MAMA Sez!

Volume 22, Issue 7 March, 2009

This is the newsletter Spring has Sprung! of the Maryland Last month’s meeting comparo inside. Another $101.00, while the door Automotive Modelers was pretty low-key (as MAMA’s Boy, Rik Hov- box contributed another Association usual), but we did man- ing, also makes his pres- $89.00. Yay—we made age a spirited conversa- ence known (see pg. 5). the rent. Thanks, guys. Gotcha! 1 tion regarding themes for New Model King good- Thanks again to the fol- Chevy Comparo 2 our NNL in ‘10. Several ies, hot rod Volvos AND lowing donors: Ed suggestions were made Diesels, Don Prud- Brown, Ron Bradley, Thoughts & Prayers 4 which will be voted on homme’s ‘Tooner’ Mus- Jerry Frazier, Mike MAMA News 4 this month. tang, more auction in- Hensley, Ron Hamilton, Speakin’ of this sanity, movie star and Howard Weinstein, Model Buffet 4 month, we have pace car ‘10 Camaros, it Chris Whalley, Rich Buh-Bye Saleen? 5 MAMA’s Boy Ron Ham- just keeps getting’ better! Wilson, Replicas & T ‘n T 6 ilton to thank for his hard Peek inside for more! Miniatures Co. of MD, ‘Snake’ ‘Stang?! 8 work on the ‘57 Chevy The raffle raised and yours truly. Auction Insanity 9 customers also will face the highway traffic cone Model King News 9 Gotcha! monthly fees and pay will supplant the Oriole Hot Rods?! 12 more for new and re- as Maryland’s State The Maryland Lets Go Racin! 13 placement transponders. Bird, eh?! Transportation Author- Standard and commuter In a somewhat related ity has approved rate toll rates are unchanged. item, the PA Turnpike 2009 Meeting Schedule hikes at its seven toll fa- The authority will may soon be more aptly Meetings are scheduled for cilities. the third Saturday of the month offer a 10 percent dis- referred to as the Barce- (unless noted otherwise). Do The changes an- count for multi-axle ve- lona Turnpike if a $12.8 NOT assume meeting dates— nounced recently are ex- hicles that make more billion proposal by a confirm them with a club offi- pected to generate about than 100 trips a month Spanish toll road opera- cer! $60 million more a year January 17th through the facilities. tor is approved by the PA February 21st for the self-sustained The agency said toll Legislature. March 21st agency to help it keep up revenues go toward a PA Gov. Rendell April 25th with increasing costs as ! $3.8 billion six-year made the announcement May 16th TE NO toll traffic and revenue capital program includ- that Abertis Infraestruc- June 20th drop. ing safety, preservation, turas won the right to op- July 18th Large trucks and August 15th customer service and im- erate it on a 75-year other multi-axle vehicles September 19th provement projects. lease. They git ya comin October 17th will pay from $2 to $13 Guess that means that and goin’!! November 21st more in tolls. E-Z-Pass December 19th Inclement weather phone MAMA Sez is the official monthly publication of the Maryland Automotive Modelers Association. Articles as attributed by author and source, and may be reprinted with proper credit given. Opinions expressed are those of nobody of any importance. Any corre- number: (301) 474-5255. spondence or contributions should be sent to: Timothy Sickle, 15905 Ark Court, Bowie, Maryland 20716. Page 2 MAMA Sez!

