I purchased some model car slot mags. The model wheels purchased are replicas of the Enkei dish wheel. They also came with Firestone wide oval bias belted tires.
The wheels reminded me of the mid to late '60s street scene. Back then, there were a large number of cars that included mid-size domestic family cars roaming the streets with wide rear tires, slot mag aluminum wheels all around, and the cars lifted in the rear for tire to fender clearance. Air shocks, U.S. brand slot mags and very large bias ply rear tires were typically used to achieve this look. The cars were raised in the rear with air shocks (typically Gabriel HiJackers). The driver would always be pointing downhill when driving such cars.
I decided to build a slot car in this '60s style with a twist. Since the model wheels are Japanese and four lug, I decided to build a Japanese car. I also had an unused Tamiya coil spring rear suspension chassis. The rear suspension travel and ride height are adjustable on the chassis. I dialed in the chassis for a high rear ride height. To keep it all Japanese, the body chosen for the build is a family-friendly Toyota Crown Mark ll Grande.
The model interior was sectioned to clear the slot car chassis. Body mounting posts were added. Plafit set screw aluminum wheels were turned down to fit in the model wheels. A Carrera spur gear was soldered to a 3mm axle.
The slot car is nice to drive, and the handling is neutral. The rear tires do spin when given full throttle off the line. You do not see any suspension movement when driving the car.
