1951 Belanger Special WIP

[mattb]

I can't get enough of the mid century Indy cars! I like the looks of the Belanger Special and wanted to model the car from 1951 that was a Kurtis Roadster. I thought I would just make up a Strom Dirt Track body, paint it dark blue and decal it and I would have another vintage Indy car. Looking at pictures I could tell the dirt tracker is not even close to correct. Seems that no currently or ever made model kit is close. A friend sent me a set of Clidinst scale drawings and a resin body he took from a mold he made from a true scale Belanger made by one of the Indy car resin guys. That body is too narrow to really make a competitive car, the motor has to set on a side edge to even fit.

I ended up taking two of the Monogram PC1 Midget racer bodies and cutting them up to make a somewhat true scale body. Luckily I also had scale drawings to go by. After 5-6 hours of cutting, gluing, body filler and sanding I got something pretty close. Threw together my simple chassis style and maybe after some more putty and sanding I will ready to get the body in rubber and make something that will hold up to actual racing. The Belanger is a beautiful old car.



P1010006.JPGP1010002.JPGlee-wallard-1951 belanger spcial.jpg

[patwa]

PM received, Cheers. Gentlemen, It would seem that we are stricken with the same disease.
I love where your build is going and look forward to seeing its journey.
A couple of pics to show the depth of my problem.
Shh, they are digital. :shhh:

[mattb]

Nice track, must be fun to get a couple Indy cars sliding around. I notice you have partially banked corners. Wouldn't it be nice if Carrera made banked track about half of the angle they now have?

[Beast Lee]

I'm looking forward to seeing the progress on this one...

[HomeRacingWorld]

Just outstanding effort.

[dreinecke]

VERY Cool project!!!

[mattb]

P1010004.JPGP1010006.JPGP1010002.JPGCut up the model kit wheels to make wheel inserts last nite and molded a couple sets. Painted them this morning and now glued in and this project is done. Paint is metallic which I know is not right for a 1951 Indy car, but I just love that color and the only person I have to please is myself!!!

[HomeRacingWorld]

" but I just love that color and the only person I have to please is myself!!!"

Amen!

I think it looks fantastic. Well done Matt, this is a truly special build.

[TuscoTodd]

That turned out SHARP!!!
Two thumbs up sir!

[mattb]

I made a mold of the body, grille and the wheel inserts. I might build one or two more, maybe with a milder motor to play with at home. Like all of you I need more cars for home! I am not sure what other cars used a similiar body. Frank Kurtis designed/built this body for 51. In 52 the #98 Agajanian won the race and it was a larger body, but it would probably look OK with the white body/red flames on this body.

[Wobble]

Stunning job mattb, nice car

[reel55]

Great job - how does it drive?

[mattb]

It's not bad for what it is. The center of gravity is fairly low but is still isn't like the 60's era Indy cars I build. It is a little better then the old Strombecker Dirt Track bodies cars I build. I could actually set it up for all left hand turns and stick to driving on an oval track. Offset tread does really help. Heavy left side axle tubes, offset wheels, tire stagger, there are a few things to make an open wheel car better on oval tracks. If I was serious about racing this I could fine tune it, but none of my group race on oval tracks.

[reel55]

As long as you enjoy it - that's what counts!!!!

[bill from nh]

Matt, the car looks great! :) What sort of chassis design & motor did you put underneath it?