Multa paucis qui coeperit finiatur

MARCH 2016
Multa paucis qui coeperit finiatur
It was a pretty audacious idea. Supply the parts for a complete race car that anyone
who wanted to race could purchase and build. Chrysler did just that with their Kit
Car program which started in 1974. Richard Petty Enterprises would also be
involved and he and his team helped develop this new pre-packaged race car.
Short track racing began to boom in the early 1970’s and Larry Rathgeb, who
oversaw much of MoPar’s racing development, felt there was a market for the
fledging racer. The car could be set up for different classes and the kit would come
with everything but fuel and tires. The chassis came prefabricated for consistency
with the suspension separate.
The 340 V8 was first offered
but later replaced by the 360
V8 as the stock of 340’s dried
up.
The prototype used for testing
and development was actually
a Dodge Challenger which
was driven by Pete Hamilton
and Dale Earnhardt. Hamilton would later buy the car against the
advice from Chrysler’s engineers and actually race the car
successfully. Petty Enterprises would initially market the kit, but later
that would be handled by Performance Parts Warehouse. Once
production began, the bodies available were the 1975 Dodge Dart
Sport and Plymouth Duster. The Valiant and Dart bodies were also
made available. As the program advanced through the years, the body styles would change too, adding the Volare’ and
Aspen sheet metal. The program lasted until the mid-1980’s and be a victim of
Chrysler’s financial woes.
Surprisingly, there is very little information about
these cars available, considering the Petty
connection. Reliable sources such as the Allpar
website offered no info at all. There was an
article in a 1973 issue of Stock Car magazine
and I believe Hot Rod also did a piece around the
same time.
AMT would offer model kits of 4 of these cars,
and have recently reissued the Petty Dart and the Jim Cushman Duster.
In Memory
It is with great sadness that we have learned of the death of long time member,
Don Perkins (Dec. 14, 1941 - Mar. 4, 2016). Don was a fantastic modeler,
gifted musician and a wonderful human being.
Our condolences go out to his family.
CLUB BUSINESS SECTION
MARCH 2016
FROM THE PRESIDENT by Rockne Riddlebarger
Greetings Model Citizens! On March 5 and 6 the club participated in the 2016 Scale Model Expo at EnterTRAINment
Junction. We were represented by Liam McCreary, Bill Owen, Bob Baker, Mark Bishop, Steve Bowser, Robb Shelby and
I. We displayed models and handed out flyers for the club and for the Cincinnati Challenge. I am writing this a couple of
days before the event, so I will have a better account of it at the March meeting. I did get called to do a live TV promo for
Fox 19 on Tuesday the 1st. I had several models displayed and was interviewed about the hobby and was able to get a
plug in for the club. I’ve not seen it so I hope it was okay on the screen. In other club news, please pay your dues this
month if you have not already done so, also, don’t forget to bring money to the meeting to pay for shirts and other clothing
items ordered. It will be a contest night so I’m looking forward to seeing the usual turnout of some very great
models…….See you all on the 14th !
VP VIEWS by Randy Wilson
More than likely, by the time you read this, it will be less than a month away from the Challenge. Table requests keep
rolling in leaving no doubt, to me that we will have another sold out show.
The contract for the facility has been signed and the deposit has been paid. We still have to pay the rental fee before the
end of this month. We still need your support. I know most of you have paid your club dues. If not, please do. If you can
swing paying for a class sponsorship, that helps tremendously meet our goals of a successful show.
See ya on the 14th.
FROM THE EDITOR by Mike Jinkens
Randy Wilson and I trekked up to Columbus for the IPMS show on February 20. That show had been held at a Shriner’s
hall for many years but moved to a new location this year. The contest area was greatly improved, but the vendors were
spread all over or cramped into a small auditorium. We both picked up some new and old kits, and saw some of our other
members arrive to participate in the contest.
Also note that the HCMA show has been moved to a new location and date due complications beyond their control. Find
this info on the Final Lap page.
MEETING NOTES by Edgar Linz
Last month we had 35 members and guests and 33 models on the tables. Not bad considering the snowy weather that
night. Ian McCellan won the Raffle prize, the Revell ’29 Ford Hot Rod. Door prize winners were: John Ginandt –’55 Chevy
Bel Air, and Edgar Linz - Dodge Ram VTS
WINNER’S CIRCLE by Curtis Epperson
Hey Guys and Gals it’s March and the theme is Going Racing, I hope to have some new race stuff on the tables. Too
much other stuff going on so I hope I can finish what I am working on. See Yall Monday.
