|
|
Post by jamesharvey on May 16, 2024 8:17:08 GMT -5
I was the same age as Gary Bettenhausen so I could envision myself in his cars. As a serial scorer for USAC at Indy in 1972, he(we) came very close to winning. Years ago, I built Bill Jorgensen's conversion kit as Mark Donohue's winner, but, obviously, those are no longer available. So, I finally decided this year to convert the 1974 AMT kit to Gary's car. Silly me for thinking that the cars were alike. Similar, yet very different, is the reality from a different rear wing, intake manifold location and piping, shape of the side radiator pods, and shape of the nose. It took me a long time to scratch build or modify pieces, but I am happy with the end result. As always, there are things I could go back and change, but this is okay with me. Thanks to my friend, Kyle DeHart for posting the photos. Enjoy.
Jim
|
|
|
|
Post by kyledehart5 on May 16, 2024 16:18:34 GMT -5
|
|
|
|
Post by kyledehart5 on May 16, 2024 16:19:17 GMT -5
Really enjoyed this one Jim. Fantastic result!!
|
|
|
|
Post by indy on May 17, 2024 10:19:42 GMT -5
Nice work, I like it and the story behind it makes it extra special.
Jordan
|
|
SteveG
Rookie
Hi Everyone! I'm enjoying the site!
Posts: 96
|
Post by SteveG on May 17, 2024 10:35:45 GMT -5
Looking good! I'm an old school Larry & Gary sprint fan, so this one hits home. So close to winning the big one in '72, but that's Indy.
|
|
|
|
Post by hurtubise56 on May 17, 2024 17:57:34 GMT -5
Great job on a so-so kit! I was a big Gary B. fan, too. Was at Syracuse in '74 and witnessed his dirt car crash that ended his Penske ride. One tough SOB!
|
|
|
|
Post by jamesharvey on May 18, 2024 20:01:32 GMT -5
Thanks for the kind words and photos, Kyle.
Penske had warned Gary about driving sprint and Silver Crown cars. Once the accident happened, the die was cast. Some the new owners in USAC in the late '60s and early '70s came from road racing backgrounds and did not want to support dirt races as part of the national championship. Actually, laying the seeds, in my mind, for what we see in IndyCar today in terms of the tracks we run on. My wife correctly tells me that "everything changes."
Jim
|
|
|
|
Post by racerbrown on May 19, 2024 7:00:49 GMT -5
1972 is the only year I attended the race. Being big sprint car fans we naturally were pulling for Gary.
You could hear the engine going sour towards the end. What a shame!
Beautiful job on the kit!
Thanks for sharing this.
Duane
|
|
|
|
Post by bobbyc on May 20, 2024 4:21:38 GMT -5
Nice job on the build. Gary B drove better with one arm than most do with 2! He was one bad (expletive deleted), tough driver.
|
|
|
|
Post by bobbyc on May 20, 2024 4:22:29 GMT -5
Wow. I didn't think a$$ was an expletive. LOL.
|
|
|
|
Post by alwaysindy on May 20, 2024 9:02:57 GMT -5
Bobbyc:
Spell it “badazz!”🤬😵💫🤪🤣
|
|
|
|
Post by bobbyc on May 20, 2024 10:07:49 GMT -5
LOL!
|
|
