8th scale Offenhauser

[DaytonaTim]

Just wanted to share my first 1/8th scale model with everyone.

I worked on it for about 2 months. All the bolts are hand made using pins and tacks. The sparkplug boots and fuel fittigs are made from wire insulation and the fuel lines are made from 1/16" solder.

The kit is actually a rapid prototyped kit that I developed from 3D computer models.

Edited August 28, 2009 by DaytonaTim

[MrObsessive]

You did that in TWO MONTHS?? Something like that would take me two years!

It's Gorgeous!!

[The Creative Explorer]

Guys, help me out please.

Even though I am European, I have a huge interest in the American car-history and i can't see I am a noob, but since recently, the term Offenhauser pops up and I dont really know the history and the link with the Hotrods. Anybody interested to give me a short explanation?

BTW; I love your job, very nice detailed

[Fletch]

Tim, I don't think IMPRESSIVE even comes close. I've seen several Offy's done over the years and without a doubt larger is better. Very cool.

[Raul_Perez]

Very nicely done...and BIG!!

Thanks for sharing!!

[DaytonaTim]

Thanks guys. It means a lot coming from this tallented pool of people.

Erik, if you click on this lin it will take you to a website that tells pretty much the whole story of the Offy.

http://www.milleroffy.com/

I did a lot of research while I was helping to develope the computer model for this engine and I really gained a lot of respect for this little motor. It is probably the greatest American racing motor ever made. It had a pretty long run, about 50 years, which speaks a lot for the designers and developers.

Edited August 29, 2009 by DaytonaTim

[Bernard Kron]

This is a beautifully executed large scale model. Rapid prototyping equipment and CAD software are powerful tools, but the fact remains that the result is stunning.

The Offy has its roots in the 1913 Indianapolis winning 4 cyclinder Peugeot GP car driven by Jules Goux and designed by the legendary Swiss engineer Eernest Henry. It has four valves, hemispherical combustion chambers, and double overhead cams:

Essentially every purpose-built internal combustion racing engine since then has been based on this ground-breaking design. Harry Miller based all of his iconic motors on this engine and, after Miller went bankrupt, Miller's shop foreman, Fred Offenhauser, carried on the work of evolving and developing this engine. It dominated American circle track racing from shortly adter the first world war until the early 1970's.

The Miller/Offenhauser Historical Society link pretty much gives you the whole historical perspective. Here are a couple of books that also do a great job.

Offenhauser by Gordon Eliot White, gives an excellent history of the origins and epic life cycle of this engine:

http://www.amazon.com/Offenhauser-Gordon-E...f_tit_6_rsrssi0

Unfortunately it's now out of print and has become quite expensive.

A book I have not read but which appears to be excellent is Offy, America’s Greatest Racing Engine By Kenneth E. Walton ( http://www.hotrodhotline.com/feature/bookr...ws/2009/09offy/ ) which a can be ordered directly from the author.