Larry Hess Rambler

[jdcar32]

Has anyone built the Larry Hess Rambler ? He competed in the 1967 Rebel 400. Everyone knows about Penske's AMC NASCAR efforts but I've never seen a build of this car. Perhaps a Johan Rambler kit bashed with a Johan Petty kit?  Would like to see a build or hear some of your comments.

Edited January 15, 2023 by jdcar32

[Shark]

At one time, MCW offered this as a curbside resin with Alps printed decals. Built up nice since it was light colors and black graphics mostly.

[JustJake]

https://mcwfinishes.com/shop/ols/products/1966-ambassador-2dr-ht  $55.00

Back when Dave Dodge had MCW before he sold it off (from wayback archive) https://web.archive.org/web/20090215165750/http://mcwautomotivefinishes.com/resin/gallery.html

Edited January 20, 2023 by JustJake

[jdcar32]

3 hours ago, JustJake said:

https://mcwfinishes.com/shop/ols/products/1966-ambassador-2dr-ht  $55.00

Back when Dave Dodge had MCW before he sold it off (from wayback archive) https://web.archive.org/web/20090215165750/http://mcwautomotivefinishes.com/resin/gallery.html

That is really sweet !

[Dave Van]

4 hours ago, JustJake said:

https://mcwfinishes.com/shop/ols/products/1966-ambassador-2dr-ht  $55.00

Back when Dave Dodge had MCW before he sold it off (from wayback archive) https://web.archive.org/web/20090215165750/http://mcwautomotivefinishes.com/resin/gallery.html

Being a NASCAR fan, AMC owner and having bought that AMC in Charlotte.....WOW!!!!!! Nice work

[bbowser]

Now there's something you don't see every day!  Very cool!

[Shark]

I was looking at MCW's website and the resin kit is shown as in stock. Didn't see anything about decals. I think slot car fever does them. 

[JustJake]

1 hour ago, Shark said:

I was looking at MCW's website and the resin kit is shown as in stock. Didn't see anything about decals. I think slot car fever does them. 

There are no decals to go along with it anymore.  And all resins (which they just recently got back into doing again) are considered 'backorders' until a move is completed.  https://mcwfinishes.com/

[JustJake]

12 hours ago, Dave Van said:

Being a NASCAR fan, AMC owner and having bought that AMC in Charlotte.....WOW!!!!!! Nice work

I hope I didn't leave the impression that, that is my build. It is not. Just thought it was cool.

[Dave Van]

Either way thanks for  posting!

[Shark]

On 1/20/2023 at 9:11 PM, JustJake said:

I hope I didn't leave the impression that, that is my build. It is not. Just thought it was cool.

I didn't and didn't think anyone else should have. You mentioned Dave, he built it. I'm glad you dug the pictures up and posted them. If I remember correctly, he built it as a curbside from his resin kit with wheels, tires, and racing interior he was producing at the time. 

[MarkJ]

In some ways it kinda resembles a 66 Fairlane but more boxy. Especially in the roof. What engine did they run in that. Don't see any clues on the hood about cubic inches. I don't even remember what Rambler had back then.

[JustJake]

From this website about Fonda speedway I found this picture while looking for engine specs,  http://www.catamountstadium.com/fondaspdwy_GNPage.html

I did find that at the 24 hours of Daytona in '66 Hess ran a Marlin https://www.marlinautoclub.com/Marlin_Racing/Racing.html

Edited January 25, 2023 by JustJake
added context

[sflam123]

Very cool!  
 

My grandfather on my father’s side was a huge Rambler fan.  He always told me that there was a Rambler racing in NASCAR during the 60’s, but to be honest, I never believed him.  Thanks!

[yellowsportwagon]

On 1/23/2023 at 8:24 AM, MarkJ said:

In some ways it kinda resembles a 66 Fairlane but more boxy. Especially in the roof. What engine did they run in that. Don't see any clues on the hood about cubic inches. I don't even remember what Rambler had back then.

I would guess  a Rambler 327.

[jdcar32]

13 hours ago, yellowsportwagon said:

I would guess  a Rambler 327.

I think you're right. It must have been a challenge to create a race spec Rambler engine, they surely did'nt have the parts and support the big 3 engines had.

 

[MarkJ]

 

I did some checking on Hess and he mostly drove a Ford in 1966. He competed in 3 races in the Rambler. Bridgehampton, Fonda, and Columbia. Columbia was the only race he finished in the Rambler. He actually out qualified 6 other cars there and finished 17th out of 26 cars. That's pretty amazing considering he gave up 100 cubic inches to his competitors at Columbia, if he did use the 327, which was the biggest engine that came in the Ambassador that year. He tried to run it at Charlotte and Bristol but failed to qualify at those tracks. He also drove a Rambler at 1 race in 1967 but it might not have been the car modeled in this thread. He was last at Greenville after blowing an engine and qualified 22nd out of 23 cars. He ran 5 laps before losing that engine. You can go to Racing Reference if you'd like to check it for yourself.

 

[stavanzer]

I read just the headline for this post.

My Dyslexia kicked in, and I read "Harry Less Rambler"

I need to pay more attention.

?