Jim Reed 1959 Chevy Southern 500 winner.

[MarkJ]

New York's Jim Reed outlasted the more powerful 1959 Ford Thunderbirds to win the 59 Southern 500. This was the first time a driver from other than the southeast part of the country won a big Nascar event. If you notice he had his sponsor on the left side of the car and his own garage advertised on the right quarter panel. Scenes from this race were in the movie "Thunder in Carolina" starring Rory Calhoun and Alan Hale Jr. The skipper of Gilligans Island fame. If you haven't seen this movie, you should. It introduced me to the sport of Nascar back in 1960 at the Wythe Theatre in Hampton Virginia, about three blocks from my parents' house. I was 9 years old, and Hampton Virginia was a wonderful place to grow up in. You could walk to everything. I didn't get a bike till Christmas 1962 down here in Texas.

[john2]

  Fantastic !Thanks for the story. 

[TarheelRick]

"Thunder in Carolina" is one of my all-time favorite movies. It was filmed in the mountains and foothills just a few miles west of my home. In fact, a family friend owned a 38 Ford and was cruising the mountains and was filmed. That particular scene has been edited from the TV version. I was also about 9 when I saw it at the Yadkinville Drive-In (long gone now), my Dad was a big racing fan at the time.
Beautiful build, really like that color of blue.  I may have to dig out my VHS copy of the movie later and relive some real NASCAR racing. Thanks for reminding me Mark.

[Rattlecan Dan]

I agree with Rick, That's a great color blue. And that's a fine build. And authentic to boot! Nice job and dialogue.

[Volzfan59]

Not sure what happened to my reply, it's not showing up? I'll try it again.

That is one great looking '59 Impala, one of my favorite GM vehicles. The blue you used is beautiful! Is it something that you concocted or is it available in spray cans?

Edit, I just noticed that the wheels on the right are black, wheels on the left are white.

[catpack68]

Very nice work Mark!👍

[racecar dave]

Love early racing not the crate racing of today.

[MarkJ]

Thanks, guys, for the great replies. The blue is one of the rattle can Tamiya's that is mettalic. I can't remember the number. This was way before I started brush painting. Must have been a low humidity day because the paint went on pretty good and I did not have to polish it at all. Just futured it after the decals were put on to keep them from peeling off. I made my own decals for this build and my home-made decals will peel off if I don't seal them with future.

[Michael F]

The ´59 is one of the best looking cars of the 50´s
and even better looking as a racecar   
Very nice, Mark !!

[MarkJ]

Thanks, Michael. I agree. Gotta love those fins.