1967 Ford GT MKIV Gurney/Foyt

[Rich Chernosky]

Time for a re-visit to an old friend. I built this kit as an IMC back in the early 70's. Never was happy with the build as I messed up the decals and the body never fit well anyway. Aquired the kit as a Union some time ago and finally decided it was time to replace the old one. Paint is Tamiya LP50 Bright Red. Many changes were made and plenty of additions. Details are below the pictures. Feel free to comment.

Here is a shot during final assembly to show all the working features. Hinge points were all re-located and careful fitting trimming  and filling were required. 

Never was really happy with the engine in this kit. Thought it was out of scale (too small) I added a lot of scoops, ducts and wiring and this helped fill the engine bay up. At least now it is a little more presentable.

Body work all buttoned up and ready for decals and final detail pieces. Took a lot of work to get to this point. 

Finally the finished piece. Decals are Indycals and despite having to be trimmed close they laid down very nice and responded to solvent quite well.  Kit came with Firestone tires but all my research showed they started the race on Goodyears. Decals from the extras. 

Rear view shows some of the nice detail.  Getting it to fit...another story. 

Side view. During the race they taped up those nasty gaps in the body. It actually fits better on the model. 

This is my original build circa 1970ish.  It certainly shows it age. 

Comparison of the two builds.  I think I have come a long way in the 50+ years since this was built. I have a Ford GT junkyard and am afraid the old model is headed there. The engine and wheels and tires may find a new home.

Finished car with some of its smaller companions. The diecast to the right is a 1/64 Hot Wheels that was unusually hard to find. To the left is a very early and highly modified aurora Thunderjet slot car. It has a hand painted clear body made by Lancer. It was done when I could see a lot better than now. It  still runs and was raced in a couple of enduros where it won one of them. 

[Jim B]

Beautiful Ford.  Very well done.

[1959scudetto]

My greatest respect for you, Rich ! I had built the Union reissue almost 40 years ago, and in my opinion it was one of the most ill-fitting pieces of junk I ever laid my hands on. But you showed here that - with lots of work and loads of patience - a decent model can be achieved. Bravo !

I sold mine to a guy who uses it as decoration for his slotracing track and have instead acquired some years ago the fine resin kit from Le Mans models.

Edited 4 hours ago by 1959scudetto

[Dave B]

That's a great build of a very fiddly kit Rich.  Congratulations on getting it to look so good.

Dave B 

[THarrison351]

Looks very nice! I built a Testors release when I was a id in the late seventies. Last year I built another Testors kit, but converted it to look like the Andretti Sebring winner.

[ChrisR]

NIce.

[TooOld]

Th engine sure looks better with the extras added and over all this is one of the best builds of this kit I've seen , inspires me to dig my old IMC out and give it a try .  Well done Rich !

[TonyK]

Very nice "work" to make a nice model. I emphasize work. Nice photos too.

[Spooker]

Hey Rich, that's a great looking IMC build!  Glad you took another shot at it.  Proves that any kit can be made to look decent with some effort.  I still have two of my teenage builds of IMC cars, the Gulf GT40 and the red MkIV.  I have all the Union re-issues and hope to take my own second shot at them.  Missed you at the October swap meet.