1955 Zink Special Kraft conversion

[Deleted]

I know this car has been done before on this site. I like a challenge and this will be my first major conversion of any type of model. I have built 2010 Challenger, '33 Willy "Paddy Wagon", and Tom Daniel's "Bad Medicine" this year. My builds are on my FB page Sonny Tomlinson.

First and foremost is research! Previous threads offer pics that are helpful. Here are some questions I have and hope someone can dig up the pics.

1) How many louvers are on the driver's left side? Mono kit has 22 lovers on right side.

2) Number of louvers on engine side panels?

3) Rear view and underside pics.

WIP pics posted tomorrow

[indy]

Great to have you here!

Jordan

[indyracecars]

It will take me awhile to get all the photos together, but from my personal photos from the museum, the post of Russ (Old Calhoun) on this board-1955 John Zink Special posted 6/16/2008, and other photos found on the web. This is what I have researched for my model, both sides of the front panels have 14 louvers, the drivers right side has 26 louvers, and I cannot be sure positively yet but I think the left driver side is the same 26 louvers, maybe next time the museum it will be on display to see that side.
There is no vents or openings in the bottom of the tail of the car. There is a small vent on the bottom corner below the driver on his right side. The nose has a build out on the bottom both sides, I believe I read that it is for the frame for the radiator to fit. Sorry I do not have the photos ready to post, but I will try to get them posted for you, most of them are on this section of the board.
Indycals has the correct decals with all the right decals used on the car for race day, different than the rebuild decals used. The first set I got from him in 2003 for this car did not have the driver and mechanic names, I wrote him in 2011 and he sent me a new set, get that kind of service from anyone now a days. I am unfortunely still building this car, now trying to build a frame to put inside the body.

Indyracecars

[indyracecars]

Sorry the driver left side rear panel has 16 louvers before the rear suspension rod and tire, not 26.

[clm1545]

IMO the best source for information is the IMS photo shop and Bob Clindst. Bob has seen most, if not all, of these cars in action. I don't know about the 1955 winner, but most Kurtis roadsters had some kind of opening under the tail in the event of a fuel leak. The cars in the museum are not always 100% accurate. Tim Jones (alwaysindy) has great conversion kits for the Monogram kit.
Take Care
Craig

[indyracecars]

Again sorry, you are correct clm1545, the tail does have two horizontal slots in it. Forgot about this film,(img)www.rtbot.net[/img] scroll down the page on the left the film Indianapolis 500, 1955.
It is 1:44 into the film showing them lining up the cars, Sweikert car tail shows two horizontal slots. Sorry again.

indyracecars

[indyracecars]

www.rtbot.net/Bob_Sweikert

[Deleted]

Sorry for the delay took longer than I expected to do the work. That being said here we go!

First I needed some louvers. Using a 1:1 putty, I rolled it out and pressed it to right side louvers with a craft stick. It sets up in 5 minutes.


Next I applied "goo"(goo is bits of styrene dissolved in Testors liquid cement) to the new mold and let it set up over night to let the cement vaporize out. Then super glued a thick strip of Evergreen stock to the back with louvers facing down to keep them trued, and trimmed to fit hole in side of car.


New louvers in place. As per reference, the two forward louvers needed to be filled in.

I used Squadron green putty mixed with Testors to flow better.

[sandysixtysfan]

Great info on making louvers, thanks for posting this.

Sandy

[racerbrown]

i agree. i never thought of making louvers that way.
what a great tip!
thanks for sharing.
duane