Creating The Monster

[1950lemans]

Hello all,

Anybody up for a challenge? I’ve always wondered why this sports racing car was never made into a paper model. I’ve done searches but have not come up with anything. I would think that it might be easy but I’m not an expert. Do you think the specs/pictures can be used to create a model?

American millionaire Briggs Cunningham took two 1950 Cadillac Coupe de Villes and race-prepped them for the 24 Hrs of Le Mans race. One he left pretty much stock. The other he enveloped in an aerodynamic fiberglass body that was dubbed “Le Monstre” by the locals. The stock Caddy came in 10th and Le Monstre came in 11th. Le Monstre had to battle its way from 35th place to 11th place after Briggs ditched Le Monstre into a sand bank on the second lap and lost precious time digging out. First time Americans were back at Le Mans in 21 years.

I’ve collected paper models for years but the last time I completed one was decades ago. It was a custom designed sports car in about 1:32 scale. Tried a couple since then but failed. Copped out and built a few plastic ones. That’s why I’m in awe of ALL models appearing on this forum - the makers attention to detail, precision and discipline.

[1950lemans]

More pictures of Le Monstre.

[Miles Linnabery]

Dear 150:
What you learn just looking what a funky looking race car I would say right down the ally for AirDave's Koolwheels.
Interesting,
Miles

[Vermin_King]

Originally Posted by Miles Linnabery

Dear 150:
What you learn just looking what a funky looking race car I would say right down the ally for AirDave's Koolwheels.
Interesting,
Miles

I was thinking the same thing.

If that year's caddy was built in a plant in Canada, I bet it would be higher in his priorities, if it sparks his interest at all

[airdave]

Fascinating story...but that has to be the ugliest race car I have ever seen! LOL

That front end is anything but aerodynamic!
And with the damage to the left headlamp, it must have been like driving a brick into the wind!!



I'd say the biggest reason it has not been modeled, is because it is basically unknown.
I've been interested in Motor Sports all my life and never seen or heard of it.
I'm no expert, by far, but you'd think I would have come across it at least once.

One race and not even a top ten finish...thats probably why its so obscure.

NO...Canadian built would not make it any more interesting to me.
I grew up in Canada because thats where my parents put me.
I didn't ask for it.
I don't embrace it.
I never enjoyed it.
I may be as Canadian, as the next Canuck...but I am NOT into Canadian things per se.

LOL I am also not a fan of Caddies! LOL
...except for those LMP cars.

Is there anything more interesting about this car?
Other than its peculiar lines and shape.
Tell me it set some sort of record?
It doesn't look like a difficult KoolWheelz model.

[Vermin_King]

That front end looks familiar ... papermodel-wise. I don't know if anyone here goes to - Page d’index , but I think keroliver has done a similar model, if not the same

[airdave]

Originally Posted by Vermin_King

That front end looks familiar ... papermodel-wise. I don't know if anyone here goes to - Page d’index , but I think keroliver has done a similar model, if not the same

I took a look, but I don't understand.
There must be something wrong with the text.
Its all Greek to me.

[whulsey]

Its a pretty well know car in Le Mans and sports car history. By the way it was aluminum bodied and not fiberglass. I saw the car several times when the Cunningham Museum was still open in Costa Mesa. Would love a 1/25-24 model of it. Has been done in 1/43 and I think there was a 1/18 die cast of it.

1950 Cadillac Le Monstre (Monster) - Conceptcarz

http://wheels.blogs.nytimes.com/2012...ns-again/?_r=0

The Revs Institute | 1950 Cadillac Series 61, Le Mans “LeMonstre”

[JohnM]

Now only Cunningham could work that out .... Five carbs on a V8.

[whulsey]

From what I've read the manifolds came out of Cadillac Experimental Engineering courtesy of Ed Cole who was in charge of the development team for the ohv V8. He also was letting a lot of "scrap engineering pieces" slide out the back door to people like Bill Frick and Ted Tappet. Cole and his core engineers were switched to Chevrolet in late 1952 for a little project now called the 'small block Chevy'.