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Post by clm1545 on Sept 21, 2015 20:17:59 GMT -5
This is one of, if not the most successful cars ever. It won it's first race in 1953, and was still winning in 1961. In the hands of "The Cowboy" it was national champion in 54, 56, 57, and 2nd in 55. This machine was driven by men who accounted for 8 Indy 500 wins. In keeping with the theme of this seasons Build-O-Rama, 4 of the men who drove it were lost in racing accidents. This is an original Etzel kit (thanks again, Tom). The reissue by ARM is even better. Much more to do, but so far.   I will display this car curbside, but the engine is so nice that I just had to add a little detail.  The decals are the ones in the kit, and worked with some extra effort. The Dzus fastners are from Michael, and there are 65 of them on this kit. Be prepared to go crosseyed.  Every photo I have seen shows 3 smooth wheels, and a ribbed left rear. ARM made me a special set of speedway wheels, and tires. If you have not bought anything from Tom, and Ed, you are missing a great experience.  I will tell the story of the 54 race at the end of build, for those of you not familiar with the story. More later. Take Care Craig |
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Post by Calvin on Sept 21, 2015 21:34:23 GMT -5
This is fantastic! This really got built up out of nowhere?!?!?! Holy Smokes!
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Post by indycals on Sept 21, 2015 22:26:26 GMT -5
Great work Craig!
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Post by alterrenner on Sept 22, 2015 4:55:39 GMT -5
If a U-joint failed on those cars, the driver was the first to know!
--Frank
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Post by racerbrown on Sept 22, 2015 6:21:39 GMT -5
lookin' good mr. miller!
duane
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Post by sandysixtysfan on Sept 22, 2015 8:09:08 GMT -5
Dang it Craig! You're on a roll. This is looking great.
Sandy
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Post by indy on Sept 22, 2015 9:55:54 GMT -5
Nice looking build and impressive commitment to all those dzus fasteners.
Jordan
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Post by clm1545 on Sept 22, 2015 11:04:00 GMT -5
Dang it Craig! You're on a roll. This is looking great. Sandy Not really, Sandy, I'm still old, slow, and lazy. When Calvin sent me the Metal-Cal, and I knew that Gary was working on the Kuzma roadsters, I thought I could build a series of Bryan Indy cars. The wheels, and tires from ARM made this one possible. It's very possible that the 57 Indy, and Monza car will be available at some point. I had this one at the top of my "to do" list for a while, but I know that if I try to build more that one at a time, it just won't work. I had to finish the Metal-Cal, and Lotus before I could start on this one. Now, the way is clear. |
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Post by jamesharvey on Sept 22, 2015 12:54:16 GMT -5
Nice work, Craig. This is an important car as you noted so I am glad to see your excellent work. I am not sure I could do all the fasteners. This was the second Indy race I got to see. Lucky me.
Jim
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Post by harveythedog2 on Sept 24, 2015 14:53:59 GMT -5
Craig, Somehow I missed this way down at the bottom. Fantastic!!!
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Post by Calvin on Sept 24, 2015 15:19:49 GMT -5
Somehow I missed this way down at the bottom. That's why it's best to click on the "Most recent posts" link on the bottom of the front page in the Forum Information & Statistics section....you will never miss anything doing it that way. |
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Post by indy on Sept 24, 2015 16:01:34 GMT -5
That's why it's best to click on the "Most recent posts" link on the bottom of the front page in the Forum Information & Statistics section....you will never miss anything doing it that way. Or you can use the "New Threads" and/or "New Posts" on the top navigation bar. My forum bookmark goes right to the new posts (2cents). Jordan |
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Post by Art Laski on Sept 24, 2015 17:47:03 GMT -5
Beautiful work, Craig!
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Post by Deleted on Sept 24, 2015 19:16:32 GMT -5
Very nice. I have one of these and really want to start building it. I also want to do a pavement car with it. I bought the tires and rim combo's at the Rosco Turner show here in Indy last early Spring.
we are so lucky to have so many super cool subjects. It is jaw dropping really. I have trouble staying motivated. Right now I am sort of dead in the water after I dropped the Mexican Dogs 1983 Lola. It hit the table and then the floor! It messed it up as well.
