1964 Mecom Hussein MK I

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All photos taken by Lewis A. Owen unless otherwise noted. They are intended for the research and enjoyment of modeling the 1964 Mecom Hussein MK I. (restored). Slot cars have been made, vac-form and hard bodys, 1/32 and 1/24th as well as AMT. in 1/25th and 1/24th. I tried to get closeup shots for detail. Taken at the Indianapolis motor speedway museum 10/28/2017.  Sorry for the out of focus shots. I was using a unfamiliar camera.                                                                                                                                                                                                                          

[robhart]

Nice photos. Was the car based on a Lola T70?

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The first T-70 came the year AFTER the Hussein MKI according to Wikipedia. The chassis of the Cooper (Monaco) is basically unaltered, except to accept the 426-cu. in. Chrysler Corp. Hemi V-8 engine. The car was named the Hussein 1 after King Hussein of Jordan, who was a great racing enthusiast. The connection between King Hussein and the Mecom team is that John Mecom's father secured the oil drilling rights in Jordan and the King visited the company's headquarters in Texas. John Mecom decided to call the car Hussein in his honor.

[Chris K. Hale]

Nice Pic's Lew.. Patrick sent me a almost completed Hussein, in hopes I would finish it and I will. I remember seeing this car run at Riverside. The 426 Hemi was indeed unusual. I never liked the air cleaner on the deck , preferring some nicely tuned Fuel Injection stacks.. still a car with a great history.. Thanks Chris

[dustymojave]

I remember seeing the Hussein at Riverside in blue and in purple. I may be remembering the Scarab next to the Hussein. I painted my AMT Hussein purple and used the kit decals back in about 1965 when the kit came out. I still have the body and have thought about rebuilding it sometime. I ran across a photo in the Revs Digital Library of the Mecom garage in '64 with the Hussein sitting beside the rear engine Scarab. Lew is right that in the paddock at Riverside, with the rear body off, the car looked JUST like a Cooper Monaco like the Shelby King Cobras.

Thanks for the pics Lew!

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The idea for this car came from John Mecom, Jr., the son of an American oil millionaire, who ran a race team based out of Houston, Texas. He ran a variety of very fast cars including various Ferraris, a Lola GT, a Lotus 19 and a Scarab, but he wanted something even faster for A. J. Foyt to drive. He eventually decided to modify a Cooper Monaco to the requirements, so a Cooper without engine, gearbox and body was ordered.

The car was named the Hussein 1 after King Hussein of Jordan, who was a great racing enthusiast. The connection between King Hussein and the Mecom team is that John Mecom's father secured the oil drilling rights in Jordan and the King visited the company's headquarters in Texas. He naturally did not miss the opportunity to see the competition cars and John Mecom decided to call the car Hussein in his honor.

The chassis of the Cooper is basically unaltered, except to accept the 426-cu. in. Chrysler Corp. Hemi V-8 engine, upgraded brakes, and stiffer springs and shock absorbers. The 525 hp engine power is transmitted through a Colotti type 37 gearbox to heavy duty drive shafts and the rear wheels. The car weighs 1,820 pounds, is fitted with larger American magnesium wheels, and is capable of over 200 mph in suitable conditions.

www.conceptcarz.com/vehicle/z11315/Mecom-Hussein-MK-I.aspx

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I found this on ebay last week and thought it would fit in here. I like going back and reading articles from the period. Also had some photos not picked up on a google search. Hope you enjoy them as much as I did.  P.S. a British publication, notice the two shillings & sixpence price!                                                                                                                             Also note that they didn't keep the Chevrolet but went with a  426-cu. in. Chrysler Corp. Hemi V-8, I would say a good move.                                                                                                      

[afx]

Great find Lew thanks for posting it.