19 replies to this topic

[n9949y]

From this:



... to this:



As most would agree, the Cheetah, in spite of its less-than-sterling race record, is a motorhead's esthetic delight, and so is the Cox 1/24 version. Here's my rework of an old Cox slot car I recently purchased on eBay. I incorporated Resilient Resin windshield and headlamp covers, Pro-Track rims/tires, and Vintage Racing Miniatures aftermarket decals. Of course the original chassis was even by '60s standards a no-go, so in keeping with Pelican Park's building methods I scratchbuilt a new dedicated chassis.





Some GM dealers were involved with racing Cheetahs - Dixon Cadillac, Citation Motors, and Alan Green Chevrolet. Applying a little artistic license I did mine as a Washburn Chevrolet-sponsored Cheetah. The dealer sponsored a '62 Corvette and a '63 Stingray raced at Cal Club SCCA regional races. The number on its cars, 614, derived from Washburn's address, 614 Chapala Street, Santa Barbara.





(Fujimi driver kit)




(couldn't find a '64 Calif dealer plate, so used a California manufacturer plate)

[Tex]

That last picture sure shows the Cheetah's "squat"! Good job, Todd!

[idare2bdul]

Want a full size version for a track car? You can buy one now.



One of those original cars was used to help Arizona's BTM whip up a continuation series, along with the original drawings. Thomas has granted BTM the rights to build a new Cheetah, which differs from the original in details, but retains the spirit. There are some vintage Chevy pieces in the new Cheetahs, but the engine is now a ZZ4 350 with aluminum heads. Not underwhelming by any stretch, and it's only got 1,780 pounds to yank around anyway, so acceleration will be brisk.

Before you dream of untwisting your favorite road with this thing, take note that it's not street legal. No matter, it's still cool to see something other than a Cobra. While the Cobra is capable, we've seen so much of them in pictures and replicas that we're desensitized. The Cheetah, on the other hand, would stick out more than a Cobra Daytona, and could offer your trackmates serious hell at a vintage racing event.

[Flower]

WOW!!!

[Vay Jonynas]

I love Cheetahs! I'm still looking for a MIB Revell Cheetah.

[TSR]

Vay,

You are going to have to look for a very long time because Revell only made a clear plastic body of this car, never a RTR or a kit.

[Vay Jonynas]

Drat. I'll have to check your book on who made what again. It's only the Monogram line of kits on which I have a semi-solid understanding.

[TSR]

Nothing wrong with Monogram, but are you able to figure out all the different versions of their kits within the four years of production by now?

[Vay Jonynas]

Sort of. Of the first series of kits in the full art boxes, only the Le Mans sport prototype cars were made available as well in the second series white boxes with the racing slicks and swing pick-up arms. Non-LeMans type cars, like the '34 Ford coupe, were only available in the series one full art box. I'm not sure whether these non-LeMans type kits continued in production with swing pick-up arms and racing slick tires included. I've not seen a kit in a series one box equipped this way. A few more Le Mans sport prototypes, such as the Ford GT and Ferrari 330P/LM, as well as four open-wheel Indy or Formula 1 cars were issued as part of Monogram's second series of kits.

The third series of four Monogram kits came with dual vacuum-formed bodies. That's what I "know".

[Robert Livingston]

Good recitation.

I have a question: Was the 1/24 Porsche 904 ever offered with the inline 36D, brass chassis with wire drop arm pickup, and wide foam slicks? Reason I ask is that I have one, bought in sorry shape for a buck (missing one front wheel), and I always wondered whether this was an oddball combination of body and chassis, or a made-that-way slot car.

[Vay Jonynas]

Was the 1/24 Porsche 904 ever offered with the inline 36D, brass chassis with wire drop arm pickup, and wide foam slicks?

Yes it was! I have one, M.I.B.

I'll post what I believe to be the complete list of the slot car kits issued by Monogram in the 1963-67 period. Philippe will likely then correct and expand upon it.

[sportblazer350]

Todd- fantastic job on your Cheetah!!! I have one i use as a runner in our vintage slot car club for our 36d motor class. It is all original, has Buzco silly-sponge combo rears, and the body was painted a metallic green back in the 1960's, which has darkened over the years.....and it performs well for an original car. Yours must handle great! i luv it!!

[TSR]

The only "Series 1" Monogram kits not offered in the "Series 2" were in the 1/32 scale, the little Hot Rod and the MGA. Then, several new ones were issued that were never made in "Series 1" guise. In the 1/24 scale, all early kits except the "stock cars" were re-issued but of course plenty of new ones were also born, the first being the Chaparral 2.
But it gets a LOT more complicated when one goes into detail, as all the "Series 1" stock car kits were issued with different motors (FT16, then FT36).
Nothing is simple but have no fear, I have already sorted it out so that all versions will be clearly defined in the new book.
The rarest Monogram production slot cars are the 1/32 scale Hot Rod and the 1/24 scale Assassin in the green color. The most common is the 1/24 scale Scarab.
No Cheetah ever made as a Monogram slot car.

[Prof. Fate]

Hi

Last week at my local track, guy shows up looking for help. Has a collection of cars from his youth that he wants to get running and give to his teenager NOW.

One was a near mint Revell MGA.

Fate

[Vay Jonynas]

Speaking of "rare" kits, I've found the 1/32 scale Ford GT and Lola T-70 and the 1/24 scale '36 Ford Coupe, '40 Ford Pick-Up, '55 Chevy and '58 T-Bird kits pretty tough to find.

The rarest Monogram production slot cars are the 1/32 scale Hot Rod....

Yay! That one I have!

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[TSR]

Well Rocky, they made quite a few thousands of the toad and it is not that rare, so let the kid enjoy it...

[Prof. Fate]

Hi

P...are you getting mellow?

There are bits you would NOT sell me because I use them!

Hmmmm.

Fate

[TSR]

Rocky,
More than likely the MGA in question is already in used condition, so by thus retaining little value for the discriminating collector. So, no big deal...

[BWA]

One was a near mint Revell MGA.

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Since when????????????

[TSR]

For a collector, the only state in whcih such an item has any seriosu value is if it is sealed in its box. Same as model plastic kits really.
Values? Built MGA car: $100.00 to $225.00 depending on condition. Sealed in its box with a nar perfect box: $800.00 to $1200.00 if you can find one.