New kit from Profil24

[Terry Jessee]

Just got a very cool new kit from Profil24 (France). They do some gorgeous, all-original resin kits of sports and racing cars.

 

This new one is the 1950 Cadillac "Le Monstre" that raced at the 24 Hours of LeMans in 1950. Briggs Cunningham was behind the project., which was based on a 1950 Cadillac Coupe DeVille. LeMans rules said that a car must have its' original engine and chassis, but changes could be made to the bodywork. I think they meant "subtle" changes, but Cunningham was able to show that his radical car fit the rules at the time. So the car was allowed to run.

 

The body was designed by Grumman Aircraft, who used a wind tunnel to perfect the shape. Bill Frick (Fordillac, Studillac) built it.

 

It was one of the fastest cars on the track (130 mph on the Mulsanne Straight) and finished 11th.

 

Kit is a curbside but has a nice interior. Surface detail on the body is fine but excellent. Even the scoops have thin openings. Lots of photoetched parts to add detail.

 

It's expen$ive, but so unique that I couldn't pass it up. It is a complete kit with rudimentary chassis detail and decals for numbers, gauges, and other features.

 

Edited July 13, 2024 by Terry Jessee

[stavanzer]

Wow!

What a Cool Model!

[rrb124@sbcglobal.net]

Super rare racer and model. Cool!

[ncbuckeye67]

That is so ugly, it's cool! 

[jaymcminn]

The real thing lives about 5 miles away from me at the Revs Institute here in Naples. It is really imposing (but no prettier) in person!

[TarheelRick]

Don't understand the issue, looks like a 50 Coupe DeVille to me. All joking aside, that is one interesting looking model. Also like the looks of the 56 SD on your bench.

[Pierre Rivard]

Thanks Jerry for sharing your first impressions of this just released kit. Lately I have been eying some of the Profil24 kits and this good feedback will help the decision process.

Fascinating modeling subject here. 

[The Junkman]

The whole Cunningham racing history is just fascinating.  Paul Fisher had a Cunningham C-5R in his lineup which I was about to buy when it all went south for his business.  (A lesson I have to keep re-learning especially with modeling: if you see it and want it-buy it, now.  It may not be there for long.)

Edited July 21, 2024 by The Junkman

[Big John]

To paraphrase the Freak Brothers... 'Models will get you through times with no money better than money will get you through times without models.'

[absmiami]