Bill Thomas Cheetah: if it had only been developed...

[Ace-Garageguy]

This really isn't a great video, with the poor editing typical of so much car stuff on YT (cars don't match the idiot computer-read voiceover, a fair bit of wrong info, etc.), but there are some great shots of the things in action etc. Definitely a good resource for anyone building one, or who just loves to look at them...like me. 

EDIT: YT apparently doesn't allow this one to embed, so you'll have to work a little harder and click the link. Oh, the humanity.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rPenH_CSmog&ab_channel=SUVBeyond‧93Kviews‧21minutesago

Edited December 16, 2024 by Ace-Garageguy

[NOBLNG]

Cool!😎 I didn’t realize there were so few of them produced.

[Roger U]

Thank you for posting the video.  I enjoyed seeing Cheetahs in races back in the 60s at Pomona and Riverside Raceway. Today I like seeing photos of them and seeing the actual cars at car shows. 

 

 

[Pierre Rivard]

Thanks for posting Bill. Looks like good reflexes are a must for  handling this cat and staying off the walls.

[stavanzer]

[JarJar01]

Thanks for posting this video i was looking for a while for a model of this car, which unfortunately is not available. However, i came across one day with and incomplete slot car version of it. I dont know the brand of it (it came in a plastic bag) but here and some pictures. ( sorry for the mess and the fast pics i am currently working on  250 GTO from Gunze and trying to make the open doors in that model has been a mess  ).

I think a chassis from a Revell / monogram of corvette from the he 60's  can be a good donor + some modifications.  Considering the engine of the prototype was a corvette 327 which is more or less the same engine as in the donor kit.

If you have any ideas or tips on how to manage this build will be great. ( i haven't converted a slot car into a static model)

 

 

 

[deuces wild]

On 12/17/2024 at 4:39 AM, JarJar01 said:

Thanks for posting this video i was looking for a while for a model of this car, which unfortunately is not available. However, i came across one day with and incomplete slot car version of it. I dont know the brand of it (it came in a plastic bag) but here and some pictures. ( sorry for the mess and the fast pics i am currently working on  250 GTO from Gunze and trying to make the open doors in that model has been a mess  ).

I think a chassis from a Revell / monogram of corvette from the he 60's  can be a good donor + some modifications.  Considering the engine of the prototype was a corvette 327 which is more or less the same engine as in the donor kit.

If you have any ideas or tips on how to manage this build will be great. ( i haven't converted a slot car into a static model)

 

 

 

I have a bunch of those in HO scale.....😉👍

[Ace-Garageguy]

On 12/17/2024 at 4:39 AM, JarJar01 said:

Thanks for posting this video i was looking for a while for a model of this car, which unfortunately is not available.

Historic Racing Miniatures did a beautiful 1/24 scale resin full kit, but they're expensive if you can find one.

https://www.scalemates.com/kits/historic-racing-miniatures-hrm103-cheetah--1112077

I recently bought a Cox 1/24 slotcar to convert to a static model, but it'll need a scratchbuilt frame, and a lot of kitbashing.

The Cox body is rumored to have been the basis for the body in the HRM kit, but I can't confirm or refute this.

 

Edited December 18, 2024 by Ace-Garageguy

[Ace-Garageguy]

And in other news...    https://race-car-models.proboards.com/thread/185/1963-cheetah

[stavanzer]

I read in one of the Car Magazine back in the day (Car& Track, Road & Driver, one of those) that one of the real life reasons for the downfall of the Cheetah, was that the exhaust routing made the drivers compartment so hot that it would burn drivers after only a short time. Also the car was cramped and not very ergonomic.It just was never a very 'polished' car and suffered because it was never more thana working prototype, and too crude to function reliably.

 

Edited December 19, 2024 by stavanzer

[YellowHound]

And it can bite viciously in the wet. (Duncan Pittaway was fine thankfully.)

Edited December 20, 2024 by YellowHound

[1930fordpickup]

One of the 3d printers need to scan a body and print away . 

[PatW]

Yes I've been looking for a kit of this for years!