Sunday, 10 September 2006

The very latest from RMS Resins is a car I thought I would never see in 1/32nd scale. This 1980 Oldsmobile Omega is made just for those fans of Classic Grand National (Busch Series) racing. Not only that, but the fact it looks right at home as a Saturday Night Stocker makes it even better.

To top it all off, this kit along with the Pontiac Ventura are designed to utilize the Artin Stocker Chassis. This chassis is proving itself to many scratchbuilders out there that not only is it a big bang for the buck, but it is easily upgraded and modified to fit just about any need in our scale. Combining the 2 makes for a very affordable kit package that allows you to create a model that is not only unique, but can be start of a great series for your home racing.

My version of this car is fictional but it represents many of the racers I have seen at local tracks throughout the country. I approached this project with 2 goals in mind: 1st was to use the Artin chassis with no modifications and the 2nd was to try and create a car that captured the look and feel of the prototypes.

The body itself will require a little tweaking here and there to set things just right. With my version, I sanded down the rear bulkhead where the screws are mounted to set the ride height I wanted.

I used a Dremel and barrel sanding attachment. After this was completed, I noticed the wheel wells were not quite at the perfect placement. No problem though, I used the same barrel sanding technique and opened them up just enough to make things look the way I wanted.

After this, it was basically just lightly sanding off the door handles and other small details and prep it for paint and decals. This should show how easy a kit like this can be put together. In any case, here is "Big Hank's" Saturday Night Omega...

If you are a veteran race fan from around these parts "Big Hank" Henderson needs no introduction. A legend here at the Show-Me Speedway as although he has only won the Championship one time (back in 76), he gives the fans a lot to cheer about with his arrogant on-track (on off at times) attitude. Constantly mixing it up with anyone in his way, he is clearly one of the great masters of the old "chrome horn". Hank got his nickname not from his size (he only weighs 125 soaking wet at 5 foot 5 inches tall) but from the huge letters he uses for his name.

For this season Big Hank got lucky in the sponsorship department. Quaker State actually bought the trunk lid rights for up to 5 races this year!

He also met a young man named Gene Molzon who just opened a small hobby store here in town. Since Hank is a big slot car fan, Gene decided to chip in and help Hank make it through the season.

Perhaps Hank can keep himself out of jail this year long enough to make a run for the Championship. We all wish him luck as he brings out his Omega for final testing.

- Harry

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