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Post by harveythedog2 on Nov 12, 2015 14:10:09 GMT -5
Taking a Minichamps McLaren M23 and converting it into Tony Bettenhausen's Rookie McLaren in 1/18th scale. The car was an ex Tom Sneva McLaren (Possibly his 1980 Bon Jorn entry) Why or how it got the nickname "Old Hound" I am not quite sure. Maybe some of the "u-hmmm" older guys might know. Steve? Walt? Here is a photo of the donor car. Even though they look close there are a lot of mods to do.  Here is the car I am doing (Qualifying Photo)  Here is a Race Day photo. The red looks floro pink but I think it's just the lighting or camera. Still investigating the true color.  Here we go! |
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Post by indy on Nov 12, 2015 15:23:43 GMT -5
Very cool project, Stu. Will be interesting seeing this one progress and the mods you do to it.
Jordan
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Post by SWT500 on Nov 12, 2015 20:15:59 GMT -5
Race day fluro is dayglo orange. Remember, back in those days, there were very few choices for this sort of thing. This indeed was an ex-Sneva Sugaripe Prune Special, 1979 front row car then owned by Jerry O'Connell. A group of investors formed H&R Racing to assist Tony Jr. in his Indy 500 aspirations. The chief mechanic, Paul Diatlovich was a crew member on that car under the great Jud Phillips. At the beginning of the month, they only had one engine. A second Cosworth for the race was not acquired until after he qualified. This was Paul's first car as Chief Mechanic. He did a superb job all year and Tony was a constant presence in the top ten throughout the season. Bettenhausen was also arguably a potential winner at the Michigan 500. During one of the many yellows, as a lapped car, he was moved to the back of the line. Otherwise, he might have won. TB was always bitter about that perceived snub by CART. Late in the race, he was faster than winner Pancho Carter, so he had good reason to feel that way. Sadly, Old Hound was destroyed the following May by Phil Kreuger when he crashed hard in turn 3 during practice at IMS.
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Post by Calvin on Nov 13, 2015 3:16:47 GMT -5
It was hurt my eyes red.
This is the same car that finished 2nd at the 1981 Michigander 500
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Post by harveythedog2 on Nov 18, 2015 7:30:33 GMT -5
Main body stripped. Nothing exciting about that but notice that the front wings are part of the diecast body. These need modified so I will be cutting them off soon. Openings at the rear body need closed off.  Rear opening closed off.  Scratch built flugel.   More to come! |
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Post by IndyCarModels on Nov 18, 2015 8:07:32 GMT -5
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Post by clm1545 on Nov 18, 2015 9:18:57 GMT -5
Nice start, Stu.
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Post by indy on Nov 18, 2015 9:27:15 GMT -5
Good start, is the flugel plastic and JB Weld?
Jordan
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Post by harveythedog2 on Nov 18, 2015 13:02:46 GMT -5
You got it Jordan. Actually JB Weld Quick and definitely my favorite filler. I put masking tape over the hole and fill it up. Once dry you peel the tape off with little to no spot filler to add. The flugel is a plastic frame that was filled up with JB weld underneath. It makes it much more rebust and easier to shape.
Stu
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Post by harveythedog2 on Nov 19, 2015 8:04:58 GMT -5
The cockpit cover is not tall enough on the F1 car for the Indy McLaren and the windscreen to large so I added putty and am shaping it smooth. The front wings were also positioned higher up with more downforce. Since the front wings were cast right into the body I scribed them front to back leaving about an 1/8th of an inch unscribed and carefully twisted the wing down to give it a speedway downforce look. Left side is done but haven't done the right yet.   |
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Post by indy on Nov 19, 2015 8:25:10 GMT -5
Smart work on the wing fix. I always like this stage of a WIP because everything is in motion and it looks chaotic but you know when it is done and gets primer on it, that it is going to look factory fresh.
Jordan
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Post by chromehorn08 on Nov 19, 2015 21:05:53 GMT -5
Love your WIPs Stu! Learn a ton from watching you work your magic.
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Post by Art Laski on Nov 20, 2015 0:04:15 GMT -5
Looking forward to watching this one, Stu! Great work already...
