Dan Gurney & Swede Savage AAR Cuda’s

[Mopar - D]

In January I started on my Dan Gurney race car hauler that includes the race cars. I’m now at the point to build the Cuda’s for the truck. I’m starting with the Revell AAR Cuda kit. I picked up both releases of the kit and with be building both of them at the same time. I’m going with the dark blue version that the cars are as of now. I’m using the Dan Gurney blue from MCW, decals are from Mikesdecales and wheels are General Lee wheel and tire set from Fireball Modelworks he is out of stock of the Dan Gurney Wheels until later this year so for now I’m going with what he has and will probably change them out later when I can get the other wheels. The rest of the parts are either from my parts boxes or scratch built. For progress I’ve fabricated the front spoilers and started working on the engines. I found some headers that will work and some roll bar parts to use as a starting point. 

Here’s my race car hauler link. 

Edited March 21, 2021 by Mopar - D

[Venom]

Dan, what a cool trailer ... great work on that!

Looking forward to watching your Cuda builds👍

[Jhedir6]

Following....

I got one of these on my "to do list" which is far too long

BTW you might want to try this link https://www.modelbuilderswh.com/collections/wheels-tires/products/minilite-15-wheels-tires-set-1-24th-scale

Looking good so far Dan. The trailer looks amazing.

[Mopar - D]

Thanks Josh

Thanks David I was able to get there last one in stock so at least one will have the correct wheels. I would still like to get a set for the other one to. 

[Jhedir6]

1 hour ago, Mopar - D said:

Thanks Josh

Thanks David I was able to get there last one in stock so at least one will have the correct wheels. I would still like to get a set for the other one to. 

NP Dan. Glad to help out. Why not either put the second car on just steelies (so it looks like its on skinnier transport wheels) or jack it up on stands like its being worked on till you get another set of the minilites?

[Mopar - D]

David my plan is to have one of the cars in the trailer so you would not see much of the car and the General Lee wheels are close to the minilites   

[swede70]

Greetings David,

Only if you'd want, I might be able to help on the scale Minilites front.  Searching my name/handle for threads will turn up my period SCCA Trans-Am efforts, hence much could be shared - again, at your discretion.  Neat effort this...

Mike K./Swede70

[swede70]

Another wave then...

Mike K./Swede70

[Mopar - D]

Thanks Mike for your pictures I’m thinking about making this into a diorama set up at a race track and those pictures helps. I think mine will be one where they are parked on pavement. I was able to get some primer on the bodies and frame plus painted the engine blocks. My letters came in and I’ve got one side done.

 

[Mopar - D]

Was able to spray on the dark blue on the Cuda’s and clear coat the gray. I also bought some plastic rods to start on the roll cages. 

[Mopar - D]

Making some progress on the engines and added the bracing in the engine compartments. 

[Mopar - D]

Still making some progress on the Cuda’s changed out the radiator lowered the battery and getting the radiator over flow container ready for some chrome. I’ve got some spark plug wires coming from MAD. I’ve also been polishing the bodies and will need to respray them so more paint on order. 
Thanks for sharing your comments. 

[Mopar - D]

I’ve been busy on the Cuda’s engine bay and have started fabricating the roll bars. I can’t believe how complex they were but I read somewhere that they were designed on a computer and it was the first time as well. It would be cool if the old files could be used to 3D print them. 
I appreciate everyone’s comments.  

[drodg]

Great job.  I just saw this string of pictures etc.  This will be great to follow.   

[Mopar - D]

Thanks Dave. This is the first time for me to build a race car I’m typically a factory stock car builder or trucks. 

[Mopar - D]

The roll bar in the front part has been very tricky to get right I think I have it now for the right side next will be to do the left side and then start on the other car. 
 

[Mopar - D]

Finally have the first roll bar cage finished next will be to finish the second one. 

[Mattilacken]

Looks really good! The rolbar looks good! But that must be like a “4 tube  🙂

[drodg]

Dan what Tamiya dark blue are you using?  Things are looking great btw.

 

[Mopar - D]

Thanks Anton yes I started out using a bars that are about 4” then switched over to 2 1/2” bars. The next one will be all 2 1/2” bars 
 

Thanks Dave the dark blue that’s on the truck is MCW Dan Gurney Dark Blue Met. 2084. The lighter blue that’s on the cars now is there dark blue met. 6964. I didn’t realize that they had more than one dark blue met. when I had to order more paint and I picked the wrong one. I have the correct paint on the way and will be fixing the color to match the truck and what the cars were. Here’s where I’m at now with the building. 

Edited April 13, 2021 by Mopar - D

[slusher]

Really impressive work on both cars Dan. Really nice paint and those roll cages are impressive...

[Mopar - D]

Thanks Carl I’ve started on the second roll cage now. Using lessons learned from the first one. 

[Mopar - D]

I’ve been working on the second roll bar cage and have been able too get the headers in also. 
 

[Mopar - D]

Finally my correct dark blue paint is on the Cuda’s. Next will be to clear coat decals final clear coat. 

[drodg]

I am loving this build.  I have a SMTS 1:43 kit of the AAR Gurney Cuda and this is inspiring me to build it.  What dark blue paint did you use?  I think it is Tamiya but not sure which color.  Thanks