**FINISHED** Louis Rosier 1949 Talbot Lago T26C GP winner

[racerbrown]

It's been a blast watching the progress on this kit!
Thanks for sharing.
duane

[Bugatti Fan]

I like to see a silk purse made from a sow's ear. Superb upgrading work to a very, very basic kit.

I think that Heller also did a nice 1/24th scale Talbot Lago F1 car kit from the same sort of era.
May be well worth building as an accompaniment to this model.

Merit had a nice little range of Kerbside Kits of racing cars back in the 60's. Apart from their Alfa and Talbot Lago the moulds were all sold on to a toy company in Italy, never to be released again. Maybe the toy company went under or got bought out and the moulds dumped.

[tatocorvette]

Hello everybody!

    Sorry it's been almost a year since I last worked on this or been to the workbench for that matter. I was able to get a few minutes back and worked on the radiator. Kit's part but added a cap latch on top made from thin solder. Dry brushed metallics. This will barely be seen in the final model. Only the cap will show.
Very small step but it is a start. Or a re-start.



Then...
First color coat in a loooooong time, hopefully the last on this car. 



After an extensive search of over a year, at the last minute I finally found reference to the proper location of the pedals! Glad I did because my initial assumption was wrong. It has been corrected. The clutch pedal is on the far left all by itself, and the accelerator and brake pedals are very close together to the right. This will not be seen at all but what the heck!  I've never claimed to be normal!
I had previously added some access panel lines to the transmission hump and weathered it a bit. This will not be a show car.





Thanks,
Ismael

[indy]

Jun 7, 2022 21:52:54 GMT -5 tatocorvette said:

This will not be seen at all but what the heck!  I've never claimed to be normal!

Ismael, it is good to see you back and I very much identify with the above statement LOL

Jordan

[Gary Davis]

GREAT work Ismael!! I'm looking forward to seeing this bad boy on all fours.

[tatocorvette]

Hello,



Decals are done. Despite been a simple decal job that always stresses me. Needless to say, Indycals decals worked perfectly. I'll wait a day or two before putting a coat of clear over them.





 

Thanks,
Ismael

[Gary Davis]

LOOKING GREAT!!

[kyledehart5]

This looks awesome!

[f1tommy]

Nice work. The shape on most of the old Merit kits is pretty good. I have the Heller 1/24th kit also. Interesting French GP cars.

[justmike]

Very impressive scratchbuilding!

[tatocorvette]

Hello,

So we are at about 80% - 85% completion on this. Still pending a ton of little things like windshield, mirrors, gas caps, straps, brakes, etc.
But here is a private quick peek for my friends.



Thanks,
Ismael

[Gary Davis]

Ismael...that really looks good. Great job om ALL the fab work that you did. The small video with the engine running is waaaay to cool!

[tatocorvette]

Hello,

  For the windshield, I cut a small piece of acetate, shaped to form, cut 3 strips of the smallest half round stock I had and did 2 brackets from flatten solder.




This is how it is looking now.  It will eventually be tilted back as per references.  Dash gap will also be addressed.


Thanks,
Ismael

[tatocorvette]

Hello,

The hood on this car is held by 4 inverted V shape elastic straps like seen on this reference drawing.  Most likely a bungee type cord. 

So you take a piece of solder,

1. Flatten it
2. Cut to size
3. Shape it
4. Make the V with more solder and flatten the tip
5. Crimp together


And repeat 3 more times 


Also, the gas cap on the kit is a joke, like pretty much everything else but the main body and steering wheel.  So I machined my own.  Flattened a piece of solder that will eventually be the top latch.



Entering the home stretch!  It seems I WILL finish a model in 2022!!!

Thanks,
Ismael

[Gary Davis]

Man...That's really looking good!!!

[tatocorvette]

LADIES AND GENTLEMEN:

PRESENTING THE 1949 BELGIAN GRAND PRIX WINNER TALBOT LAGO T26C !!!

Car: Talbot Lago T26C
Engine: Naturally Aspirated 4.5 liters straight six
Gearbox: Four speed Wilson preselector
Chassis number: 110-001
Driver: Louis Rosier
Race: 1949 Belgian Grand Prix
Track: Spa-Francorchamps
Sanctioning body: Formula A (eventually Formula 1)
Date: June 19, 1949
Qualified: 7th
Time: 3:15:17.7
Average speed: 96.82 MPH

This race was won on fuel management and strategy as Louis Rosier did not have to stop for fuel or tires. While faster, other cars like the Ferraris and Maseratis were thirsty and relentless on tires, requiring pit stops.  Ferrari finished 2nd, 3rd and 4th.

My first model of 2022!

























Took it out on my private track for a shakedown.







 


I started with the Smer/Merit kit reissued by Atlantis. This humble kit dates back to the 1950's.  At the end, pretty much everything was modified. Only part of the rear suspension and the steering wheel are basically unmodified kit's parts.
There are 105 louvers in this car. how do I know? I had 105 battles with them.  I wanted to represent a nice preserved car but not a show car. This is a race car. Very subtle weathering.
Modifications:
Herb Deeks PE wheels on modified kit's tires
Indycals decals
Replaced molded grille with mesh unit
Drilled exhaust tips
Modified seat
Modified front suspension
Scratchbuilt gas cap, windshield, Pre-selector shifter, dash, gauges, transmission hump, pedals, windshield, front linkages, hood hold down straps, brake lines, radiator cap, valve stems, etc.

Hope you like it!

Thanks,
Ismael

[hurtubise56]

Just beautiful!

[Gary Davis]

Man Ismael...You did an outstanding job on this car. What a cool display...Great job on that too! Did it kick butt on the shake down? (on your private Track...of course) LOL

[alwaysindy]

Ismael:
Stunning! Extremely well done! I ‘ve seen this car built more than once, and yours is the standard. Great job
Tim

[jj66]

Amazing build and display too!

[kyledehart5]

Just a gorgeous piece of work!! So nicely done.

[krosnyak]

Awesome work!