Though I posted this on the Hot Wheels board, I wanted to post it here for the wheels swaps and details...

Not only an unusual choice of castings...but a real racing replica hid among the .98 cent main line cars at the old Wal-Mart. HOLY COW! I've seen several of these real replicas in the mainline over the past few years, and I will be posting a few pics and a bit of history from time to time called "Hidden Hot Wheels". You know, "hidden in plain site"! We will call this PART 1.

This is the Panoz LMP 1 Roadster driven by David Brabham, Jan Magnussen and Mario Andretti to an overall 15th place finish in the 2000 24 Hours of Le Mans. This version was powered by a 6.0L Ford V8 in the LMP900 class.

Though the cars never did perform up to expectations, it still made a place in history for it's self. This was the first front engin Prototype seen at Le Mans since 1962. The local fans did find it a real crowd favorite, an LMP spider (open cockpit design) at Le Mans, and an American car at that! These saw world wide competition from 1999 through the 2002 season with both factory works and private teams both preparing them.

Not being a Hot Wheels collector, I never take the time to look over the mainline cars at the retail stores, so when I saw this one, was stunned! Way to go HW, someone there has a great eye and thanks for working this "Hall of Fame" casting into the regular line.

I simply made a wheel swap (should have been Michelin, but I only had Goodyear) and added a few quick paint high lights (latches, filler cap, headlights, exhaust dumps, wheels, wing tips going to red and front driver cowl, etc). Now it sits in my real replica road racing case with pride.

I just wanted to share this car and a little of the history it carried. To most it is a very odd looking casting and many would not know it was even real car. Thanks for looking!

Ward


http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y255/WilsonRacePhotos/Road%20Racing/DSCN1063.jpg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y255/WilsonRacePhotos/Road%20Racing/DSCN1066.jpg

I like it. Sure is different!

The wheel swap is A plus, it looks race ready!!!!. Great work!!!

I like it..im a big fan of the lemans,trans-am, can-am stuff.

Ya know ya got my attention. :thumbsup:

"Stunned...." Well put. Its an actual adrenelin (sp?) rush to see HW's pick a blast from the past. It really flashes you back. They've documented quite a few.

HW's does do somethings right on somethings, sometimes. They seldom do right on everything all the time. Then its up to us to fix it. Nice work.

Wheels make all the difference and nice details too :thumbsup:

I got a 2002 Super T-Hunt version of this in white/blue with the rubber tired wheels. It's MOC though, so I wont be choppin' mine !!!

Talking of Panoz's- Have you seen the HWs GTR-1 ? Thats another nice casting of a real racer. I got a standard MOC, but it's not a T-Hunt. Would also make a nice custom with extra detail and new wheels if you see one

It always amazes me, trying to do more little detail work than full customs due to time and such, how a couple "tweaks" can change the whole look of a ride.

VERY nice!

A quick update...I received a recent purchase of the sister to the car we have been discussing today. This is the #12 Panoz LMP1 Spyder driven to a 5th place overall finish at the 2000 24 Hours of Le Mans. This 1:43 Onyx / Vitesse casting replicates the car driven by Johnny O'Connell, H. Katoh and P.H. Raphanel.

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y255/WilsonRacePhotos/Road%20Racing/DSCN1061.jpg

So after reviewing the authentic replica, I went back to our Hot Wheels casting and made a few more updates. I have now painted the wheels silver and the front driver cowl. I would love to paint the rear portion but I am just not the comfortable with a paint pen back there! I also panted the wing tips red to match the real cars.

I hope you guys like the contuniuning improvements.

Ward

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y255/WilsonRacePhotos/Road%20Racing/DSCN1063.jpg

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y255/WilsonRacePhotos/Road%20Racing/DSCN1066.jpg

Real nice Stang,

Your improvements really spice this model up!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

HotWheels also made what looks like a D type Jag a few years ago.
You'd probably like that one too!!!!!!!!!!!

I bet everyone here would like to see and hear about your setup for taking pics.
You are certainly the Photo Master of the Diecast Community.

--CadillacaPat the UnCustomizer--
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v483/CadillacPat/BulletProofWebcopy.jpg

http://i697.photobucket.com/albums/vv334/tarheelconvoy/DSC01237.jpg

Ward's Custom looks 10 times as good as the original!!!!

Great work Ward! True to the original!

Bumped back up at Lummox's reguest. This is what I call Part 1 in my hidden hot wheels racers.

Ok, I did see this one. A little new for my interests, but still a feast for the eyes!
Hey Ward, ya ever sean that Hut Wheals Chaperrall D2?
I will expect a full detailed report on this car along with a wheel swap etc by 5 o'clock pm EST Friday :)

Ok, I did see this one. A little new for my interests, but still a feast for the eyes!
Hey Ward, ya ever sean that Hut Wheals Chaperrall D2?
I will expect a full detailed report on this car along with a wheel swap etc by 5 o'clock pm EST Friday :)

:p It's on my short list!

Real nice Stang,
You are certainly the Photo Master of the Diecast Community.



Absolutely! And your photos only add to the excellent work you do Ward.