1958-1962 Demler 99 WIP

[kip]

Going to do a WIP on the Demler Epperly #99. The first I could find any record of the car was 1958. George Amick qualified 25th and finished 2nd. In 1959 Paul Goldsmith qualified 16th, finished 5th. In 1960, Goldsmith qualified 26th and finished 3rd. In 1961, Hurtubise qualified 3rd finished 22, retiring after’s 102 laps with an engine failure. This was a fast car. Hurtubise was entered in the same car in 1962, but crashed it twice and ended up in the Jim Robbins 91.

The kit is an early one from Gary Ducette’s first time around. There isn’t much to the kit—don’t know if it came that way or not. I got it off Ebay and it has no suspension, no seat, no fuel/vent caps, no “bumpers”, etc. I have installed the belly pan and used Apoxy Sculpt to fill the seam. It was very rough and crooked. I will cut new panel lines. I also moved the fuel recess. It was set at an angle and the Clindinst drawing shows it to be parallel to the body sides.



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[indy]

Very cool. Sounds like this was a fast car on race day. Will be fun to see this one come together with all the pieces you will have to build or kit bash.

Jordan

[Deleted]

Neat car. Always liked the oil tank. I have a large post card of this car.

[oldphotos]

Gary's kit came the gas and oil caps, seat, and the N C D letters that are seen in the grill.
You had to make most of the suspension and roll and nerf bars.
I would use Lance's new roadster tires are the tires from American Racing Miniatures, a big improvement over the kit tires. If I ever update my build of this kit that's the first thing I would change.
Be careful with the decals, but when done they look great.

Oldphotos
Walt

[kip]

I plan to use the ARM tires and wheels. The N C D letters I'll have to make from brass rod. Fuel and oil caps will come from the spare parts box.

Walt, can you remember what paint you used on your build?

kip

[oldphotos]

As far as the color I used a light yellow from Dupli-Color. I made this car in the mid 90's there was no Tamiya spray paint around then.
As far as the letters Plastruct makes some letters and numbers the 3/16 size should be just about right part # PATB-6
they also make a samller size which would be great for the Nerf Bars on the Midgets

Oldphotos
Walt

[alterrenner]

I've often thought that if I was just starting out on Indy 500 builds, it would be neat to build a collection of the cars that finished in second place--so close, but no cookies! Money, but no glory!
--Frank

[bobbyc]

Good luck on the project! That's a neat car. Walt- thanks for the tip on the nerf bar letters!

[racerbrown]

i've always loved this car.
i wonder if that fancy grill was part of the aero package?
duane

[kip]

Some progress on the Demler 99. Put a panel at the back of the cockpit, made from plastic sheet and puttied in.



Cut new panel lines between the belly pan and the body. The old panel line was very crooked. You can see where the old panel lines were by the putty .  I used Dymo tape and my razor saw.









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[racerbrown]

looking good sir!
are you going to do anything with the louvers and also what type of putty do you use?
duane

[kip]

are you going to do anything with the louvers and also what type of putty do you use?
duane

I am going to do something with the louvers, but I don't know what yet--other than to fill in the ones molded in. Suggestions are are welcome and encouraged. I don't like the look of them now. Also, photos show the louvres as individually slanted but in a straight line along the side. The kit body has them rising as they go along toward the rear wheel.

I usually use Apoxy 2 part putty. I like it because it gets really hard, doesn't shrink, and can be smoothed with a wet finger. On this one I have used Apoxy mostly and some Squadron White on the cockpit panel ( it was easier to get it in under the overhang of the body and being less hard, easier to sand). Don't like the Squadron green, shows through several layers of paint.

kip

[Calvin]

Like usual this will be another one everyone will always be looking forward to!

[kip]

I may have solved the louver problem. This is the original body. I thought they were pretty awful.



I filled the original louvers and applied Archer louver decals. I had to cut and apply them one at a time. Hopefully after primer and paint they will stand out sufficiently.




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[Calvin]

Woweee! I didn't know there was such a thing as decal louvers!

[alterrenner]

The louvers look great! Are they thick enough to show after painting?
Great solution to a pickle of a problem!
--Frank

[racerbrown]

same here.
i had no idea these were dimensional.
duane

[sandysixtysfan]

Big improvement. Your build is looking great. Archer has a neat line of raised detail decals that includes weld lines, rivets, access panels, etc.

Sandy

[kip]

Woweee! I didn't know there was such a thing as decal louvers!

I think they are made primarily for model railroaders.

The louvers look great! Are they thick enough to show after painting?

i had no idea these were dimensional.

They are dimensional. The question is are they dimensional enough. I would have been happier if they were a little more. I'll keep my fingers crossed until I see what paint does to them.  And, by the way, if anyone ever uses them, they won't stick at all unless you use Micro Sol.

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[kip]

When we last saw our hero, he was taking a break from the Mid-Continent Spl.  He has migrated back to his first love—anything that Herk drove. This time its back to the Demler 99 that was started quite a while back.   Since the last update, the car has been painted, the upholstery buttons installed, and the louvers finished.





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[bobbyc]

Nice!

[indy]

Wow, that's some good looking paint - smoooooooooooooooooooooooooooooth!

Jordan

[gwstexas]

Very cool! Roadsters rule!!!!!

Gary

[sandysixtysfan]

Way to go! You really wrestled this one into shape.

Sandy

[Calvin]

It's beautiful!