1966 Ford J Car Prototype

[Gramps46]

Since I have been on  a string of GT40 completions I decided I needed to add a J Car to the flock.  Not just any J Car but a prototype at Daytona during testing in 1966.  No fancy decals or details.

I had started this one almost 2 decades ago using a Strombecker 1/24 scale body.

But like a lot of slot bodies it was too wide,  especially in the front so it had to be narrowed and I used a Le Mans Miniatures MK IV for comparison.

Which brings us to today with the first coat of primer and putty on the narrowed body. Now I confess I am taking the easy and quick way out and will be using a Fujimi GT40MKII chassis and interior.  It will be our little secret. 

 

Next up will be more sanding, primer, and scribing panel lines for the doors.

Here is a good link:  IMC: Ford GTP J-car rescue - WIP: Model Cars - Model Cars Magazine Forum

[cobraman]

Cool project. Looking forward to the finished model.

[Daddyfink]

Such a cool project! This is going to be good.

[Gramps46]

In Googling for more pictures I found this one from Daytona testing.  I checked the source and found it was in the MCM link posted above!  And can you believe,  I was the poster!!!! 

[vamach1]

3 minutes ago, Gramps46 said:

In Googling for more pictures I found this one from Daytona testing.  I checked the source and found it was in the MCM link posted above!  And can you believe,  I was the poster!!!! 

 

No surprise there.  I think DDP did a resin J car but since I built the IMC and MPC ones that was enough for me. ?

[Gramps46]

Now up on wheels and in white primer.  Now the hard part, let it dry thoroughly and scribe in the door lines.  Also need to open up the headlight buckets and add the roof top rear view mirror.

Some more photos from Daytona test.

Edited April 3, 2021 by Gramps46

[Gramps46]

This was kind of scary opening up these holes in the body with a Dremel.  Afraid the Dremel would get away from me and go scooting across the top or bonnet.

[afx]

I'll be following.

[absmiami]

You’re markings on the body ...  was the body too wide up front but scale at the rear ?!  That’s a pain ...

[Gramps46]

1 hour ago, absmiami said:

You’re markings on the body ...  was the body too wide up front but scale at the rear ?!  That’s a pain ...

It was all based upon appearance as I did not measure the rear.  Must not have caught my eye as being too wide.

[vamach1]

Here is a 1/43 kit I built many years ago.  It is made by Sapphire.  I would agree the slot car looked a little too wide in the front.

[Gramps46]

The good news is that some progress was made this morning.  While consuming about half of an index card and several tries I was able to get a good template for the head lamp buckets.

I transferred the template to some cooper sheet and folded the buckets.  I choose cooper because it is easy to cut and keeps its shape once bent.

[Venom]

Awesome! ... It takes more than one thinks to come up with patterns that bend to shape to fit.?

[Gramps46]

Interesting that the Registry says December 1966 for the testing at Daytona and the photo caption above says January 1967.  The Registry says the test drivers were Andretti and McLaren.

[Bill J]

Nice work so far on the J car. Looking forward to more progress. I always learn something from you guys

[Ralph Henderson]

Nice work Gramps. Sure would be cool if someone did trans kits for the J-Car and the Mark IV for use with the Fujimis. A lot of us would be happy with those on the shelf....

[absmiami]

Andretti and McLaren. ??  Those are two pretty good race car drivers ....

[Ralph Henderson]

2 minutes ago, absmiami said:

Andretti and McLaren. ??  Those are two pretty good race car drivers ....

Brave too, since Ken Miles died testing a J-Car in August of 66

[Dave Van]

Great project. Cutting old brittle bodies can come out bad!!!!

Wish R2 could reissue the MPC J with pointed nose! 

[Rich Chernosky]

Gary...this is a great project. You show great bravery when it comes to  grinding plastic with a moto-tool.  Will be very interested to see how this turns out. I have the MPC clear kit and an odd-ball Japanese "j" car to finish.  This is good incentive. 

[Gramps46]

After sanding and a second coat of primer on its custom handmade paint stand. ?  I need to let the primer dry and harden before tackling the panel lines

 

 

I found this in my stash this morning.  It is a cleanly made MPC JCar in 1/25th scale.  My plan is to paint the clear body and finish it off as the April 1967 Le Mans trials car.

[Dave Van]

19 minutes ago, Gramps46 said:

After sanding and a second coat of primer on its custom handmade paint stand. ?  I need to let the primer dry and harden before tackling the panel lines

 

 

I found this in my stash this morning.  It is a cleanly made MPC JCar in 1/25th scale.  My plan is to paint the clear body and finish it off as the April 1967 Le Mans trials car.

NICE!!!! That build has the optional pointy nose even! 

[absmiami]

This is like an archeology dig ...  who built the clear body J ??   

[Gramps46]

MPC did the clear body kit.  I am borrowing some parts to make patterns off of for my Strombecker.  Borrowing is the operative word, they will go back on the MPC kit.

Edited April 7, 2021 by Gramps46

[Snake45]

Very VERY cool project! Drive on!