4 Attachment(s)
Part 4: The Body Transformation
OK, let’s get down and dirty with some body work in preparation for the transformation of the Unique Motorcars FIA car into a Unique Motorcars USRRC car. Their 289 car is designed as an FIA model, which includes the oil cooler opening under the grill. This is from the day I picked her up at the Unique factory. Notice the opening under the grill.
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Since the USRRC cars do not have the oil cooler opening, the first step in the process was to remove the one on the standard Unique body. This is a really nice hand laminated body that is quite strong. Terry always did a great job in the fiberglass booth!
Alan put his expertise to work on swapping in a new piece that Terry laid-up, which does not have the opening. Remarkably, this is only the third Unique Motorcars 289 car to come off the line without the oil cooler scoop! It looks pretty good in preparation for primer!
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Next, one of the shop guys, whose name I am temporarily forgetting (sorry!), works on the rear fender flare inserts. These are very important to have installed for the period correct race version of the 289 car. Keep in mind that there were many modified 289 variants that had unique, and sometimes wild, fender flares. The FIA/USRRC cars were dedicated racers, and, thus, came with wider fender flares from the Shelby factory. Her hips are looking fine!
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Attachment 3261
Next we will get her into primer!
