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Base kit is the Otaki Lamborghini Cheetah, a basic motorized model that is sort of collectible. This vehicle was a prototype that Lamborghini created, in the hopes of landing a US military contract, several were built, only one survived. It had a Chrysler V8, not a Lamborghini engine, so I thought it would be wicked to sort of stay authentic with the Dodge Hellcat engine. There is some good reference material, a few of the most useful photos I'll post up front. Suspension was torsion bars. Looks like they made the bell housing going down to the transmission. What I don't see is a radiator, fuel tank(s), exhaust, so will have to make that up. Found this on eBay, since the box is damaged from either insects or water, and the instructions were missing, got a relatively good deal. This Cheetah thread is how ChrisR saved my butt with the instructions. Not going to use the motor, lights, or roof rack. I got the box scanned, and a copy done in B&W at 10%, so I could draw the plan. Many aftermarket parts are rounded up, have more coming. Iceman Collectibles Hellcat engine, got two, plus his VR6 engine. Today (10/10/2020) I had to start! This is unusual for me, to quick assemble the major parts to see how it goes together, good thing I did. First off, the parts (not including the electrical pieces): Typical motorized simple chassis. First part to glue on was the top "A arms" part. First time using the sprue cutter, ironic the handles are orange! Interior tub is stuck together. Engine cover put on, tub set in place. Obviously the battery compartment will be cut out. Already not liking the interior, it's shallow for the wiring and switches, that needs to be modified. At this point I see the shortcomings, the engine cover does not come all the way down, the roll cage interferes with the dash, and the tub has no positive locators so it has about 1/4" room for error. I'm going to put Countach taillights in, since they are industrial looking anyway, they should look 100% better than the kit units. Another shortcoming is the windshield does not go all the way down. The canvas top has a nice texture, but I'm putting in photo-etch mesh, I see some sort of brace telegraphing a shape, so will put in another tube on the cage. I see one thing that is shouting at me, the side grills do what? There is a ton of interior tub work to do, as expected. So it's not like I don't have any unusual WIP waiting, like the Mercedes G666 BenutzerdefiniertHinterntretenJadgAktenvernichterGeländewagenLimousine and Auto Union C - Vanderbilt Cup 1937. ?

A subject I would like to build, but come on, not a cartoon! They have some interesting subjects, too bad they are not realistic. If I'm going to spend precious time, it's gonna be accurate. Hobby Search is the source.

Here is another of Scott Kercher's super builds. Photos and text by Scott. This is the Modelhaus Cheetah kit in resin, 1/24. There have been some improvements on the Cox body but the interior is as molded in that kit. I put in a bit of interior improvements. Re-worked the dash, added roll bars,seat belts, fire extinguisher, shifter, and added detail where the spare tire fits. The engine is supplied as a very nice 327 Fuelie insert, I added some hoses and wiring. Body work included opening up all the vents, removing the resin body work below the doors, and making new exhausts and drilling all the holes for the fasteners. Paint is Krylon Royal Blue with Fred Cady decals. Wheels are beautiful American mags from Brad Bradford. Tires are MPC big and littles. MV lenses are used for the tail lights. Rear view mirrors were scratch built. And Duck Tape. Lots of it. These things were Duck Tape specials. There was so much air coming into the front at speed that the sides of the hood would billow out and crack. Ralph Saylor could literally blow his own doors off, too. In fact he once considered taping the drivers door shut with him inside but later came to his senses. In short, these cars were underdeveloped nightmares. And crude. But what a fun model to build!