11 replies to this topic

[Mark Onofri]

At first glance, it appears to be just another scratchy build. But apon closer examination,it has bends in the wire that would make DC65X blush. Yes, you're not seeing things, the outside wire is one (1) piece!!!

The part that I find confusing is the use of the older style Brasskar pans opposed to the newer ones with the triangley cutouts.

 

(More pictures to come.)

 

[Mark Onofri]

Here's another interesting feature. The springs are also the pan up-stops. If you look even closer, there inserted into brass tubing.
(Magenta arrows)

Attached Images

• 

[Bill from NH]

Twin .078 main rails is someone's pipe dream, not a production chassis from a factory. That someone used whatever parts he had on hand.

[Mark Onofri]

Take a closer look Bill,who do you know that could bend wire like that? I just checked,.065. it does look heavier than that but, it is what it is.

[Bill Seitz]

This is a Camen chassis. The way the main rail is bent, winged nose is cut, the axle springs doubling as pan stops, double rails, this is all reminiscent of Camen G15 chassis I had in the early 80's. Someone's just happened to put Parma front wheels on it. The rails are .062, not .078. If you think that wire bending is fancy, have a look at a Camen Snapper main rail where the wire is formed into the rear pillow blocks.

 

I happen to have the build instructions for a kit of this chassis (it was also available built) with a diagram of the chassis elements.

Attached Files

•  Camen Grp15 chassis.pdf   1.14MB   92 downloads
•  Camen Snapper Chassis.pdf   705.81KB   83 downloads

[Mark Onofri]

It just blipped the reply into the oblivion so, this is take two . I tried to measure the rails with a General gauge without taking it apart.I thought the nose piece looked a little different. And yes, it has a Int.-15 motor.(pics later)
Thanks for the instructions, they rock.

[Mr. M]

Trinity had a similar chassis with 1 piece 0.078 main rail. Sold it as a G27 about 1982

[Bill Seitz]

The Camen G27 chassis of similar vintage had the same nose and 1-piece .062 main rail, but the inner rail was .055, IIRC. It also had pan hinges in addition to the plummer. I had a least a couple of those and 3 or 4 of the chassis pictured above. I also remember a similar one that had a steel winged nose. We think of Camen mostly for motors, but there were some interesting chassis and bodies, too.

 

It's a great chassis from the period. That main rail made it pretty hard to knock the axle tube out of it. Yours can use some TLC which I'm sure you'll give it. It would look extra nice with a set of 1/2" Camen purple front wheels.

 

Looking at the photos further, I think those might be the 1/2" Camen aluminum front wheels. I thought at first they were the 5/8" Parma's, but now believe they are 1/2", so could be any number of similar fronts.

[Dominator]

I believe racer products made a mono .078 rail box stock chassis that was similar to this. The rail the motor was soldered to was angled and wrapped around the back side of the axle tube.

[Mark Onofri]

Ain't life a b**"h, I missed the bid for the purple ones and, the ones that I have are already allocated to another build. I do however have a card or two of the drilled ones.
Yes,it needs some help, should I continue with the restoration in this thread?

[Martin]

" Yes, you're not seeing things, the outside wire is one (1) piece!!!"

 

This outer rail is the way I did it back in 69. I thought it was stronger and a royal pain to get right. I had never seen it done before.

It runs across the rear axle tube and then all the way to the front axle tube. The front axle is the same design BTW.

 

[Mark Onofri]

I started the cleanup and, now that we've established a year, even though I don't remember that period in time very well, I have a few motors that were the hot ones at that time 🤔, and also, some basic ones, I think.
Should I continue here or,a new thread?