Marmon Wasp: Winner of the 1911 inaugural Indianapolis 500

[Belugawrx]

Well detailed and painted Ismael !

Coming along nicely

[ismaelg]

Hello,

Small update, literally and figuratively.

The radiator also suffered a bit on mail ride.


Spent a couple hours combing thru craft beads to find the closest one in size.  I was hoping for finding 2 to make them both but I can live with only one.  Also spent some time to get the best fitting tubing or rod.


Getting there but on the long side. That's far better than too short.


After some trimming, we are getting there.


Moving in the right direction.
 

Thanks,
Ismael

Edited March 23 by ismaelg

[Mattilacken]

Nice project! I like where this is heading!

[ismaelg]

Hello,

Not much progress these days as I've been very busy.

Radiator moving along.  Basically ready for paint.

The wheels/tires required a bit more work than I originally anticipated but moving along.  Painting will be a challenge but we'll get there when we get there.

 

Thanks,
Ismael

[ismaelg]

Hello,

Most likely another victim of the mail's rough ride,  I couldn't find the engine support cross member.  Then I found the two ends of it.  The missing section was not found. Time to fix it.
Sanded smooth the end pieces. Using styrene square U channel and appropriate sized quarter round stock, I made the missing part measuring twice and cutting once. Or was it the other way around?  


TADA!  A perfect fit! Primer and maybe a smudge of filler will take it home.


Thanks,
Ismael

[absmiami]

Yup

[Big John]

I am sorry I missed out on the limited production from Indycals. looks like you are doing a great job on this iconic race car.  For more reference details check our EG's 3D CAD layouts at forum under "One of the most famous race cars nobody seems to know anything about" He was doing some fantastic work, unfortunately I think his medical issues caught up with him,  I think Indycals missed the mark on the water pump however well the rest of the car came out... Just being picky here. Looking forward to seeing your progress... Model On!

[Dave B]

Looking good Ismael, glad you're enjoying working on a 3D printed car, it's enjoyable!

Dave B

[Big John]

Thanks for looking at EG's post Ismael. You are not alone in your love of the Wasp.

[Straightliner59]

This is a great subject! I love the different materials you used on the engine. I have a thing for copper! Beautiful work!

[ismaelg]

Hello,

The steering linkage rod was not perfectly round. It could have been a challenge during curing.  It can probably be sanded back to shape.  But what fun would that be?  Here is a story in 4 pics.











A final adjustment/alignment before gluing together will take it home. Plus it is telescopic/adjustable length! 

Thanks,
Ismael

[NOBLNG]

Great work Ismael.👍 That engine is a thing of beauty…it’s almost a shame to put a hood over it.😎

[stavanzer]

Ismael,  I've added a link to EG's thread for those that have not seen it. Just to consolidate the information about the Wasp in one place.

Your Build is Jaw Dropping in it's detail and craftsmanship!

 

[ismaelg]

Hello,

No pics today but an update on the body paint.  The unique color of this car is not something readily available. There is no such thing as "PPG 1911 Marmon Wasp yellow" color formula. The closest match (and I am BIG sucker for the utmost color accuracy) is a special mix of 2 colors as per Michael's research.  Problem is I had a hard time finding them. Out of stock in all my usual go to places.  I finally tracked down an ebay seller that had both and ordered them. But they only had 1 of each.  Been 10ml (1/3 oz) and my painting style, that will probably not be enough for this as not only the body but the massive wheels, suspension and drivetrain are mostly body color.  I spent days tracking online retailers.  Finally found a retailer that had one of them but sold out on the other, then another retailer that had the second one but out of stock on the first one.  
Long story short, there are 3 packages in transit (California, Ohio, New York) with what I hope will allow me to paint this important project. By the way, I paid more in shipping than on the paint itself.
So I don't think this will see any color for about 2 weeks.  Stay tuned.

