Monster Motor

[Terry Jessee]

This is my current thrash. I'm trying to get this done for GSL in a couple weeks. It's a very rare Scalekraft resin kit (they're out of business) of the 1929 Irving-Napier Special, popularly known as the "Golden Arrow." This car set the land speed record at Ormond Beach (now Daytona Beach) in 1929. Speed was 231 mph. In this shot the model is just set together.

Up on its wheels. The body work was essentially "draped" around the engine, which was a 23 liter (1400 cubic inch!) Napier Lion aircraft engine as used in the Supermarine S.4 plane that Supermarine built for air racing in the late '20s. Horsepower was listed as 930+. The driver, Henry Seagrave, set the LSR at 3,250 rpm. Designers felt the car could go easily to 4,000 rpm, but Seagrave chose to leave things as they were after an American driver was killed trying to break his record that same day.

The car has fewer than 30 miles on it.

Here it is with paint on it. The name Golden Arrow came from the color, obviously, and from the arrow shape of the engine cover. The '64 Impala gives you an idea of relative size.

This is a simple curbside, but you have to fabricate about 30 parts from plastic tube, rod, and sheet stock (included in the kit), along with brass wire and aluminum tubing in several sizes. The structure in front of the model is the chassis plate with the interior bucket assembled. There are templates for the interior bulkheads, but they didn't fit as drawn so I used a contour gauge to get a more accurate shape. The little halfmoon piece is the dashboard.

Got a ways to go, but I'm hoping to have it done for Salt Lake. This thing was riddled with pinholes, especially in the big radiators on both sides. I bet I've filled about 300 of them. And I keep finding others.

I like LSR cars, and have tried to collect all the 1/24 and 1/25 examples I can find.

This is the Etzel Speed Classics 1928 Stutz Blackhawk.

This is the 1965 Summers Brothers Goldenrod from Jimmy Flintstone.

Terry

Terry

[jlhboys1969]

That is a cool looking build

[Foxer]

Interesting vehicle. They sure considered aircraft as the way to fly across the sands back then. just look at that tail.

[CB]

WOW! what a cool model!

Stuff like this is the best/worst part of this forum...

now I gotta get me one, or scratch one up

Really cool, Terry. Thanks for posting it up. Can't wait

to see it done. Like them other two also.

[randx0]

Cool build . I wonder if there are any LSRs that don't use a color in their name . are there any exterior adornments in photo etch like hood pins or buckles ? wait don't answer that it's an old kit so probably not. carry on but keep us posted ! it really looks neat and big.

[Custom Hearse]

WOW!!!! 231 in 1929! Thanks for the history on this vehicle, I like learning about stuff like this.

Good luck at the GSL this year with this build.

[roadhawg]

I never cared much for LSR cars until about 5 years ago, when I had the opportunity to visit the Bonneville Salt Flats.......and left in awe. What an amazing place! And cars like this go back to an era when real men went fast!

Awesome builds, sir!

[Scott Colmer]

That is an amazing model of a stunning car. Don't forget Breedlove's Spirit of America - the lake version. I think that one is even bigger that the Golden Arrow.

Land speed is probably the last arena for straightline creativity. At a recent day trip to El Mirage, I saw a Pinto with a 6/71 blown flat head. Cool - but it had blown up.

I was hoping to take a LSR car to GSL too. I figured out that I will not make it. Oh well, it will be my first time, so there will be lots to see and learn.

Good luck.

Scott

[Alyn]

Interesting vehicle. They sure considered aircraft as the way to fly across the sands back then. just look at that tail.

FYI: That tail is still valid today. Look at any car or bike running at Bonneville in the 200 MPH and up classes. Long tails and/or tail fins are pretty much standard design when allowed by the rules. The extra surface area, as viewed from the side, moves the center of pressure rearward.

Car design 101 at Bonneville; keep the center of pressure behind the center of gravity.

Cool looking car, as is the Stutz and Goldenrod.

[Terry Jessee]

Well, we're coming along here. Got it up on its' wheels. I'll let this dry overnight, then add the radiators. Have a few small parts to finish, but it's coming along.

Terry

[Hizoot]

I like it as we don't see enough LSR cars/trucks or bikes on the contest or show tables.

I hope Scott Colmer brings his Low Cal. Special up to GSL for display. Even though it might not be finished, I think you'll love it & you might even enjoy talking to Scott as well... ...LOL..! Keeeep going Terry, it looks good to me !

Hizoot

[roadhawg]

Beautiful! It sure does remind me of "The Rocketeer" for some reason, though! lol!

Edited April 26, 2009 by roadhawg