February Meeting Photos and Results
1st Curtis Epperson Bug-A-Boo funny car 2nd Curtis Epperson Dune Buggy
Theme Award: Rockne Micro Max Alison Bus
1st
2nd
THEME AWARD
3rd Dennis Tull ‘66 Karmann Ghia.
3rd
T-SHIRTS WILL BE AT THE MARCH MEETING!!!
According to my T-shirt guy, the t-shirts, etc. will be at the next meeting. Please have exact change or check to
pick up your swag at the meeting. As a reminder: t-shirts $6 Long sleeve t-shirt $10 Hoodie $19 Jacket $40
Questions? Bill Bench @ 513-907-5754
IN THE GARAGE
AIRFIX has been on upswing as of late. They have been
replacing many of their ‘classic’ kits with modern tools of several
aircraft kits. These kits have been well received by the modeling
public and by reviewers as well.
In an effort to appeal to the younger generation, AIRFIX has added the Quick-Build line of snap kits. These kits go
together like LEGO building sets and are also compatible to them. There are currently 4 automotive kits: the VW Beetle, a
Lamborghini Aventador, a Bugatti Veyron, and a McLaren P1. There are also 10 aircraft kits and 1 tank model. Prices are
a bit steep at $24.95 MSRP, but I got mine for about $20.
I was curious how well these kits looked once built.
For a kit that took 10 minutes to build, it looks quite
good. Assembly is very easy obviously, and detail is
a bit sparse, especially inside, but it does look like a
vintage VW Beetle. The plastic is pretty tough and
once built the car has some heft to it. So, once built,
it could be played with by the happy young builder.
The only faults were the dash, which looks totally
wrong for the Beetle, the front seats resemble the
male side of a LEGO block, the steering wheel is
just a circle shape on a stem, and my kit was
missing the stickers/decals.
I really enjoyed this no fuss build and was pleased with the results. I’m considering disassembly (easy) and giving a coat
of paint and chroming the proper bits.
Definitely for the beginner and I highly recommend these kits.
No scale is given but it appears to be around 1/20 or slightly
larger, maybe closer to 1/18 scale.
A little detail painting would really
enhance this kit, even as simple as it is!
Note the clear headlamps and separate hub caps.
Some of Don’s models through the years....
Don really loved drag cars and could pack a ton of detail into a small space.
He was always jovial and enjoyed sharing how he did his work with others,
He will be missed by all who knew him.
C.A.R 2016 THEMES:
Jan 14 - Odd Ball 50s-Not from the big three-contest
Feb 8 - VW Night-display/swap/gravity drags.
March 14 - Going Racing-contest
April 11 - Galaxies & Comets Night-display/swap/gravity drags.
May 9 - Cops & Robbers-contest.
June 13 - Dart Night -display/swap/gravity drags.
July 11 - 1966 (Fifty years ago)-contest
Aug 8 - Chevy Nova Night-display/swap/gravity drags.
Sept 12 - Show Rods-contest
Oct 10 - Same Kit Night - Revell ’29 Ford Model A Hotrod-display/swap/gravity drags.
Nov 14 - End of the year contest.
Dec 12 - Pizza party & Gift exchange
UPCOMING EVENTS
IPMS- Roscoe Turner - March 12, Raymond Park Middle.School 8575 East Raymond St. Indianapolis, IN 46235
Info: C.Haines 317-507-8898 chaines601@sbcglobal.net
Buckeye Classic Model Car contest and swap meet – Sunday March 20 Franklin Co. Fairgrounds
4100 Columbia St. Hilliard, OH 43026
Info: Matt Gedert-(614) 271-1948- mcgedert@gmail.com www.facebook.com/buckeyeclassic
Cincinnati Challenge – Saturday April 9 Clermont Co. Fairgrounds Multi-purpose Building 298 Locust St.
Owensville, OH 45160 Info: J.R. Wilson JRW68GT@AOL.COM (513) 831-6879 or
Rockne Riddlebarger THEMODELCITIZEN46@GMAIL.COM (513)471-0809
HCMA - May 21 Johnson County Fairgrounds, Franklin, IN Hoosier Vintage Wheels Model Car Show and Swap Meet
Hosted by the Hoosier Model Car Association (our 36th annual show)
Swap Meet: Mike O’Leary sheryll.oleary@comcast.net 317-731-5676
Contest: John White DakotaJohn@embarqmail.com 765-345-5464
Theme: Back Home Again in Indiana
Newsletter: CARTIMESEDITOR@AOL.COM
Club info: CINCINNATIAUTOREPLICAS.ORG