‘57 Chevy Kit Comparo

[A Comparison between the Chevy has sparked a bit of Revell ‘57 Chevrolet 150 2-door controversy since it was Utility sedan (a.k.a. Black Widow) introduced to the modeling and the AMT ‘57 Chevrolet Bel community. Many model- Air 2-door hardtop] ers expressed concern that There has been mucho buzz the AMT tool looked a bit concerning the latest offering ‘fat’ compared to the previ- from Revell. The company has ous offering from the com- seen fit to modify its excellent ‘56 pany, which is true. From ner. Either version will take well Chevy 210 Del Ray 2-door sedan where I sit, the current AMT ‘57 to aftermarket super detailing kit into a ‘57 Chevy 150 2-door Chevy Bel Air 2 door hardtop kit parts and appropriate paint fin- utility sedan (no rear seat), with is absolutely the most detailed kit ishes to yield a contest quality en- building options as a Replica of the car ever offered. I feel that gine. Although the instructions do Stock sedan, and a period race the body in that kit is indeed very not mention it, the builder with car, with appropriate parts for ei- accurate, as the ‘57 Chevy was a both kits can build a ‘57 Chevy ther version. In doing my re- fairly “round” automobile. AMT with the following engine options search, the Revell kit, while hav- even marketed a “Pro Shop” ver- using the parts from either kit: ing some of the parts to do a pe- sion, which included engine wir- A) 283 cubic inch/220 horse- riod ‘NASCAR’ race car, is not a ing, vinyl hose for the radiator and power engine—Revell single 4- completely accurate replica of an heater, and photoetched trim. barrel carburetor, intake manifold, ‘as-raced’ car, but it is a very There are differences in kit and air cleaner, 283 engine block good start. I contend the kit will philosophy between these two. w/either the 3-speed manual trans- build into an excellent replica of AMT’s kit(s) are marketed as sin- mission or the 283 engine block the ‘Drag Race’ car that was sold gle building version kit, while the with the powerglide automatic through Chevy dealers at the time Revell offering has two building B) 283 cubic inch/245 horse- for sanctioned events. versions. Lets take a look at them. power engine—AMT dual 4- Add drag slicks and decals, and Engine: The Revell kit has barrel carburetors, intake mani- you’re good to go. two engine induction options in- fold, and unique air cleaner, 283 Upon opening the box, I was cluded—the single 4-barrel car- engine block w/either the 3-speed impressed to see that Revell has buretor and attendant parts, and manual or the 283 executed a near-perfect replica of the Rochester “Ramjet” Fuel In- engine block with the powerglide the ‘57 Chevy 150 Series 2-door jection and attendant parts, as well automatic sedan body. To my eye, the over- as a ‘283’ engine block with a C) 283 cubic inch/270 horse- all shape and proportion of this Powerglide automatic transmis- power Engine—AMT dual 4- car capture the intended subject. I sion, and a ‘283’ engine block barrel carburetors, intake mani- did a test fit of the hood and fas- with a 3-speed manual transmis- fold, and unique air cleaner, 283 cias, and they lined up to the body sion. The common parts are engine block w/ the 3-speed man- very well. The body has a few shared with either engine block. ual transmission mold lines, but they are easily ad- The AMT kit has a single engine D) 283 cubic inch/250 horse- dressed. I couldn’t help but com- option, the dual 4-barrel carbu- power engine—Revell Rochester pare this kit to the last tool of the reted ‘283’ engine with a 3-speed “Ramjet” Fuel Injection system, AMT ‘57 Chevy 2-door hardtop, . In all cases, intake manifold, unique air which, in my opinion, is also an the kit’s offering is accurate, well cleaner, and air induction setup, excellent kit. engraved, and represents the sub- 283 engine block w/either the 3- ject matter in an impeccable man- The latest tool of the AMT ‘57 (Continued on page 3) Volume 22, Issue 7 March, 2009 Page 3

1,” but there are no period available for the ‘57 Chevy Bel Comparo (contd) racing modifications in the Air 2-door hardtop model series. chassis assembly, so they The AMT kit has added detail, in (Continued from page 2) must be provided by the builder. that it has an opening trunk, and speed manual transmission or the Wheels and Tires: The Rev- that area is very well detailed. On 283 engine block with the power- ell kit has a single set of ‘no the Revell kit, a four-point roll bar glide automatic name’ black wall tires, which and a tachometer are included for E) 283 cubic inch/283 horse- mount onto a set of six-lug steel the racing version. Again, in or- power engine—Revell Rochester wheels. In the one-to-one world, der for the builder to make an ac- “Ramjet” Fuel Injection system, these wheels were sourced from a curate ‘NASCAR’ type race car, intake manifold, unique air ½ ton Chevy truck of the era for a there needs to be some modifica- cleaner, and air induction setup, ‘heavy duty’ (racing) application. tion of some of the interior com- 283 engine block w/ the 3-speed A separate ‘57 Chevy ‘dog dish’ ponents. A bit of research is manual transmission hub cap is provided to cover the needed to yield an accurate replica AMT has a ‘Street Machine’ lugs for the “Replica Stock” appli- race car interior. version of their ‘57 Chevy Bel Air cation. The AMT kit has a very Body Assembly: Both kits 2-door hardtop which includes a nice set of BF Goodrich Silver- include well proportioned, well- big block Chevy engine which is town tires with a plastic white engraved bodies with very crisp, available as a separate kit, not wall insert, which mount onto a but faint emblems. The ‘glass’ covered in this review, but is ‘57 Chevy full wheel cover with a while scale thick, fits well in the adaptable to the Revell kit with separate spinner. Both kits in- body of each car. The Revell kit very little alteration. clude wheel backs with rudimen- includes rear side window glass, Chassis: The Revell kit’s tary brake drum and inner wheel which should be installed, as roll chassis is very well engraved, but detail which mount to the appro- down rear quarter glass was not fairly simplified in comparison to priate axle(s). included on the Utility Sedan. the AMT kit chassis. The floor- Interior Detail: Both kits Both kits have excellent under- boards and frame are cast as a sin- have very well detailed renditions hood detail, but the AMT kit in- gle unit, with separate upper con- of the interior for the model series cludes separate inner fenders and trol arms, steering box, coil of the car represented by the kit, air intake hoses, heater hoses, as springs, a lower control arm/ and both are excellent renditions well as instructions on how to spindles/sway bar/tie rod/engine of a “Replica Stock” version of paint the various wires on the fire- support unit, dual exhausts, a rear the kit. Both kits have well- wall. Both kits include separate fuel tank/spare tire well unit, two engraved side panels, seats (front chrome trim for the windshield piece rear differential, rear shocks only for the Revell kit), a wipers, hood, door handles, head and leaf springs. The AMT kit dashboard and steering wheel, and tail lamp bezels, etc. How- chassis has a separate frame and which make detail very easy. The ever, the builder has to add floorboard, as well as a very de- Revell kit includes decals for the chrome trim for the window sur- tailed front suspension with sepa- instrument panel gauges, and sil- rounds and body side trim. The rate suspension pieces. Either ver ‘cloth’ front seat upholstery AMT kit includes a set of acces- chassis can be detail painted to and door panels for the 150 series sory fender skirts, while the Rev- yield an accurate rendition of a ‘Utility Sedan,’ while the AMT ell kit includes blanks for the “Replica Stock” ‘57 Chevy chas- kit makes do with letting the headlamps and back up lamps. sis, but with its separate front sus- builder choose a paint color on its All in all, either kit should be pension components and frame, “Bel Air” interior trim. Included a satisfying build for aficionados the AMT unit outshines the Revell in the AMT instructions is a color of the ‘57 Chevy. While the AMT unit. Either one will build into a chart, and instructions on how to kit has more detail, the Revell kit fine “Replica Stock” unit. The apply the appropriate colors for offers a model version of the car Revell kit is marketed as a “2 ‘n the interior combination that were (Continued on page 5) Page 4 MAMA Sez!

