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| 1949 Oldsmobile Rocket 88 (Daytona Beach 1949 - WINNER): Robert 'Red' Byron was the first NASCAR Champion in 1949, driving this Olds in the Strictly Stock Series, which was to become the Grand National Series. Byron was a distinguished WWII veteran that received leg wounds during the war, which required a special set up in his car. He resumed racing after the war was over and entered NASCAR for two seasons. Afterwords, he ran a sportscar team in the 1950s. He also worked with Briggs Cunningham on the creation of his cars. Overseas Motors was an 11 state operation for the sale and distribution of foreign cars for the USA market. Model by OXFORD 1/87 |
1950 Oldsmobile Rocket 88 (Carrera Panamericana 1950 - WINNER): The section of the Pan-American Highway through Mexico was completed in 1950 and it didn’t take long for someone to organize a race on it, backed by the Mexican government as a means to promote the new road. The Carrera Pan Americana road race was born and that year it covered 2,100 miles North to South from the U.S. border, through Mexico to the border with Guatemala. Taking place over five days and nine stages. Hershel McGriff and co-driver Ray Elliott finished first in their Olds 88, averaging 88 mph. Model by TRON (kit) 1/43 |
1950 Oldsmobile Rocket 88 (Carrera Panamericana 1950 - WINNER): The stock Rocket Olds used the 'Rocket 88' straight-eight cylinder 5.0L engine, which produced 135hp. The lighter weight of the Olds gave it an advantage through the mountains and reduced wear on the brakes. The pair had a trouble free run and finished on the original brake linings, which was good because neither had mechanic skills. The 'City of Roses' is named after McGriff's hometown of Portland, Oregon, the "Rose City'. Four Oldsmobiles finished in the top seven that year. against strong opposition from Cadillac, Lincoln & Mercury and others such as Packard, Ford and Buick. Model by TRON (kit) 1/43 |
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| 1957 Chevrolet Corvette SS: John Fitch drove the Corvette SS at Sebring in 1957 in its only race, retiring after 23 laps. The SS was created by a team of Chevrolet engineers led by Zora Arkus-Duntov. They created this ultra-lightweight (1850 lbs) magnesium bodied racecar which enveloped a tubular steel space frame and was powered by a 4.6L V8 (307 bhp) capable of 183 mph. Created with Le Mans in mind, shortly after Sebring, the ban on factory-sponsored racing efforts by the Detroit manufacturers ended the SS project. Model by AUTOART 1/43 |
1958 Scarab Mk 1: An American designed, built and powered sports-racer, the Scarab convincingly won the first of many races at Santa Barbara, with owner Lance Reventhlow at the wheel. The Scarabs are built on a space frame chassis, powered by a 301 cu. in Chevrolet V8 and Corvette transmission. Scarabs were built in N. Hollywood, Ca at the shop of Warren Olsen for Reventhlow's company. Phil Remington, later of Cobra fame and Chuck Daigh both worked to develop the car, with Daigh test driving. A total of four were built. Model by SPARK 1/43 |
1960 Chevrolet Corvette: Zora Duntov talked Briggs Cunningham into entering three Corvettes at Le Mans in 1960. It was a goal of Cunningham's to win Le Mans with an American built car and by the late 50's, Duntov and Chevrolet had developed the Corvette into a decent road racer. Alfred Momo prepared the cars with GM modified 4.6L fuel-injected V8's. John Fitch and Bob Grossman drove this car, which finished 8th overall and first in class. Engine overheating slowed the Corvette, robbing Briggs of his dream. Model by SPARK 1/43 |
1962 Scarab MkIV: Designed by Troutman and Barnes the Scarab MkIV was the only Scarab with a mid-engine. It started life with a Buick V-8 used in the Scarab F1 car. After testing it on the streets of LA, Lance Reventlow raced it three times before selling the car to John Mecom, Jr in 1963. Mecom installed a Traco built 327 Chevy V8 engine (5.4L) in the car and employed A.J. Foyt to drive. Foyt drove to a win in the Govenor's Cup at Bahamas Speed Week and then in this livery, winning the American Challenge at Daytona in 1964 after an epic dual with Dan Gurney in his Lotus. The car was raced through 1964 with Walt Hansgen and Augie Pabst picking up a couple of minor wins. Model by SPARK 1/43 |
