1956 Paul Russo Kurtis Novi

[kyledehart5]

It occurred to me as I was working on this, this morning. That it is a red race car, and what could be more fitting for the Red hot group build? My father began attending the Indy 500 when it started back up following WW2. To a 6 or 7 year old, nothing made much more of an impression than the screaming superchargers of the Novi V8s. He became a lifelong fan in those early years. I have long wanted to build him a model of one, but the only kits are from the small time niche kit makers of the Indy car modeling world. Hard to come by if you aren't around when they were produced. I decided to try to make a post on the open wheel racing modeling forum and our friend Gary came through in the clutch with this Lance Sellers resin/white metal 1956 Novi! Purchased it and he sent it out immediately so I could start the cleaning process and hopefully get it done before my Dad's birthday on August 20th. It was driven in 1956 by Paul Russo, who had unsuccessfully tried his hand at the old front wheel drive Novi in 1955. With A striking red and gold livery it was the Novi Vespa Special thanks to a connection with the Vespa scooter company. Russo took the lead early but blew a tire and crashed out. I think I got started on this about August 5th, no pictures of it in bare resin or white metal as I was sort of in a hurry. I did take some photos after decaling to compare the shape of the Kurtis 500G with the Offy to the Kurtis specially built for the Novi engine. We start with those. 










So after that I got the suspension squared away on all 4 corners. This is a pretty simple kit as its just a solid piece of resin. Just have to dry fit everything and make sure all the suspension components line up where they're supposed to.






No issues so far. This morning I got the instrument panel finished up, the external oil cooler attached and the exhaust ran. Added some screen to the Oil cooler as that appears to be how they had it in photos. From here I'll just have to build a cockpit floor, which Lance provides a template for, and install the steering wheel and seat. Then it will be wheels and tires, vacuform windscreen to carefully trim out and some details to pick out and it'll be ready to give to my Dad this weekend. 






Hope you all enjoy this one too. And more updates to add soon. Thanks again garydavis-Rest In Peace!!

[martslay]

Very, very good job! It looks great. Congratulations!

[kyledehart5]

Aug 15, 2023 7:01:37 GMT -5 martslay said:

Very, very good job! It looks great. Congratulations!

Thank you!!

[406 Silverado]

Good bit of a history lesson on these cars Kyle and it looks like you're off to a great start with them. I'm very much looking forward to following along on this thread.

[deafpanzer]

Too cool about the history! Remind me to tell you about my wife's family history at Indy 500 when we ever meet. I really like the color red more and your dad is going to love it for sure!

[chromdome35]

I love those old vintage racers. Those guys must have had to push wheelbarrows around to carry their oversized balls. If you flipped that thing you were toast.

[Medicman71]

Wow! These look great!

[kyledehart5]

Aug 15, 2023 7:24:38 GMT -5 406 Silverado said:

Good bit of a history lesson on these cars Kyle and it looks like you're off to a great start with them. I'm very much looking forward to following along on this thread.

Thanks! The history is one of my favorite things about these builds.

[kyledehart5]

Aug 15, 2023 8:58:14 GMT -5 deafpanzer said:

Too cool about the history! Remind me to tell you about my wife's family history at Indy 500 when we ever meet. I really like the color red more and your dad is going to love it for sure!

Thank you! I will look forward to hearing that story

[kyledehart5]

Aug 15, 2023 9:24:04 GMT -5 chromdome35 said:

I love those old vintage racers. Those guys must have had to push wheelbarrows around to carry their oversized balls. If you flipped that thing you were toast.

You’re not kidding. Safety wasn’t even part of the conversation back then. Really, It’s a wonder more drivers didn’t die

[kyledehart5]

Aug 15, 2023 10:20:15 GMT -5 Medicman71 said:

Wow! These look great!

Thank you!

[handiabled]

Those look fantastic! I hope you make your deadline date, it looks like you are well on your way already

[kyledehart5]

Aug 16, 2023 9:14:51 GMT -5 handiabled said:

Those look fantastic! I hope you make your deadline date, it looks like you are well on your way already

Thank you! I believe I left myself enough time to finish it

[garydavis-Rest In Peace]

Kyle...you're doing a MASTERFUL job on both cars, my friend. I like both cars, but the one you're doing for your Father, Is super cool. Man...with the suspension added to the NOVI...it sure makes it POP. Let alone the killer RED on the body!! LOL your Dad is going to love this....for sure..

[70 STING]

Great story behind this build. It’s lookin’ good so far! Hope you get her built in time.

[kyledehart5]

Aug 16, 2023 16:07:39 GMT -5 garydavis-Rest In Peace said:

Kyle...you're doing a MASTERFUL job on both cars, my friend. I like both cars, but the one you're doing for your Father, Is super cool. Man...with the suspension added to the NOVI...it sure makes it POP. Let alone the killer RED on the body!! LOL your Dad is going to love this....for sure..

All thanks to you Gary. So, thank you for the kind words about the build too. The suspension really did add a little dimension to it. I’m having a blast with it

[kyledehart5]

Aug 16, 2023 17:44:09 GMT -5 70 STING said:

Great story behind this build. It’s lookin’ good so far! Hope you get her built in time.

Thank you! I was a bit worried at first but feel a little better about it today. I’m hopeful that I don’t even have to rush! Lol.

[kyledehart5]

Got a quick update. Windscreen installed, cockpit floor installed, steering wheel installed. Have to do some chrome on the buttons for the leather and the bolts for the windscreen and get the wheels and tires installed. Then it will be ready to stick in the case.

[garydavis-Rest In Peace]

Damn that's looking good!!

[kyledehart5]

Aug 17, 2023 18:09:14 GMT -5 garydavis-Rest In Peace said:

Damn that's looking good!!

Thanks Gary!

[handiabled]

Love it! Your Father will be thrilled!

[kyledehart5]

Aug 18, 2023 1:47:02 GMT -5 handiabled said:

Love it! Your Father will be thrilled!

Thank you!!

[406 Silverado]

You've got alot of stuff going on between the decaling and suspension detail on this car Kyle. Progress is looking great and I'm looking forward to seeing some wheels and tires go on this bad boy.

[kyledehart5]

Aug 18, 2023 5:52:20 GMT -5 406 Silverado said:

You've got alot of stuff going on between the decaling and suspension detail on this car Kyle. Progress is looking great and I'm looking forward to seeing some wheels and tires go on this bad boy.

Thank you!! Should be up on its own feet very soon now.

[project510]

Very nice!

[kyledehart5]

Aug 18, 2023 16:35:11 GMT -5 project510 said:

Very nice!

Thanks!!

[chromdome35]

Thats a beautiful looking car. Nicely Done!!!

[kyledehart5]

Aug 19, 2023 0:58:54 GMT -5 chromdome35 said:

Thats a beautiful looking car. Nicely Done!!!

Thank you! Final update will be soon

[kyledehart5]

And this one is across the finish line. I have to thank garydavis-Rest In Peace again for selling me this kit. Gave it to my dad for his birthday and he LOVED it. I have designs to build a 1948 Novi to pair with it in a display for him. Not much else to say about it. Pretty simple kit, but I think it looks the part and I'm happy with the result. Thanks again Gary!

[garydavis-Rest In Peace]

Man Kyle, that car looks AWESOME!! You did an excellent job of building and painting this bad boy.