1962 Daytona 500 Winner - Fireball Roberts

[jjsipes]

After purchasing the dvd of the 1962 Daytona 500 and watching as well as starting to read Smokey Yunick's book, I decided to attempt this car finally. I have been working on the 1962 Plymouth that Richard Petty drove so I thought it only natural to have Fireball Roberts car as well since they were the big players in the 62 500.

I have taken the trim off the doors per the pictures and primed, sprayed Testors Lacquer Black, Tamiya Gold and Testors Lacquer Clear. I have started a rollcage (no pics yet) but have not gotten far with it.

Edited August 22, 2012 by jjsipes

[bbowser]

Good start. I've got to do a Fireball car one of these days, eager to see how your's comes out.

[jjsipes]

This will be a slow project as I don't get much time ot work on my models anymore with having 2 kids under 2 years of age right now.

[bbowser]

Slow usually works better for me anyway, I get into trouble when I rush. I wasn't in the hobby when my kids were that age, good luck to you !

[Bartster]

Should be a good show, though l must admit; l'm more interesed in Richards Plymouth. l 'll pay attention to both or either. Bart.

[Bartster]

Should be a good show, though l must admit; l'm more interesed in Richards Plymouth. l 'll pay attention to both or either. Bart.

[mnwildpunk]

This is probably in bad taste but didn't he live up to his name and died in a car fire? If my memory is right that he did it is to bad all the drivers that were lost during the 60's &70's

[retroguy]

Looks like a good start,will also follow with interest...

what kit are you using...and where are you getting the decals from...

[moparfarmer]

This is probably in bad taste but didn't he live up to his name and died in a car fire? If my memory is right that he did it is to bad all the drivers that were lost during the 60's &70's

Fireball died in hospital about a month or so after the crash. He developed pneumonia (complications) from the crash. Pneumonia is a very dredful desease that can

kill you. Not only in fire victims but others too.

[DR JAY]

Also, Fireball became his nickname during his baseball playing days before he joined up with NASCAR. His crash was so horrific because following the drubbing Ford took at Daytona, Ford supplied their factory teams with body panels as thin as tinfoil (Including quarters) that would fold if you even looked at them wrong. He backed into the wall and split the car open before ending up on the roof. The fuel TANK ruptured and the rest is history...or nightmare if you are Ned Jarrett. As a side note...Smokey had been lobbying Big Bill for a while about allowing fuel cells- too bad it took such a tragedy for them to allow safety to overrule stubbornness in the following season...

[moparfarmer]

Also, Fireball became his nickname during his baseball playing days before he joined up with NASCAR. His crash was so horrific because following the drubbing Ford took at Daytona, Ford supplied their factory teams with body panels as thin as tinfoil (Including quarters) that would fold if you even looked at them wrong. He backed into the wall and split the car open before ending up on the roof. The fuel TANK ruptured and the rest is history...or nightmare if you are Ned Jarrett. As a side note...Smokey had been lobbying Big Bill for a while about allowing fuel cells- too bad it took such a tragedy for them to allow safety to overrule stubbornness in the following season...

Jay give me a call sometime. I think you have my number but I know you have my email...Good hearing from you...

[jjsipes]

Got a rollcage built, what a pain it was. It's not perfect but will work when assembled. Took a bucket seat out of a 63 Impala and modified the seat pattern to closer match what was in the car and painted it Red. The door panels were modified by taking out the lower portion of the rear panel and replacing it with just a flat piece of plastic. The interior was painted in different shades of Metallic Blue and Black. Rollcage was painted Black.

Body has been decaled up using a set of Fred Cady decals, second attempt, couldn't get them to lay down in the door where I removed the trim.

Painted up a set of PPP wheels and tires as well.

[jjsipes]

Has it really been this long since I've worked on this? Dug it out again, stripped the decals off since some were not laid down good and got a set of Powerslide decals. Need to wrap this on up next.

[jjsipes]

Started tobredecal with Powerslide decals. Going much smoother than with the Fred Cady decals. So pleased with how the door number laid down in all body lines.

[MarkJ]

Wow Jason, started in 2012. Glad you will be finishing it soon. I can tell it will be awesome.

[jjsipes]

Decals completed. Hope they all stick. Have an issue with the red pinstripe coming off and a Grey Rock coming off after a few days of doing the drivers side.

Edited February 14, 2021 by jjsipes

[TransAmMike]

Good looking Poncho, great job Jason.?

[jjsipes]

Had to do a quick mock up

[Danno]

Terrific!!  It'll be great to see when finished!

??

[jjsipes]

Put a coat of Pledge Floor Gloss on it just now and this happened on the hood, roof and deck lid. The hood cleared up, hope the rest does.

 

[jjsipes]

Just posted in Under Glass.