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| 1963 Chevrolet Corvette Grand Sport: Chevy answered the Cobra with this car. In 1962 Corvette chief engineer Zora Arkus-Duntov initiated a program to produce a lightweight version to battle the Cobra based on a prototype that mirrored the new 1963 Corvette, only five cars were built, with a 377 cu in. engine, producing 550 hp. This car was raced by Roger Penske, placing 3rd in the Governor's Trophy at Nassau Model by EXOTO 1/18 |
1963 Chevrolet Corvette Grand Sport: Roger Penske, Jim Hall and Hap Sharp drove this car to 3rd place at the Road America 500 in 1964. Originally they planned to enter a Chaparral 2, but not being ready, entered Penske's Grand Sport (Chassis #005) instead. It was an exciting race with the Meacom Ferrari 250 LM and Cobra of Ken Miles providing stiff competition. Model by UNIVERSAL 1/43 |
1964 Chevrolet Corvette: While the factory did not field a racing team, support for racing customers was available. This car is representative of the many BP class cars that ran in SCCA races in the USA battling Cobras and E-Types. With the fuel injected L84 V8 engine of 327 cu. in. (5.4L), produced 375 hp in stock trim and over 400 hp with racing modifications. Disc brakes for Corvette racers was a year away. Model by REVELL 1/32 |
1964 Cheetah GT Cro-Sal Special: The Cheetah was GM's answer to the Cobra and GM offered covert support to the cars designer and builders Bill Thomas and Don Edmunds. Powered by a Chevrolet 5.4L V8 (327) engine which sat back far enough in the chassis it was almost a mid-engine car. This car was the third Cheetah made and the first with a fiberglass body. It was purchased and driven by Ralph Sayler and was called the Cro-Sal Special after Sayler and mechanic Gene Crowe. It was the most successful Cheetah, having won 11 events in 1964. Its first was the American Challenge Cup, where it finished 13th. In that race, Dan Gurney set pole and fastest lap in his Lotus 19B and AJ Foyt won in a Scarab. To alleviate the heat caused by the engine, the top was cut off the car after Daytona, making it the only Cheetah roadster. Model by SPARK 1/43 |
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| 1963-66 Corvette Grand Sport: Grand Sport Chassis #001 started life in 1963 as one of the five Grand Sport Corvettes built. It did not race and was cut down to a roadster in anticipation of Daytona in 1964, under Zora Arkus-Duntov's direction. However, GM put the brakes to any racing and the cars sat until Roger Penske purchased it and installed the 427 Cu.In. (7.0L) lightweight car in 1966. Penske modified the car to keep the nose down at speed and entered the car at Sebring, with Dick Thompson and Dick Guldstrand driving. With Thompson at the wheel, he hit a Morgan on lap 65, went off course and badly bent the frame; retiring the car from its only race. Model by TSM Models 1/43 |
1967 Corvette Stingray L88: Using a basically stock 7.0L "427" big-block V8, the red, white and blue Corvette was loud and proved to be a big hit with the Paris crowds. Especially since it had been driven from Paris to Le Mans by its drivers Bob Bondurant and Dick Guldstrand; attracting bigger crowds as they got closer to Le Mans! Entered by Dana Chevrolet, the Corvette was good for 170 mph on the Mulsanne Straight and led its class until a wrist pin broke and the engine failed. Chevrolet was not to get a repeat win of Daytona and Sebring and its Le Mans story lost in the big sweep by Ford and the Mk IV's. Model by SPARK 1/43 |
1968 Chevrolet/Penske Camaro Z-28: Roger Penske built this Camaro for the 1968 SCCA Trans Am series and with driver Mark Donohue, dominated the series! Team Penske won 10 of 13 races to take the Championship, a feat they repeated the next year. The 302 cu.in. V8 produces 440 hp. The Camaro continues racing today in Historic Trans Am races. Model by SPARK 1/43 |
1969 Chevrolet Camaro Z/28: The success from the prior Trans Am season carried over into the 1969 season for Team Penske, as they put all their learned knowledge over the past two seasons in this car Mark Donohue won six of the twelve races in the series, helping Chevrolet win the Manufacturers Title. This was the last Camaro raced by Penske, as they switched to AMC Javelins in 1970. Model by SPARK 1/43 |
