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Post by alwaysindy on Aug 24, 2024 12:52:31 GMT -5
Gentlemen: I told you guys that I had several builds going on, and suddenly, they are all getting finished… I almost labeled this: "It's all Dan's fault." He built the W163 and did an outstanding job on updating a very old kit. I decided that I needed a Mercedes Benz from The Golden Age, so I purchased the Pinto kit of the iconic W125. Of course there are issues when you start a new resin kit. The suspension pieces are fragile and the bottom front had to be replaced...  Some build shots...the engine…  And almost finished…  Some more...  Body…  MB was beaten badly by the Auto Union Type C in 1936. Bernd Rosemeyer had figured out it's handling and proceeded to dominate the season. MB left racing and began design on a new car for 1937. Interestingly, they were aware that the formula would change in 1938, so the new car would only have 1 season of GP racing. But what a season! Caracciola won 3 of the 5 races and was champion. Mercedes drivers finished 1-2-3-4 in the standings. The W125 was built solely for the purpose of winning the 1937 European Championship. So the MB engineers came up with a 345.6 cu.in. supercharged straight 8 pumping out right at 600 hp. This would not be equaled in auto racing until CanAm in the late 60’s and F1 in the 80’s. Auto racing journalists of the time were literally dumbfounded. Reading reports of seeing these cars live , one can tell that it was a literal beast: roaring loud, great handling, and incredible performance. One of the most dominant F1 cars of all time… More to come! Comments, questions welcome! Tim |
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robh
Race Winner
Posts: 526
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Post by robh on Aug 24, 2024 14:45:35 GMT -5
Very nice! I have this kit too and I'll be closely watching your progress.
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Post by indy on Aug 24, 2024 20:27:13 GMT -5
What a wonderful monster!! Love the engine work.
Jordan
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Post by kyledehart5 on Aug 25, 2024 4:43:59 GMT -5
Outstanding Tim. Really nice work on an iconic car of the prewar era. I love it.
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Post by racerbrown on Aug 28, 2024 7:21:31 GMT -5
More, more please!
Duane
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Post by f1tommy on Aug 28, 2024 8:52:18 GMT -5
Looks very good so far. I had the old Western kit from the late 70's and the FPPM kit is a huge improvement. Next up a race mate for the 1936 Auto Union, the 12C 1936 Alfa from FPPM. He keeps making very interesting models of the "Great Cars".
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Post by alwaysindy on Oct 6, 2024 12:04:31 GMT -5
Gentlemen: Well this one has crossed the finish line…  It was challenging, but turned out fairly well…  This Golden Age racer was a beast with 600hp at the track and easily 650hp on the test bed…  Why would Tony Hulman be so interested in Rudolph Caracciola, who had not raced since WWII? Caracciola is considered to be one of the greatest drivers of all time. Along with Nuvolari, Rosemeyer and Chiron, he was a dominant driver in the 20's and 30's. Besides his 3 F1 Championships, he won 3 Hillclimb titles, the 1931 Milie Miglia, and set world records on public roads. The records? 268.9 mph for the Flying Kilometer,and 268.7 for the Flying Mile: set in a streamlined W125 with an even larger engine...seriously? On overgrown bicycle tires???   Caracciola was invited to the 1946 Indy 500. He couldn’t get his 1939 W163 through customs, but he showed up anyway. Joel Thorne offered him a car but officials forced him to wear a helmet. A British tank helmet was offered…  A bird hit his head exiting Turn 2 and the car crashed, throwing Caracciola out. He suffered a coma and Tony Hulman invited him to recuperate at one of his homes. They became life long friends; that is why his trophy collection is in the IMS Museum… Dream car with flowing lines…  Rudy’s office…  He won the German Grand Prix 6 times…never been done except him…  Among other facts: After a serious accident at Monaco in 1933,his right leg was left 2 inches shorter than his left. He limped for the rest of his life. He lost his first wife to an avalanche while she was skiing. After that, he stole Chiron's mistress and later married her. His nickname was "regenmeister" (rainmaster) because he was always quick when it rained. Senna would be given that name in later years... He had cirrhosis and died of liver failure in 1959. I would bet that was caused by excessive drinking to counter the pain he was in from his leg. One of the all time greats... Comments, questions welcome! Thanks for stopping by! Tim |
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Post by raceparke on Oct 6, 2024 15:35:26 GMT -5
Great work! The grilles looked like a bear to do. They add realism to the look. As do the mechanics.
Flowing lines indeed! In those days, aero meant smooth curves, not awkward appendages.
Also appreciate the history lesson.
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Post by jamesharvey on Oct 6, 2024 19:19:38 GMT -5
This is just remarkable, Tim. You did a masterful job with Pinto's model of this uniquely historic car. You are not only a master builder but a racing historian as well. Thanks so much for sharing all of this. Thanks for being here for us.
Jim
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Post by arcticwolf on Oct 7, 2024 6:41:26 GMT -5
Beautiful model!!
If you've seen the movie The Bridge at Remagen, the hotel at the end of the bridge was owned or managed by Caracciola's parents.
Great driver, one of the all time best.
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Post by jamesharvey on Oct 7, 2024 14:17:33 GMT -5
Tim sure has a knack for stirring up memories. This thread caused me to dig out Brock Yates "The Vanderbilt Cup Race 1936-1937 Photo Archive." Yes, the Mercedes and Auto Union teams competed against a variety of American drivers and cars including Wilbur Shaw and Rex Mays. So, this car probably ran here in the United States. These races introduced our drivers to the European cars which appeared at Indy beginning in 1938. The foremost of these was the Maserati which won Indy in 1939 and 1940 with Wilbur Shaw at the wheel. That car continued to appear at Indy clear up until 1950. The Mercedes did not appear at Indy until after WWII. Duke Nalon drove the Don Lee Mercedes in 1947 and Chet Miller in 1948. Interesting times and spaces thanks to Tim.
Jim
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Post by kyledehart5 on Oct 10, 2024 19:04:01 GMT -5
Just beautiful work Tim!! That really turned out awesome and I always enjoy your history lessons as well!!
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Post by f1tommy on Oct 11, 2024 8:15:37 GMT -5
Great work on the model and a nice history lesson on a great driver and car. I have this Fernando Pinto model, and I have the old Western model. Also did you know Welly's made a pretty good diecast of this car in 1/24th scale just 2 years ago. I appreciate any pre war open wheel car kit I get, so I would like to thank Fernando again. The 12C Alfa is even better, and he is using printed parts now. Detail is getting really nice. The Maserati Indy winner sounds like it will be the most advanced kit he has ever made. Alot of printed and then molded parts. But the 420M is the most interesting, both 58 Monza 500 and 59 INDY 500 versions. Never thought I would see them!!
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Post by alwaysindy on Oct 15, 2024 13:12:06 GMT -5
Gentlemen: You guys know me as a “history nut.” The following 12 minute video documents the Auto Union- Mercedes Benz quest for top speed on an autobahn. It primarily talks of Rosemeyer, but Caracchiola is mentioned as well.The things that struck me were: Rosemeyer said “When you go under an overpass, the wind as you push it out, is almost enough to knock your breath out and also the engine noise goes completely quiet for 1 second.” Also, after one of his runs Rosemeyer was unconscious when it rolled to a stop! www.google.com/search?q=mercedes+auto+union+speed+records&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&hl=en-us&client=safari#250mph in a car built with “folding aluminum chair” body and overgrown bicycle tires…NOT for the feint of heart! Tim |
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