his start here.

The November 2014 issue of MCM carried an article A2Z's Soaring Eagle, the 1969 SCCA Formula 5000 Eagle. This article inspired me to do the 1968 champion Eagle driven by Dr. Lou Sell. I obtained a Gurney Olsonite Eagle used from E-Bay. It was partially assembled and only later did I discover the windscreen was missing. That will need to be scratch-built. The decals came from Indycals. I found them to be quite thin and easily damaged, both in application and handling during assembly. Fortunately, they came off easily for a do over. I used the kit engine with Chevy valve covers from the parts box and Weber carbs from the AMT '63 Vette. Since the engine is exposed, it had to be detailed a bit more than normal.

It's a noble thing you're doing. GM did the same thing with fenders as the kit. Nova, Omega Ventura and Apollo all used the same platform. With the absence of a rear seat, this kit would be easier to make into a Modified (like the Earnhardt).

A nice pearlescent white would be nice. Regardless, do what looks good to you.

Who would have thought the Rolling Stones would still be on tour. Or for that matter, they would still be alive. Wo would have thought any of us would still be alive, since we were running out of everything: oil, food, space.

I feel sorry for those born after 1969. Cars of the '70s and '80s were terrible! Makers were trying to reconcile the conflicting requirements of safety, emissions, economy and performance. They finally got it right (for the most part). My choice for the car for life is the 1948 Chevy sedan. Beam axles, Stovebolt 6 engine. You could tune it eith a screwdriver and a timing light, and sometimes you didn't need the light.

There is also a Jo Han '70 Javelin. Here are two Camaros and the Javelin from the survivor topic. Old kits can be made into Trans Am cars. For a newer one of tube frame construction, a NASCAR chassis could be fitted to a production body, but by then the bodies were altered also.

This post has inspired me to unpack four oldies. I used to be a big Penske fan. The Camaros ('68 & '69) are built from AMT annual kits from the day with hand-painted lettering from when my hand was more steady. The Javelin is a Ho-Han kit. The Ferrari P4 is half of an AMT double kit which included a Porsche 907. These cars have been in storage from the '70s when I was last seriously involved in the hobby. True survivors.

Two of my favorite racecars! I've always been a Chaparral fan. Jim Hall took on the best in the world with a backyard special; and beat them. The poor 712 could have been a McLaren beater if the factory gave it any support. They went to all the trouble (and expense) of building such a car, then just let it go. have fun.