at the hospital, Ron underwent a Condolences and Well Wishes multiple vessel bypass surgery! From e-mail updates that I’ve Sadly, master modeler Lee eration of several hours’ duration, received from club Prez Lyle, Ron Baker, 82, died in early March. and is currently recuperating at has been up and moving around While I didn’t know Lee, I knew home. every day (several times a day), in of him. I believe he had an affin- Ron Bradley suffered a heart order to speed his recovery. His ity for all things Deusenberg, and attack at the March CPMCC recuperation may take a bit, so may actually have done some model meeting! Thankfully, their let’s all pitch in to help Ron and work for Art Anderson (‘way meeting is held at a local fire hall, Gracie take care of business, OK? back) of All American models no- and paramedics were on hand and Condolences to the family of toriety. readily available to tend to him Lee Baker, and let’s keep our fel- Harold Bradford’s wife, Su- and transport him to the local hos- low MAMA members in our sanne, recently underwent an op- pital ASAP. Turns out that once thoughts, OK?

MAMA News!

‘Long Distance’ MAMA’s Boy Rik Hoving was here re- cently! Well, not here exactly. Ac- cording to MAMA Prez Lyle Wil- lits, he apparently ‘snuck’ into the country showing up in sunny Cali- fornia at the Grand National Roadster show. As the enclosed picture will attest, he actually got to sit in the restored Hirohate Merc!! Looks like the cat that ate the canary, don’t he?! Thanks to Lyle for the scoop. We’re all VERY jealous, Rik!!

rossa. Brad also intimated that something you like, contact the Model Buffet these kits would most likely be company. If you find something curbsides. All this and the M-B that everyone might want to know In a recent conversation of 300SLR roadster is now available about, send it to me for inclusion Historic Racing Miniatures’ pro- (with decals, to boot). Looks like in a future column! prietor, Harold Bradford, Brad let Brad is conspiring to keep a slip a few of his upcoming pro- buncha you guys busy (and jects, presented here to prepare poor, to boot?!). More info you: SP , Maserati when it’s available. 450S roadster, Mexican As usual, a special road racer, and right-hand rive thanks goes to Matt Guil- conversions for the foyle for creating this mon- GTO and Ferrari TR250 Testa- ster of a column. If you see Volume 22, Issue 7 March, 2009 Page 5

