I rebuilt/reassembled my MAC McLaren M20 slot car that I originally built in 1974. The car was only run a couple of times back in 1974. Soon after, the local raceway (Oakland Speedway) moved to another city. Also, the relocated raceway only lasted a few months.
The car originally had smaller diameter Aguirre brand tires (13/16" rears and 5/8" fronts). I rebuilt the car with Associated 7/8" rears and 3/4" fronts for a better look. The new rear tires are Mid-America brand soft compound tires.
I sanded the rust off of the Mura C-can and re-painted it black. Another motor end-bell replaced the acid-eaten one. The long Mura magnets were reused along with the Mura machine-wound armature (probably 25 single wind).
The chassis main rails were sanded down a little to increase chassis flex and decrease understeer. The axle tubes were adjusted for the larger tires. A brass pinion and Cox spur gear replaced the worn Faas gears.
The MAC body was painted back in 1974 with acrylic paints. The wraparound rear spoiler is made of .010 Lexan sheet. The driver/interior is a modern replacement. I always thought this slot car body had very little resemblance to a real McLaren M20.
The car is nice to drive and power from the Mura motor is good. As Eric pointed out, these cars were designed to be run with lots of track glue and orange rear tires. The new soft black tires help the car handle modern spray glue tracks.
I will add a motor brace after the new gears are run in.
I found this LASCM picture of a clear MAC-V09 McLaren Mk20 body.
