Monogram Casey Luna Ford Sprint Car

[THarrison351]

I started this when it was released in 1988. I had also started another sprint car, the #11 Coors Light sprint car. I ran into problems building that one. It never was completed, due to a difficult landing after a short flight accross the room. I did keep the never installed wheels and tires and also the engine. I'm not sure if I never finished the Luna kit because the sprint cars were hard to build, or the disappointment of a Chevy small block were a Ford Cleveland should reside. Anyways, I have muddled, persevered, modified, and walked away many times this past month, but here it is. I was surprised the decals were OK, not great, but they stayed together.

Paints are all Tamiya, including the wings

I used piano wire to create the missing struts

It sits completely flat despite the huge rear tire stagger. Those tank decals were just awful and barely responded to Walthers. All my other decal solvents were inert

The Ford conversion is not perfect, but it's better than the obvious siamesed Chevy

Not much room in there for a full sized adult. Steering wheels are only installed when driving and I need to add belts

I did wire the magneto

What was in the box save the NASCAR Ford Cleveland cylinder heads I'm mocking up

Close up of the NASCAR Ford Cleveland cylinder heads that just fit. Yes the intake is wrong and the water pump, etc., but you can't see it when it's finished

One of the pictures for inspiration. I can't believe they had a Coors Light car, but wouldn't put the Skoal and Copenhagen decals in the kits. They were a major sponsor for WoO at the time.

 

[slusher]

Looks great!

[THarrison351]

18 hours ago, slusher said:

Looks great!

Thanks!

[1930fordpickup]

Great story Tim, the poor landing gave me a chuckle. Been there done that, even stepped on one. The finished model is even better. I like your conversion. 

[TonyK]

Your model turned out great! I remember when this first came out and I was so upset about the engine not being a Ford that I wrote to Monogram.

I've walked away from a model and come back several times as you did and it sometimes takes years to finally finish it. You did good!

[Gramps46]

Thanks for sharing this one.  It is a super build