| Manufacturer / Kit: | Monogram #2477 |
| Vehicle: | 1996 Ford Thunderbird |
| Sponsor / Design: | Valvoline |
| Driver: | #6 Mark Martin |
| Scale: | 1/24 |
| Condition: | New, original factory-sealed packaging, may show signs of storage wear |
The 1996 Ford Thunderbird and Mark Martin
Mark Martin, the “best driver who never won a championship” (ESPN), was born in Batesville, Arkansas. He began his racing career on various dirt tracks, continued his passion on paved tracks, and soon was racing successfully in the ASA series.
During his ASA career, Mark Martin raced against Dick Trickle, Jim Sauter, Joe Shear, and Bobby Allison, among others.
Martin was named Rookie of the Year in 1977 and, in addition to 22 individual wins, took four ASA championships (1978, 1979, 1980, and 1986).
His entry into the NASCAR series was, let’s say, a bit bumpy. Between 1981 and 1987 he drove for six different teams, won the pole position twice in his first NASCAR year, and managed a third-place finish in the final race at Martinsville.
After Mark Martin was unable to land a driving contract in the NASCAR series in 1984, he first returned to the ASA. There he promptly secured the championship title the following year.
Thanks to this success, he was able to take a seat with Jerry Gundermann as a part-time driver and showed what he was made of in his five races: two top-15 finishes and a pole position in Atlanta.
His successful three seasons as a part-time driver finally earned him a full-time contract with Bruce Lawmaster in the Busch Series in 1987. Martin promptly scored two wins, three poles, nine top-10 finishes, and eighth place in the overall standings.
That in turn caught the attention of Jack Roush, who signed him as a driver in 1988. This contract with Roush Racing would turn out to be a successful partnership for the following 19 years.
In 1992, Mark Martin got a new crew chief in Steve Hmiel and a new primary sponsor for his Ford Thunderbird – Valvoline. At the end of that season, Martin was one of six drivers competing for the championship at the “Hooters 500” in Atlanta. Unfortunately, that dream blew up in lap 160, just like his engine.
The 1996 season would be the first without a single win for Mark Martin and his Ford Thunderbird. Even so, he scored 14 top-5 finishes, 22 top-10 finishes, and four poles. He even finished second four times and ended the season fifth in the overall standings.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P34CKr7p3sQ
The Model Kit
This Monogram model kit from 1996 is a Ford Thunderbird.
The kit is molded in white with clear and chrome-plated parts and includes a complete “Valvoline” decal sheet.
The car is painted in two colors, so assembly is fairly straightforward overall. This Monogram Ford Thunderbird fits perfectly into the NASCAR 124 rules.
Notice
This model kit is not a toy for children!
It contains small parts that can easily be swallowed. Never leave children under 10 years old unsupervised with a model kit like this!
Please note that the included decals may be brittle due to their age. If you want to use them, you should definitely pre-treat the decals before soaking them in water and coat them with a suitable film!
I accept no liability whatsoever for the fit, condition, or functionality of the decals!