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| 1968 Chevrolet Corvette C3 (Le Mans 1968): Despite the AMA ban on participation in motorsports among American manufacturers, they all were involved, usually through private teams receiving direct factory support. Future GM vice-chairman and GM Europe boss at the time Bob Lutz arranged for Suderia Filipinetti to receive backdoor help from Chevrolet Engineering and two L88 Corvettes were delivered to France and entered by Filipinetti to race at Le Mans in 1968. Model by VITESSE 1/43 |
1968 Chevrolet Corvette C3 (Le Mans 1968): Once in France, the cars were prepared by Henri Greder, under supervision Zora Arkus-Duntov. The cars produced 500 hp from the 7.0L V8 and had a top speed of 191 mph on the Mulsanne Straight. Sylvain Garant and Jean-Michel Giorgi were paired to drive this car. In the 14th hour while leading the GT class, Garant crashed in the Dunlop Curves in very wet conditions and was written off. Its sister car which retired due to a blown head gasket, went on to be raced at Le Mans four more times. Model by VITESSE 1/43 |
1968 Chevrolet Corvette C3 (Le Mans 1970): Although leading its class at one point but failing to finish in its Le Mans runs in 1968 and 1969, this car was sold to Jean-Claude Aubriet, who entered the car under his Equipe Leopard banner. Jaques Bourdon was Aubriet's co-driver in the S5000 class for GT cars at Le Mans in 1970. Its 7.0L Big Block L88 V8 engine produced 560 BHP and could achieve a top speed of 190 mph, but no match for the Porsches and Ferraris. Model by VITESSE 1/43 |
1968 Chevrolet Corvette C3 (Le Mans 1970): Starting on the grid in 34th position, the pair were progressing through the race nicely, despite the very wet weather. Tragedy struck in the 5th hour however, when on lap 36 as the torrential rains began to fall at 8pm, Bourdon went off at the Esses in the downpour (poor visibility?) and the race was over for the team. Aubriet would go on to enter the car at Le Mans over the next three years. Engine problems plagued him in 1971 and 1972, but he finished 18th overall in 1973. Model by VITESSE 1/43 |
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| 1970 Chevrolet Corvette C3 (Le Mans 1970): French Corvette tuner Henri Greder had driven factory developed Corvettes at Le Mans in 1968 and 69, which he had race prepared for Scuderia Filipinetti. His near win on the Tour de France Auto had garnered him special status with Corvette god father, Zora Arkus-Duntov. For 1970, Duntov arranged for Greder to receive a production Corvette convertible and all the special parts he needed to build a new 7.0L L88 powered race car. Greder entered the car at Le Mans four more times, winning his class in 1973. Model by SPARK 1/43 |
1970 Chevrolet Corvette C3 (Le Mans 1970): Greder co-drove with Jean-Piere Rouget at Le Mans in 1970, starting on the grid in 35th position. The pair had worked their way up to 6th overall, but the torrential rains at Le Mans that year slowed the heavy car in a race whose attrition would see only seven classified finishers. Unfortunately, although running and after completing 286 laps, Greders car did not cover the required distance for cars in his class. A protest would later see the FIA awarding Greder the class win, but the ACO did not budge, but did pay him for the class win. Model by SPARK 1/43 |
1970 Chevrolet-Chaparral Camaro: 1970 was the pinacle year for muscle car development and the SCCA Trans-Am racing was being contested in full fury by all of the U.S. manufacturers. Roger Penske had left the series and the Camaro's in 1970 were built for racing by Jim Hall. The Chaparral-Camaro had a 304 cu.in. V8, which produces 475 hp and featured the new generation body style Camaro introduced that year. Hall and Vic Elford drove this car to victory at Watkins Glen and 4th place at Road America. Model by TRUE SCALE 1/43 |
