Chaparrals in Scale, Part 2.
Models, Text, and Photos by Russell Mill

(click each photo for a larger view)

Modeler's made, or had made, two variations of it's 2D Nurburgring coupe. Both were the same as the regular issue except for the upper body which was cast in resin to reflect the slightly different body style. This one is the 2D as raced at Daytona 1966. It is a more accurate model than the vintage Monogram 2D.

This kit builds the 2D that I saw race at Sebring in 1966. Again, it has a resin body; as in the Daytona car, there are vacuform pieces for the headlight covers and side windows. Both should build up into very nice models.
Fisher's resin kit of the 2F has an accurate body and should also build up nicely. This is the only 2F authorized by Chaparral Cars, Inc.
RnD Unique/Mini Exotics produces three resin Chaparrals. To my knowledge they make the only 1/24 versions of the 2H and the 2J. The 2H is an accurate model of a very unusual race car. Jim Hall admitted at Road America that the 2H was his biggest disappointment. It incorporated a number of innovative ideas but had problems from the start, beginning with John Surtees' refusal to drive the car with the original, fully enclosed cockpit.

The biggest problem with the car was the very narrow track, designed to reduce frontal area. With the wide, grippy tires, Jim Hall said the car would "bicycle" in the turns, lifting both inside wheels, which must have been very scary. He said the car should have been a foot wider.
The 2J "sucker" car was built by Chevrolet R and D and delivered to Chaparral cars to develop. Despite some mechanical problems, the car was very quick but had a short racing life before being outlawed. The Mini Exotics resin kit captures the boxy shape pretty well.
Otaki made a pretty oddball kit of the 2H. Along with a series of other Can Am cars, it is molded in 1/28 scale. Although it was our only choice for a 2H model until the Mini Exotics came along, it is really not a very good model. Like the Bandai 2E, the body is not very well proportioned. The "shoulder", from the top down to the sides is too sharp and not rounded enough.

Inexplicably, the rear panel mimics the 2J, with the fan outlets and "bra!" While scratchbuilding a new rear panel would not be difficult, what would you do for 1/28 wheels and tires? I have never seen the kits of the other cars in the series and wonder if they were any better? I would particularly like to see the Shadow.
This is one of my current projects. It started out as a 1/32 wind-up toy. The body is fairly well proportioned and I have been adding details and modifying it to be more accurate. I will be making resin copies of 1/32 Dynamic slot car wheels, adapting a 1/32 F1 gearbox to a Chevy engine.
The Le Mans Miniatures 2F is the class of the field for 1/24 Chaparral kits. It has a lot more parts than the Fisher, including a detailed interior. Although this is a curbside kit, there is transaxle, suspension, and ducting detail. There is a photoetch tree with brake rotors, windshield wiper, wing end plates, seat belt buckles, and mesh engine cover.

The headlight assembly has crisp rounded light "pods" with clear plastic lenses and then vacuform headlight covers to finish them off. My example had some pinholes that will need to be filled, but this should build up to a very nice model.