Monogram's 1955 Lincoln Futura Concept Car: WIP

[David G.]

11 hours ago, gtx6970 said:

Great looking car.

 

Even with its quirks

 

It makes a great display and not commonly seen build

Thank you most kindly Bill.

=D-

[Bugatti Fan]

All that work paid off David.

Nice to see a completed model of the original concept car that eventually got customised into the TV Batmobile.

[David G.]

3 hours ago, Bugatti Fan said:

All that work paid off David.

Nice to see a completed model of the original concept car that eventually got customised into the TV Batmobile.

Thank you Noel, I appreciate your comment.

=D-

[David G.]

Hello Everybody!

This one is officially completed!

I've started posting the photos in the "Under Glass" section.

 

Thanks to all of you who followed along and offered your kind comments and support.

I really do appreciate you.

David G.

[lordairgtar]

On 5/14/2024 at 5:15 PM, customline said:

This looks like fun, Dave. The thought of a car without windows makes me a bit clostrophobic but it's a pretty cool piece of automotive history. I'm following this one, for sure. What's this about stretch marks? I thought only pregnant women got those ?.

Edit: BTW, I wouldn't call this box art "Art Deco". At the time this thing was current, Deco was old hat. I don't know what the official name for it is but I think of it as "Jet Age" or "Modern" or maybe " Futurama ". Maybe somebody here went to art school (but I doubt it) ?

Think of the old style Vegas signs. Also other places like some Drive In diners of the day. It had a term. Being a sub set of MCM style, it was named Googie (goojee)

[David G.]

13 hours ago, lordairgtar said:

Think of the old style Vegas signs. Also other places like some Drive In diners of the day. It had a term. Being a sub set of MCM style, it was named Googie (goojee)

Whatever you call it, I like it. "Classic Kitsch" comes to mind too.

=D- 

[Mark W]

I’ve looked into how a differential works, kinda understand it. But never knew until now where the term “differential” came from. Thanks!

[David G.]

On 11/14/2024 at 6:18 PM, Mark W said:

I’ve looked into how a differential works, kinda understand it. But never knew until now where the term “differential” came from. Thanks!

You're welcome Mark, glad to help. 

=D-

[Mark W]

On 5/21/2024 at 9:00 AM, David G. said:

The wheels have to turn asymmetrically to go around corners. The outer wheel has a longer distance to travel than the inner wheel and has to turn faster to cover the larger distance in the same time that the inner wheel travels the shorter distance.

The diagram below shows why.

 

In this diagram the lines "r" and "R" would represent the path of the wheels through a turn. The outer wheel "R" would have to travel a greater distance around the circle than the inner wheel "r" would. To do that without dragging, it would have to go a little faster to keep up with wheel "r".

The inner and outer wheels would have to travel at different speeds or "asymmetrically". There would be a difference in speed between the inner "r" and outer "R" wheels. In mathematic terms, a speed "differential".

An automotive differential is a set of gears that allow the inner and outer wheels to travel at different speeds. It's essentially a mechanical algorithm (a topic for another time). 

Sorry, I don't mean to be a smart-aleck. It really can be a tricky concept to wrap one's head around.

I hope that this little science lesson helps.

Cheers,

David G.

 

Wow, that two-tone looks fabulous!  I don’t have the imagination for design. But I’m really good at copying others.

[Mark W]

David, now that you mentioned why you do a WIP. I will tell you that while I am working on my Futura, I’m using your WIP as a guide. Naturally I’m finding the same “problems” as you. With a few small deviations, your solutions are getting me through this project. My color choice is not set in stone, but I am leaning towards the pearl white. Just as I’m working on the Futura  the exotic Platinum Arowana fish scales from the far East are being ground to the proper scale.  Many thanks.

[David G.]

9 hours ago, Mark W said:

David, now that you mentioned why you do a WIP. I will tell you that while I am working on my Futura, I’m using your WIP as a guide. Naturally I’m finding the same “problems” as you. With a few small deviations, your solutions are getting me through this project. My color choice is not set in stone, but I am leaning towards the pearl white. Just as I’m working on the Futura  the exotic Platinum Arowana fish scales from the far East are being ground to the proper scale.  Many thanks.

Mark, this is one of the main reasons I post these build threads. Back in 2009 when I started building again I ran into some problems with a kit I was working on and I was uncertain of how to proceed. In the searching for a solution, I happened upon this very community. Needless to say I was blown away by what I saw other builders producing with ordinary model car kits. The experience opened my mind to a whole new world of possibilities.

It's great knowing that you can use the information in this WIP to help you along with your version of this car. Helping others is one of the reasons that I post these threads. Thanks for sharing that with me Mark.

I look forward to seeing what you do with your Futura.

David G.

[Big John]

I just saw the Futura featured in a 1959 Glen ford Debby Reynolds movie "It Started With a Kiss".  Painted red but you get to seee the bubble top and other trick parts in action as they tour Spain in the car.

[David G.]

18 hours ago, Big John said:

I just saw the Futura featured in a 1959 Glen ford Debby Reynolds movie "It Started With a Kiss".  Painted red but you get to seee the bubble top and other trick parts in action as they tour Spain in the car.

Thanks John, I still haven't seen that movie but I do plan to someday. Old movies are much more difficult to find now that Netflix no longer sends DVDs out. I might have to buy a copy of the movie just to see it.

David G. 

[Big John]

I just happened across it on TCM a couple of days ago so it may be on a streaming channel.  Typical late 50s comedy but quite a bit of scenes with the car in action.

[David G.]

13 hours ago, Big John said:

I just happened across it on TCM a couple of days ago so it may be on a streaming channel.  Typical late 50s comedy but quite a bit of scenes with the car in action.

Thanks John, I'll have a look on the ol' telly again.

=D-