Dirt Modifieds

[racerk86]

Not sure whether to posts this in scratchbuilding or oval racing since it is both. Here are some scratchbuilt Dirt Mods my Dad made in the late 70's to early 80's. Somehow they came into my uncles possession and he will not let us run them, but at least I got some pictures. (Taken before my track was set up)

http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2883/9716 ... 20ae_c.jpg
http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2872/9719 ... 2b54_c.jpg

The chassis and bodies are all made of brass and hand painted.

[racerk86]

My Dad can still build them, problem is finding motors and drivers without having to buy a $25 model kit to pull them out of and throw the rest away!

[padirtfan]

I raced with some guys in the Flemington area that ran cars like that in the late 70's. We ran on Revell track as well. Some nice cars there.

[racerk86]

[padirtfan]

No, the guys house where we raced was Bob Patrick and we also raced with Mark Fusco. I grew up in Frenchtown.

[Vintage 1/24]

Wow, the hand-made brass sheet-metal bodies make those especially unique...

Do you have any chassis pix with the bodies removed?


Very cool builds.

[slothead]

Very nice cars and great memories. The guys I races with would build cars like those modeled after ones driven by Sammy Beavers, Billy Osmun, Buzzie Reutiman, and the like. Contrary to what most people thought, the brass bodies were not that hard to build and were safe to drive. The sheet brass or tin bodies were lighter than current plastic bodies and had a ton more character that the lexan vacuum formed ones.

The black #112 looks very realistic and it's clunky looks hid how dominate it was. The story behind that Kenny Weld creation, driven by Gary Balough, is fascinating and love it or hate it dirt modified racing was changed forever because of it. Check out part 14 of the 1980 Syracuse 200 on YouTube to see for yourself. Then do an Internet search on 'Gary Balough' for the story of a great driver who took a wrong turn.

Slothead

[racerk86]

[racerk86]

@Slothead
I have heard many stories from my Dad about that car. He was at Syracuse the first time it took the track. My dad and his cousins spent almost every weekend at Nazareth, Reading, Flemington, or Syracuse.

[Vintage 1/24]

Yes absolutely - THE BATMOBILE caught my eye as well!

Not sure if you can, but if possible, post some pix of that "Lincoln" - It is a great subject to build - an important, famous/infamous, and iconic car.

[dreinecke]

Awesome looking field of Mods!

[Legendcar61]

What kind of track is that??? Looks like it snaps together. Can you buy track like you have in the picture??

[racerk86]