planned to leave by Theodore says he’s optimistic Buh-Bye Saleen?! the end of February. that the new owners can put He said he was work- Saleen on solid footing, noting The future of specialty car- ing to sell off the final parts of that he worked with one of them maker Saleen Inc. is getting a lit- Saleen. at Chrysler, though we wouldn’t tle clearer: Most of the company The new owners plan to con- reveal the identity. was sold to a Michigan group last tinue with Saleen’s value perform- Unclear is what shape Saleen week after being on the block ance brand, Racecraft, for the ‘10 will take in the future. All of its since November. Mustang with the goal of having employees were laid off, but some An entity called MJ Acquisi- something ready in April. are being rehired. It’s also not tions, which owns parts and en- They’re also looking to add a ver- known whether the company’s gine companies in Michigan, sion of the S-Line for the new leased headquarters in suburban bought Saleen’s performance pony car as well, perhaps for the Detroit will be of use to the new street-car program, supercharger third quarter. owners. and aftermarket business from Saleen has been synonymous Anything you buy from the Los Angeles private-investment with speedy ’Stangs since ‘84. MJ Acquisitions-owned parts of firm Hancock Park Associates. The company was founded by Saleen on or after Feb. 2nd will be Terms were not revealed. race-car driver Steve Saleen, and covered by a 12-month/12,000- Saleen’s supercars, the S7 it has been responsible for some mile warranty. and the S5 Raptor concept, and of the more enduring performance However, since Saleen Inc. the Viper paint-shop operation, versions of Ford cars over the past has ceased operations, anything were not included in the deal and two decades, including the recent purchased before Feb. 2nd will remain with Hancock for now. Dark Horse, Gurney Signature and not be covered under warranty. ASC, a sister company of Sterling editions. So if you own a Saleen car or part Saleen also owned by Hancock, Lately, however, the company sold before that date and some- was not part of the sale. has been in flux, with founder thing goes wrong with your car or Chris Theodore, a former Ford Saleen leaving in ‘07 and a num- part that is not covered under the and Chrysler exec, stepped down ber of other top execs departing Ford part of your warranty, then as Saleen president, saying he last year. you are out of luck.—Sorry!

will be in wider distribution. Comparo (contd) By the way, if you have to have a ‘57 Chevy Bel Air 2- (Continued from page 3) door hardtop, and cannot locate that has never before offered in kit this particular AMT kit, Revell form, and should be a very good marketed an excellent, curbside seller for them. To be fair, the ‘57 Chevy Bel Air 2-door hardtop AMT kit has been on the market a few years back in its “Wheels of for several years, and may not be Fire” series, and there is a rumor yield a fine replica of the iconic readily available at the normal re- that AMT is going to bring back ‘57 Chevy. tail establishment, but the Revell to market the previous tool of the by: Ron Hamilton kit is just hitting the market, and ‘57 Chevy Bel Air 2-door hardtop, (It should be noted here that since which was a very nice kit tooled their release in late March, that in the 60s, and to many modelers, Ron Bradley has dealt better than the best rendition of that car. 4 cases of this kit! That is within With the use of a few after- the first month of its release! market detail pieces, proper re- Looks like Revell may have an- search and painting, either kit will other winner on their hands.) Page 6 MAMA Sez!

duced high-performance ‘toys.’ This n That All engineers have been rede- ployed. “All high-performance New Stuff! Here is a list of projects are on indefinite hold,” a kits that Autoworld Round 2 an- spokesman said. “The engineers nounced at the recent NY Toy are moving into different areas of Fair: ‘06 Chevy Camaro, USA1 the organization, and they will 4x4 Monster Truck, ‘55 Chevy work on Cadillacs, Buicks, Cameo, ‘68 Shelby GT500, ‘70 Chevies and Pontiacs.” The unit 1/2 Camaro Z28, ‘66 Chevy Nova created low-volume vehicles for well as the ‘63 with its split rear Pro Street, ‘55 Chevy Nomad, ‘57 GM’s divisions designed to appeal window. It was designed in GMs’ Bel Air (older issue?), ‘33 Willys to enthusiasts and bolster the com- infamous, secretive Studio X, and Coupe (all limited production), pany’s image. Products included caught the eye of Transformers ‘69 Dodge Daytona, ‘67 Pontiac V-series Caddys and the Chevy director Michael Bay—landing it GTO, ‘72 Pontiac GTO, ‘86 Cobalt SS, HHR SS and a V-8 a role in the movie that opens in Chevy El Camino (all limited pro- version of the Colorado. The June. As sexy (?!) as it may look, duction MPC box art). Best of all, HPVO unit could be reinstated don’t expect to ever see it on the it appears as though they will be a once GM regains financial health. road. GM design boss Ed Welburn dollar cheaper than their previ- A spokesman said there are no wouldn’t say if it could be a hint ous kits. Whatta deal! Speakin’ plans for high-performance ver- of future Vettes. “This is purely a of new stuff, word is that the Rev- sions of upcoming cars. The concept—I like our designers to ell ‘57 Black Widow Chevy is FI- move is in the spirit of GM’s vi- feel free to bring forward ideas,” NALLY out, and Ron Bradley ability plan recently delivered to he said. He was also coy about tells me that he has already sold the U.S. Treasury Department. In the next-gen Vette development, FOUR CASES of ‘em, with one the plan, GM said its future- hinting that a design team “has of the first customers on record in product focus is on fuel-efficient explored that quite a bit,” in this area being none other than cars and crossovers…Bumblebee reference to creating drawings. Ron Hamilton. Can’t wait to see Transformers Co-Stars?! The It’s unclear when it will arrive. It what he thinks of Stingray is back doesn’t run and was revealed by it…GM’s ‘Toy for an encore pulling off a tarp—in contrast to Store’ “Going Out performance, but the Camaro concept, which of Business?!” unfortunately for thundered onto the stage. The GM’s High Per- enthusiasts. only in Camaro is again cast in the role of formance Vehicle the movies. A Bumblebee. These two will be Operations styling concept joined by the Chevy Volt, which (HPVO), which dreamed up by plays Jolt, and the Chevy Beat created vehicles Corvette designers (Skids) and Trax (Mudflap)… such as the Chevy two years ago and Talk About Yer Copycats!? HHR SS, has been revealed at the Remember Toyota ‘cloning’ disbanded. GM, Chicago auto show GM’s Onstar service last month? focusing on main- will star as Well, now, it’s Ford’s turn in the stream products in Sideswipe in hot seat. Toyota recently debuted a battle to survive, Transformers: a freshened ‘10 Tundra. Among has scrapped THE Revenge of the improvements are a new Platinum unit based at the Fallen. It draws package (shades of Ford’s 150!!), company’s subur- cues from the updated appearance and new 4.6- ban Detroit tech original ‘59 liter option. The center that pro- Stingray racer, as (Continued on page 7) Volume 22, Issue 7 March, 2009 Page 7

