A Different Bettenhausen Car

[1961redlegs]

My latest stocker is a 1972 Chevelle built to replicate the Vita-Fresh Grapefruit Juice sponsored entry of Tony Bettenhausen Jr in 1974.

Tony Bettenhausen Jr.'s father, Tony Sr. was one of the best open-wheel drivers of his generation and one of the better drivers to not win the Indianapolis 500. His brother Gary was a talented open-wheel driver in his own right nearly winning the 500 in 1972.

Tony Jr. ran 33 times in NASCAR's top division, and had his career best finish in the series in 1974 with a seventh at Richmond. He also ran the in the CART series eventually becoming an owner. Bettenhausen died in a plane crash in 2000 but his team lives on as HVM Racing in the IZOD IndyCar Series.

Now on to the car. It is a 1972 AMT Chevelle kit with an AMT T-Bird rollcage, Penngwen Decals (really first-rate!). Plastic Performance Products wheels and tires and other detail parts. I opened up the wheel wells to make it look more like a racer and less like a street car. I took out the hood bulge and replaced it with sheet styrene.The body is painted Tamiya Pure White and Tamiya Orange. The rollcage is black and the interior is Rustoleum Faded Iron. I really enjoyed this build and I think she turned out pretty nice.

[2lapsdown]

That's really sweet! Tony Jr was a good guy from a good family. It's really a shame none of those guys got what they deserved from Indy.

John

[Michael Chriss]

Really nice!

[racerbrown]

well done!
thanks for sharing.
duane

[chadm500]

I love the old stock car builds, well done!

[sandysixtysfan]

Nice, good change of pace.

Sandy

[Art Laski]

I really like this! In fact, I started the planning on a '72 Chevelle stock car also, but I haven't quite figured out how to do it. I have the AMT "stock" car, but still have to work out the chassis details and such. I was thinking of getting my hands on the old MPC Hurtubise model, but they are prohibitively expensive on ebay. I would love to see more pics, especially WIP pics if you had any.

In January of '73, my dad entered a '72 Chevelle in the NASCAR Winston Western 500 as a car owner. He got Jerry Grant to drive it, who was coming off a pretty significant season having almost won Indy and being the first to 200 at Ontario, so getting him behind the wheel at that time was a bit of a coup, and garnered a little attention in Stock Car Racing Magazine.

I've been able to round up some articles on the race, but they only finished 4 laps that day, so finding any pictures has been next to impossible, as I literally have none of the car. So I was planning to build it as described by my dad unless something turns up, just so I can tell the story. I would be very satisfied if I could build one just like yours and do as good of a job!

[indy]

Good looking build.

Art, you might try posting the story in the "Dark Side" and "Grey Side" on this NASCAR modeling forum. They probably cannot help but it is worth a shot.
www.randyayersmodeling.com/modelingforum/index.php

Jordan

[Art Laski]

Thanks, Jordan. I'll give it a shot. Ya never know...

[1961redlegs]

Thank you to everyone for the kind remarks, I am glad you enjoyed it.

Mr. Laski-As Indy said, I do not know if the Randy Ayers' guys can help with the specific car you are inquiring about, but I am sending links to how you can get the chassis prepped to do a 69-72 Chevelle.

www.randyayersmodeling.com/modelingforum/viewtopic.php?t=56164

www.randyayersmodeling.com/modelingforum/viewtopic.php?t=56161

I used the kit chassis and interior for the build, and that is the second link I provided.

If you have any questions, don't hesitate to ask!