10 replies to this topic

[Regis4446]

This is the car I built to take part in a race in Bordeaux last weekend.
 
The body of this Panhard X88 was made of wood, on a 1/24 with an aluminum chassis, to make it light and save the engine.
 
I set myself the objective of not exceeding 130 grams in working order, like at Panhard, I will have to track down the smallest grams.
 
This car participated in the 24 hours of Le Mans in 1954 with its small 611cc twin-cylinder engine and its airplane wing profile.
 
This profile was developed by aeronautical engineer Marcel Riffard, it is clearly visible on my sketch.
And she did not deserve this little blue car by placing 17th.
 
For the race, as planned, on the wooden track, the Panhard X88 is the slowest of the cars I prepared, but I decide to race with it.
 
Difficult start to the race, this is the first time this has happened to me.
 
Race interruptions, following a power outage, or exits from the track, for some, caused by screws lost by the cars, which remained blocked in the groove.
 
I was a victim, difficult to stay focused, 30th result in the race, but first in elegance.
 
On the other hand, the little Panhard is no longer as beautiful as when it left home, the contact during testing and the race has left its mark.
 
I'm going to make slight paint touch-ups, but it will remain with its marks, it's a race.
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[dc-65x]

A truly scratchbuilt work of art Regis and a hard fighting race veteran.  

[Larry Horner]

Wow, you even made your own motor carrier... nicely done, Regis! After all that effort, I hope you won. And keep the battle scars up front!

[Bill from NH]

I thought the motor carrier looks like a refurbished motor can. I believe this been used before, maybe by Regis.

[n.elmholt]

Great job !!

Niels

[Dave Crevie]

This was an interesting build. Back in the early days of the Vintage Sports Car Drivers Association, there was a member by the name Jaques Grelly, who collected Panhard Le Mans cars. I have pictures somewhere of most of them. There also was a Devin-Panhard, of which I have several photos. Very unique vehicles.

[Regis4446]

Thank you all for your kind comments.

 

That's right Dave, the Panhard cars entered at Le Mans had aerodynamic bodies to improve their performance because they had very small engines.

 

 

But many cars with small engines were forced to have this type of bodywork.

 

Here is a profiled car that I made for another race

 

http://slotblog.net/...le/#entry854485

 

 

[Martin]

Fantastic build Regis, but I am a bit disaPPOINTED you did not go with this shape headlight covers  

 

[Bill from NH]

Martin, headlight covers like those would have also required rubber bumpers. 

[Martin]

Are we still talking about these on the #61 race car Bill?

 

Or are you concerned about poking your eye out when ecounted at close range ? 

 

[Regis4446]

When I showed this photo, I knew you would be amused