across the rocker panels. T n T (contd) Rounding out the exterior are a ZR1 rear spoiler and chrome (Continued from page 6) wheels, while a faux carbon-fiber premium Platinum package will engine cover with yellow Corvette be offered on CrewMax Limited lettering tops the engine models with the 5.7-liter V8. On compartment. Inside, the black the outside, a billet-style grille, leather interior features yellow chrome bumpers, special 20-inch stitching and GT1 embroidering wheels, door sill protectors and on the seats, dash and center This will be the fifth time the Platinum badges distinguish the armrest. The GT1 CEC will be Camaro has paced the race (it was truck from others. Inside, the available in black or yellow on the lasted used in ‘93). It’s powered Platinum option adds a power base coupe, convertible and Z06. by a 426 hp 6.3-liter V8, hooked driver’s seat with memory, puddle One hundred examples of each to a six-speed transmission. The lamps, moonroof, nav, unique version in each color will be only changes made to the vented leather seats and wood- produced for total of 600 cars. production car for pace duty is the trim shift knob and door trim. Coupes and convertibles are addition of strobe lights. Chevy’s The package costs $5,140, in standard with the Z51 package two-seater has paced the 500 10 addition to the price of the base (stiffer suspension tuning, larger times (six of the past seven truck. Toyota brings a new 4.6- brakes with cross-drilled rotors). years)—the first being the ‘78 liter V8 with 310 hp, which The six-speed automatic is race…Pricey R8. Which would replaces the 4.7-liter V8 as the optional for base cars. The new you pay more for—a V10- mid-range powerplant choice. limited-edition package is a powered Audi R8 or the new Toyota estimates fuel economy at $7,480 option to push base coupe Ferrari California? At the third 15 city and 20 highway. It shares prices to $65,310 and $71,815 for annual Boca Raton Concours the six-speed autoshifter with the convertibles, while the Z06 begins d’Elegance recently, the Audi 5.7-liter V8. Has Toyota finally at $86,385. The Corvette GT1 R8—the first one in the U.S. run out of good ideas, except to CEC makes its public debut equipped with the 5.2-liter V10— copy GM’s and Ford’s ‘Better during the was the winner in a charity Ideas?’…Racy Vette. With the weekend in March. During its auction, selling for $500,000, well factory Vettes bowing out of GT1 successful competition run, the above the car’s $180,000 sticker. endurance racing in ‘09, Chevy Corvette GT1 program collected Meanwhile, the Ferrari California sees the program off with the eight GT1 championships in the was snapped up for $350,000, a Corvette GT1 Championship American Le Mans series and bit more than its $225,000 sticker. Edition. The limited-edition road five class championships at the 24 Overall, the event raised $1+ cars begin production in the spring Hours of Le Mans. For its final million for the Boys and Girls and include C6.R-style graphics GT1 outing, the C6.R will go for a Clubs. Race driver and team with the “Jake” Corvette Racing sixth class championship at Le owner Bobby Rahal was given the mascot on the hood, a Corvette Mans in June…Is Anyone Automotive Lifetime windshield decal and labeling REALLY Surprised? The Achievement award during the Corvette’s five-year reign as the weekend event (Thanks to the pace car for the Indy 500 has Washington Times, autoweek.com, come to an end. The Indy Motor and other Internet sources for this Speedway announced that the insanity! Ya just cant make some pace car for this year’s race on of this up!! Thanks also to those of May 24th will be the reborn you in the Peanut Gallery who Camaro (Wonder how much GM have attempted to help me had to do with this decision?!). entertain y’all by sending stuff along—I ‘preciate it!) Page 8 MAMA Sez!

