26 replies to this topic

[algernon]

I was hoping that the collective intelligence of Slotblog might be able to give some background to this chassis, bought as part of a lot, on your favourite web site. I believe that it is a Phase lll, but I was wondering if someone could add to that. I would also be interested to hear if someone could identify the wheels and perhaps provide some info on the motor . . . it has a Mura sticker, just visible.











In the last photo you may just be able to make out the number “25“ in one hole and the letters “cu“ in the last. Sorry that I haven’t got around to disassembling it yet.

This is my first post to Slotblog, so Hello to all, and thanks in advance.

[BWA]

Yikes, what a scarey critter . . . :shock:

[algernon]

We like our critters scarey . . . but I am going to have to at least change its bandages

[edworth]

Remember, boys, it ain't the girls with just looks you want. It's the ones with personalities.

I'd say that thing has personality in spades.

Cool find.

[TSR]

It is indeed a Phaze III chassis fitted with a Mura "B" motor from a motor kit called "Long John" because of the length of the stack. It is also a perfect example of someone with absolutely no idea on how to use a soldering iron and soldering flux.
The Phaze III chassis were already poorly soldered and had a tendency to fall apart rather easily. What this person did is beyond words and this piece could be a good artifact to show on the first day of school at NYSU (New York Solder University). :|

1000 watts and a bottle of acid urgently needed here . . . :mrgreen:

[algernon]

It does indeed have personality . . . and it has survived. It just needs a little tender loving care after its journey. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, as my friend Basil (and) I am aware.

The chassis will have a lead / tin weight loss at some stage in the near future . . . and perhaps a tumble or two, but we will be gentle.

Not terribly obvious, but indeed much more sinister, is the fact that the phantom solder blobber had more innocent victims. If you go back to the overhead photo, you will see that the cross member just behind the drop arm pivot looks to be slightly silver in colour. If you thought that you would be correct. It would appear that the blobber ascertained that the frame either needed another cross member, or perhaps he melted the previous one in half in a flux-induced frenzy. In any case he needed another piece of brass rod. Now, apparently, there must have been an America-wide shortage of brass rod that year, because the only available rod happened to exist as an outer rail on a four-rail Champion chassis that happened to be conveniently at hand.

Gentlemen, please let me introduce you to, the amputee . . . the now three-rail, four-rail chassis.



The sign of the culprit is only too evident in both the quality and quantity of the blobbing involved on the second victim.

There really should be victim compensation for slot cars . . .

[TSR]

Outch! :shock:

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, as my friend Basil (and) I am aware.

Indeed. This is why God created ugly women, so that one could figure out who got lucky. 8)

[Larry LS]

First thing I would do is remove the motor, wheels, gears, etc., and then a apply a blow torch and let the solder fall where it may. Then clean the original parts all up and re-asemble them as they once were. The guy who had this one was of the school of thought "that if some is good, more is better" (worse) and "don't get it too hot, it might melt and flow". Yee gads, a pound of solder gone to waste

Good luck and best wishes on your resto job.

[Russkid]

Run for your lives - it's the blob!
:shock:

[TSR]

It's been rumored that "The Blob" Steve McQueen was killed by lead poisoning. Could it be . . . Naaaah. 8)

[Hworth08]

I don't know or remember about national rules but at our local track that frame was legal for the NCC Group12 class. Easy to reconize by the 1/16" tubing for the body/pan mounts and the 1/16" rod used to tie the motor box to the rails; most frames used brass strip instead of rod.

I resoldered one that looked similiar to the one in the pictures, used an old X12 Mura motor, and an old body from about that era. Made a pretty nice driving car, about a half second slower than a good sealed Deathstar Flexi NASCAR.

[algernon]

Thank you for all your comments.

If I may, I'll pose a couple of questions about the motor.

Long John 1.01 . . .

According to Phillipe, the motor is a "Long John" . . . is that for Cukras?

Again, from Phillipe, the motor came as a kit. Can I assume that it would have been similar to the kits seen on eBay in jewel boxes. Were they ever offered as a pre-built unit?

The arm on this motor appears to have the numbers " 25 " and " cu " (at least that I can see) engraved on it. Would that have been standard for the kit?

The can colour (in this case) is light green. Is that also indicative of the "Long John"?

Many thanks.

[TSR]

According to Phillipe, the motor is a "Long John" . . . is that for Cukras?

No, for Cukras, would be more like "Shorty". . . (for me, too . . . )
And it is not "according to me", it is a fact.

Again, from Phillipe, the motor came as a kit. Can I assume that it would have been similar to the kits seen on eBay in jewel boxes. Were they ever offered as a pre-built unit ?

Not that we know. It came as a complete kit in the standard black box with clear top glued to the typical yellow card, complete with dark-blue end bell with hardware, arm, and magnets. We have a few NIB but I don't have a picture right now. I had a ton of them NIB in the 1990s but sold most of them.

The arm on this motor appears to have the numbers "25" and "cu" (at least that I can see) engraved on it. Would that have been standard for the kit?

No, Mura never engraved any arms except for the Cukras line. it means only one of two possibilities:
1) The owner engraved the arm with either his initials or "cubic-inch" as a humoristic bout.
2) It's not the original arm.

The can colour (in this case) is light green. Is that also indicative of the "Long John"?

Yes, indeed. Only ones to have that color in the whole Mura line.

[algernon]

Thank you very much for that.

I guess if I want to find out what is on it I will have to perform some surgery. Curiosity will probably get the better of me . . . but I was trying to resist the urge to take things apart, at least until I was ready to start the project.

Do you have any ideas on when the motor might have been first available ?

. . . And just a little off topic . . . .guess which boy from Oz won another Moto GP!!! Whoohoo!! Hopkins was third though!

. . . And about the short long John, I for one am too modest to comment . . .

[TSR]

Casey is doing great on the Duck. The Yamaha has no top speed, so Rossi could do no better. The Suzuki is progressing but not quite at the rhythm necessary to actually win.

The Mura "Long John" kit was manufactured briefly in 1969. It was, as all B motors, a total loser.

But they look cool . . .

[algernon]

Yes, indeed . . . high fives for Casey, and Chris Vermulen is going better and better all the time. I really hope that the Ducks keep going and that we don't end up having it decided by tyre manufacturer.

[algernon]

. . . Curiosity finally got the better of me. So wielding my trusty 25 watt soldering iron and an allen key, behold the lady in her naked splendour . . .



It’s OK now, it’s armless . . .



Was anyone looking for a #1Jet Flag at some point ?



. . . and finally a twisty roundy bit . . .



Can anyone put a name to the arm please ?

Many thanks for all your assistance . . .

[Jairus]

Actually, I am looking for a #5 Jet Flag . . . !
I think the markings on that arm mean that it is a counter-clockwise timed arm . . . but I could be wrong.

[Tex]

Can anyone put a name to the arm please ?

OK. Gladys.

Just kidding; don't hit me. I'm weak and frail.

[algernon]

. . . Tex, that was a very silly thing to say . . . Her name is Penelope and she is deeply offended.

I'm afraid that now I have no alternative but to refer the matter to Basil, our quality assurance supervisor . . . and defender of the downtrodden . . .

[algernon]

Tex, let me introduce you to Basil . . .

[algernon]

Bill, thank you for your sensitive and well-reasoned response . . .

[TSR]

The arm is a lot more modern than the motor. I'd say from the drilling that it is from the early 1980s or later. Could be a Mura or one by a rewinder using Mura blanks.
Unfortunately the "Long John" motor housing is in pretty sad shape . . . :|