Gearbox is back!

Good old "Hewland DG300-59" is back. Rolled in about 5am this morning from the Mid-West and set the alarm for 7am, can't miss the F1 race. Picked it up just west of Indy, it sure looks nice. Mark did a great job.

All the parts in the photo where replaced. He said the case was in excellent condition, it almost looked like it was only used once or twice, but needed updating. However, many parts had surface rust. I guess that 's what happens, sitting in a warehouse for 30+ years.

Paint's done.

I had hoped to complete the painting by the end of the summer. It's done. As for retaining history, most decals where removed and sanding had already started at the end of the race season in 1975. But I was able to save one thing, the #13 on the air intake scoop(as seen in Long Beach in 1975), it's painted and not a decal. In a week or so it's back to the tub, fuel cells, brake hardware.

Nose completed

Worked on the car a little over the weekend. Polished the nose, that's done. Polishing the body now, that will be done today. Also will shoot the clear today on the misc. parts, air intake etc.

At last, the paint is amost done.

The main body has been clear coated as well as the nose. A little lite sanding with 1500, then some buffing and it will be all done. The final color coats are completed on the wings, air box and gas tank doors. If the weather stays dry, I'll clear coat them today.

Fuel cell modifications

The Lola T192 came with 3 fuel cells holding 30 gallons total, 2 on either side of the driver and one in the right rear. Back in the day these races would last over and hour with no pit stops. Today in vintage racing maybe around 20 minutes. I replaced the 2 cells in the front and eliminated the rear one. However the newer designed required the fuel nipple to be placed 1" off the corner. So the tub cavity holding the fuel cell and to be opened up where the nipple exited and moved rearward for the new placement.

Body panels painted.

All the side panels are painted and polished. As with everything else, it took much longer then I anticipated. Hung them on the car just to see how they look. I'll remove them, cover them up and place them in storage till next year.

Nose decals

Just laying some decals on to see how they look. Ed Justice Jr. provided the NOS JB decal and I'm working on the reproduction of the "AUTOMOTIVE CHEMICALS" decals. The nose still needs clear coat and buffing and the outer wings a couple of more coats of yellow.

Road America 2008 Formula 5000 Reunion

Road America was great. Lots of F5000 cars and a dozen or so drivers from the original series.Looking forward to Watkins Glen in September. Things haven't changed much, still painting and plating. Must get all the paint work done including the spares before winter comes. Did get some good news, the gearbox is done. Now the last big expense is the engine

F5000 drivers from the 1970's series.

Drivers at the F5000 tent Road America 2008

Left, front to back.Kurt Reinold, Jim Gustafson, Eric Haga, Sam Posey, Davey Jordan, Lou Sell,Lyle Forsgren, Gus Hutchison, Jerry Entin, Brian Redman and George Follmer standing in the black shirt and sun glasses. Not picturedTony Adamowicz. Also Howie Fairbanks stopped in Sunday.

More photos.

Not going racing this year.

I've come to the conclusion that the car won't be ready for Watkins Glen in September. I guess it's no big surprise. But now I'll have 10 additional months and I believe it's a more realistic time frame. Heading out to the 40th F5000 reunion at Road America this month. Looking forward to meeting the drivers and taking a close look at all the F5000 cars

One year later.

I have owned the car for a year now. This was to be a 1 year project. I guess that was optimistic. Well, once again progress has ground to a halt....damn day job. But on the positive side, did come up with the color, 1974 GMC "Jasmine Yellow". The color coat will be shot in Lacquer, more work but historically correct. This was the item holding me up, so I should be able to make some headway now.

Roll bar and paint color.

Picked up the last of the nickel plating, the roll bar, looks good. Tried 3 shades of yellow hoping to match the 1975 color. Going to order one more yellow, then pick from the four. Been working with Ed Justice Jr. whose father, Ed Sr. owned the "Justice Brothers Lola T192" in the 1970's. Ed Jr. has been a tremendous resource in the restoration. The side crushable panels where required starting in the 1974 Pro-series, design and built by Zeke Justice, Ed's uncle. All aircraft quality

A trip to Carlisle,PA

Took a day off and went out to the collector car swap meet in Carlisle, PA. In search of anything F5000. Came up empty, but saw a lots of cool cars and a million parts.Work has again interrupted progress. But did get some of the fiberglass repair on the main body and nose done and shot the primer.

Plating and fuel cells.

My fuel cells from Eagle have arrived. They look good, should fit with no problems. Just picked up 60+ parts from the platers. Decide to go by air, it was a picture perfect day.I have to admit, I felt like a kid on Christmas morning opening up all those little packages. A couple of more things that can be checked off the "to-do" list.

History under paint.

Decided for a little change of pace. Starting on the body work, removed a couple of layers of paint and discovered the 1973 Justice Bros. livery paint as raced by Mark Waco. Confirmed by 1973 photos. Pretty cool. I'll just prime over the stars and leave it for the next person to discover in 35 years.