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SHORT TRACK MODELS by Rod McLeod

Bugs Stevens' 1974 VEGA Modified

decals by BULLRING GRAPHIX!

Story by Rod:
"Bugs Stevens won 3 consecutive NASCAR modified titles driving Lenny Boehler's blue #3 coupe in 1967-1969. The modified world was stunned shortly after when Stevens and Fred Desarro swapped rides and Bugsy started drivning Sonny Koszela's "Woodchopper Special" #15 coupe. Bugs drove the car for several years through the transition to a Vega and then to a Pinto. He won a couple of Stafford Speedway titles for Koszela. The model represents the entry in the spring 1974 Modified race at Martinsville Speedway.

The kit is the recent Model King reissue of the MPC Rat Trap Vega with a few changes to make a more accurate miniature.

The kit frame was shortened front and rear to reduce the overhang. The fuel cell was moved to the left and a hoop was made to protect it. A new front bumper was made out of a couple of lengths of tubing and it was dented and weathered to reflect short track usage. A mesh radiator protetor was framed with strips of Evergreen.

The interior includes some additional panels on the passenger side to close it off a bit more. Seat belts were made from ribbon and bits of spare photo etch and strip plastic made the buckles. A screen was added to the left side of the windshield area and a half windscreen was made from clear styrene.

The sides and front of the hood had to be extended a little with strips of Evergreen. The kit air cleaner was replaced with the one supplied in the Pinto kit with some mesh added to the top.

The biggest visible change is in the wheels and tires. The tires are rears from the old Monogram IMSA Mustang kit. The wheels are from that kit as well with the centres replaced with Wide 5's from Plastic Performance Products via BSR. These tires are still not quite wide enough for a modified but the profile looks better to me than the kit versions."

(Note from Mr NASCAR: Rod is a fellow Canuck, short track enthusiast, and one of the NASCARphiles in GROUP 25... He is the "Resident Artiste" for BULLRING GRAPHIX)

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