veiled at SEMA. The Prud- ‘NOTHER Tuner Mustang?! homme-Shelby is built to surpass that Mustang and anything else This isn’t a wheels-and-wings, 800-plus hp on 109-octane racing that gets in its way, with a limited-edition Mustang kit. gas, the car will crank out ’only’ claimed quarter-mile time of less Horsepower entrepreneur Carroll 750 hp on 93-octane pump gas. than 10 seconds. Shelby and drag-racing legend Shelby claims the car is street le- The car shown had slicks and Don Prudhomme teamed up to gal and will even pass smog at the skinny front tires that might not produce the Prudhomme Edition 750-hp level. have been too road-worthy in the Shelby Super Snake, an 800-hp The car was unveiled at the street-legal part of those claims. monster Mustang based on ‘07 NHRA Motorsports Museum in But that likely won’t matter too and later Shelby GT500s. Pomona, CA, on the first day of much to buyers of the beast, who The Snake features a Kenny qualifying for the NHRA season certainly will plan to race it. Bell/Shelby supercharger under a opener. The sticker price is $149,995, custom forward-tilting fiberglass Ironically, Ford representa- or $99,995 if you provide the do- hood. There’s also a big wing on tives were making passes on the nor GT500. Only 100 of these cars the back. track earlier in the day in the new will be made. Want to put in an Though they say it will make Cobra Jet Mustang that was un- order? Go to www.shelbyautos.com.

may take up to 30 established competitors in the Crane Cams Gone?! days. process. Crane’s Robinson’s success helped the Well-known cam shafts com- parts have become synonymous company gain recognition pany Crane Cams shut down Feb. with performance and have been throughout the 60s as racing grew 24th for restructuring but says it used by A. J. Foyt, the Wood and the Detroit automakers plans to reopen, likely sometime Brothers, Bill Elliott, Richard thrived. in March. All of the company’s Petty and many other well-known In late ‘06, Crane was ac- 280 workers were laid off, though drivers. quired by Mikronite Technologies about 25 remain to work on mili- The 56-year-old company first Group Inc., and Leva said $18 tary contracts. The closure was in made a splash at the ‘61 NHRA million has been invested in response to the global economic nationals, when a using equipment since the acquisition. problems, said vice president Crane roller cams was piloted by Recently, the Daytona Beach Steve Leva. He said the Daytona “Sneaky” Pete Robinson to the News-Journal reported that Crane Beach, Fla., company planned to Top Eliminator award, breaking was closing, though more details reopen in as soon as a week, or it records and upsetting more- were not available at that time. Volume 22, Issue 7 March, 2009 Page 9

fraudulent document origi- block: the General Lee. This ‘69 Auction Insanity nated, but the original story Charger is from the personal col- is that it was discovered lection of John ‘Bo Duke’ Elvis had a burnin’ love for between the carpet and the floor Schneider. This car is one of four cars—but a ‘71 Plymouth Barra- by a mechanic. Auction organizers used in the Behind the Scenes cuda headed for a Texas auction would not release the name of the with Bo DVD, and it has been isn’t his. current owner. used for charities and photo Organizers thought it was a “We had done everything we shoots. Bo, err, Schneider, is will- nice hunk of Mopar muscle could on our end…We definitely ing to talk with or e-mail any seri- bought by the King himself for a don’t want to mislead anyone,” ous buyer. female friend. It even had a title said Jennifer Tetley, a spokes- A ‘36 Lincoln V12 K Model with a matching VIN listing one woman for the Dan Kruse-Leake Boat Tail Speedster custom built Elvis Aaron Presley as the owner. Collector Car Show & Auction. by Howard Hughes for use as his But upon closer inspection, it Now the car will simply be personal limo also is for sale. was determined that the title is sold as a ‘71 ‘Cuda—which for And in keeping with the star- fake—because it has eight digits enthusiasts is still a nice pickup. studded theme, Kruse-Leake sold instead of nine. The auction will be at the Alamo- Toby Keith’s 1930 Lincoln Model Suspicious minds prevailed. dome in San Antonio. L last month for $89,640 at an It’s not known where the Also expected to cross the auction in Oklahoma City.

