Hello, can anybody help me out with the overall dimensions of the 1950 Le Mans Cadillac Le Monstre please?

Regards, Lloyd

I have a 43rd scale model of that car. I cannot vouch for its accuracy, but if all else fails, I'll have a measure.

Thanks Barry, that would be very helpful as I am working in 1/43 too. It would be interesting to see the full size specs as they seem to be hard to find.

Regards, Lloyd

If nobody else finds the data required elsewhere, I will happily get the car measured for you, Lloyd.

DCN

That is an extremely kind offer Doug. If its not too much trouble for you I will take you up on it if nothing else comes to light.

Regards, Lloyd.

stock uncut frame so same as a 50 2 door caddy
for wheelbase and track

That's good news from Doug. Somewhat better than me measuring a 5 inch long model!

One thing's for sure - she hasn't changed very much. Give us until the working week...

DCN

[One thing's for sure - she hasn't changed very much.]

Still as beautiful!!!

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder

I consider it one of the ugliest cars to compete at Le Mans ever.

Just because you never saw the Lenham !!!!!!

Don't ask me how I know this (OK, I used to race a 1/32nd slot version of the car in my misspent youth), but if I remember correctly, Le Monstre's wheelbase was/is a shade over ten feet. Although the track had to be narrowed to fit inside the vac-formed body, a small disadvantage, the relatively long wheelbase made it an effective weapon. Purists hated the car, but the real one having competed at Le Mans, it was eligible for the sports car class, so it had to be allowed to race.

I hope these drawings help you. From the web. Drawings by Jim Marsden - 1988



Ibsen

Thanks ibsenop, they are just what we were looking for.

Regards, Lloyd

I don't know if this was the original publication of those drawings but they were with an article in Motor Racing Replica News #5 Sep/Oct 1991 (the centerfold of that issue).

Magazine cover: http://images53.fotki.com/v1579/photos/9/9...4/MRRC05-vi.jpg

If you could find a copy, the article points out the various details needed for modeling the car.

Thanks for all the replies and offers of help, thanks to you we have all the info that we need now.

All the best, Lloyd

I have the 1/43 BIZARRE version of this car displayed in my studio with a photo that I purchased from the Klemantaski Collection. One of my favorites.

Confirmed measurements just taken from the car in the Collier Collection, Naples, FL:

Length: 201”
Width: 80”
Height: 41”
Wheel base: 122”
Track – F: 59” R: 63”
Overhang – F: 45” R: 43”
Ground clearance: 5.5”
Weight: 3,705 lbs

Cockpit-
Width- 53" at max
Length(front to rear)- 36"
Edge of front cockpit to rear lip of bonnet- 22.5"
Bonnet-width- 40.5 at widest(rear)-33.5" at narrowest ( front)

Misc.-
Length from bonnet edge to front nose 24"
Wheel size 16"
Driver fairing height - 10.5"
Height of cockpit from floor boards ( cowl to floor at lowest point)24"
Bonnet length overall- 38.5"

Wheel stud size - 1/2"

Engine size - 331 cu in..

Now there's no excuse for getting it wrong?

DCN

I had no idea that Le Monstre was that heavy.

It's the overhang that got me

(How long's a Smart?)

It will be interesting to measure the 43rd scale model and compare.

Doug - could you pop back and ascertain the wattage of that central spotlight perchance ?

Me too...it would be interesting to compare those of the 917LH.

When you're on board she does feel, well, meaty...

DCN

Sure - 35 - and incidentally the old lady's system is only 6-volt.

DCN

Just for extra reference, here are some shots when the car made a rare appearance at Lime Rock Park in the 1990's.

I apologize for the very poor quality, but not having a scanner. . . these are photos of photos in my scrapbook.

Of note,

The interior featured red seats, column shift, rubber floor mats, 4 spoke steering wheel and a bare metal dashboard.

The back of the car is finished with unusually sharp corners and edges as the body work transitions from side and top (boot) to the flat back.

The rear shows a center case ready to house an American size license plate, and there are two large backup lights on either side of that.

Also, on the boot area, the rear number roundel is not painted on like the rest, it is a semi-transparent plastic piece that is apparently intended to be illuminated from beneath.

The car ran at Le Mans with two small separate windscreens, with the passenger side folded flat. Hope this helps.

FWIW there is an interesting article on the Cunningham team in this month's ever-excellent, IMO, Vintage Racecar
Roger Lund