Gluebomber Posted February 12, 2019 Share Posted February 12, 2019 The annual Carrera Panamericana road race was run from 1950 through 1954. The races covered the length of Mexico, the first one from Juarez on the U.S. border south to El Ocotel on the Guatemalan border, and the other four from Tuxtla Gutierrez, near Guatemala, north to Juarez. The 1950 race was dominated by Detroit iron with Hershel McGriff winning in a 1950 Oldsmobile 88. Later races attracted European sports car teams which had endurance racing experience from running at Targa Florio, Le Mans, and the Mille Miglia. The race was discontinued after 1954 because of the high number of driver and spectator casualties (26 in five years) due to poor driving conditions and lack of safety regulations. This model represents the Porsche 550 Spyder driven by Hans Herrmann in the 1954 PanAm, finishing First in the Small Sports Class and Third Overall. The kit is a recent release from Fernando Pinto Models of Portugal, built mostly box stock. As usual for Pinto's kits, it was relatively basic but not exactly shake-and-bake. A fair amount of time was spent getting the front ride height correct and figuring parts placement due to the sketchy instruction sheet. The finish is MCW Mercedes Silver. In pictures I've seen of this car, the silver appears to have more of a satin finish so I left the paint unpolished. The red rear fender flashes are Tamiya spray Italian Red. Tamiya acrylics and Alclad metallics were also used. The model is far from perfect, but I was glad to add this relatively unusual car to my shelf. All comments and constructive criticism are welcome. Thanks for looking! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
afx Posted February 12, 2019 Share Posted February 12, 2019 Very nice Larry. I wish there where more Carrera PanAmericana decal choices available. There are a few but not enough IMHO. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim N Posted February 12, 2019 Share Posted February 12, 2019 Very nice! You did a great job. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phildaupho Posted February 12, 2019 Share Posted February 12, 2019 WOW. Great looking model. I especially like the livery and how you can see the spare tire through the louvers. I have long been fascinated by the Carrera both the original and the later rally version. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gramps46 Posted February 12, 2019 Share Posted February 12, 2019 Super build Larry. Fernando has brought us some really neat resin kits and you did this one proud. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
89AKurt Posted February 12, 2019 Share Posted February 12, 2019 Cool subject! Looks really good to me, I know silver is a pain to do well. I got his Auto Union Vandrbuilt kit, understand the "not shake and bake" comment. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bbowser Posted February 12, 2019 Share Posted February 12, 2019 Great looking car! I've never seen one with the quarter panels like this. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bainford Posted February 13, 2019 Share Posted February 13, 2019 Superb build. That’s a sweet little racer. Good call on the unpolished finish. The sheen looks perfect. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cobraman Posted February 13, 2019 Share Posted February 13, 2019 Very well done. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hotrod 97 Posted February 13, 2019 Share Posted February 13, 2019 Nicely done! The unpolished silver looks good! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gluebomber Posted February 13, 2019 Author Share Posted February 13, 2019 Thanks for the kind words, Guys. JC, I agree we need more PanAm kits. I got some decals from Pattos Place and Scale Designs decals for sports cars that ran in the races but I'd like to see some for the Oldsmobiles, Chevies, and Studebakers that ran. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Foxer Posted February 13, 2019 Share Posted February 13, 2019 One of my favorite cars also and a very nice build on this! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hi-Po Posted February 13, 2019 Share Posted February 13, 2019 Nicely done! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drodg Posted February 13, 2019 Share Posted February 13, 2019 Nice job. I owned many years ago a Beck Spyder as some of you probably know is a kit car replica of the Porsche 550 Spyder. It was totally unpractical and I think my neighbors hated it when I started it up but it was blast to drive! Your kit is very very nice. Thanks for the posting. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PatW Posted February 13, 2019 Share Posted February 13, 2019 Looks very good and as a Porsche follower an interesting possibility but as a retiree the price is all important, so how much are these going for please? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gluebomber Posted February 13, 2019 Author Share Posted February 13, 2019 Patrick, here's a link to the ebay page for this kit: https://www.ebay.com/itm/PORSCHE-550-Spyder-Panamericana-54-Le-Mans-55-or-Targa-Florio-56-FPPM-1-24-kit/123642422076?hash=item1cc9a9a33c:g:JpkAAOSwuGhbqn17:rk:16:pf:0 Pinto also has a Facebook page and you can save a little by ordering from him directly. Hope this helps. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sjordan2 Posted February 13, 2019 Share Posted February 13, 2019 1 hour ago, drodg said: Nice job. I owned many years ago a Beck Spyder as some of you probably know is a kit car replica of the Porsche 550 Spyder. It was totally unpractical and I think my neighbors hated it when I started it up but it was blast to drive! Your kit is very very nice. Thanks for the posting. I was very interested in a Beck 550, and I asked the owners club if there was a way of putting a heater in it: Answer: Yes. A down-filled jacket. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PatW Posted February 13, 2019 Share Posted February 13, 2019 1 hour ago, Gluebomber said: Patrick, here's a link to the ebay page for this kit: https://www.ebay.com/itm/PORSCHE-550-Spyder-Panamericana-54-Le-Mans-55-or-Targa-Florio-56-FPPM-1-24-kit/123642422076?hash=item1cc9a9a33c:g:JpkAAOSwuGhbqn17:rk:16:pf:0 Pinto also has a Facebook page and you can save a little by ordering from him directly. Hope this helps. Thanks Gluebomber. I had a quick look but the prices are far more than I can afford. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Louis Posted February 13, 2019 Share Posted February 13, 2019 Really nice! I like this one! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FabbricaP Posted February 13, 2019 Share Posted February 13, 2019 Looks terrific! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FordRodnKustom Posted February 13, 2019 Share Posted February 13, 2019 Outstanding historical Porsche build! Well done. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gluebomber Posted February 14, 2019 Author Share Posted February 14, 2019 Thanks again for the kind words, Guys. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave B Posted February 14, 2019 Share Posted February 14, 2019 Nice build Larry, your 550 looks great Dave B Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChrisR Posted February 14, 2019 Share Posted February 14, 2019 Great build! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drodg Posted February 14, 2019 Share Posted February 14, 2019 20 hours ago, sjordan2 said: I was very interested in a Beck 550, and I asked the owners club if there was a way of putting a heater in it: Answer: Yes. A down-filled jacket. Not to high jack this thread more than I have already since this is taking away from such a great build of a very historic car but I will just give a little info about the heater thing. I sold my car to a guy in January a number of years ago and he drove to the west coast with it. I am in Indiana! He ended up wiring in some kind of electric heater. Not sure how safe or how effective though. LOL! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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