Michael Dunlap has built a career out of making model race cars. After spending many years building cars for hobby or on commission, Mr. Dunlap was asked to start making the gold car model for the winner of the NASCAR Cup each year. The trophy is a gold model of the respective winner’s race car each year. This means that Mr. Dunlap sometimes needs to work on tight timelines or make multiple models in the event of a tight finish at the end of the season. His story is a remarkable example of what can be accomplished with fine craftsmanship and attention to detail, and the doors that can be opened with patience and commitment.
Though we haven’t been able to win an actual gold car model, Mr. Dunlap was kind enough to dote several components from the build process for one of these cars. He sent a 1/12 scale plaster NASCAR Dodge body, the urethane mold pulled from that body, and the electroformed copper body made inside that mold. The body has had extensive work done on it that includes: installation of the gas filler cap, air box, B-pillar, rear spoiler, front air dam, and strengthening under the top. The body is highly polished. Once it became clear that Dodge would not win the 2007 championship, Michael stopped working on this body.
We would also like to thank Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company, who commissioned Michael to make these models, for their permission to display this body. Normally, unused bodies are destroyed. Only the top NASCAR driver gets one of these each year, so we are proud to display the model for viewers to see the kind of craftsmanship behind one of racing’s best trophies.
