31 replies to this topic

[Pablo]

What size is the 360 Classic motor, 16 or 26 or 36?
:?:

[Larry LS]

160 = 16D
260 = 26D
360 = 36D

Not sure if they had a #130 but I do have a 550 which is a big mutha with a circular magnet inside.

They just did not like the letter D.
Sounds right to me. But what do I know? :?: :mrgreen:

[Horsepower]

The Classic 26D was numbered 450 (ebd), 460 (can drive), and 470 (shaft both sides). Classic 150 was 16D ebd, 160 was a can drive, no 170 issued.
Only the 36D size 360 was issued in can drive. There was a 36D Classic 250 which was ebd.
I know there was 550 but I never saw one in the flesh.

[don.siegel]

Gary,

I picked up an incomplete 550 in a lot and guess what? It's the same thing as our old friend, the Magnet Motor Corp Mark 21!

Classic also released a late model 16D with the oval cooling holes and a factory rewind or two - all numbers unknown, since I don't think they ever. . .

Ah, wait, I take that back! Found a Classic parts list and order form.

They have:
150 - CM150 9V
160 - CM160 9V
250 - CM250 - 9V
360 - CM360 - 8V (case of the missing volt!)
370 - CM370 - 8V dual shaft
450 - CM450 3V
460 - CM460
470 - CM470

Rewound motors
160-1 - 1.24V - epoxied and dynamically balanced
360-1 - 1.24V
470-1 - 1.24V - dual wind

Motor kits (anybody ever seen one of these????)
1451 - CM160 motor kit w/3V armature
1452 - CM360 ...

This price list goes up to the Stinger Roadster, Competition Asp and Serpent so it's pretty late in the game, but no mention of the 550 or new 16D . . .

Don

[TSR]

The "new" 16D with oval hole was supposed to be used in the new series, and I actually had a factory prototype of the Competition Asp fitted with one. But they were never sold by Classic to the public, and in fact 3 dozens or so of Mabuchi foam motor boxes with 24 motors each were sold to REH in 1968 with everything else. REH sold them separately until they were gone. VERY FEW received the "Classic" shield.

The 550 was sold boxed. It's a rare beast today.

There is another mysterious and never issued Classic motor, 16D-size with a two-hole pattern on top and bottom. Very few have been floating around. I had a couple of them obtained from former Classic employees.

I have a 1451 motor kit but it is the only one I have ever seen.

The rewound 160-1, 360-1 and 470-1 are the rarest of all Classic parts or cars. I have ONE 470-1 (fitted with brass sleeves around the spring posts (in mint condition), but that is the only one I have ever seen since the 1960s. I DO remember seeing them on display at the Erlanger track in Paris in 1969 along with the rewound and balanced Classic arms, also rare today.

[dc-65x]

I have a 1451 motor kit but it is the only one I have ever seen.

This baby is up for trade if you'd like another one! I love "Pro" parts :mrgreen:

[Horsepower]

Classic 160 kit.... :drool: :drool: :drool: :drool:
Don, I forgot that there WAS a Classic 370! I must be losin' it. Thanks for those Classic stats, too. I have to print that out for future history. :mrgreen:

[don.siegel]

Gary,
No problem, I'll make you a photocopy of the whole catalog and whatever else I have - just don't let me forget!

Hey Rick, nice find; somehow it looks less exciting than it sounded, but still a rare one... let me see if I've got any pro stuff to tempt you with....

Don

[tjsguns]

8) 8) Some really great stuff here ..... Little known "facts" about the GREATEST (IMHO)
RTR manufacturer of ALL TIME. ALL of their stuff was always SO differn't and OFF THE HOOK from everyone else's!!
I'd REALLY like to know more of the intimate details about the company and its history.... DOKK???

[Larry LS]

Yep, my Classic 550 big brute is still alive and works. I don't think I ever used it. It was bought to try out in our local hardbody Nascar class here in the mid-60s and it never got a chassis built for it. They were using 36Ds then and this would have been legal they told me. I lost interest though.

