172 replies to this topic

[Martin]

Back in time, earlier than I usually go for. But this gem spoke to me. Seeing the label on the bottom of the car, to me meant there was a hard body planned, or it got lost along the way? I have a Merit body on the way so time to clean up this roller.
 
It did come with a soft body but the hardbody will be more fun, I can have more details like the hood removable to show off the front motor. The small windshield (with its steel frame) was stuck to motor magnet, now stuck to screw in the label pic.
 
The windshield does not fit the soft body so my guess is it did have the Merit body at some point... and it will again.
 

 

 

[vfr750]

Repops of the Merit Alfa and Talbot Lago are easy to find cheaply in the UK! I don't know about your side of the pond?

 

Cheers,

 

John

[don.siegel]

Yep, I noticed that one too Martin, and I may have even bid on it...  

 

Very much a Merit construction from late 50s/early 60s. 

 

Is that a homemade steering unit? And are the axle and motor shaft blocks just big nuts soldered to the chassis? A bit rustic, but very charming... and with the Pittman DC70, it should motor! 

 

Don 

[Martin]

John and Don, thanks for the interest. I found an original Merit kit, cost more than I paid for the car. The car went cheap IMO.

 

Don It is a subject more in your wheel house, but I love the steering and front motor. I felt like going back in time.

I do not recognize the steering BT . Thanks for the identification of the motor, now I can hunt for the missing brush. See pics.

 

It has ball bearings in the all the supports.

 

 

[don.siegel]

Ah yes, I can see at least one ball bearing now... 

 

If you want, I can check my stock of brushes, I should have a pair of those. 

 

Don 

[Martin]

I have plenty of brushes for the bigger padlock motors and would be happy to trade? At least they can be shipped in an envelope

 

Like this, which arrived down under safely. 1/4'' or less works.

 

 

[don.siegel]

Yes, that's pretty much my method too... and I even cheat on the 1/4" rule, but don't tell La Poste please... "as long as it fits into a PO box"! 

 

Will look, 

Don 

[Martin]

I did edit the title as I was reading a book i have on early racing cars and it seems the 158 was competitive in the '40s and '50s and actually started its winning life in the late '30s.

 

Reading up on the history now. Going to have fun with these details.

 

https://en.wikipedia...158/159_Alfetta

 

 

[Martin]

Once the crud was removed I started to disassemble. Started the clean up, being careful to save the original workmanship.

 

The wheels are mag and they cleaned up fine, I will probably clear coat or protect them in some way.

 

If anybody can tell me what brand of tires have a groove in the middle ID.? I am looking for a rubber tire that will fit these rear wheels.

 

 

 

 

[Mad Mark]

I wanted that car and bid on it too! Glad it went to a better home than I could have provided! look forward to more resto of it.

[Martin]

Always sorry to out bid someone I know. But at least I can share the restoration with you and others.  That seller has found a large collection of early hand built cars.

This one is early 60s I would guess, when steering was thought to be an advantage and can motors were not the norm. Of course it may of been built after this for a club class, but that's my guess.

I wanted to get into the detail of early cars with open cockpits, side pipes etc. I have an early driver I have been saving for years. I will see if that fits later.

[don.siegel]

On the other hand, the wheels have me puzzled. Gar Vic made wheels like that, and probably a few other manufacturers, but I never quite understood what tires were supposed to go on them! 

 

Strombecker and a lot of other home set manufacturers made these kinds of wheels/tires, but almost no "hobby" manufacturers that I can think of. (still, Gar Vic must have intended these for specific tires, eh?)

 

Any more info welcome here! 

 

Don 

 

PS: On reflection, Paul Gage, Ortmann or another urethane manufacturer may have something for modern wheels that could go on these, like some early Scalextric tires for their 1/30 F1 cars... Hmm, hav'n't sent your envelope yet, maybe I could pop in a pair of those for you to try! 

[Martin]

Thanks Don for giving the tire issue some thought, your correct I have seen some modern tires of this center groove design, but not sure about the 3/4'' I.D.

If there is no pre-made tire that will fit I am not opposed to other novel solutions.

 

I.E. I could stamped 3 rubber donuts (with the 2 i.d. inner and outer) then bond them to each other to form a tire. Once glued on the rim I can shape and true.

A bit of work but would severe the purpose.

 

That's part of the fun of restoration and slot cars in general, Never know where the project will take you.

 

Don,If it fits it ships. Please do not spend money on shipping.

[Martin]

Got the roller ready, mocked up tires with O-rings for now. Found a lone brush as a place holder, they are not a pair but will also do for now..

 

I will need to find a vintage driver, every thing I have is too laid back 60s style. I need a guy that sit up and steers with a big wheel.

 

Found the driver that I been saving for decades. Even got a couple of old school steering wheels.

Figured this blue clay would be a good way to get him in position and glued up. 

 

I am a bit ahead of myself as the Merit body is in transit.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Martin]

I realized my driver is just too big for the clear body maybe the Merit body is bigger or I need to find a source for these drives. They look like the correct size to me.

 

Check out this line up.

 

[don.siegel]

Martin, 

 

Here's my Merit Vanwall with what I assume is the original driver. (and a found partial magwinder chassis!)

 

Don 

 

 

[Martin]

Love it, Don, getting into this '40-'50s cars.

 

I am trying to find this driver in the blue car, he looks appropriate.

 

[don.siegel]

I told Martin, but am also sharing it here: pretty sure that's an Immense Miniatures driver - but not sure about availability in the States. 

 

Don 

[Martin]

The search for the driver is still ongoing but as a firm believer in never throw any slot car part away.

 

I gave my tire search one last look through my odd ball tire bin.

 

I found one and with new hope found its mate in the pile. They are the only tires I found with that center relief.  But these fit perfect.

 

 

 

[don.siegel]

Great story Martin. 

 

"Never throw anything away"! 

 

Don 

[Martin]

Loosing parts is not cool ether. While assembling the motor I realized I had somehow lost that little brass washer.  There is a witness of where it was and I spent hours looking for it. 

 

I can make one, but I am not even sure what its purpose is. I feel like such a loser.

 

This is the same motor as mine, I found this pic to help me find a replacement.

 

[Martin]

A good friend correctly identified the rear rims with center raised grooves as Gar-Vic. See pic. 

 

[Flathead]

I'd say that washer is there to short one brush to the motor frame Martin for applications where power earths through the chassis, as you're running two wires i would say its superfluous.

[Martin]

That makes sense Lee, thanks for that input.

 

I did not find the one I lost, it must have been stuck to the wire and it fell off when I was moving the parts. 

 

I would like to replace it if anyone has one they can spare. 

 

I am restoring half a dozen F1 cars from the 60s at the moment but I am looking forward to getting back to this one.

[don.siegel]

It's on its way, Martin. Should be there soon... 

 

Don