Old model with a story...

[xmh53wrench]

Well I just posted this on "another board" as it was applicable to a GB, but I thought you guys might get a kick out of it, although its pretty far off topic....here it goes.

 

 

My father crewed and painted this racecar in 1972 when I was 6 years old. This car had an enormous effect on my entire life, my passion for cars and racing.

BTW I still have the original of this photo that I have had since 1972.

 

I started this model technically when I was probaly about 14, it stayed stashed in my model junk. It went to Florida while I was in the Air Force, and traveled back at my separation from active duty. It survived many many moves, children, and a divorce. It started as a kit bash of the Monogram 55 Chevy body and the Revell 55 Chevy frame and engine. I had trimmed the frame and cut down the body, and thats where it had stalled. About 10 years ago I had a stint of model building so I dug it out. My parents had dug out their Super 8 movies and we played them while I would tape them with a VCR CamCorder. There is footage of me playing in the car in 1972 and before and after my father had painted it as well as some racing footage. Here is the video.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kE6dTBQiG6E

 

With the new found evidence from the movie footage, I now had enough info to finally finish the model. Here are photos of the model I just took, even though it was completed 10 years ago. Its surviving pretty well. Its all painted by hand.

 

 

 

 

Thanks for indulging me.....

[Derek B]

I'm with MARU on this one, great video, great model and great memories - thank you for sharing them with us

 

Derek

[TimW]

Excellent story!

 

As a side note, when I built my 1/32 TBF Avenger, I dry brushed vomit onto the radio set....my dad laughed so hard he nearly fell out of his chair, as it was something that happened to him during a flight in the Naval Reserves back in 1948. He said he was down in the radio area and couldn't see...all the maneuvering around made him sick.

 

You can't really see it in the completed kit, but we both know it's there.

 

Again, awesome story!

 

Tim W.

[xmh53wrench]

Thanks guys, very much. I am glad for your appreciation. That car and my father were probably the biggest influence in my life. I have raced 4 wheeled vehicles in some fashion since I was 14 years old. I have always built, painted, set up and maintained my racecars (of course my father was always there to lend a hand as he did on the 2M car). I dreamt as a kid not of Daytona, but of Merced Speedway where the 2M car raced, and was fortunate enough to race there for 12 years collecting over 120 trophies. I even was able to race in a car very similar in type to the 2M car (The 21M racecar in the related video links after the video, is me). Well I dug out 2 more cars that I started at the same time as I finished the 2M, but have yet to finish them. They are cars that raced around the same time (actually you will see the 4M car in the video and a later version of the 1M as well). Thanks again guys!!!

 

[Guest Peterpools]

Terrific story, as well as enjoying the video. Nothing better then a model that has so many personal memories tied to it.

Thanks for sharing

Peter

[spacewolf]

Awesome stuff ! The fact that it survived all those years and is still with you, that the interest and love stayed as well..!!!! Heart warming and proof that passion and persistance can bring wonderful things to life.

 

Thanks for posting !

 

Vaughn