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Post by roadcourse on Nov 21, 2019 9:32:10 GMT -5
![]() Car question: Bobby U, and Swede Savage both ran Eagles in this race. Unser's was the '71, Savage ran a car based on the '70 chassis. At this point in the season, the two cars looked nearly identical. How close were they? What were the differences? |
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Post by ohnothimagen on Nov 21, 2019 10:08:36 GMT -5
The 1971 Eagle was an upgrade from the 1970 Indy chassis. The final 1970 race at Phoenix had BU in the car Gurney last raced at Ontario and Swede running a version with updated aero package. At the start of the '71 season, both cars were basically the same in appearance and performance features with both Offy powered and wearing the aero ramps along the side.
After Swede was injured at the Questor GP, AAR became a one-car effort until Indy. Two new '71 version cars (still based on the '70 chassis) were brought to Indy. LeeRoy Yarborough destroyed the second car in practice and was replaced in the back-up car by Jim Malloy. The back-up car was the chassis Swede won the 1970 Phoenix race with although now powered by an Offy.
As I understand it, when Swede returned for the 1971 Cal 500, it was this chassis that had been updated to the '71 specs. from photos I have seen on his car compared with BU's the only difference I can see is Swede's car appear to only have one fuel vent on the left side of the car where BU's had two.
Sorry for the long-winded reply.
Rex
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Post by roadcourse on Nov 21, 2019 10:18:33 GMT -5
Thanks! I had suspected something along those lines. The car(s) also appear during the '72 season- one of then driven by Mike Hiss. I've been looking for an alternative build for Kevin's '71 Eagle kit. Now I have some idea how I'l proceed.
Frank
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Post by ohnothimagen on Nov 24, 2019 11:29:48 GMT -5
Frank,
Which version of the car are you doing? The Hiss car had a very attractive color scheme.
I am trying to do a similar thing but converting the '71 Eagle kit back to the late '70 version Swede won with at Phoenix. The project is on something of a back burner as I am trying to finish up on a F-A / F-5000 conversion of the MPC Olsonite Eagle. Although now retired, I still don't work very fast.
Rex
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Post by roadcourse on Nov 25, 2019 7:48:53 GMT -5
I'm going to study photos of Savage's at Ontario and Hiss at Indy to see what's possible. I've started by filling in the extra vent. Will see what's needed for the rear wing and then ponder my painting and decaling skills.
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