1970 Chevrolet-Chaparral Camaro: Ed Leslie was the primary driver of the second Chaparral team entry in the 1970 Trans Am. The Trans Am was at its zenith, with stiff competition from Ford and AMC. The Chaparral-Camaro's had limited success due to both limited development time and weight and Chevy's best days in the series were behind it. Ed Leslie's best placing was a 2nd at Lime Rock. Three Chaparral-Camaro cars were built, the lone survivor still races in Historic Trans-Am races around the USA. Model by SPARK 1/43 |
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| 1981 Buick Regal (Riverside 400, 1981 - WINNER): Darrell Waltrip was and still is one of the most beloved drivers in NASCAR history. Over 809 starts in NASCARs Winston Cup, Waltrip scored 84 wins, 390 top-ten finishes and 59 poles. His best years were 1981-1986, when he drove for the legendary Junior Johnson. Driving for Johnson, he won the Winston Cup Drivers Championship in 1981, 1982 and 1985, scoring 12 wins in both the 1981 and 1982 seasons. His wins included the Daytona 500, five Coca-Cola 600 wins at Atlanta, Riverside and almost every other NASCAR track during his 29-year career from 1972-2000. Model by STARTER (kit built by Wayne Moyer) 1/43 |
1981 Buick Regal (Riverside 400, 1981 - WINNER): Regulation changes in 1981, required the use of mid-size car sheet metal, and Buicks redesigned the front end of their midsize Regal in 1981; with its sloping hood and nose gave the car an aerodynamic advantage. It became the most popular car in NASCAR and accounted for most of the wins in 1981-82. GM also pushed Buicks motorsports image to great advantage, with the success of the car among the top teams. Powered by a 357 Cu. In. V8 (5.9L), Darrell Waltrip drove this car to victory at the Riverside 400 in 1981, on his way to the NASCAR Championship. He would repeat as Champion in 1982, driving the Regal. Model by STARTER (kit built by Wayne Moyer) 1/43 |
1991 Chevy Lumina (Dover, 1991 - WINNER): Ken Schrader has always been one of my favortite NASCAR drivers, past and present. After winning Rookie of the Year Honors in 1985 driving for Dunleavey Racing, before moving on to Hendrick Motorsports in 1988, Schrader had his best NASCAR seasons in the early 90's. Driving this car, he finished 9th in the driver points standing during the 1991 season, with two wins, one at Atlanta and the other at Dover. As well as having the talent and skills as a driver, Schrader is an engaging personality and great ambasador for morotsports. Model by QUARTZO 1/43 |
1994 Chevrolet Lumina: In 1994, Dale Earnhardt achieved a feat that he himself had believed to be impossible, he scored his seventh Winston Cup championship, tying Richard Petty. Driving for Richard Childress Racing, Earnhardt earned the nicknames "The Man in Black" and "The Intimidator" for his aggressive driving style and his fearless approach to competition. He won 76 NASCAR races in his career, including the Daytona 500 in 1998. Unfortunately, he was killed in a last lap accident at the same track in 2001. He was one of the sports truly legendary figures. Model by RACING CHAMPIONS 1/43 |
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| 1995 Chevrolet Monte Carlo (Atlanta, 1995 - WINNER): Jeff Gordon is one of the most popular drivers in the history of NASCAR. He has won the Daytona 500 three times and the Cup series championship four times driving for Hendrick Motorsports. In 1995, Gordon won his first NASCAR Championship, only two years after his rookie season in what was the first year for the Monte Carlo, which soon dominated NASCAR. Model by QUARTZO 1/43 |
1995 Chevrolet Monte Carlo (NASCAR CHAMPION, 1995): Jeff Gordon won eight races (9 poles) on his way to his first NASCAR CChampionship in 1995, including a win at the 1995 Purolator 500 held at Atlanta Motor Speedway. Gordon went on to win the NASCAR Championship again in 1997, 1998 and 2001, all while driving for Hendrick Motorsports, who he drove for 1993-2016.. Model by QUARTZO 1/43 |
2000 Chevrolet Monte Carlo (Talladega, 2000 - Winner): Before he was tragically killed at the Daytona 500, opening race of the 2001 NASCAR season, Dale Earnhardt was on a career resurgence. Already one of NASCAR's greats, "The Intimidator" finished second in the Winston Cup Championship points in 2000, helped by his win at Talladega in this car. Model by ACTION 1/43 |