Thanks,
Ismael

[Big John]

The color of the Wasp has long been a bone of contention among us modelers.  Back in the 60s Rod & Custom paper wasp painted it dark orange, the ISM has it painted bright yellow which, I believe, was the Marmon co. standard in the 19 teens.  Ray Harroun raced the Wasp throughout the previous year 1910 before it was entered in the 1911 500. My theory is that the color change was due to oil staining from the Yellow to a rusty orange color by the time it was run in the 1911 Indy 500.  The photos show the car today and you can see this staining on the oil and fuel tanks and around all the bolts and recesses and even see finger swipes on the underside of the fuel tank even though the ISM probably is more meticulous in their cleaning that when it was originally raced.  Still doesn't answer the question of color at the start of the 1911 race. A personal choice anyway, but I do hope you'll do the white tires.

Edited March 29 by Big John

[NOBLNG]

Looks pretty close to Caterpillar yellow?

[ismaelg]

Like John mention, the color has always been a controversy.  The car was restored in the 1950s with Ray Harroun himself involved. He was not just a driver. He was a Marmon engineer.  As a fellow engineer, I have no motive or reason to question the current color, so that's the one I am aiming for.  The color formula is based on an unfaded paint where a leather belt has kept it preserved.

 I am going for the race configuration rather than the actual configuration of the car. For example, the car raced with 4 friction shocks in the front axle, but the car currently have only two.  The tail fin supports are different. Most notably, the race numbers were a different font and size.  Fortunately, the decals are for the race version.  Of course the tires will be white-ish.

If I ever get my hands on another, I'd like to do the  current museum trim. That would be fun.

Even a third version is possible: There is a video of Ray Harroun in the 1940's sitting on the car. It is faded and has additional lettering indicating it was the winner of the inaugural 500.

Thanks,
Ismael

[Big John]

white ish is right. Even in the clasic starting line photo you can see how dirty and greasy the tires were even before the race.  The other photo has thee advertising writing painted on and the tires have seen better days.

[ismaelg]

Thank you John!

I have never seen that second picture before! That looks like a Miller 91 FWD!  Any additional info on this picture?  Seems it was taken in 1926.   

That's the Marmon Wasp as it appeared in that video with Ray Harroun.

You can clearly see in this picture the car already has only 2 friction shocks up front, instead of four during the race.  The font on the side "32" is different to the one during race and probably the one kept up to today. The radiator number seems to be a faded but still original from the race. Notice the pointed "3" instead of a block font.

Of course the added "MARMON WASP" on the hood and the "WINNER OF THE 1911 500 MILE RACE" on the back.

Thanks!
Ismael

[stavanzer]

Notice the extreme tread on the right side tire, and the almost flat, torn tire on the left side. The left tire could be the original from 1911.

[ismaelg]

Yes, I was trying to analyze it but the picture size doesn't help much.   I was trying to see if there was any sign of tread on that tire. The right one is definitely not the original one. Those are definitely not white so I think they may most likely not be the original ones.

Notice the Marmon looks like a farm tractor or truck next to the Miller. 

Edited March 31 by ismaelg

[ismaelg]

Hello,

Time for a colorful update!

I received my first bottle to complete the formula as per Michael's.  More paint is on its way.  I mixed a little test batch very carefully.  As I have always suspected, the Wasp color is close to the 2000's Corvette Millennium Yellow.
Picture on tropical sunlight.

 

They are close enough that I think a "Plan B disaster recovery plan if needed" could be use Millennium yellow for the chassis parts that are body color and most likely nobody would notice the difference.

But at this time, I tested my mixed formula on these 2 parts.

Unfortunately, I need to be out of town the weekend.  But as soon as I get back we are painting!

Thanks,
Ismael

[ismaelg]

Hello,

Due to the kit's design, the round ends of the leaf springs are slightly big. There is nothing really to be done here.

Or is it?  So this is the ONLY artistic license I am taking in this project: I added some nuts and bolts and I think it looks better now. Of course the need to be painted body color as well.  I just added them after first coat of paint. A little weathering should take them home.




Thanks,
Ismael

Edited April 5 by ismaelg

[ismaelg]

Hello,

Long road ahead but we are now officially painting!

Thanks,
Ismael

[ismaelg]

Hello,

All non-body parts that go body color have been painted. Plus the inside of the wheels. 

Next: outside of the wheels and body. But I noticed I still need to do some minor prep work on the body before color.

Thanks,
Ismael