8 replies to this topic

[Paul the Slotcarguy]

Never seen this one before. The yellow motor says K&B?

Your thoughts are appreciated.






Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Paul the Slotcarguy]

I opened it up and found the K&B info


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[don.siegel]

A short series of two cars with clamshell chassis, released in late 1965. Hmm, only have the Cooper F1 on tap, but the Lotus 30 box was similar, a bit bigger. Released in late 65. 

 

Don 

 

 

[Bill Seitz]

Yes, this is the K&B Lotus 30. I actually had 2 of these, but IIRC they were both British Racing Green plastic. The first was purchased late August, and it had been on the raceway shelf a bit. This car has a very serious weakness that probably put many into the trash. You'll notice the rear axle assembly is retained in the plastic shell by 2 thin webs of styrene. Any serious collision or off-track excursion tended to break these webs, and then the car was unrepairable trash. This happened to both of mine in short order. Spur gear and wheels are K&B's collet-lok design which was far better than the more common 5-40 thread. The wheels on the Lotus 30 should have plastic inserts as are shown on the F-1 Cooper. Of course you're missing the windscreen and driver figure as well. The motor is the standard K&B Bobcat. Even the Super Bobcat was not all that impressive and was outpaced by the motor in the Classic Industries Manta Ray.

[Paul the Slotcarguy]

A short series of two cars with clamshell chassis, released in late 1965. Hmm, only have the Cooper F1 on tap, but the Lotus 30 box was similar, a bit bigger. Released in late 65. 
 
Don 
 
KB Cooper F1 box.JPG
 
Arrivage 1022-9.jpg

Thanks for the response Don!!! Do you have an opinion on todays estimated value on the lotus 30 I have?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Paul the Slotcarguy]

Yes, this is the K&B Lotus 30. I actually had 2 of these, but IIRC they were both British Racing Green plastic. The first was purchased late August, and it had been on the raceway shelf a bit. This car has a very serious weakness that probably put many into the trash. You'll notice the rear axle assembly is retained in the plastic shell by 2 thin webs of styrene. Any serious collision or off-track excursion tended to break these webs, and then the car was unrepairable trash. This happened to both of mine in short order. Spur gear and wheels are K&B's collet-lok design which was far better than the more common 5-40 thread. The wheels on the Lotus 30 should have plastic inserts as are shown on the F-1 Cooper. Of course you're missing the windscreen and driver figure as well. The motor is the standard K&B Bobcat. Even the Super Bobcat was not all that impressive and was outpaced by the motor in the Classic Industries Manta Ray.

Thanks for the detailed response Bill. It’s nice to hear the history about this vehicle. Do you have an opinion on todays estimated value of my car? Do you have a spare windscreen?

Thanks,
Paul


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[don.siegel]

Paul, the value on this one is pretty minor; these aren't rare and not considered that desireable, except maybe in very good shape with the box. The green version is also rarer than the orange one. 

 

Brad Blohm did make a repro windshield at some point, not sure if they're still available. 

 

Don 

[Bill Seitz]

Sorry, Paul. All my parts to these cars disappeared in the 70's, and I've no idea what they're worth. Probably worth more to a Lotus fan which is why I had these in the 60's. When Cox introduced their Lotus 40, that was a superior car to these K&B's. All now memories.

 

I said Super Bobcat and realized a little while later that the higher performance K&B 36D motor was the Royal Bobcat.

[Bill from NH]

The last I knew; new Royal Bobcats were still available from REHCO in Cincinnati. I've inherited a couple over the years.