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Post by alwaysindy on Jul 14, 2012 13:48:33 GMT -5
I've had a Jorgenson cast of this car(and several others) for quite some time. I decided that this is one of the most unusual Indy winners; the suspension is unlike any other cars I've seen. Friction shocks, no front tie rod (if somebody knows of one, please tell me-I have several shots and can't find one),wire wheels and, to me, minimal streamlining...not a roadster;Parsons rode above the driveshaft...anyway, here's the start... Any tips, insight, or suggestions are welcomed... Tim
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Post by herk56 on Jul 14, 2012 17:16:54 GMT -5
No tie rod, dual pitman arms and drag links. Parallel torsion bars front and rear. There is a sans bodywork pic in the "Indycars of Frank Kurtis" book. I have one about half-built. Got stuck on the grille, but I think I've got it figured out now. I used SEF wire wheels, not 100% accurate, but I think they'll look OK. The Grant King sprint kit has a lot of useful suspension bits for this car, R&M Co. of Maryland has some real nice friction shocks, too. I'll re-post my build pics later when I get home.
Brian
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Post by herk56 on Jul 14, 2012 17:19:41 GMT -5
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Post by Deleted on Jul 14, 2012 21:09:23 GMT -5
I ha ve also this excellent resin car from Bill jorgensen,but I have a question to the specialists. What is the real color of the wheels,at the 1950 Indy 500 race,black or red? OR Many great thanks to your answer. Greetings.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 16, 2012 0:44:15 GMT -5
I've always been fascinated by this car. I feel it is one of the most underated championship cars of all-time, let alone Indy winners. It was also one of the most succesful in that it finished 2nd in '49 as the Kurtis Kraft Spl, won in 50' as the Wynn's Friction Proofing Spl., came back to finish 2nd again as the Jim Robbin's Spl with Mike Nazaruk behind the wheel in 51', and finally finished 10th with Parsons again the pilot in 52'. In between it won six 100-milers on dirt, one with Walt Brown and five with Parsons, oh and the 1949 AAA Championship to boot! -Rick
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Post by Deleted on Jul 16, 2012 0:47:02 GMT -5
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Post by Deleted on Jul 16, 2012 0:48:17 GMT -5
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Post by Deleted on Jul 16, 2012 7:06:48 GMT -5
Rick, you are correct on all accounts. Most people don't even know Parson's won the National Championship as a ROOKIE!
This was the Frank Kurtis "house car" and the competition (read customers) were starting to become a little perturbed at losing to the "factory" mount. Kurtis shut the team down, or at least re-named it.
The little car Lee Wallard won the 1951 Indy "500" with also has a very strong winning percentage. Of course this was Tony Bettenhausen's regular ride, but he asked Bellinger for the opportunity to run a Blue Crown for the "500" and was granted.
Jim Bryan's "Dean Van Lines" Kuzma dirt car also had an OUTSTANDING record.
It takes a team of course, but some of these old sleds really have some serious history.
K
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Post by herk56 on Jul 16, 2012 15:44:30 GMT -5
bernie- the lower pic ios not raceday-he had a full wrap around windscreen. ive never seen anything to indicate that the wheels were anything other than red.. So does anyone have any pics showing this wrap-around windscreen? I have the little one almost done, but I'd rather build a "race day" car. Brian
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Post by Deleted on Jul 16, 2012 15:44:45 GMT -5
Hey Kevin,
Johnnie Parsons (correct first name spelling) was the USAC Western Zone Supervisor when I was a kid. USAC would have a western swing in March and there was always a 100-lap midget race at the San Jose Speedway (my hometown track). Bettenhausen, Kenyon, Carruthers, Bigelow, all the big names would come out and take on the BCRA hot-shots. These were Aggy promoted events and he would be in the infield waving his white stetson at the start of the event. Invariably Parsons would always be standing next to him. After the races everyone went to a local dive restaurant. JP was amazing the way he worked the room. He had Cary Grant-like charisma. Every year he'd flirt with the waitresses and bullshit with the crews, and then on his way out he'd pat me on the head and say something like "eat your vegetables young man."
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Post by Deleted on Jul 16, 2012 16:35:57 GMT -5
Yeah, any event held at the Indy Mile. All you had to do is walk down to turn 1 and he would be standing there. Usually with Roger McCluskie.
He was a class act.
There is a book about him, it is very good.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 17, 2012 15:49:17 GMT -5
bernie- the lower pic ios not raceday-he had a full wrap around windscreen. ive never seen anything to indicate that the wheels were anything other than red.. So does anyone have any pics showing this wrap-around windscreen? I have the little one almost done, but I'd rather build a "race day" car. Brian Brian, Pages 175 & 179 in Dick Wallen's Fabulous Fifties Book clearly shows the wrap around windscreen. -Rick
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Post by herk56 on Jul 17, 2012 20:24:24 GMT -5
Thanks, Rick! I'll try to find a copy.
Brian
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Post by alwaysindy on Jul 18, 2012 9:48:53 GMT -5
Guys: Man, I appreciate all the input... Brian: I can post a picture of the wraparound if you would like. Rick:THANKS for the pictures and history... Bill: I hadn't noticed but I think you're right about the air cleaners. The Etzel brake drums are a bit too large but I think the Etzel tires are just right. I'll post my wire wheel solution (fingers crossed here) later. Found my old Doak Ewing DVD of the race(The Unfinished 500");dang! I was impressed! First I noticed the windshield, then noticed that the tires said "Firestone" only ; not like the ones on the car at the Museum. A great race between Parsons, Bill Holland in a beautiful bright metallic blue Blue Crown, and Mauri Rose in a similar front wheel drive Deidt. Rose catches fire in the pits; they put it out and he jumps back in like nothing's happened! There is a bunch of fine racing before the rains come. The DVD then has a short film(commercial) about the Marquette welding bunch with some great shots of cars being welded. It then has a Ford piece because Benson Ford drove the pace car. All in all, a very interesting DVD... I'm working on the suspension today.Thanks again... Tim
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Post by alwaysindy on Jul 18, 2012 17:08:17 GMT -5
Brian: The wraparound... Kind regards, Tim
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