Coming soon to a vendor near MORE Model King Goodies you—Get ‘em while they’re hot! Page 10 MAMA Sez! Volume 22, Issue 7 March, 2009 Page 11 Page 12 MAMA Sez!

were promoted as an event where Hot Rod Volvos AND Diesels?! fans could come and “watch the fastest diesel-powered Volvo will vie for pickup truck in the the Speed GT manufac- world”—and the Banks turers' championship truck lived up to it. this year after K-Pax/3R Run stats: 7.7708 Racing announced it Seconds @ 180.00 mph. will compete with the The Banks Side- Volvo S60. winder S-10 proved its K-Pax/3R had driven mettle by making multi- the Porsche 911 GT3. ple 7-second passes The move puts Volvo in which brought the crowd competition against to its’ feet every run. No Ford, Porsche and Viper. other machine at the meet Volvo has had a ran as fast or as consis- handful of entries since tently. ‘04, and won one race, in ‘06. Meanwhile, Gale Banks is at The Banks crew used the Randy Pobst won the GT title it again. Think diesels aren’t fast? event to further refine the engine last season for K-Pax in a Porsche. Wes Anderson pushed his diesel- controls that Banks has designed The Speed World Challenge powered Chevy S10 pickup to 180 for GM’s 6.6-liter Duramax V8 season opens March 18-20 at Se- mph. diesel. Several parts also will be bring. Performance-parts guru Gale used on Banks’ new Top Diesel Banks Engineering’s Chevy S10 Dragster (?!) in the near future. Duramax 1200+ Additionally, the electronic con- hp/1200+ lb-ft Twin- trol unit will be used in the com- Turbo diesel-powered pany’s new Marine Engines prod- pickup turned in a 180- ucts. Try here for more info: mph run that made it the http://www.galebanks.com/. first-ever diesel pickup to reach that speed in the quarter-mile. The record run took place with driver Wes Anderson at the wheel at the NHRDA Desert Diesel Nationals at the Speedworld Dragstrip in Wittman, AZ. The Nationals Volume 22, Issue 7 March, 2009 Page 13

Mar. 25th to 29th— mal—T-Bird, Firebird, Hawk, Nationals, in Reston, VA. Cus- etc.), and a Subtheme of Com- tom contest, souvenir car, room pact Cars (Anything from Pin- March 21st & 22nd—Masscar to room trading, autograph ses- tos & Novas to Civics & 21st Annual Model Exhibition sions. Advanced ticket re- WRXs). Info: Tom Geiger, (732) (featuring new military classes), quired—tickets not sold at door. 264-9305 (7-10 p.m. weekdays), at the Holiday Inn in Taunton, April 18th—23rd Annual NNL [email protected], or MA. Get-Together/Italian Feast East from 9 am to 4 pm at the www.nnleast.com. on the 21st. Vendor/military Wayne PAL Building, 100 Pal April 22nd to 26th—Spring class info—Stu Marcus, (603) Drive, Wayne, NJ. Theme— Carlisle Collector Car Swap 382-9724; Show info—Ed Fins & Feathers (tailfins, Meet & Corral DaRosa, (717) 413-8668. sharkfins, any feathered ani- Get Busy on those projects!