2000 Chevrolet Monte Carlo (Talladega, 2000 - Winner): 2000 was truly a "come back" year for Dale Earnhardt! The seven-time NASCAR Champion had 76 wins, 428 top-ten finishes and 22 poles over a 27-year career. In 2000 he won at Atlanta and at Talladega. He was a tough old "Iron Head". Not someone you wanted to see in your rearview mirror! Model by ACTION 1/43 |
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| 2001 Chevrolet Corvette C5-R: The C5-R is a grand touring race car base on the C5 Corvette and built by Pratt & Miller in conjunction with GM..Raced in the American Le Mans series as well as at Le Mans, the C5-R was one of the most dominant forces in GT racing. This car (Chassis #004) was driven primarily by Andy Pilgrim during the '01 season. Joining Pilgrim for the Rolex Daytona 24 Hour in 2001 were Dale Earnhardt Sr. & Jr., as well as Kelly Collins. They placed 4th overall and 2nd in class. Sadly, Dale Earnhardt, Sr. was killed a couple of weeks later in a crash at Daytona during the NASCAR race. Model by ACTION 1/43 |
2006 Chevrolet Corvette C6.R: The French team of Luc Hand Aventures entered this Corvette C6.R (Chassis #003) at Le Mans in 2008 & 2009. The entry finish 16th overall and 2nd in the GT1 class in 2009, driven by Yann Clairay, Xavier Maasen and Julien Jousse, the second straight GT1 podium finish for the team. The C6.R was built by Pratt & Miller and General Motors for competition in endurance racing in 2006, with a 7.0L V8 which produces 600 hp. Model by IXO 1/43 |
2006 Hendricks-Chevrolet Monte Carlo: I had the opportunity to drive this car at Texas Motor Speedway in the Spring of 2007. I did 30 laps in one of the 600 hp NASCAR style stock cars as part of the Richard Petty Driving Experience. I had never driven anything with that much weight and horsepower that fast. My fastest lap on the 1.5 mile oval was an average of over 153 mph. Fun!, Fun!, Fun! Model by ACTION 1/24 |
2010 Chevrolet Impala (Gatorade Duel-Daytona, 2010): Jimmie Johnson won his 5th consecutive NASCAR Championship in 2010, driving the Hendricks Racing Chevrolet Impala. Winning two poles, seventeen top 5 finishes and 23 top 10 finishes, with six wins in 2010, Johnson was named Driver of the Year for the 4th time! He had to fight for the Championship, with a dual with Denny Hamlin coming down to the season finale at Homestead. This is his car from the Gatorade Dual qualifying race for the Daytona 500, which he won the first race before a cut tire and penalty from pitting early to avoid damage in the 2nd race cost him the 500 pole. Model by ACTION 1/43 |
THE SIGNATURE PROJECT & RACING DIORAMAS
World F1 Champions 1950 - PRESENT
GREAT AUTOMOTIVE MAKES & RACING TEAMS:
AMERICAN:
CHAPARRAL
CHEVROLET & GM POWERED RACE CARS
COBRAS & DAYTONAS - SHELBY CARS
CUNNINGHAM EQUIPE - THE CARS OF BRIGGS CUNNINGHAM
FORD POWER: GT40's, MUSTANGS & MORE
MISC. AMERICAN MADE
BRITISH:
ASTON MARTIN RACE & PRODUCTION
AUSTIN HEALEY & HEALEY
BRABHAM F1 & SPORTS CARS
BRM F1 & SPORTS CARS
LOLA SPORTS RACING CARS
LOTUS F1, RACE & PRODUCTION
McLAREN RACING & PRODUCTION CARS
MG CARS - RACING & PRODUCTION
TRIUMPH RACE & PRODUCTION CARS
MISC. BRITISH MADE
FRENCH:
BUGATTI
FRENCH MADE
GERMAN & SWEDISH:
AUDI RACING
BMW RACE & PRODUCTION
MERCEDES BENZ RACE & PRODUCTION
MISC. GERMAN & SWEDISH MADE
ITALIAN & SPANISH:
ABARTH RACING
ALFA ROMEO RACE & PRODUCTION
LANCIA RACE & PRODUCTION
MASERATI RACE & PRODUCTION
MISC. ITALIAN & SPANISH MADE
JAPANESE:
DATSUN/NISSAN RACING
TOYOTA RACE & PRODUCTION CARS
MISC. JAPAN, ASIAN & AUSTRALIAN MADE
VETERAN, CLASSIC & SPECIAL INTEREST CARS All MARQUES
LAND SPEED AND ENDURANCE RECORD CARS THE TRIPLE CROWN OF ENDURANCE RACES: DRIVER TRIBUTES: PLAY BALL! - IT'S BASEBALL TIME:
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to display models in our collection as historically accurate as possible. While seeing a tobacco advert on a car gives me no more desire to go smoke than seeing a car makes me want to go
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THE 24 HOURS of LE MANS 100 YEARS - 1923-2023
THE 12 Hours of SEBRING WINNERS
THE 24 HOURS of DAYTONA WINNERS
THE OLD IRISH RACING HALL OF FAME
JUAN MANUEL FANGIO TRIBUTE
STIRLING MOSS TRIBUTE
WORLD DRIVER & CONSTRUCTORS CHAMPIONS 1950 - 1985
A TRIBUTE TO BOYHOOD HEROES AND MY DAD
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