The most beautiful race car ever....

[Terry Jessee]

...well, to my mind, anyway.

This is the 1928 Stutz Blackhawk Special that was designed and built by Frank Lockhart. Lockhart was one of the top drivers of his day and had already won the Indy 500. This car was to be used to challenge the world land speed record at the time.

On his first attempt at Ormond (later Daytona) Beach, he went into a skid and unknowingly damaged a rear tire. On the second try, the tire failed and the car flipped about a half dozen times. Lockhart was thrown from the car (no seat belts then) and was killed by the impact.

The model is one of Chris Etzel's beautiful resin kits--Etzel's Speed Classics. I wish he was still doing this stuff. I always wanted a Marmon Wasp, but he closed down years ago. He did some of the most incredible vintage race car kits ever.

Anyway, this is my favorite Etzel model, and one of my favorite cars of all time.

Terry

[rmvw guy]

Nice, and a great way to capture a piece of racing history. I'm with you on the Marmon Wasp, would love to see a model of it.

[Terminator-Fox]

Very cool.

[Maindrian Pace]

I read about that car some where. Didn't they bury it in the sand on the beach after the accident and dig it up later?

-MJS

[PappyD340]

Very NICE build Terry, looks great!

[slusher]

Very sharp and cool model..

[Dr. Cranky]

It's a good one, all right. I remember seeing it for the first time, I think, in Pat Covert's book.

[Danno]

Very clean.

Etzel certainly cranked out some impressive kits!

[Lunajammer]

That profile shot is killer.

[Ace-Garageguy]

Beautiful model of a really fantastic and important car.

[Rossa156]

Lovely! Truly a beauty!

Patrick

[johnbuzzed]

Very nice model, Terry. I didn't realize that you built race cars, and not just light commercial.

[DonW]

I read about that car some where. Didn't they bury it in the sand on the beach after the accident and dig it up later?

-MJS

They certainly did that with Babs, the Parry Thomas LSR car that crashed on Pendine Sands. killing Thomas. Babs was exhumed and rebuilt to running order by Owen Wyn Owen, giving rise to an ownership battle with the local council!

I'd be interested to know if they did the same with the Stutz.

Beautiful model of a beautiful car.

[ChrisR]

Great built, Terry.

[Chris White]

Nice tribute Terry, you have done it justice

[bbowser]

Excellent model of an historic racer. Nice work!