It’s been a long while since I posted here, I have been away from the bench for too long, so, I decided to build something completely different from what I usually build, that it a full out race car. For this, I have chosen the Revel 1955 Chevy Pro Sportsman, kit number 85-2046. Got a little progress on the engine, it like the body and roll-cage will be painted Model Master #2729 “Olds Engine Blue”. I added the cloth transmission blanket using medical tape and gray paint the straps are cut down masking tape. I didn’t like the molded in shocks, so I scratch made new ones, the ones for the rear are done, still have to do the fronts. Still a long way to go, I hope to find time to keep at it. Thanks for looking, will post updates as I get them.

Might want to blanket the bell housing as that is where the big action occurs.

I have never seen a transmission with a "blanket" wrapped around a transmission before. What is the purpose to do this? Heat protection?

Its main purpose when I was drag racing was to keep the flywheel and or clutch from coming up in the driver area when the flywheel or clutch exploded, hard to drive with your foot cut off. The actual transmission coming apart is something I never saw but I guess it could happen. Also may reduce oildown of the track when things go wrong.

I love this kit Ed!!! Welcome back and I will be watching this one... Nice idea with the blanket!

Thanks Guys! Haven’t built a race car before, so all I have is some reference photos. The ones I have show just the transmission wrapped, and not the bell housing.

That trans is a Lenco or a Lenco style. A Lenco is a very unique trans for drag racing. It is a hybrid of sorts-part automatic and part manual.
Lenco's are modular units that can have additional gear sections added on as needed or desired. The trans itself is more or less a very specialized auto tranny with one unique feature-It uses a clutch like a manual instead of a torque convertor. This allows the racer to take off at whatever RPM he chooses then just bang the gears like you would in a street car with a "slap" shifter.
Because automatics can explode under extreme condition, they wrap them with what ias often a kevlar blanket to contain parts in the event of a failure. The reason the bellhopusing isnt wrapped, is that it is already a special piece to contain the clutch better known in racing circles as a Scattershield.

I had a friend who was racing his Nova at the drag strip without a trans blanket that paid for it. He had chosen the cheap route to a posi rear by just welding his spider gears. On one last pass, when he hit the NOS, one of the weldfs broke loose and locked up the rearend. His trans then exploded. One of the parts that came out of it came up through the floor and he lost 3/4 of his right foot. Had he had a trans blanket on , he likely would be fine today.

Cool, Thanks for the info! Sorry to hear about your friend. The transmission that came with the kit must be a Lenco because it looks just like the photo.

Good to see you back building Ed and looks like you're off to a hell of a detailing start!
Great piece of info Bowtie, thanks!

Looks great so far. Spot on with the blanket IMO. I agree with Joe, it's nice to see some more work from you.
I love these kits!
Later,