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Post by clm1545 on Sept 24, 2015 21:28:25 GMT -5
I know what you mean. I dropped this one taking it out of the paint booth. I hit my foot, so the damage was not too bad.
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Post by racerbrown on Sept 24, 2015 21:52:40 GMT -5
you two make for a rough crowd!  duane |
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Post by clm1545 on Sept 24, 2015 22:31:13 GMT -5
you two make for a rough crowd! duane You know me better than that, Duane. I'm an old softie.  |
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Post by alterrenner on Sept 25, 2015 5:04:06 GMT -5
Adds new meaning to the phase "tossing together a model kit"!
Seriously, if you can drop it and it still have it come out this good, then I need to add a step to my building process!
--Frank
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Post by racerbrown on Sept 25, 2015 6:33:38 GMT -5
you two make for a rough crowd! duane You know me better than that, Duane. I'm an old softie. an old softie with big feet! duane |
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Post by clm1545 on Sept 29, 2015 22:04:25 GMT -5
Some more progress. Checking how it sits, all 4 are on the ground, which is always a good thing.    The wheels are not glued on yet. Lots more to do, but it's getting there. Craig |
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Post by Calvin on Sept 30, 2015 0:15:09 GMT -5
Im so glad you are building again....those were some really long dark days when you weren't!!!
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Post by jamesharvey on Sept 30, 2015 7:21:37 GMT -5
You made me smile, Craig, with your comment about all four on the ground. I always wonder if that will be the case. Your build looks great.
Jim
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Post by alwaysindy on Oct 24, 2015 12:40:39 GMT -5
Somehow I missed this...looking good Craig!...possibly my favorite resin model of all time...
I built mine for the dirt, but the 500 story is very cool!
Tim
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Post by Deleted on Oct 24, 2015 13:37:01 GMT -5
To me the is the "classic" race car. Timeless style and function.
Your workmanship is just a little beyond first class.
Love it.
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Post by clm1545 on Nov 1, 2015 22:04:24 GMT -5
Limping along toward the finish line.     The kit includes a photoetched windscreen, but bending it was going to be a problem, for me, and drilling those holes is hard on drill bits, and my blood pressure. So, I used the kit part as a pattern, and made a new one out of aluminum flashing. It still needs to be polished, but worked much better.  Kit part.  New part. More later. Craig |
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Post by Calvin on Nov 2, 2015 2:16:50 GMT -5
Hurry up! This is looking great! Good idea on the windscreen! |
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Post by IndyCarModels on Nov 2, 2015 5:30:05 GMT -5
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Post by racerbrown on Nov 2, 2015 7:16:59 GMT -5
i thought you'd have it done for sandy's birthday! duane |
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Post by clm1545 on Nov 2, 2015 9:37:20 GMT -5
The deadline is St. Pete next year, Duane. I just may make it with this one.
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Post by clm1545 on Nov 14, 2015 23:23:11 GMT -5
I went back, and forth on the hood , and side panels. I will display the car curbside, but the Offy in this kit is just so nice. In the end, I attached the hood, and side panels with double stick tape, so they can be removed. The fit is not as good, but I can live with it.        In 1953, Al Dean went Champ car racing. After a disappointing 500, he hired a young mechanic named Clint Brawner to maintain the car. After trying a few drivers, they went with Bob Sweikert, and things got much better. After the 53 season Dean, and Sweikert could not agree on a contract for 1954, so Dean told Brawner to find another driver. Clint hired another Phoenix resident named Jimmy Bryan. It turned out to be a great partnership. Bryan put the car on the outside of row 1 at Indy, and led a good share of the race. He was leading Vukovich as late as lap 150, but Indy in the early 50's was far from the glass smooth surface we see today. The track was raising hell with the car, and the car was raising hell with Bryan. The brakes faded, a spring leaf broke, the shocks broke, and finally the throttle return spring broke. Bryan had to lift the pedal with his toe on every turn. Bryan was as tough as they come, but a third pit stop sealed his fate. He finished second, and had to be lifted out of the car. He was so beat up that he could not drive at Milwaukee the next week. Vukovich drove the car (in case you were wondering about the other 2 Indy wins, and the other driver lost racing). The next chapter will be the 1955 race, stay tuned, and thanks for looking. Craig |
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