Rick Mears 1988 Indy 500 winner PC-17

[ismaelg]

Hello,

From the little research I've done, it seems the PC-17 had either a solid one-piece wing support (Al Unser's car) or 2 thin vertical supports (Mears and Sullivan).  The kit has the single support but Mears ran with the 2 thin vertical supports. 

Al Unser's car

 

Here is version #1 of my own support, made out of sheet aluminum.
I'll work it a little more but it is quite flimsy.  I'll play around with styrene, acetate and maybe brass but I think this one still has potential.

Thanks,
Ismael

[Big John]

Hi Ismael, I've started a thread Show Us Your indy Cars and hope to see some of your other projects. The Wasp would be a great addition.

[ismaelg]

Hello,

Version 2.0 of the wing support.  BRASS!!  Way much stronger, straighter and overall better than the original aluminum one I did.  While ever so slightly thicker, I believe it will be better overall.

Thanks,
Ismael

[ismaelg]

Hello,

Just a test.

Thanks,
Ismael

[Rattlecan Dan]

Just keeps getting better! Great work.

[ismaelg]

Hello,

So, let me see if I understand this:  We take a yellow molded kit. We complain it is molded in yellow but that's another story.  We work it, we prime it and we paint it.... YELLOW!  Then we don't understand when people call us weird!  🤣

This is only the first coat of paint. It actually looks better in the picture than what it really is.  I call it the colored primer because this will be sanded down smooth to almost nothing before putting many more color coats.
You can see the back of the engine compartment floor is still plastic color.

Thanks,
Ismael

Edited June 11 by ismaelg

[ismaelg]

Hello,

This will be a curbside with the engine cover permanently attached. So no use to detail the engine. Only what will be visible.  Added some fluid lines with anodized hardware. I had previously made plastic (2 different ones), brass and aluminum rear axles. The aluminum was not bad but I will most likely use the brass one for a hint of contrast.

Thanks,
Ismael

[ismaelg]

Hello,

Conversation with myself:
"What the hell are you doing?"


"Ohh!!! Carry on!"

Onboard air jacks for pit stops service.

Thanks,
Ismael

[absmiami]

Good news bad news

curbsides will hide the eng detail

but you'll be the only builder with an eng cover that actually fits properly onto the body work

- trust me on that one - thats the good news

 and by the way - if you are not too far along - the Penske yellow had a light pearlescent finish

- subtle - but visible in bright sunlight ...

 

[ismaelg]

Hello,

Now to wait a day or two before clearcoating.

Thanks,
Ismael

[ismaelg]

Hello,

Mirror mirror on the wall, who's the roundest of them all?


Indycals decals over the kit's tires. Raised letters were eliminated by sanding smooth.  A quick spray of dullcoat once fully dry should take these to the finish line.

Thanks,
Ismael

[ismaelg]

Hello,

Scratchbuilt one, now the challenge is to do another identical one.  🙂

Thanks,
Ismael

[ismaelg]

Hello,

Not sure if anybody is following but here is more scratchbuilding progress:

Thanks,
Ismael

[Zen]

Paint & decals look great!

[1959scudetto]

Very nice paint and decalling, Ismael- and excellent scratchbuilt seatbelts !

[ismaelg]

Hello,

Gotta check the fuel pump toggle switch connection.  


Thanks,
Ismael

[ismaelg]

Hello,

We all know these AMT kits have some "fit issues" to put it mildly.  The radiators are thick and I will only have one chance at mating the rear bodywork to the car in this curbside project.

To play it safe I made aluminum impressions of the radiators. This one is torn but you get the idea.


A black wash, glue them in place,


...and you have radiators with lower chances of interference. But most importantly, will disguise all the empty space.

Thanks,
Ismael

[Straightliner59]

On 6/28/2025 at 3:32 PM, ismaelg said:

Hello,

Not sure if anybody is following but here is more scratchbuilding progress:



 

Thanks,
Ismael

These look great! I totally apprecite tht you scratch built them. Much respect, for that!

[ismaelg]

Hello,

This one is FINISHED and posted Under Glass:  https://www.modelcarsmag.com/forums/topic/201893-ladies-and-gentlemen-presenting-my-1988-indy-500-winner-pc-17-driven-by-rick-mears/

Thank you for accompanying me in this journey.

Thanks,
Ismael