1920 Indy 500 winner: Monroe Special Frontenac

[ismaelg]

Hello,

This will be a very long term project.

I was able to hunt down a kind of reasonably-priced built Aurora 1920 Monroe Special. 

Pictures from the ebay listing: Nicely built by the way.




While I had the intention to disassemble and repaint/rebuild, it seems the postal service wanted to help.


Despite been carefully packed, this is what I got. 


So this will be a long term project.

Thanks,
Ismael

[ismaelg]

Hello,

Using the freezer trick I was able to disassemble most of it.  The bag on the right contains the broken parts from the rough mail ride.  It will be a challenge to fix but I will take a crack at it because the other alternatives are triple digit money. 
I'm cheap 🙂

The kit's wheels would require a lot of work to get to barely adequate but still oversized.
Any suggestions for a good 3D print period wire wheel/tire file?  I have plans for several vintage racers and I will need a few period wire wheel sets.

Thanks,
Ismael

[ismaelg]

Hello,

Let the repairs begin!

One of these was fine, the other was broken in 3 pieces.

Thanks,
Ismael

[RancheroSteve]

I've had this one around for years. It actually came with another built-up that I purchased on eBay (a Falcon, I think). Neither the seller nor myself knew what it was and it took me a while to figure it out. I never considered it as particularly rare or valuable, maybe until just now, ha. Missing the steering wheel, but otherwise apparently complete.

It just sits on a shelf with some other built-ups and future projects as I never have figured out what I should do with it. Restore or use as the basis for an unusual hot rod/special? In any case, I will be watching your re-build with interest.

  

[ismaelg]

Hello,

These have a unique story.  The series is of 6 cars.  They are all around 1/30 scale.  They were made by the Best Plastic Company in 1954.  In 1957 Aurora bought the molds. From what I have read, Aurora was involved with them on this project from the start. Aurora re-launched these in 1958 and discontinued them in 1963 never to be seen again. No idea if the molds still exist but I doubt it.  Very simple kits and "crude" by 1963 standard sealed their demise.

The series was created with the help of 3 time Indy winner Wilbur Shaw who was the President of the Indianapolis motor Speedway after WW2.

The cars were the Indy 500 winners of 1920, 1922, 1931, 1935, 1949 and 1953.

I have this one(1920) and the 1922 and 1931 are in transit.  These kits are getting expensive so I am getting built glue bombs to restore.  Missing and broken parts are unavoidable as these are at least 62+ years old.

Thanks,
Ismael 

[Big John]

Looks like a fun project even in 1/30ish scale.  I figure you are already headed in this direction but there was some discussion at this past NNL West about how most of these kits are pretty accurate but are definitely helped with proper scale wire wheels.

[MAGIC MUFFLER]

 

I just sold these 3 kits and they were MINT inside. Had them about 25 years - sold them for approx $60 each.

Edited July 15 by MAGIC MUFFLER