Kurtis Sports Car (Update 1/27/17)

[Brudda]

Mr. Woodruff .Really Cool!!!!!!

[Len Woodruff]

Mr. Woodruff .Really Cool!!!!!!

Thanks Bruce.

[Art Laski]

Steve here are some pictures of the Kurtis cars I took at a recent Racers Reunion in Dallas. The yellow Kurtis is being restored by Arlen Kurtis (sons?). Enjoy!

http://public.fotki.com/retabeth/racers-reunion-2013/

Great pictures, Len! I love all those open wheel models.

-Art

[RancheroSteve]

Update: After some time off to concentrate on the 289 HiPo, I'm getting back to this one.

I've opened up the hood, cut out the radiator opening, removed the windshield, fixed the cowl and interior opening, made some new headlight buckets from brass tubing, and started building up the trunk area.

Onward!

[RancheroSteve]

I've been spending some time trying to get the trunk and rear fender areas right.

Getting closer, but I'm going to have to put this one on the side burner for a bit - too many model related projects with deadlines.

[RancheroSteve]

Finally getting back to it - I haven't given up! Lots of building up with plastic, brass and putty; some tearing down, and lots of sanding. Getting pretty close on the body shape I think. I'll start trying to fit a chassis together soon.

[Ace-Garageguy]

Looking good. Lots of patience required to get a project this involved to come together. I find it helps the process to do other projects during, too. Seems to allow the subconscious to solve problems on its own, and when one comes back to the project, the solutions become obvious.

[Richard Bartrop]

Definitely looking forward to seeing how this one turns out.

[RancheroSteve]

Lots of patience required to get a project this involved to come together. I find it helps the process to do other projects during, too. Seems to allow the subconscious to solve problems on its own, and when one comes back to the project, the solutions become obvious.

True, Bill. I thought I was pretty close on the body contours when I put this down, but when I got back to it I noticed that the corners were way too rounded. Closer now, I think. I'm looking at this as a long-term project - more ambitious than most of what I've done before - but something that will be cool and unusual when it's done.

[RancheroSteve]

I'm still at it! It may not look like too much, but I've been putting in a fair amount of time on this - still fiddling with the body, and I've begun to fabricate the chassis.

The Kurtis was unibody car that used '49 Ford suspension components, so I used a Revell '49 Merc as a basis, as I needed a period correct car with a separate frame and detailed suspension.

As you can see, I've also added the side trim and part of the bumpers in brass, which I've attached to the body. Next I'll tackle the bumpers guards (center sections of the bumpers), which will be separate pieces. Then on to the windshield frame  . . .

Edited December 1, 2015 by RancheroSteve

[GTJUNIOR]

Interesting subject. Lots of problem solving in your future. Good luck.

[John Goschke]

Very interesting project! It is really looking like the Kurtis at this point. Congratulations on the great progress from that funky lump with the AMT '51 Chevy windshield frame sticking out of it.

I'm interested in your use of brass to define the hard edges of the grill opening and the wheel openings and to keep them chipping, I assume. It also looks like you're using it along the lower edge of the body as well, correct? What are you using to attach it to the resin? What body filler are you using?

 

[chunkypeanutbutter]

Any possibility of recasting the finished product? I'd love to have one.

[RancheroSteve]

Very interesting project! It is really looking like the Kurtis at this point. Congratulations on the great progress from that funky lump with the AMT '51 Chevy windshield frame sticking out of it.

I'm interested in your use of brass to define the hard edges of the grill opening and the wheel openings and to keep them chipping, I assume. It also looks like you're using it along the lower edge of the body as well, correct? What are you using to attach it to the resin? What body filler are you using?

 

Thanks, John. Yes, I've used brass along the lower edge of the body, the front wheel openings, the grille and of course the side trim and bumpers. I've found that brass is great for holding a shape or an edge (once you get it close to where it belongs) without fear of grinding it away too easily and having to build it up again. I've been using the green label Zap-a-Gap to adhere it and it seems to hold well, and my preferred putty these days is the gray Tamiya.

 

 

[RancheroSteve]

Any possibility of recasting the finished product? I'd love to have one.

I'll admit the thought has gone through my mind after all the work I've put in - If I knew a caster that I'd be willing to trust with this that was interested.

[afx]

Interesting project Steve - it has a Porsche speedster feel to it.

[mod3l Lover]

   That is so beautiful, how can you not love it!?!

 

    Happy building,

     David S.

[RancheroSteve]

Some more progress - the front and rear bumpers are taking shape:

And I finally figured out a way to make the DuVall windshield. I made a paper template, then a plastic template. Once I get the fit a little more refined, I'll photo-etch a brass frame and add some kind of channel for the glass.

[gardnerpag44]

Some excellent work you have done here really looks great 

[Art Laski]

Impressive, Steve!

[Chromecop]

Awesome work!!!

[crazyrichard]

awsome indeed !!!!

[misterNNL]

Tremendous amount of work here but is going to be a very interesting model when finished.I was going to wish you good luck but it would appear that you certainly don't shy away from challenges.

[RancheroSteve]

Slowly but surely, a little more progress - it's taken me a while to figure out how to approach making the windshield frame. With nothing commercially available that was suitable, I decided it would have to be scratchbuilt. I drew a frame on paper and fit it to the body, then scanned that template and refined it in Photoshop. After some more trail and error, I got this:

I think I have it about where it needs to be. Next step is to photo-etch this in brass and add some channel for the glass. Thanks for looking.

[RancheroSteve]

Some small big significant progress: I photo etched my windshield design; made two pieces and soldered them together for more thickness, added some brass rod for the convertible top pins and some small angle at the outside edges.

There's still a little refining to do, but it's close. On to the interior next.