Dan Gurney's 1968 Olsonite Eagle

[tatocorvette]

Hello,

   I built this model back in 2008. To this date, I consider this one of the best models I've ever done. 

Here is a link to the detailed multipage in progress thread in the MCM forum.  Make sure you check it out so you can see what was done.  www.modelcarsmag.com/forums/topic/8018-dan-gurneys-68-indy-500-ride/

This 1/25 model of the 1968 Weslake powered Olsonite Eagle represents Dan Gurney's 1968 Indy 500 ride. It is based on the MPC Eagle model originally released in the late '60s. What was supposed to be a box stock build became an intense exercise in scratchbuilding. The kit was not bad but many parts were replaced with home made aluminum and brass parts. More details below the pictures.
I'll be the first one to admit the model may not 100% accurate, mainly because of lack of reference material. I believe this is the configuration he used for qualifying in that race.  Seatbelts were supposed to be black.  I took an artistic license and did them in red so they would not be lost in the dark cockpit.
By the way, he finished 2nd in that race.  The winner was Bobby Unser driving a turbo Offy powered Dan Gurney's AAR Eagle.  Fourth place?  Dan Gurney's teammate Denny Hulme driving what else? A Dan Gurney's AAR Eagle.  Dan Gurney's AAR cars finished 1-2-4. Talk about dominance!
[EDIT] I stand corrected, they finished 1,2 and 4, not 1-2-3 as I originally stated





























MPC Eagle kit, 1/25. Reissued in the '90s



Cobra Colors paint



Mix and matched kit's decals and Fred Cady's (mostly whites)



Modifications:

- reworked body for better fit on the sides and top

- machined ignition module

- ignition wiring

- fuel plumbing

- machined cap for the quick change transaxle

- home made aluminum velocity stacks

- plumbed oil filter

- brass half shafts

- 3 piece machined shifter

- brass rear sway bar

- aluminum sheet gas tanks tops

- 6 parts each independent coilovers in brass steel wire and aluminum

- brake lines

- steel wire front sway bar links

- aluminum rear sway bar brackets

- aluminum upper rear coilovers pins

- steel rear sway bar links connected to lower arm

- solder headers

- machined aluminum tailpipes

- scratchbuilt seatbelts and hardware (I know the real ones are black, but I did them in dark red to add some color and contrast to the dark cockpit)

- brass roll bar

- machined dry sump oil tank cap

- aluminum gas tank caps

- aluminum rear wing with steel wire bracing

-.. and many others I don't remember now

and some in progress pics from the thread:

Scratchbuilt stacks.  I did like 10-12 to pick the best 8


Brass halfshafts.

3 piece shifter

Most of the suspension was scratchbuilt from brass aluminum and wire.


aluminum headers 


Hope you like it.

Thanks,
Ismael

[pbh51]

Beautiful. I can't get over the half-shafts; so much effort just to get that tiny detail right. Also the coil over shocks. I think every kid in America wanted to be Dan Gurney at some point.

[Chris K. Hale]

Ismael , This is a Great Model, Dan changed things on the car almost every few minutes, it is very difficult to get reference that matches unless You have full race photos. This particular car holds a very special place in my heart... I sat in this car as a 12 year old on several occasions and had conversations with Dan, as my father worked inside AAR. Dan, Swede, Wayne and a bunch of the guys were big Slot Car racers and spent so much time at Santa Ana Raceways my Dad's shop. Dan gave my Dad the Nose section off this car, my Mom put it on the wall of my nephews bedroom with a painting that made it look like it was crashing through the wall, my Mom is an outstanding Artist, she taught me from a very young age to be one also. I recently tried to get it from my sister but she is unsure where it is, one can only hope she will clean the rafters in the garage someday. The Nose was from a test day at Indy and what amazed me was how it was sandblasted on the front edges of the Beak, seems they dont clean Indy real well until race month.. Almost every time I was in it the Guys would let me steer it as they pushed it back into the shop, I dreamed of it firing up and driving it in under power!! Back to your model, The brass and wire suspension is outstanding as is the rest of your hard work on this car. Congratulations on a fine build... Chris

[afx]

I recall seeing this build on MCM, thanks for posting it here too Ismael - nice work.

[Joel_W]

Ismael,
You certainly did Dan's Eagle justice. I'm sure he would have loved seeing your build. Once again you've shown us your true skills which are up with the very best our list has. Thanks so much for sharing it with us.

And Chris, your memories of Dan, the shop and of course seating in his cars is something I just can't imagine, yet I'm so glad that you shared those memories with
us.

  Just finished reading your build thread. I'm even more impressed now. And to think that decaling is a nerve racking process for you, yet you model on this level. Go figure. 
 
  The thought just crossed my mind that with my luck I'll finally buy one on ebay, and then have no idea of to turn that kit into something better then what's in the box at my skill level. 

Joel

[illeagle10]

Very cool,

Jim

[ohnothimagen]

A truly amazing build of a kit that is not that easy to work with! I've seen these photos elsewhere online and could not believe the detail. One historic clarification: in 1968 the Eagles finished 1-2 & 4. Could have been 1-2-3, but I believe Hulme had an issue late in the race with an extra pit stop that prevented him from reaching 3rd.

Congrats!
Rex

[tatocorvette]

Thanks Rex! I stand corrected and edited the original post.

Thanks,
Ismael

[Deleted]

Very, very, nice Ismael that is some serious stuff there. Great job.

[tatocorvette]

Thank you Bill!