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Post by pje on Nov 20, 2015 1:00:47 GMT -5
Outstanding Stu. I'm really looking forward to your turbo on that Cosworth. Are you going to use some of the parts off the '80's March?
Paul Erlendson
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Post by harveythedog2 on Nov 20, 2015 9:18:12 GMT -5
Thanks Art & Paul.
I used my spare Cosworth on the 78 Unser Lola so I am going to have to convert the F1 Cosworth. I have some spare turbo stuff but will have to scratch build the plumbing,
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Post by SWT500 on Nov 20, 2015 15:53:47 GMT -5
Back when teams could do things like that, the cars had widely different and sometimes very creative plumbing, so they are not all alike Stu. Looking GREAT!
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Post by Deleted on Nov 21, 2015 23:31:35 GMT -5
Don't hold me to this, as I normally don't step outside the box on questions like this.
The name "Old Hound" was given to the car by Judd Phillips. It was forced into service after Tom Sneva wrecked his already qualified primary machine during practice. The qualified car (14th IIRC)was a Phoenix chassie and it was a full ground effects car. (Sneva ATE the wall right in front of me one day while I was skipping school and sitting outside of turn 2 in those little folding chairs they used to have) The McLaren was forced into service as the Phoenix was not repairable in time for the race. Sneva told me years later that it was not ready for prime time when the first weekend of qualifying came around. Judd didn't like it either......
The repaired Phoenix won a race at Milwaukee (Im going on memory here) and was entered the next year (1981) with Kevin Cogan driving. He finished 4th as a rookie.
Sneva went onto develop the the first true March in '81, which went like stink. It was plagued, as all early Marches were, with a very fragile transaxle which was super narrow. Sneva set fast time with it and In my opinion would have walked away with the race.
Funny thing, you have to finish!
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Post by Deleted on Nov 24, 2015 3:22:20 GMT -5
How did you make the Flutes in front of the Rear Wheels and are they filled with Putty ?
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Post by harveythedog2 on Nov 25, 2015 10:15:58 GMT -5
Working on the engine cover. I cut the old engine scoop away but kept the bottom of it so everthing will fit the chassis like it's supposed to.    Looking forward to a four day weekend! Happy Thanksgiving everyone! Stu |
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Post by alterrenner on Nov 26, 2015 7:19:11 GMT -5
From the stray marks along your cut line, I assume you're using a "Dremel" to make your cuts.
Are you using those fiber cut-off blades, or a saw? One of my hurdles in modifying diecast is cutting that metal! The stuff just eats up blades, and I've had some cut-off blades explode!
--Frank
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Post by harveythedog2 on Nov 30, 2015 11:19:32 GMT -5
Hey Frank. Yes, I used a Dremel but I do not use the ceramic discs anymore. They break to easy and yes, sometimes even blow up! I use the newer fiber discs that are made especially for cutting metal. Once they get humming and the metal reaches that certain temperature the discs cut very fast.
Stu
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Post by harveythedog2 on Nov 30, 2015 11:23:06 GMT -5
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Post by clm1545 on Nov 30, 2015 11:40:05 GMT -5
Looking real goooood, Stu.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 30, 2015 12:13:41 GMT -5
I think this Will be your Best Car Ever !!!
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Post by Deleted on Nov 30, 2015 12:17:11 GMT -5
Stu ! Please PM your ddress so I can send you the Broken Penske. Thank you. I misplaced your address.
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Post by Calvin on Nov 30, 2015 12:22:23 GMT -5
This is getting out of control, good!
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Post by pje on Nov 30, 2015 13:09:21 GMT -5
Boy Stu, with this build you're getting close to taking over the title of "The Machine"!  This looking great. Paul Erlendson |
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Post by gavkiwi on Nov 30, 2015 16:22:47 GMT -5
You are an artist Stu, fantastic stuff
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Post by chromehorn08 on Nov 30, 2015 18:41:59 GMT -5
Are you kidding me?! This is outstanding work Stu!
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Post by Calvin on Nov 30, 2015 23:47:03 GMT -5
Boy Stu, with this build you're getting close to taking over the title of "The Machine"! Not going to happen! Things are going to change! The Machine just has a little slump in his career but will come back in dominant fashion! |
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