Vintage NASCAR Models from Chuck Poi!!!

1952 Mexican Road Race Winner

Note From Chuck:
"Bill Stroppe and Clay Smith were two mechanical geniuses from California. Smith helped Ford cure oiling problems with their 6 cylinder engine after they discovered he was using one to power a race boat that was winning regattas all over the country. Stroppe built the boat and was its driver.

An all-new Lincoln and 317 cubic inch overhead valve engine debuted in '52, and these two men persuaded Ford to back them in an operation to compete in the upcoming Carrera Panamericana, or Mexican road-race. There was a class for sports cars, and one for stock passenger sedans. Because Smith had helped them earlier with the 6 cylinder engine, Ford agreed. It would be the first time a major American auto company would support stock cars in an international race event.

The running date for the third annual race was changed to October, and since the '53 model had been introduced, it was used for the 1952 race. They built up 3 cars for the sponsored team. Smith even persuaded Lincoln to put the solid-lifter truck camshaft and 3 blade fan into their parts book as an 'option' so it would be legal to use for these cars in the race. This model is of the winner in the stock car class. The Stroppe built Lincolns would win again in '53 and also the last race in '54.

I used the R&R Vacuum Craft '53 body as a base. Chassis & interior came from the '53 Ford kit from Lindberg and were heavily modified. The engine came from the AMT '56 Ford kit and was modified to resemble the Lincoln. The correct GM Hydramatic transmission came from the Revell Cadillac parts pack. The 2 black tubes close to the rear wheels were air ducts from electric blower fans mounted in the trunk. They were used to cool the rear brake backing plates.

All decals were made on my Epson printer. The numbers and Lincoln script were scanned then colorized from pictures in a Lincoln sales brochure about the 1952 race I bought at Toledo. The Mexican and correct 48 star American flags came off of the internet. I converted the back seat into a package shelf and took some liberties as to what may have been aboard the real cars. I scratch built a first aid kit, hand tool holder, water cooler, 2 cans of Mobil oil with correct '52 labels, and 1 can of Prestone anti-freenze, again with correct label which came from the internet. This was a tough car to build, but the uniqueness made the effort worthwhile."

(Note from Mr NASCAR: - As with Mike Madlinger, Chuck Poi was an inspiration to me to get into NASCAR modelling after seeing his work in Toledo in the '80's and '90's. Chuck is an original DarkSider! Chuck was also a major contributor to Motor Racing Replica News Magazine in its heyday, as the resident NASCAR expert. Thanks for sharing these great models, Chuck!

Here is info on Chuck's line of vintage resin NASCAR - his was the first resin I ever tried, with great results!:
From Chuck: "I offer resin cast bodies, kits, and parts of stock cars from '55-'72 under the name of Nostalgia Race Models. My email is Chuksducks@yahoo.com. My phone is 317-356-6770." )

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