cently that, effective immedi- ‘09 anyway, but was hoping to do Let’s Go Racin’! ately, he will retire from profes- it at the end of the season, not in sional race driving. He will March. Due to the global eco- An ethnically diverse group of continue to work as a consultant nomic downturn, he couldn’t put five men and seven women were and driving coach for individual together a program for ‘09. chosen to hear Helio Castroneves’ drivers and teams, and for World He made his mark at Le Mans, federal tax evasion case in U.S. Class Driving, where he is driving first appearing in ‘82, with his last District Court in Miami. It is ex- director. start coming 20 years later in ‘02. pected to last four to six weeks. A native of Belgium, he rose He finished third in ‘99 with Audi Castroneves, his sister and from modest means and a family Sport Team Joest, and he was on business manager, Kati, and an with no connections in the sport. pole in ‘96 in a Joest TWR Por- attorney, Alan R. Miller, were in- He took out a bank loan in ‘78 for sche LMP1 car. dicted in November on allegations his first Formula Ford champion- He won the 24 Hours of Spa in of using offshore accounts to ship, and built a successful career ‘87 in a factory BMW, while his avoid paying taxes on more than at the top of the sport for 30+ final win was at the 1,000 Kilome- $5 million in Castroneves’ Penske years. A long-time resident of ters of Monza in ‘07, in Horag Racing wages from ‘99 to ‘04. Scottsdale, AZ, he recorded 61 Racing’s Lola-Judd LMP2 car. He claims he relied on experts podium finishes in sports-car rac- Before focusing on endurance to advise him on the handling of ing the world over, with 18 wins, racing, he was successful in for- his money. He also says his fa- 22 second- and 21 third-place fin- mula cars in the 80s and early 90s. ther, Helio Castroneves Sr., con- ishes. He was the Grand-Am Ro- He competed in 47 CART World trolled the account at the center of lex Series champ in ‘02, finished Series races, and made three Indy the prosecution’s case, Seven Pro- third in ‘01, and runner-up in ‘00. 500 starts (‘89, ‘90 and ‘93), with motions, and that the money the He is a two-time winner of the his best finish a third in Miami. company received was repayment Rolex 24 Hours at Daytona (‘98 He was the Indy Lights champ for the investment his father made in the MOMO Ferrari, and ‘02 in in ‘87; the Super Vee champ in in his racing career. Sr. owned a the Doran Lista Dallara-Judd). ‘86; raced in Europe’s Formula stock-car team in Brazil before his In ‘98, he also won the American Two/Three series; finished third in son began racing. He financed Le Mans series’ biggest race, the the ‘85 Monaco F3 Grand Prix; and promoted his son’s career Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Se- won two Formula Ford champion- long before he became a two-time bring, in the Ferrari, as well as the ships; won his first of six overall Indy 500 winner and “Dancing Six Hours of Watkins Glen. He karting championships, the Bel- With the Stars” champ. has the most wins of anyone in a gium Karting Championship, in Popular sports-car racing vet- Ferrari 333 SP, at 10. ‘77. All in all, an impressive ca- eran Didier Theys, 52, said re- He was planning on retiring in reer. r of the 1/24th and/or 1/25th scales, Revell This is the newslette e Modelers Maryland Automotiv Classifieds 1/32nd scale ‘70 T/A kits, ‘84-’87 Association MPC Fieros, and ‘70 -‘81 Firebird Formulas and T/As, ‘82 KITT Chapter Contact: WANTED: I’m gonna do the Timothy Sickle equivalent of throwing chum into Firebirds, Polar Lights funny cars, 15905 Ark Court shark-infested waters, if you’ll empty Pontiac kit boxes. Would Bowie, Maryland 20716 Phone: 301-249-3830 pardon the analogy. I am looking also like to buy or borrow old Email: [email protected] to purchase mint, unbuilt and/or AMT/MPC/Monogram/Revell rebuildable GTOs, specifically ‘68 model car catalogs. Contact Tim MAMA’s BoyZ do it in scale! MPC hardtops and convertibles, Sickle at [email protected], or and ‘71 hardtops. I also have an see me at a meeting. Thanks! extensive collection to trade from, FOR SALE/TRADE: including but not limited to some Thinning/narrowing focus, not mint, unbuilt kits such as an MPC quitting. Contact Tim Sickle. “New” Stuff this month: ‘71 Demon, and ‘77 Volare. Also Got an ad? E-mail me, and we’ll want 1/8th scale Monogram ‘79 Revell ‘69 Yenko Nova see if we can fit it in! Revell ‘57 Black T/A & ‘81 Firebird (snap), and Widow Chevy Revell Sunbird & Formula con- Revell ‘62 Corvette con- vertible, 5-spoke & vertible—CANCELLED Minilite-style wheels, We’re on the web! Auto World/Round 2 ‘50 in both 1/32nd and http://www.mamasboyz.org/ Merc (snap) Auto World/Round 2 ‘33 Willys (snap) Directions

From the Baltimore Beltway (RT 695): Take Exit 7, Route 295 Websites (Baltimore-Washington Parkway) south towards Washington approx. Carlisle Events: 18 miles to Route 193 (Greenbelt http://www.carlisleevents.com Road), and exit. When on the off- East Coast Indoor Nationals ramp, stay to the right and merge (Timonium, MD): right onto Southway (see below). Once on Southway: Go www/eastcoastindoornats.com straight to the second (2nd) STOP Maple Grove Raceway: http:// From the Washington Belt- sign. Make a left onto Crescent www.maplegroveraceway.com/ way (RT 495/95): Take Exit 22 road. Go to the STOP sign and Philly Area Car Modelers: http:// north, towards Baltimore. Stay in make a right into the parking lot www.pacms.org/ the right lane and take the first exit behind the Greenbelt Library. Maryland Intl Raceway: onto Route 193 (Greenbelt Road). Once in parking lot, look to the http://www.mirdrag.com/ When on the off-ramp, bear to the right. The large, white building is Old Toyland Shows: http:// right and take Greenbelt road west, the Greenbelt Community Center. www.oldtoylandshows.com/. towards College Park. Stay in the Enter building using the doors near York US30 Musclecar Madness: right lane and immediately after fenced tot lot. The multi-purpose www.yorkus30.com passing over the Parkway, make a room is on the second floor. There right (at the light) onto Southway is an elevator to the left of the en- (read on!) trance.

President: Lyle Willits Treasurer: Matt Guilfoyle Club Contact [email protected] [email protected] Vice President: Tim Powers Newsletter Editor: Tim Sickle Info [email protected] [email protected]