It has super torquy but was just too big for my taste after the Nascar class died off here after big success for 3 years.

[stevefzr]

The "new" 16D with oval hole was supposed to be used in the new series,...... VERY FEW received the "Classic" shield. .

So what's this one? Most of my 16D size Classic motors have the rectangular hole. I thought I had a couple of these, with at least one sitting in an Asp, but this is the only one I could turn up. Is it common garden variety or should I clean it up?



Regards,

Steve C

[Prof. Fate]

Hi,

Wow, thanks for the pic of the 550. I have never seen one before!

Wow.

Fate

[TSR]

Steve,
The Classic FT16DBB was sold in small numbers by REH which had taken over the inventories of Classic in the spring of 1968 after the disastrous Chicago Hobby Show when the town was caught in the worst blizzard since global warming began due to the military-industrial complex conspiracy against planet Earth or something.

[Rusty Pinion]

My old Manta Ray has got an endbell drive 36D so that makes it a 250?

[TSR]

Hi Hugh,
The Classic Manta Ray was first issued with a chassis designed for EBD, and featured the earlier type of Mabuchi FT36 with no brush heat sinks. Those can be easily recognized by their large can bearing housing that does not have a step or a groove for a clip.
The wheels on these early cars were 3-spoke, and the drop arm had "Classic" in large block letters. It was in fact the same chassis as used on the BZ / American Line cars, the Ford GT, Green Hornet and Ferrari 275LM. Those Classic chassis were silver in color and looked like they had been blasted with a sand-like media.

If your car has the later, darker anodized chassis with "Classic" in script on the drop arm, the regular 6-spoke wheels and a Classic orange motor with the groove on the can bearing, it is the result of an assembly of an incorrect motor on the regular later Manta Ray RTR car. This could easily happen as Classic sold their FT36 motors in either can or EBD drive, and if the stock motor would have blown, the customer may have purchased the wrong replacement motor for it and reversed the drive from one side to the other.
Or someone may have done this much later so as to sell a car missing its motor.

[Rusty Pinion]

Dokk, I dug out what I have left of the Manta Ray. My chassis is light silver (almost a brushed finished ) with "Classic" in script on the drop arm. The wheels are the 6-spoke design. The motor is endbell drive with a big can bearing and NO provision for a clip. The chassis also does not have the 2 holes on the bottom like I've seen on many others. My dad bought this new for me right after they hit the market. I remember taking it out of the box that had the clear Lotus body that was still secured to the box liner. This car was bought in Atlanta and it took awhile for the new stuff to arrive down here as you guys out west got it first. :mrgreen: Thanks for the info.

[Pablo]

Why do the Classic motors and arms say "3 volts"? :?:

[TSR]

Because it sold in greater quantities to the people who did not know any better...

[Pablo]

So they thought if it runs on 3 volts, it must be, to quote Tom Scott, a
"REAL SCREAMER" at 12 + volts? :?:

[TSR]

Now you got it! Instant sell! 8)

[Russkid]

Here are some images of Classic motors. The CM160 is 1 volt with polished and balanced arm.

[TSR]

I'd REALLY like to know more of the intimate details about the company and its history.... DOKK???

Hi, Tom,
There is a pretty good chapter on the history of the company in "Vintage Slot Cars", the 1998-issued booklet. This will greatly expand in the new book that will be issued by Electric Dreams in 2007.

[Gator Bob]

Here are some images of Classic motors. The CM160 is 1 volt with polished and balanced arm.

 

Is the motor in the bottom pic a Classic brand?

 

Never had a CM550 ... looks kool!

Hi, Tom,
There is a pretty good chapter on the history of the company in "Vintage Slot Cars", the 1998-issued booklet.

This will greatly expand in the new book that will be issued by Electric Dreams in 2007.

 

[JimR]

I have one of those 160-1 motors, but I think it has a black end bell and I'm not at home to confirm (could be a replacement).