Thanks for the warm reception the first batch of pics got. Here's the next four.When a few "closet racers" at Ford cooked up a scheme to supply their friends down at Holman Moody with some new T-birds they almost cooked their own goose instead. But even though the "bean counters" discovered their little operation it was too late. The "salvage parts" that were sent to the airport in Charlotte consisted of enough Thunderbird bits and pieces and 430 cubic inch Lincoln engines to build up several turn key race cars that made a pretty good showing in the first Daytona 500 with one almost winning. Here's my model of one of the high flyin' T-birds that were campaigned that year, Cotton Owens' "Thunder Chick", in full warpaint.
When succesful USAC driver Fred Lorenzen came south to run with the big dogs he had his new Ford "Starliner" and a lot of talent but not much money. It only took a few races to put him back on the bus to Elmhurst and put his carpenter's hammer back in his hand to help pay off the bills he racked up on the Southern Circuit.But Ralph Moody, who had seen greatness where the finish stats didn't begin to show it, called Fred that Christmas, told him he would be recieving a call and that his anwer should be yes. Five minutes later Ford called with an offer to run Nascar for the upcoming '61 season. Fred listened and obeyed Ralph's orders for the first, but not the last, time and the rest is racing history.Here's my brother's model of that Starliner that almost put an end to a stellar career before it got a chance to start.
One of the two stars of Ford's racing team in '60 was legendary Curtis Turner. Here's his HM ride that he campaigned during the 1960 season while trying to finish his dream speedway in Charlotte in time for the first World 600, still the longest Nascar race on the schedule. Another fine build by my brother, who usually builds killer dirt track rides but does some vintage stock cars as a favor to me.
With two monumental talents living in the same Florida town of Daytona Beach, it was only a matter of time until they got together and cleaned everyone's clock. And in 1959 that's just what happened. Some of the most feared stock cars have come out of "The Best Damned Garage in Town", built by Smokey Yunick and driven by Glen "Fireball" Roberts. This '60 Pontiac is one of those "Big Indians" that were so strong on the new superspeedways in the early 60's.
Stay tuned, we're just getting started.
When succesful USAC driver Fred Lorenzen came south to run with the big dogs he had his new Ford "Starliner" and a lot of talent but not much money. It only took a few races to put him back on the bus to Elmhurst and put his carpenter's hammer back in his hand to help pay off the bills he racked up on the Southern Circuit.But Ralph Moody, who had seen greatness where the finish stats didn't begin to show it, called Fred that Christmas, told him he would be recieving a call and that his anwer should be yes. Five minutes later Ford called with an offer to run Nascar for the upcoming '61 season. Fred listened and obeyed Ralph's orders for the first, but not the last, time and the rest is racing history.Here's my brother's model of that Starliner that almost put an end to a stellar career before it got a chance to start. 
One of the two stars of Ford's racing team in '60 was legendary Curtis Turner. Here's his HM ride that he campaigned during the 1960 season while trying to finish his dream speedway in Charlotte in time for the first World 600, still the longest Nascar race on the schedule. Another fine build by my brother, who usually builds killer dirt track rides but does some vintage stock cars as a favor to me. 
With two monumental talents living in the same Florida town of Daytona Beach, it was only a matter of time until they got together and cleaned everyone's clock. And in 1959 that's just what happened. Some of the most feared stock cars have come out of "The Best Damned Garage in Town", built by Smokey Yunick and driven by Glen "Fireball" Roberts. This '60 Pontiac is one of those "Big Indians" that were so strong on the new superspeedways in the early 60's. 
Stay tuned, we're just getting started.
Great naration of the show, too. Thanks, Jerry!
Jerry as usaual a great job. I hope you keep bring these historical models for us to view and enjoy.
Thanks guys. It's always good to hear these kinds of comments on my work, but when it comes from people in the know that have the background ya'll do, it means so much more. Thanks again and I'll try to get some more on maybe tomorrow, depending how the thread goes. Until then, the tanker's loaded, anybody thirsty?