Wen Mac 5 B/GS Gasser

DrCox Wed Apr 08, 2020 5:37 pm

I realize that the greatest interest on this forum is gas powered anything that flies, especially Cox produced. However for me, it is anything with the .049 engine. As a youth, I was fascinated with the screaming sound and speed when the engine was first started. I was hooked from then on.

Here is the last of my Wen Mac '57 Chevy restorations revealed here in hopes of potentially helping others that may be in the same conundrum. For me, I am a sucker for the color scam. Produced in the early 60's (approximately 1964), a red 9 B/GS, yellow 7 B/GS, blue 5 B/GS and a black 3 B/GS were available. For me, obtaining the black one was somewhat elusive with the blue '57 a close second.

I am convinced, that if you can find a NOS one (read any out of production model), then buy it if that's where your interest is focused. Why? Potentially it is much cheaper in the long run than a complete restoration. But when the light at the end of the tunnel becomes brighter with each passing day, then restoration may be where it's at.

Case in point...the long sought '57 blue #5 B/GS, though not NOS. Wen Mac had some type of "screening" process when applying the B/GS door designation. It's quite challenging to find an excellent example that is not somewhat worn. After all, it was considered a toy to be enjoyed by "junior".

Wen Mac 5 B/GS Gasser VvEATud

Then the next step was to address the chrome parts. After stripping all the worn chrome parts with Easy Off oven cleaner, I was somewhat surprised with the different colored plastic used for the parts. I still prefer the vacuum metalized chrome process for finalizing the parts as opposed to the spray painted chrome appearance.

Wen Mac 5 B/GS Gasser QcD2Urw

As previously mentioned in a different thread with the restoration of the black '57, I still am quite impressed with the detail of the driver included with the model. Wow, detailed relief of the zippered pocket and suit. This attention to detail deserves a little color.

Wen Mac 5 B/GS Gasser IIhpSeq

After receiving the vacuum metalized chrome parts, I black-washed the grill to bring out the detail molded within the part. It was then time to buff the plastic to remove scratches from the body and windshield and then hours of polishing the 56 year old plastic body. Rubber tires were a different story for preservation. The .049 engine was disassembled, cleaned and then assembled with correct parts. Unfortunately the rear clips were snapped off of the body which necessitated the grinding out of the remaining plastic. New clips were procured and then filed to complete the correct stance.

Wen Mac 5 B/GS Gasser YKcswLk